32 SW short

[mac100]

Does anyone have any recipes for this little load. I would prefer not to use black powder if possible.
Also I have quite a few 32 S&W long cases and want to trim some down to the shorts.
I found on Wikipedia to trim to .610. Is this good starting point.
I have 4 pistols in this caliber and I have never fired then but they are in excellent condition and very tight. Should be safe to shoot. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[ted_dent]

Does anyone have any recipes for this little load. I would prefer not to use black powder if possible.
Also I have quite a few 32 S&W long cases and want to trim some down to the shorts.
I found on Wikipedia to trim to .610. Is this good starting point.
I have 4 pistols in this caliber and I have never fired then but they are in excellent condition and very tight. Should be safe to shoot. Any help would be greatly appreciated

"The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions" says 1.2 gr. of Bullseye with an 85 gr. lead bullet = 725 fps.
"Cartridges of the World" (9th ed.) says 1.1 gr. of Bullseye with an 85 gr. lead bullet = 705 fps.

 

[Alex McKr]

Try visiting the "Firing Line Forum". Some load recipes are offered there for the .32 Short. Or Google: "smokeless loads for .32 S&W Short". Several interesting loads also found. Unique appears to be popular.

Likewise: "Cast Boolits" forum. Some info there, too.

Load data for .32 Smith & Wesson...also listed in "Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. 3rd Edition." Case length is listed as .605"...if this is of interest.

Edit: "Modern Reloading", by Richard Lee....also shows load data for the .32 S&W.

 

[9.3 Hunter]

I'm using 1.1 Bulleseye for 85gr Lead RN. I have alot of Bullseye for 455 Colt + 32 S&W - my current go to load. I also shoot it out of a WW Greener in chambeted in 32-20 .... works great.

 

[vagrantviking]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cjuw_nZ44l1F1aWESOLpkEa2FFVdANhKtWY-wAEfPZw/edit?usp=sharing

Several recipes in this data.

 

[ChiliDawg]

I have tried to trim 32 S&W Long. Sometimes successfully, sometimes not. The only problem is the case walls may be to thick and cause the reloaded case to bulge. Your best bet is to pick up cases at a gun show.

 

[Alex McKr]

mac100: This load data may be useful.

From: Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. 3rd Edition.

.32 Smith & Wesson

Bullet: 77 gr. lead

700X........Start: 1.3 gr................Max: 1.8
Bullseye...Start: 1.1 gr................Max: 1.5
Red Dot....Start: 1.4...................Max: 1.9
Green Dot .Start: 1.5....................Max: 2.0
Unique......Start: 1.6...................Max: 2.5
HP 38/231:Start: 1.4....................Max: 2.2

84 grain lead

700X: Start: 1.2 gr.....Max: 1.7
Bullseye: Start: 1.0.........Max: 1.4* Mates well with ted_dent and 9.3 Hunter's data.
Red Dot : Start: 1.3.........Max: 1.7
Green Dot:Start: 1.4.........Max: 1.9
Unique: Start: 1.5.........Max: 2.4

From: Modern Reloading

Bullet: 85 grain lead

HP 38/231 Start: 1.3 gr. ....Max: 1.4 gr.

Some additional info from Hodgdon Reloading Manual #26

Bullet: 85 grain

HP38/231 Start: 1.1 gr Max: 1.4

700X Start: 1.2 Max: 1.5

Bullseye Start: 1.2 Max: 1.4

Note: Hodgdon Universal and Unique are essentially identical in burn rate and performance.

 

[mac100]

Thanks everyone for all the help. I am a member of cast booliits and will look there as well. I have lots of 32S&W long cases so I’m going to trim some up and try them. I will see if I can find some 32 short cases as well.
I have a bunch of pistols in this caliber and they just sit there and they are in good condition so I may as well shoot and enjoy them.

 

[vagrantviking]

It will be very satisfying to get them running.

32’s are very easy shooting and it's a real shame so many are banned in this country. The lower recoil and small size make them a good fit for beginners or those with smaller or weaker hands.

Hopefully none are 32 Colt as they are smaller in diameter and a different proposition to reload.

 

[Alex McKr]

mac100: Starline lists new, .32 S&W brass on their site. I expect several site sponsors can get it for you. A couple I've had good dealings with: Double Tap . Likewise: Rusty Wood.
Hope this helps.

Al

 

[mac100]

I cut down some 32 longs that I will try. I did see them on rusty woods site. I’ve dealt with them before. I bought some 357Max cases and trimmed them for my 351WSL. They have quite a few old cartridges and supplies. Thanks everyone. Love the cast book it’s data too. Lots of recipes in there.

 

[backpacker336]

I am just starting off reloading and this cartridge is going to be one of my first. I am going to be using black powder to start and work my way into smokeless when I get some more practice. I was reading over your chart and the max load for unique seems a lot higher then the manual says that came with my Lee dies. Manual says 1.8 max (85g bullet) and your chart shows 2.4 max(84g bullet).

 

[backpacker336]

Ordered a special mold for this cartridge but its going to take a long time to ship. In the mean time I loaded with some .32 hornady balls and 6g of fffg slightly compressed. First time using crimping dies, wondering how I did? Only experience I have thus far is those H&C kits and my muzzleloader.

 

[Alex McKr]

backpacker336. If you can get your hands on some Ffffg, this fine-grained powder works very well in the .32. By the way, your crimp looks just fine.

Al
ps: Lee load data is always on the moderate side. I have the Lee load data too(Modern Reloading), and would likely use that as the starting point. Working up, if necessary. Hodgdon data generally seems to run a bit hotter. Your guns may tolerate it. But....depending on their age and condition, it's better to err on the side of caution.

 

[Tex Critter]

You can trim .32ACP brass to .32S&W length. They are semi-rimmed & will work in revolvers. Just don't use .32ACP data in them.

 

[backpacker336]

Shooting data from the .32 S&W with around 6.5-7g of bp under a 45g rb. I had one random shot go 300 mps, guessing this is some sort of error. I could load more bp but the cases become really hard to eject.

 

[mbogo3]

Made up a couple hundred .32 SW short blanks for dog training for a friend using Tite Group with case mouths pressed into florist blocks of foam to hold the powder in place. Worked fine.