32 H&R Mag

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
32 H&R Mag

Anyone casting/shooting one? have an inherited NEF R73 32 H&R Magnum snubbie - IF you can really call it that! It feels more like an N frame. Thing is a mini-BEAST! Very heavy and solid.

Anyway... Interested in mold recommendations and load data. Expect I will go with Lee or RCBS dies, and maybe Lee RN mold. Not planning to do anything more than paper punch with it, so prob keep it simple. But not ruling out a SWC either, as that is my real pref. Thanx
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
rcbs makes a super nice swc mold.
I prefer a RNFP the rcbs 32-098 [okay everybody put away your shocked faces]
the SWC has a stellar reputation in the various 32 cal molds, I believe NOE makes or made a 4 cavity mold copy of it at one time.
 

Ben

Moderator
Staff member
I wanted a mould made specifically for the bore dimensions of my T/C 32 H & R Mag. pistol. Al at NOE made me exactly what I wanted.

My bullets drop at .3119". ( Which is EXACTLY what I wanted )
I wanted the option to size to .311 or .310 for my T/C Contender Single Shot , 32 H&R Mag.

This one is perfect for my application. Some of the older revolvers that needed a .313 - .314 wouldn't like this one much but this mold was bought specifically for my T/C Single Shot.


Ben

















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9

9.3X62AL

Guest
I have a S&W Model 16-4 x 6". Most accurate revolver I have ever shot, bar none. A Walther GSP-C in 32 S&W Long, could out-shoot it, but not by very much--and the 16-4 is 100X more versatile.

RCBS-32-98-SWC. This bullet is MAGIC in my revolver. From 700 FPS to 1200 FPS, it is MONEY--any appropriate powder, any small pistol primer (I have never used SP Mags), it will SHOOT. Casts at a fat .315" in 92/6/2, sizes cleanly @ .314" to match the 16-4's throats.

Lyman #313631 (now out-of-print), a 100 grain SWC/GC. This one refuses to shoot well below 1000 FPS. Run it above that speed, and the faster you run it the tighter it shoots. I have approached 1500 FPS (not quite), and it does a great imitation of the 30 Carbine Blackhawk's report. This one drops just a taste over .314" in 92/6/2, but still just cleans up in the .314" die.
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
I WISH I still had the Ruger SS I once had - about 20 yrs ago. Was new and not much for it. Let it go. WISH I had it back!. One of 2-3 I really wish I still had.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I carry the 32 H&R almost every day. The normal load is the RCBS over 4.0 grains of WW231, gives 875 F/S from the 1 7/8 inch barrel. However, this is a little over 21,000 CUP, so use wisely! It will beat an NEF to pieces in a couple of hundred rounds. The practice load is 3.5 grains.
 
9

9.3X62AL

Guest
About the only remaining example I want to acquire is a decent 32 S&W Long double-action revolver with 4" barrel. "Ideal" would be a 1960s-era S&W Model 30 or 31, owing to their better metallurgy that enables 900 FPS with 95-100 grain bullets with a good safety margin. The SP-101 in 327 Federal would fill the niche, and as scarce as S&W 32s are getting the Ruger might be the remaining option.
 

Dale53

Active Member
Al;
There are, no doubt, still some of the Ruger SP101's with a 4" barrel chambered in .32 H&R. The only fly in the ointment, is the Ruger rear sight is only adjustable for windage. I couldn't get mine zero'd, so, with my vision problems, I opted for a Red Dot Sight. The little bugger looks a "bit much" but sure shoots well:


I size my bullets at .313" for this little feller and it shoots up a storm. I have medium to large hands and the grip is a bit small even with the covered back strap. I added a trigger shoe to help that. It sure is a strong revolver, too and perfectly field capable.

FWIW
Dale53
 
9

9.3X62AL

Guest
Ruger does strange things with OEM sighting gear on some revolvers. The Ray-Bar front sight on the 327 Federal SP-101 annoys me. A small thing, I know--but when I put out that much money on a firearm, I want what I want. Rooney gun items like that really stroke my fur the wrong way.

Why a 32 S&W Long? Because I have about 1200 pieces of brass in the caliber, and I LOATHE shooting "Special brass in Magnum chambers". That crud ring that sets up through that practice is a PITA to remove. Far better to put up lighter loads in full-length brass and avoid that issue outright.

First World problems.......quite survivable.
 

300BLK

Well-Known Member
I bought a S&W 16-4 6" back around 1990 and loaded 311008s over AA#7. A friend had a Ruger SSM and used the same powder, but used the Lyman 313445. Bill's chambers were a little rough so would stick cases when pressures got a bit warm. The S&W would take heavier charges with the heavier bullet.
 

Dale53

Active Member
My Pistolsmith, I believe thought that I had "lost my mind" when I asked him to mount this Red Dot sight. Frankly, I liked the little bugger in spite of it's shortcomings (rear sight not full adjustable and the small size of the grip for my hands). It is really built well and the most important thing is it SHOOTS!

Like Al, I wish that the "powers that be" from Ruger AND S&W would carry a good .32 field revolver. I am sure that there are not millions lined up to buy one but there is a solid bunch of .32 enthusiasts. If a much smaller outfit (compared to the factories) like Lipsey or Talo can afford the produce small runs of desirable products that are profitable, why in the world cannot the "big boys" do the same? It just doesn't compute...

Oh well, it is what it is. I at least have all of the .32's that anyone really needs, but I would like to share the pleasures with anyone who wants one...

Rant over!
Dale53
 

gman

Well-Known Member
I'm still kicking myself for passing on a nice Single Six a few years ago. When I went back it was gone. Lesson learned!
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I'm glad I sold mine! four and half inch barrel and it would not keep bullets within 4 inches at 50 feet. Worked with it for over two years because my shooting partner's would keep them at 1 1/4". Bought an SP 101 and never looked back.
 

Rally Hess

Well-Known Member
I'm with you on the field gun Dale53. I wish S&W would take the 60-4(SB) 4",and chamber it in .32 mag with the full under barrel lug. I had the same SP101 you have pictured, but traded it as part of a deal for an outdoor wood stove. Still have the single six, 4 5/8" bbl, but I'm used to carrying J frames.
 

300BLK

Well-Known Member
I wish that I had bought a 4" 631 instead of the 6" M16-4. For me, the M16-4 was simply too bulky and heavy for the little cartridge. As it stands, I have larger and smaller revolvers, but my favorite walkabout is a 4" roundbutt M19. If it weren't for that one, I might be packing the 3" full lug, adjustable sight M36 or the 4" Police Positive Special.
 

Dale53

Active Member
When the 631 hit the market, I bought one. When the 16-4 hit the market, I bought it, too (6" barrel). I have never regretted it. I had looked for "eons" for a Model 16 and was always behind the price curve. They really didn't make many of them and the collector prices were just too much. So, I was prepped for years for the arrival of the 16-4.

I've bought too many molds for .32's, no doubt, but have enjoyed every moment of working with these revolvers, casting various bullets, reloading and shooting and hunting with them. They have been worthy of every moment and every dollar spent:





I will admit, that if you are on a tight budget, like I was for many of my early years, a Model 15 Smith (if you cast your own bullets and reload) will serve much the same purposes and for MUCH less money. They were the prime law enforcement tool for many years, millions were made, and can often still be had for reasonable prices. But-t-t, I like my .32's, too:D..

Dale53