Reloading The .32 Smith & Wesson Long

Loads for .32 Smith & Wesson Long or .32 Colt New Police (But NOT .32 Long Colt):
(Note: These ARE MAXIMUM loads, you may want to use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.

Bullet size is .314" (lead) in diameter. Some lead are .313 and Most Jacketed bullets are .312"

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83 Grain LEAD
    VV N310   1.5 gr.   767 fps (Start)
    VV N310   1.7 gr.   856 MAX
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90 Grain LEAD
    Trail Boss  1.5 gr.   599 fps (Start)
    Trail Boss  2.9 gr.   730 MAX
    Bullseye    2.2 gr.   744 Max
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98 Grain LEAD WC
    VV N310   1.1 gr.   618 fps (Start)
    VV N310   1.3 gr.   691 MAX
    Bullseye  1.9 gr.   775 Max
    Unique    2.2 gr.   730 Max (very mild)
    W231      1.9 gr.   735 Max
    HP38      1.9 gr.   762 Max
    AA No. 5  2.7 gr.   752 Max
    2400      5.4 gr.   792 Max
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98 Grain LEAD Round Nose
    VV N310   1.9 gr.   848 fps (Start)
    VV N310   2.2 gr.   916 MAX
    W231      2.4 gr.   765 Max
    HP38      2.4 gr.   763 Max
    Unique    2.6 gr.   Near factory
    Unique    3.0 gr.   ~900+ hot
    Unique*   3.9 gr.   1,040 fps    Hi=1068, Lo=1026,  ES=42
       *(use in modern revolvers only)
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100 Grain Speer Jacketed Hollow Point
    Universal 3.0 gr.   694 Max Do Not Reduce
    2400      5.0 gr.   660 start
    2400      5.5 gr.   733 Max
    W231      1.9 gr.   735 Max
    WAP       3.4 gr.   725 Max
    AA No. 5  3.8 gr.   675 Max Do Not Reduce
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115 Grain  Chey-cast RNFP  (.313")
    Unique    3.0 gr.   755 MAX (hot load)
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This is the most common .32 cartridge found today for the majority of revolvers. It is called both the .32 S&W Long AND the .32 Colt New Police. But this round is NOT the same as the .32 Long Colt.

Discussion: All the powders listed are fast to medium burning powders in small quantities for these lighter bullets. The JHP would be the defense bullet to use.

A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air.

*
Power Pistol, Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company.
No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, No. 9, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WAP (Winchester Action Pistol), WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.

References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet - - Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders' Guide (1995) - - Hodgdon's Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) - - Speer Reloading Manual, #12 - - Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition - - Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. - - VihtaVuori Oy Company,reloading booklet (1995) - - Hodgdon.com website 2008 - - Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted. Hodgdon now owns Winchester and IMR powders (2009)

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