Best powders for .32 S&W Long?

TruthTellers · June 5, 2017, 01:42 PM

I'm getting into reloading for this cartridge. Plan to shoot with 50 grain round ball and 94 grain lead flat nose bullets. I have some Unique, but from other sources I've read, it's not the recommended powder for the small case. Other places I've read that for round ball loads a fast powder like Bullseye and Titegroup is recommend.

I don't have a meter, so each time I load powder into a case, it's been measured on a scale, thus eliminating overcharges.

With that info given, what powders would be best for me for .32 S&W Long? Primarily shooting this in a .32 H&R Mag chambered gun btw.

ShootistPRS · June 5, 2017, 02:04 PM

I was amazed to see H110 listed for a 100 grain bullet in the 32 S&W long load data! It seems to be the slowest powder mentioned and gives the same velocity as AA9 loads. It seems that AA2, HP-38 (231) and TiteGroup will give you "good" velocity with most bullets.
As stated my Speer #13 manual lists loads for a 100 grain JHP and up to 7 grains of H110. The difference in velocity from the H110 load to the HP-38 load is less than 100 fps and at more than double the powder charge it seems a bit much for the return.

FITASC · June 5, 2017, 06:54 PM

I have used Unique, Universal, Bullseye with good results from a 6" I frame target gun to a 2.5" H&R - not talking Hammerli or Pardini accuracy, but decent enough for plinking

dahermit · June 5, 2017, 07:05 PM

I use 1.7 grains of Bullseye as thrown by my Dillon powder measure on my 550b. The powder bar is turned all the way in (but it still throws 1.7 grains). I use that as my standard load with a cast Lee 93 grain round-nose bullet. I do not use any other powder than Bullseye in the .32 S&W Long due to difficulties with larger flakes on most other powders, small case capacity...and certainly not Unique in a Dillon measure.

SHR970 · June 5, 2017, 07:12 PM

Red Dot....especially for the ball load. Green Dot makes a good second.

Being as bulky as they are they will give you good case fill...enough that a double will be VERY evident. They will burn decently enough at the low pressures of a Long.

BE and 231 work good too but I like the bulk fill of RD, better burn characteristics, and easy consistent ignition for this pressure range.

Trail Boss is another good choice.

ligonierbill · June 5, 2017, 07:32 PM

Can't say it's "best", but I've had good results with HP-38.

Tsquared · June 5, 2017, 08:03 PM

I have notes on HP-38, Bullseye, W-231, and Unique recipes for 60 gr JHP. They all work well for the lighter bullets. But I haven't loaded any .32 in over 20 years.

condor bravo · June 6, 2017, 03:00 PM

HP-38 aka 231 are as good as you will find for both the S&W Long and .32 H&R mag.

John C · June 10, 2017, 05:50 AM

I strongly recommend you get a powder measure. You can get a Lee Perfect Powder Measure on Amazon for $22.11.

Alternately, get a set of Lee powder dippers, or make a dipper yourself. It will save you a LOT of time when reloading pistol cartridges.

I recommend a fine grain powder, like AA#2 or W231, but any fast pistol powder will do. You'll definitely want a fast powder for round ball.

Jim Watson · June 10, 2017, 06:35 AM

I would load Bullseye.
HP38/W231 gets erratic in light loads, I do not think it would work well with a round ball and maybe not a bullet except at the top end for .32.
Titegroup is not as load and position insensitive as they advertise.

FrankenMauser · June 10, 2017, 02:10 PM

I run a lot of W231/HP-38, especially with 90-100 gr WCs

Unique is a frequent visitor, as well.

Red Dot, Green Dot, Herco, and a few other flake powders have been used from time to time.

I don't really use or like Titegroup, but it wouldn't be out of place here - particularly if paired with light bullets.

That being said... Crankylove (member here) and I messed with round balls in 2009 and 2010. We found that the best thing for launching round balls was a small rifle primer and NO powder. The powder actually negatively impacted performance with SP and SR primers, due to lack of ignition (or poor ignition) and seeming to act as a buffer and reduce the effectiveness of the pressure created by a primer alone.
And a word of advice for primer-only round balls: Since velocity is very low, ricochets are common and unpredictable. Be extra careful what you shoot at.

billcarey · June 12, 2017, 08:33 PM

I use Accurate #2 with a 95 gr cast bullet.

**Mike Irwin** · June 13, 2017, 07:45 AM

I've always used either 231 or Red Dot. The biggest problem I've had is throwing charges small enough using my Lee.

June 5, 2017, 06:54 PM	#3
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	I have used Unique, Universal, Bullseye with good results from a 6" I frame target gun to a 2.5" H&R - not talking Hammerli or Pardini accuracy, but decent enough for plinking __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

June 6, 2017, 03:00 PM	#8
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	HP-38 aka 231 are as good as you will find for both the S&W Long and .32 H&R mag. __________________ Ouch, the dreaded "M-1 thumb", you just know it will happen eventually, so why not do it now and get it over with??

June 10, 2017, 02:10 PM	#11
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	I run a lot of W231/HP-38, especially with 90-100 gr WCs Unique is a frequent visitor, as well. Red Dot, Green Dot, Herco, and a few other flake powders have been used from time to time. I don't really use or like Titegroup, but it wouldn't be out of place here - particularly if paired with light bullets. That being said... Crankylove (member here) and I messed with round balls in 2009 and 2010. We found that the best thing for launching round balls was a small rifle primer and NO powder. The powder actually negatively impacted performance with SP and SR primers, due to lack of ignition (or poor ignition) and seeming to act as a buffer and reduce the effectiveness of the pressure created by a primer alone. And a word of advice for primer-only round balls: Since velocity is very low, ricochets are common and unpredictable. Be extra careful what you shoot at. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

June 5, 2017, 01:42 PM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,889	Best powders for .32 S&W Long? I'm getting into reloading for this cartridge. Plan to shoot with 50 grain round ball and 94 grain lead flat nose bullets. I have some Unique, but from other sources I've read, it's not the recommended powder for the small case. Other places I've read that for round ball loads a fast powder like Bullseye and Titegroup is recommend. I don't have a meter, so each time I load powder into a case, it's been measured on a scale, thus eliminating overcharges. With that info given, what powders would be best for me for .32 S&W Long? Primarily shooting this in a .32 H&R Mag chambered gun btw. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

June 5, 2017, 02:04 PM	#2
ShootistPRS Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2017 Posts: 1,583	I was amazed to see H110 listed for a 100 grain bullet in the 32 S&W long load data! It seems to be the slowest powder mentioned and gives the same velocity as AA9 loads. It seems that AA2, HP-38 (231) and TiteGroup will give you "good" velocity with most bullets. As stated my Speer #13 manual lists loads for a 100 grain JHP and up to 7 grains of H110. The difference in velocity from the H110 load to the HP-38 load is less than 100 fps and at more than double the powder charge it seems a bit much for the return.

June 5, 2017, 07:05 PM	#4
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	I use 1.7 grains of Bullseye as thrown by my Dillon powder measure on my 550b. The powder bar is turned all the way in (but it still throws 1.7 grains). I use that as my standard load with a cast Lee 93 grain round-nose bullet. I do not use any other powder than Bullseye in the .32 S&W Long due to difficulties with larger flakes on most other powders, small case capacity...and certainly not Unique in a Dillon measure.

June 5, 2017, 07:12 PM	#5
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	Red Dot....especially for the ball load. Green Dot makes a good second. Being as bulky as they are they will give you good case fill...enough that a double will be VERY evident. They will burn decently enough at the low pressures of a Long. BE and 231 work good too but I like the bulk fill of RD, better burn characteristics, and easy consistent ignition for this pressure range. Trail Boss is another good choice.

June 5, 2017, 07:32 PM	#6
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,459	Can't say it's "best", but I've had good results with HP-38.

June 5, 2017, 08:03 PM	#7
Tsquared Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2016 Location: NE Atlanta Posts: 337	I have notes on HP-38, Bullseye, W-231, and Unique recipes for 60 gr JHP. They all work well for the lighter bullets. But I haven't loaded any .32 in over 20 years.

June 10, 2017, 05:50 AM	#9
John C Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2005 Posts: 127	I strongly recommend you get a powder measure. You can get a Lee Perfect Powder Measure on Amazon for $22.11. Alternately, get a set of Lee powder dippers, or make a dipper yourself. It will save you a LOT of time when reloading pistol cartridges. I recommend a fine grain powder, like AA#2 or W231, but any fast pistol powder will do. You'll definitely want a fast powder for round ball.

June 10, 2017, 06:35 AM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,546	I would load Bullseye. HP38/W231 gets erratic in light loads, I do not think it would work well with a round ball and maybe not a bullet except at the top end for .32. Titegroup is not as load and position insensitive as they advertise.

June 12, 2017, 08:33 PM	#12
billcarey Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 273	I use Accurate #2 with a 95 gr cast bullet.

June 13, 2017, 07:45 AM	#13
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	I've always used either 231 or Red Dot. The biggest problem I've had is throwing charges small enough using my Lee. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.