Ruger Single Six .32 H&R Mag

Jeff H said:
The 45 Colt is another old case - an old design, which was different than it is today. I don't know WHEN it happened, but at some point 45 Colt brass started looking like 44 Mag brass, with a larger-diameter rim and annular extractor groove, possibly even thicker walls.
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Started when Colt went to the New Service in 45 Colt in 1898 and finished in 1909 when the Army bought New Services in 45 caliber for the Philippine wars.
 
There are more than a few versions!!!!

They largely changed rim diameters but also powder charges.

As many know the S&W or Schofield used same dia but shorter case with smaller dia rim as if you used a Colt case you could inly load three. Then later with longer Schofield cyls, FA who loaded ammo dropped the "45COLT" as Colts could shoot smaller rims but S&W could not shoot 45 Colt.

This was our topic just last Friday nite in our Chat.

 
I just scored 4 5/8" Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R magnum off Gun Broker. Waiting for it to be shipped to my FFL and then the Maryland 7 day hostage crisis before I get it. I have a NOE mold that casts a 102 grain swc and it shoots very nicely out of my 3" SP101. NOE makes some nice stuff!
 

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ChestnutLouie said:
I just scored 4 5/8" Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R magnum off Gun Broker. Waiting for it to be shipped to my FFL and then the Maryland 7 day hostage crisis before I get it. I have a NOE mold that casts a 102 grain swc and it shoots very nicely out of my 3" SP101. NOE makes some nice stuff!
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Try 3.5 hp38 in it,and report back!
 
ChestnutLouie said:
I just scored 4 5/8" Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R magnum off Gun Broker. Waiting for it to be shipped to my FFL and then the Maryland 7 day hostage crisis before I get it. I have a NOE mold that casts a 102 grain swc and it shoots very nicely out of my 3" SP101. NOE makes some nice stuff!
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Years ago, I had a Ruger Single-Six chambered in 32 H&R Mag and I wish I still had it.

I currently load the 32 S&W Long and would not mind adding 32 H&R magnum back into the rotation if the right opportunity comes along.

I use a 4 cavity Accurate 31-100R that drops a bullet nearly identical to your NOE 102gr SWC, right down to the same weight and form. As you know from your SP101, that bullet shoots very well. You are well equipped with that mold.

Back when I was loading the 32 H&R Mag, I wasn't casting my own bullets. But with commercial bullets that consisted of both wadcutters and semi-wadcutters in the 95-100 grain range, I was using mostly WW-231. Occasionally when I wanted to abuse my hearing and all those around me, I would use a stout charge of H-110 [WW-296]. You could easily get the 32 H&R Mag supersonic with H110, but it was obnoxious and totally unnecessary.

If you keep a solid wadcutter or a SWC between 900-1000 fps in the 32 H&R Magnum, you get the best of all worlds. It’s accurate, not obnoxious, easy on lead & powder and corrects the shortcomings of the 32 S&W Long in terms of power. WW231(HP-38) works nicely for that task but you mentioned you don’t have that powder. There are plenty of alternatives.

The 32 S&W Long is a great cartridge, but it is occasionally seen as slightly underpowered (I think it’s fine within its limitations). The 32 H&R Magnum corrects that one complaint about the 32 S&W Long while maintaining economical use of lead and powder.

For small game handgun cartridge, a solid wadcutter of about 100 grains in a 32 H&R Mag, really shines! You get a full diameter flat bullet nose for the caliber, and fine accuracy at handgun ranges. That deep seated wadcutter also allows for slightly better efficiency of powder in that magnum length casing. You don’t need a lot of speed, a little over 900 fps and load for the best accuracy.

Enjoy your new to you revolver!
 
CZ93X62 said:
It was the 32 S&W Long that caused me to take up bullet casting in the first place. Component bullets for that caliber were unobtainium c. 1980. I recall the lamentations of a shop owner in Moreno Valley about that time--"The 32s are just about dead."
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Store bought 32 caliber bullets were not super plentiful back when I was buying them, which may have been one of the reasons I let that gun get away.

If I had started casting my own earlier, I would have been better off.

However, that issue aside, I still say that two boxes of factory ammunition for a 32 S&W Long will yield 100 casings that will last a reloader a long time! Those casings never seem to split or wear out. And with a revolver, you don’t tend to lose the casings. The 32 S&W Long / 32 H&R Mag, may be one of the most economical handguns to load for. They don’t use much lead, they don’t use much powder and the casings are like the Willy Wonka ever-lasting Gobstopper of cartridge casings.
 
CWLONGSHOT said:
Everything old is new again...

Im waiting for this "wondernine" BS will change. :p

Real defensive calibers start with a "4"!

CW
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Well, "wondernine" refered to the pistols (high capacity, DA/SA, chambered in 9mm Luger) more than the cartridge.

As for the fading of the populaity of the 9mm cartridge, you missed that era with the peak of the 40 S&W. That wave has passed.

The old thing that is new again is the 9mm. :)
 
Petrol & Powder said:
Well, "wondernine" refered to the pistols (high capacity, DA/SA, chambered in 9mm Luger) more than the cartridge.

As for the fading of the populaity of the 9mm cartridge, you missed that era with the peak of the 40 S&W. That wave has passed.

The old thing that is new again is the 9mm. :)
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HA! The 40 was introduced in what 1990? How old do ya think I am! ;)
I got my first pistol permit in 1986.
I bought a G23's in 40 right after they came out, later I bought a S&W Shorty Forty and a Browning Hi Power all in 40 S&W!
 
The 'Re-discovered' 9 x 19 chief advantage is like that of the 38 Special--for most police personnel it is easily managed in recoil and easier to qualify successfully with. Its ammo is also less expensive to purchase than 40 S&W and 45 ACP. It can be adequate as felon repellant, but its real friends are the bean counters that rule the earth at most police agencies. The people that have the most input in the choice of war toys are almost always those least likely to be affected by those choices. The 'R & C Factor' figures highly here as well, given the demographics of today's Academy candidates--Marshmallow People and SNAGs (Sensitive New Age Guys/Gals).
 
CZ, all true but not the end of the world.


CW, I don't think you're ancient but the 9mm Luger cartridge dates to 1902. So, in terms of the entire life of that cartridge, yeah, what is old is new again. It’s on at least its 3rd upswing with its last low point being when 40 S&W was perceived as the newest and greatest cartridge ever, only to see the 9mm rise from the ashes once again like the Phoenix it is. Or if you're not a fan of the 9mm, Jason from the Friday the 13th films. :rolleyes:
 
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