32 Revolver Load for long line

I want to work up an accurate 32 load for 50yd SF in Reeves matches. My K16 is chambered for 32 Magnum, but up till now I've only tried Fiocchi and Federal 32SWL WC ammo - very good at 15 and 25 yards.

I have some Hornady (.312) 85gr HP/XTP Bullets which I thought might be a good start. But I only bought a box of 100 to try and am open to any other bullet make/type.

Any suggestions on a good recipe? I have N310, Power Pistol, Bullseye and WST powders in stock (but prefer N310 for all of my 32ACP & 45ACP loads).

Would using longer 32 magnum brass give any advantage over normal 32SWL brass?

All advice welcome and much appreciated.

I also love N310 but not with 32 S&W Long. I believe it burns way to fast and it’s the same for Bullseye. Try a slower powder like 231. I think you will find it to be very accurate. People will say 2.0 grains is hot but that is well under what the old revolvers used in the old Ammo. Remember this round has been dated back to the 20’s

What about loading the bullets deep into the case ala the .32-44 and .38-44 like the turn of the century (1900) Bullseye shooters did?

I have tried that. Didn’t see any difference but that’s just me. I tried using a Hornady XTP 100 grain also. It did show some promise in my Hammerli

3.5 gr Bullseye or 5.0 gr Power Pistol. But, ONLY in Mag brass. The 1:18.75 twist in your K32 likes to shoot bullets at about 1000fps. You can go above that with CFE Pistol and a couple of other powders  not on your list. My K38 also likes light/fast rounds. There is a little room above the 3.5 Bullseye but the 5.0 Power Pistol is close to Max.

                           THESE LOADS ARE FOR MAG BRASS ONLY

Len

115 hardcast are good too...have to check what my loads were.

Len V.

Sorry, more questions. You state that the 1:18 twist barrel works best with fast bullets ~1,000fps. 

None of the loading tables I've seen online for 32SWL get velocities with 100gr bullets anywhere near as high as that, so I'm assuming that your loads are indeed Magnum level. OK, my gun is indeed a 32 Magnum.

I took a look at the Alliant site and found this:-

327 Federal Magnum
115 gr Speer GDHP
Federal
1.465
3
CCI 500
Power Pistol
6.9
1,214

[/table]
OK, so 5.0 grains is well below this "truly magnum" load.
The only data for 100gr bullets there is this:-

1.345
5.5
CCI 500
Bullseye
3.6
1,000
View this recipe


1.345
5.5
CCI 500
Unique
4.4
1,074
View this recipe


1.345
5.5
CCI 500
2400
7.7
1,091
View this recipe

[/table]
 So your 3.5 Bullseye is right on the money. 

I also remember that I have some Titegroup, so I looked for that. There is some data, but it does not appear to be as useful as Bullseye and Power Pistol. I searched for Winchester 231 (mentioned above), but the data appears to be very similar to Titegroup.

I was thinking to order some Magnum Brass anyhow. I will try it with Power Pistol when I get back to Oregon.

How about recoil? Only intending to use this load for Slow Fire and I'm used to the sharp recoil from my various other "snappy" guns, but, in your opinion, where is the sweet spot giving best accuracy at 50yds and comfortable recoil?

There is no uncomfortable recoil with 85 gr bullets. Not with the powder limitations in the 32 case. In comparison the bullet weighs less and goes slower then my normal 9mm load (115gr XTP and 6.4PP)
I use that for sustained fire. This should have about 70% of that rounds recoil. I have a neat recoil calculator somewhere and will look it up. I used 32 H&R Magnum data. I suggest you start about 1000 fps and tweak up for accuracy. The power pistol will be cleaner. Bullseye powder cleans up after about 4.2 gr but that would be hot.

Len V.

32 Magnum brass - which one to buy. Starline offer both 32 H&R Magnum and 327 Federal Magnum.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understood that either will chamber in my K16 32 Magnum. Which one is best?

I would be surprised if it fit but I have none to try.