.32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

Arron · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:14 pm Post subject: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

Found an old top break top Break H&R in this caliber that has been bored out to chamber Longs, YES, I KNOW the two cartridge are WAY DIFFERENT in pressures!!! What I am going to do is try to find load data for the shorts and load that into my Long cases and top it off with some "Puff-lon" or "Kapok" and seat the bullet.

This way the charge will stay up tight to the flash hole and I will not have to worry about a undercharge. And I will not have to worry about the bullet jumping to get to the start of the barrel, and hopefully increase the accuracy as well.

ANY load data is better than what I have now. Which is slim to none.

Thanks guys.

Later.

Suzanne · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

Funny I can find 32 auto (32 Browning) but not 32 S&W short. I looked in Lyman and Hornady current editions. I have shot 32 shorts in my Ruger 32 H&R magnum pistol and couldn't believe how under powered the 32 shorts are. I remember it took quite a few shots to get a hole in a car window. It was a wreck out in the desert we shot up. If your pistol is in any kind of good shape I bet the S&W long loading will work just fine, they're just not very powerful anyway. The S&W long loadings start at 550 FPS and go to 750 max. The magnum loadings start at 700 FPS and up to 1050 max. On the other hand the 32 Auto (which is a very short .680 length case) starts at 800 FPS and up to 1000 max which might be too much for the S&W short rounds. Sorry, but maybe that will help some.

Suz

dhc4ever · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

.32 s&w also known as .32 s&w short;
www.thetruthaboutguns....son-32-sw/

Found a load on the adi powder site;
www.adi-powders.com.au...%26+Wesson

Adi make quite a few of hogdons powers heres their equivency guide;
www.adi-powders.com.au...alents.asp

Goodluck with it, sounds like fun.

Cheers

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

I've got some old manuals at home, I'll take a look when I get there.

44marty · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 11:10 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

***........... Found an old top break top Break H&R in this caliber that has been bored out to chamber Longs, YES, I KNOW the two cartridge are WAY DIFFERENT in pressures!!! What I am going to do is try to find load data for the shorts and load that into my Long cases and top it off with some "Puff-lon" or "Kapok" and seat the bullet.

... AND make VERY SURE never to load your standard .32 longs into the H&R

better mark the light loads well.

What if something happens to you, the gun ends up in a relative's hands who then blows it up ?? That piece is an accident waiting to happen.

MacD · Last edited by MacD on Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:13 am; edited 1 time in total

Duplicate post deleted

MacD · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 9:07 am Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

How old and what model? H&R made M732's that were chambered for the long but marked only 32S&W. This was on the 70's or maybe 60's. My friend had one and used long rounds. A competent gunsmith may be able to tell if the chamber has been reamed out or is original.

I did some googling and found this post. It jives with what I remembered.

www.thefirearmsforum.c...-32.37524/

Suzanne · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

This info is from another web sight;

According to the Lee manual for 32 S&W and 32 S&W Long

32 S&W

-85g round nose
-1.4g Win231 powder
-9500 CUP
-595fps

32 S&W Long

-98g round nose
-2.7g Unique
-9700 CUP
-715fps

AND THIS;

Original loading was 9000 cup, max loaded listed in the Lee box is 10000cup. I wouldn't go much more than that, the cylinders are strong enough but the break top design is not noted for strength.

Suz

Ominivision1 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

Also 2 scans from my 1967 Lymans book.

Suzanne · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

So when I said "If your pistol is in any kind of good shape I bet the S&W long loading will work just fine".....sorry big time. I'm bad at betting. As weak as the cartridge is (the short version) apparently the break action isn't much of a match for the S&W Long. The initial pressure spike is too great.

Duh
Suz

MacD · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:51 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

My bad. The 732 is a swing out. Always a problem trusting memory. I talked to my friend and he corrected me. He had both a top break H&R but it was. 22. and a. 32 S&W swing . Obviously big difference. Gotta check before I type.

Arron · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 2:58 pm Post subject: Re: .32 S&W SHORT LOAD DATA

Hey Guys and gal Smile

Sorry for the delay. I am thinking this one was made in or somewhere around 1893. ANd from what i can find it looks like a "third model????? And yes the top break actions are relatively weak unless designed for a higher pressure cartridge so ya' all got that one right.

I have the boy trained in what needs to be done so no worries about it falling into wrongly informed hands should I meet my end on this plane of existence.

The backstory on this revolver is great!!! My late wife's, uncle's, sister in-law(whom I do know as well) had an uncle who was a Chicago policeman and it is said he carried this revolver along with another .32S&W Iver Johnson as back-up guns for when he was on duty. And it would have been the right time for the all of the boot-legging going on. So who knows this may have been used in some of the Capone gang situations. I would love to able to have it talk to me and tell me it's history. That alone is why I really enjoy old tools and such. And yes I view this as a tool. HA HA HA

I got this thing for $25US or less and Jill really likes the way it fits her hand so I figure since I am a "somewhat competent" reloader I would give it a go with loading the lighter loads in it after a local 'smith gave it a rough eyeball over and told me about using the kapok material.

I figure this way it will be a lighter recoiling little revolver for her to get more confidence with shooting in general and become more competent with the P22 I got her a few years back. She has such tiny hands it is hard to get a handgun into her hands that won't kick the snot out of her and scare her off. But that also makes her a good Veterinarian. she cvan get into those cat mouths easier. Smile

That load info was EXACTLY what I was needing Omni. Thanks!!! If you ever get around Ames give me a shout and I will let you play with it on the range.

Again thanks for everything!!! This is going to become my main hangout for reloading info as the ol' faithful RLB has died. It was a good site with great guys just like this one. So hopefully I will drop in more to say hey and keep Mr' Vince on his toes!!! We give each other garbage back and forth on Facebook.

Be well and keep the powder dry folks. Arron