.32S&W Long revolver reloads
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.32S&W Long revolver reloads
I have a revolver in .32S&WL. The barrel is six inches long and you can add on another inch and a half for the cylinder; this is nearly double the barrel length of many autos. Should I use a slower powder for this longer barrel arrangement. I'm using HBWC - 100gr speer or 98gr lapua. What sort of muzzle velocity should I expect or aim for?
You can use a slightly slower burning powder with more bulk. This will give a better load density (less airspace).
Load to your favorite target velocity (780-820 fps) depending on your barrel twist.
The revolver will also like button nose cast wad cutters with the lead loaded out and crimped into a crimp groove.
Load to your favorite target velocity (780-820 fps) depending on your barrel twist.
The revolver will also like button nose cast wad cutters with the lead loaded out and crimped into a crimp groove.
Barrel length is irrelevant to powder choice. Consider only accuracy.
The point about powder bulk is good, but I have found that using a magnum primer enhances burning/accuracy in many cases with low pressure target loads. Try both kinds.
Roll crimps are good, especially in revolvers. Many don't like that in autos because they think the case headspaces on the mouth. It doesn't.
The point about powder bulk is good, but I have found that using a magnum primer enhances burning/accuracy in many cases with low pressure target loads. Try both kinds.
Roll crimps are good, especially in revolvers. Many don't like that in autos because they think the case headspaces on the mouth. It doesn't.
Thanks for your replies. I will try seating bullet out as their is plenty of length for it.
Barrel is new .303British, .311/.303 with 10 inch twist, I size my projectiles to .312" and expand cases so that projectile is heavy-thumb-pressure fit.
I wasn't sure if I should continue with VV310 which I use for my autos. 320 or WST may be more suitable.
Barrel is new .303British, .311/.303 with 10 inch twist, I size my projectiles to .312" and expand cases so that projectile is heavy-thumb-pressure fit.
I wasn't sure if I should continue with VV310 which I use for my autos. 320 or WST may be more suitable.
My best .32 revolver load dates back to 1996 with a Manurhin Match.
It was a cast 90g button nose (.312), single lube groove, bevel base projectile loaded with 1.8 WST.
Roll crimped into the crimp groove and Federal primer.
This gave me 835 fps and a ES of 28 fps, MAD 8 fps.
25m machine rest groups measured around 22-25mm outside to outside.
Not long after this I changed to .38 revolver because it grouped even better.
It was a cast 90g button nose (.312), single lube groove, bevel base projectile loaded with 1.8 WST.
Roll crimped into the crimp groove and Federal primer.
This gave me 835 fps and a ES of 28 fps, MAD 8 fps.
25m machine rest groups measured around 22-25mm outside to outside.
Not long after this I changed to .38 revolver because it grouped even better.
I've got a S&W 14-5 in .38special. Crisp trigger and great accuracy. Has Bowler ortho grip, otherwise all original.
My .32 is a converted .38 Sauer revolver (k frame copy), now single action only, sleeved cylinder, new extractor, new barrel, altered Nill ortho grip, trigger stop added, new barrel band and front sight, cylinder locks up tight and no end shake, 0.003 barrel-cylinder gap. First revolver project.
My .32 is a converted .38 Sauer revolver (k frame copy), now single action only, sleeved cylinder, new extractor, new barrel, altered Nill ortho grip, trigger stop added, new barrel band and front sight, cylinder locks up tight and no end shake, 0.003 barrel-cylinder gap. First revolver project.