Full Wadcutters in the .32 H&R

[Glen]

With all of the interest in the new S&W Ultimate Carry (UC) J-frame guns from Lipsey's, I thought I would play around a bit with full wadcutter bullets in .32 H&R (I still can't bring myself to call it a "magnum"). One of the noteworthy results from this morning's trip to the range was the H&G #66 wadcutter (98 grains), sized .313" and lubed with 50/50 beeswax/moly grease delivered 1092 fps when loaded over 3.5 grains of Unique and fired from a 4 5/8" Ruger Single Seven .327 Federal. Velocities would obviously be lower in the 2" S&W revolver, and I would guess they would drop down very nicely into the 950-1000 fps range that people are talking about for defensive .32 WC loads. Accuracy was decent, and all pressure indications were normal. I also tested 4.0 grains of Unique, and velocities jumped up to 1206 fps, and group size was notably worse. Lipsey's just might be on to something here....

 

[CZ93X62]

My only work with WCs in 32 SWL or Magnum was with the Hornady HBWCs at under 800 FPS. Accurate as all get-out, but a different animal entirely.

 

[Thumbcocker]

There is a guy on YouTube, Gun Sam, who does gel and jug testing with various guns. He has several videos on wadcutters and thinks highly of the .32 H&R .

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I think the 32 H&R Magnum (yes, I'll call it a magnum, but I understand Glen's viewpoint) is where we should have stopped in that progression from 32 S&W, 32 S&W Long and 32 H&R Mag.

I have been 100% satisfied with my current results of wadcutters in 32 S&W long and my former results with wadcutters in 32 H&R mag.

The wadcutter presents the maximum amount of frontal area for any caliber and in those smaller bores, it shines. Ranges are typically well within the limitation of a wadcutter bullet and accuracy is very good.

Times have changed some but I still think a couple of boxes of factory loaded 32 S&W Long or 32 H&R Mag will yield a 100 casings that will last many years. This is one of those places where reloading and casting can provide a lot of practice, a lot of pest control, a lot of small game hunting for not a lot of money.

Yes, .22 LR was cheaper at one time, but the 32 WC is far more effective and reloadable.

 

[CZ93X62]

My only work with WCs in 32 SWL or Magnum was with the Hornady HBWCs at under 800 FPS. Accurate as all get-out, but a different animal entirely.

I just read this again, and it's not quite correct. I should say that in only SERIOUS shooting for accuracy involved these store-boughts. Among my first mold purchases in 1981 was Lyman #313492, a 92 grain button-nosed wadcutter. Some of my first home-cast bullets were for the 32 SWL and a 3" Model 31-1 that left in a divorce c. 1983.

#313492 got some love in 32 Magnum when I started messing with those in the mid-1980s as well, but by that time I also had the RCBS 32-98-SWC, and that design was love at first sight--and the romance remains almost 40 years later.

My recollector was out of the building when I made that post. It's so hard to find good help these days.

 

[LEC Guy]

The .32 Long is quickly becoming a favorite of mine(again). Back around 2015 I wasn't casting much and was buying the Hornady Semi and Full Wadcutters for .32 S&W. Came in boxes of 400. The full WC's shot very well out of older H&R top breaks. Used 1.7 -2 grains of 700X. Went to load more about a year ago and the earth has seemed to run out of the Hornady lead bullets for .32 cal. So I have purchased 2 RCBS WC molds in 84 and 98 grain. I haven't worked up any loads yet but have loaded some with Bullseye. Would like to find a .32 mold with a hollow base. The longer hollow base maintain better axial alignment on older guns that don't have the reduced throat on the cylinder. I find that the rear of the bullet is still in the case as it is entering the barrel.

Bruce