Spring has sprung. Get out and shoot your Henry
.32 Smith and Wesson Long
- Shakey Jake
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.32 Smith and Wesson Long
I sprung for a late 60's Model 31 revolver, 4 inch barrel. Looks nice in pictures but that's always a bit deceiving. I'll know when I get it in. The .32 has a good reputation for being an accurate target gun. I was looking around for a good load and kept coming up a bit stumped as I couldn't find anything without using XTP bullets which are a bit expensive for doing a lot of shooting. I do use them in my .327 Federal Mag BBS but I don't shoot it every week. If anyone could offer up some good advice on loads I'd appreciate it. I've ordered some brass and Berry's 71 grain .312 plated bullets and am going to start of with 2.0 grains of Bullseye and see how that works out unless I get other advice.
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- North Country Gal
- Firearms Advisor
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
That's a prime vintage Smith, so even if it doesn't shoot for you, it's still prime trading material. Won't lose value unless you drop it or get it beat up, somehow. Nice find.
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- Tenderfoot
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
Oops, I read your post incorrectly. You have bullets. I have some load data at home, get it out here in the next day or so.
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- Shakey Jake
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
Thanks, I'd appreciate it. My Lyman and Hornady manuals only show XTP 85 gr and 100 gr. loads except for some lead loads. I'm not into making my own cast bullets. I think I can make the Berry's work with 2.0 Bullseye and maybe able to increase it to about 2.4. We'll see.lost californian wrote:Oops, I read your post incorrectly. You have bullets. I have some load data at home, get it out here in the next day or so.
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
If your only paper punching there is lots of data for WC loads, it is after all the preferred chambering for ISSF.
Only 32swl I have is one of these Wadcutter only
Have just started loading some lee 90gr SWC for my BBS, there is a bit of data for our Aussie made AP-70 powder. It is repackaged by hodgdon and sold as Universal.
For 90gr lead SWC the current manual lists 2.4gr as a starting load for 777fps and 2.7gr as max for 844fps.
The other option would be trailboss
Only 32swl I have is one of these Wadcutter only
Have just started loading some lee 90gr SWC for my BBS, there is a bit of data for our Aussie made AP-70 powder. It is repackaged by hodgdon and sold as Universal.
For 90gr lead SWC the current manual lists 2.4gr as a starting load for 777fps and 2.7gr as max for 844fps.
The other option would be trailboss
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- Shakey Jake
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
Exactly.Travlin wrote:Get the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook , lots of good info .
Ask, and ye shall receive.
From the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th edition
.32 S&W Long
93gr Lee#311-93-1R
OAL 1.250"
Bullseye
Start 2.1gr 634FPS
Max 2.4gr 720FPS
Titegroup
Start 2.0gr 636FPS
Max 2.4gr 792FPS
700X
Start 2.1gr 707FPS
Max 2.5gr 768FPS
Green Dot
Start 2.4gr 703FPS
Max 2.7gr 757FPS
Unique
Start 2.7gr 676FPS
Max 3.1gr 828FPS
85gr Lyman #313249
OAL 1.210"
Bullseye
Start 2.3gr 786FPS
Max 2.7gr 904FPS
Titegroup
Start 2.2gr 798FPS
Max 2.6gr 897FPS
700X
Start 2.5gr 779FPS
Max 2.8gr 872FPS
Red Dot
Start 2.4gr 727FPS
Max 2.7FPS
Green Dot
Start 2.6gr 780FPS
Max 3.0gr 905FPS
Unique
Start 3.0gr 740FPS
Max 3.5gr 910FPS
As always, this data is offered with no warranties.
Please verify data for yourself.
The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (4th edition) is a treasure trove of data for lead bullets.
Good luck.
Hope this helps.
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
If you lack a good source of cast bullets for the S&W L. you can always use a 00 buckshot pellet shoved down in the case against a .22 short case measure of Bullseye powder. The first rounds I ever reloaded were that combination for an old Hopkins and Allen revolver that I got after my grandfather passed. Obviously this is not target grade ammo but it is fun to shoot @ tin cans etc. That much powder is good in a revolver but I would use more in a rifle so the ball makes it out of the muzzle.
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- Shakey Jake
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Re: .32 Smith and Wesson Long
Loaded up some Berry's 71gr plated round nose bullets Sunday. I took 18 rounds to the range: 6 loaded with WSP and 1.7gr Bullseye. 6 loaded with WSP and 2.0 gr Bullseye. 6 loaded WSP and 2.2 gr Bullseye powder. The 2.0 gr grouped quite well at 10 yards in my Ruger LCR .327 Federal Mag. Now that I know these little buggers will do okay I'll load up 100 or so to try out when the Smith comes in. It's supposed to be delivered to my FFL today so I'll see if I can't pick it up tomorrow or Thursday.
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