.32 H&R mag

[PHATINJUN]

Stimpy this is mostly for you but all can chime in. I am getting the custom .32H&R may that has a 303 British barrel stubbed on it for my H&R handi not sure yet but I think it's .312 with wider lands than grooves and left hand twist and 23"bbl. with this info where should I start with a load and a bullet. I got Herco in stock H110 ,IMR3031 maybe some 4064. Any help is appreciated probly gonna use it for night coyote hunting first. Thanks Kurt

[LaOtto222]

303 British were manufactured with varying bore sizes over the years. I would "slug" the barrel to make sure what you have. Once you have the bore size then you can decide which bullets to use. If you use lead, buy them 1 to 2 thousands over bore, use bore size for jacketed. I do not have access to my loading manuals to give any advice on the load information.

[LaOtto222]

I have access to some load data now. Of the powders you listed I would try H110 first. Herco would be my second choice. With 100 grain jacketed bullets Start with 9.5 grains of H110 for 1039 fps and work up to 10.5 max for a velocity of some where around 1140 fps. With Herco 4.3 for 985 fps up to a max of 4.7 for a velocity around 1100 fps. Of course this is all with a 5.5" revolver barrel. I am not sure how much more velocity you will get out of a rifle barrel, but just guessing some where around 300 fps; just a guess. This data is out of the Speer reloading manual #14. Remember that these are .312 bullets. If your barrel slugs at less than that, your pressures will go way up. The 303 British can be any where from .310 to .312. Cast bullets produce less pressure in the same diameters and weight. If you have a .310 or .311 barrel, then a .312 cast would probably work OK. Of course cast will not open up like a jacketed bullet, so if you go that way get one with a wide flat point to get as much shock as possible for mister coyote.

[PHATINJUN]

Thank you sir. Is the #14 manual the newest one I keep picking up a copy almost every time I go to Gander but always put it back before I leave because IIRC the last print was in 2004 and I just know a new one will come out after I get it home. The next one I buy I want new. Right now I got an old set of Hornady, Sierra, Lyman 48th, Ackley,and numerous cal specific manuals and being faily new at this I like to get others thoughts before going to fast forward. He seemed confident that the bore was .312 but I need to slug for myself to verify also gives me a chance to try and find all the different bullets that might work. That extra 300fps ? is there a formula that allows you to guesstimate as most loads so far are coming from pistol data and I know that is pretty much how ya have to start with pistol cal in a rifle ? Thanks again for the input. Kurt

[stimpylu32]

Kurt

Sorry it took so long to reply , been crazy around here  .

Here are some of my pet loads .

100 gr LRN , Starline brass , fed. sp primers over 4.0 gr Unique

90 gr SWC , same brass and primers over 2.2 to 2.4 gr Titegroup

90 gr Sierra JHP , starline brass and CCI 500 sp primers over 9.5 gr H4227

The lead bullets are from a Lee mold that a friend casts for me , i use them strait from the mold with Lee lubalox .

Hope this helps some  .

stimpy

[quickdtoo]

Kurt,

Take a look at Hodgdon's 32H&R data, if I were loading for it, I'd use Lil'gun first if I were gonna buy a new can of powder, it provides the best velocity of all their data with equal or less pressure, I've used it in the 45 Colt and 500 S&W Handis, it's always been a good choice, it's great for the Hornet too, and I'll be using it in the .360DW and 44mag Handis as well.

Tim

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

[PHATINJUN]

Thanks for all the info guys it gives me a lot to mull over. It appears the best might come from one of the powder that I will need to buy so I have a lot to consider. Got one more question on this in looking over all the different bullets out there I have also found some light bullets that I wonder might be something to try 60 and 75 grainers what are your thought on that light with this bbl? Even though I like heavy these have peaked my interest some what say you? thanks again Kurt

[stimpylu32]

Kurt

I have tried the lighter bullets but had better luck with them in the 32 S&W longs than in the 32 Mag for some reason . you can try them , your barrel may like them . 

stimpy

[PHATINJUN]

hornady has some 60gr XTP's I may give a try. Thanks Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

303 British were manufactured with varying bore sizes over the years. I would "slug" the barrel to make sure what you have. Once you have the bore size then you can decide which bullets to use. If you use lead, buy them 1 to 2 thousands over bore, use bore size for jacketed. I do not have access to my loading manuals to give any advice on the load information.

How is this accomplished with a left hand twist that has wider lands to grooves how would you measure when you don't have area across from groove to measure? I am thinking about trying to push a .311cast bullet down the tube first to see how tight it is then work my way up. What do you think? thanks Kurt

[quickdtoo]

Here ya go Kurt, from the NEF FAQs "Bore Slugging and Chamber Casting".

Tim

http://books.google.com/books?id=7Ab12fHr8y0C&pg=PA207&lpg=PA207&dq=mesuring+bore+odd+lands&source=web&ots=uczI2OtV0r&sig=QkJp04ueCHov_kjk62Nh8mEEReY

[PHATINJUN]

Thanks Tim I can handel that. Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

Alright I finally got to shoot the 32H&R mag stubbed 303 barrel . What I decided to go with for initial test was Trail Boss til I get over this case fill phobia. My mix was 4grains TB with .313 98 gr SWL LRN Magtech bullets oal 1.475. I thought this was gonna be a little stout but there is no sign of any case problems at all . They proved to be very accurate at 50 yards . The other test round was some old Remington 100 grain half jacketed flat point that were .310 with 4gr of TB and these shot the same but were 1" low and 1" left of aim point... same less than 1" group though. I was shooting off the truck window frame and very cold here this weekend so I am pretty happy and will be able to use this for night calling the rest of the winter and work on the tack driving this spring. I did have some jacketed 60 gr hollow points that I shot but they shot way low and to the left and will need work as Stimpy stated. I have not had to shoot any thing past about 80 yards yet this winter at night. I am gonna get a chrono this spring and have room in this case for more powder. This thing has no recoil and is barley as loud as my .22 amazing.Thanks for all the help .Kurt