32 S&W(short) reloading

[Buckwheat Jack]

I could use info on loads for the 32 S&W, smokeless. I prefer Unique or Red Dot powder as I have these, approx 100 grain bullet. Anybody able to help me out?

[Lee N. Fielder]

My copy of the 46th Lyman Reloading Manual lists a load using a 100 grain jacketed soft point bullet and Unique powder for the .32 S&W cartridge. 

The starting load is 2.5 grains of Unique and the maximum load is 3.0 grains.  It also says that the maximum load should only be used in solid frame revolvers and that the starting load of 2.5 grains should be considered a maximum load in break-top revolvers.  Since this load data is for a jacketed bullet you will simply add a little safety margin by lowering your pressure a bit if you are using lead bullets.  Hope this helps.

-Lee

[Buckwheat Jack]

Thanks, this gives me an idea of a starting point.

[blpenn66502]

Lee/Buckwheat,

For another reference point:

The current Lyman 49th Ed shows 2.5 gr Unique as the starting load and 2.8 gr as max for a 100gr HP in the 32 S&W Long with no listing for the old 32 S&W (short).

Their current Cast Bullet edition lists the 32 S&W (short) with a 84 gr lead RN with a starting load of 1.5 gr Unique and 2.4 gr as max.  A 93 gr RN in the 32 Long starts at 2.5 gr Unique with a max of 3.7.

[Mikey]

Jack:  My Lyman 43rd shows only 77 and 84 gn cast bullets for the 32 S&W, with Red Dot charges running from 1.4 gns to 1.9 (accuracy load) for the 77 gn slug and 1.3 - 1.7 gns for the 84 gn slug.  Unique charges run from 1.6 to 2.6 gns for the 77 gn slug and 1.5 - 2.5 gns for the 84 gn slug.

I would suggest that if you were going to use a 100 gn slug you may wish to start or stay in the range of 1.2 - 1.5 gn of Red Dot or 1.2 - 2.2 for Unique. 

Also, please understand this is a old and slow cartridge.  Accuracy loads for the 77 gn slug with 1.9 of Red Dot run to about 730-735, while the accuracy loads with the 84 gn slug using 1 gn of Bullseye, run to only 440'/sec.  HTH.

[Buckwheat Jack]

Thanks for all the help.

[Old Fart]

I don't know if you subscribe or might be able to pick up a copy, but this months Handloader magazine has a nice write up on this round with some recipes. I believe it was written by Mike Ventrureno <sp?>

[NickSS]

Those loads are for the 32 S&W long cartridge for the short use the starting loads as a max load as the short cartridge is just that; short with less case capacity.