.32 Long Colt

[hambam105]

Anyone here ever hand loaded this caliber?

[at_liberty]

Thinking about it. Midway has the brass, and I have the right gun(s) for it and a reason to shoot that cartridge. 38 Special is just so convenient though.

[ar15barrels]

I have loaded 32 Mag for my Ruger Single Six.
The long colt is really similar besides needing heel type bullets.

[at_liberty]

I have loaded 32 Mag for my Ruger Single Six.
The long colt is really similar besides needing heel type bullets.

The heeled bullet was used in the Short Colt, whereas the Long Colt can use the same bullet (shape and diameter) as 38 Special.

[ar15barrels]

The heeled bullet was used in the Short Colt, whereas the Long Colt can use the same bullet (shape and diameter) as 38 Special.

You are smoking crack if you think a 32 long colt will accept 0.358" diameter bullets.
The dimensions I found online suggest that the 32 long colt would still use heeled bullets.


Both variations in the photo use a heeled bullet.
The difference is just where the lube is at.
In order for a straight 0.312 bullet to be used, the chamber needs to be larger to make room for the case diameter.

All of the 32's that take straight bullets have a case diameter around 0.337" allowing for around 0.012" of case wall thickness over a 0.312" diameter bullet.
The Long colt shows 0.314" case diameter which would leave 0.001" case wall thickness on a 0.312" bullet.
That's way too thin to hold the ammo together.
The 0.314" case diameter suggests the bullet diameter would be more like 0.290" or so with 0.012" case wall thickness.

If you have some fired cases or the gun, measure the outside diameter of the cases or the inside diameter of the chamber and see if it's around 0.320" or around 0.340" diameter.
That will tell you what type of bullets is uses.
The smaller diameter chamber will be for heeled bullets.

The 32 S&W cases all use a straight 0.312" bullet just like a 32 mag or a 327 federal.
Those straight bullet cases are generally 0.337" diameter and the chambers are 0.340".

[hambam105]

I am humbled, thank you Randall.
This heeled bullet situation, why I haven't noticed this bullet design until now, see .22 rimfire, surely puts a new wheel on an old wagon.
I have paid little attention to 1870s pistol cartridges until now. Again, Thank You.
I will be digging thru the stacks around here looking for some 1940s & 1950s reloading books.
Maybe I can get a handle on cartridge specifications for these olden days thirty-two revolvers.

Randall Rausch's name gets a favorable mention in the .32 revolver reloading section of my reloading logbook.

[ar15barrels]

I am humbled, thank you Randall.
This heeled bullet situation, why I haven't noticed this bullet design until now, see .22 rimfire, surely puts a new wheel on an old wagon.
I have paid little attention to 1870s pistol cartridges until now. Again, Thank You.
I will be digging thru the stacks around here looking for some 1940s & 1950s reloading books.
Maybe I can get a handle on cartridge specifications for these olden days thirty-two revolvers.

Randall Rausch's name gets a favorable mention in the .32 revolver reloading section of my reloading logbook.

I find heeled bullets to be a pain.
I much prefer single diameter bullets and especially common diameters so I can buy them by the 500count box when I am too lazy to cast them.
I have a couple 500ct boxes of 0.312 SWC around here somewhere.

As for your 32 long colt, here is what Quickload has to say:

Cartridge          : .32 Long Colt
Bullet             : .311,  93, LEE 311-093-1R
Useable Case Capaci: 7.806 grain H2O = 0.507 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.216 inch = 30.89 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 14000 psi, or 96 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 102 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

4 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 50%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N105                     95.0      5.3     0.35     901    61.6    14000    4688   0.601  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate No.7                       71.0      5.5     0.35     898    57.7    14000    4512   0.606  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N330                     64.1      3.0     0.20     889    96.4    14000    3960   0.613  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant POWER PISTOL                68.3      3.9     0.25     889    68.5    14000    4361   0.612  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori 3N37                     70.6      3.9     0.25     886    78.7    14000    4210   0.612  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori 3N38                     84.9      5.0     0.32     886    62.0    14000    4276   0.608  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant HERCO                       77.4      3.5     0.23     886    83.6    14000    4266   0.630  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
NitroKemia REX 3/Green/36           82.9      3.3     0.21     885    93.1    14000    3971   0.614  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N350                     73.3      3.8     0.25     885    79.1    14000    4133   0.607  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant UNIQUE                      67.7      3.1     0.20     883    87.8    14000    4153   0.629  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant BLUE DOT                    87.9      5.2     0.33     879    57.0    14000    4256   0.616  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate No.9                       78.1      6.0     0.39     876    51.1    14000    4174   0.607  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon Universal                   61.6      2.8     0.18     871    95.5    14000    3869   0.638  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot Silhouette                  55.1      3.4     0.22     871    84.7    14000    3921   0.616  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester WAP                      55.3      3.5     0.22     870    84.2    14000    3912   0.615  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon HS-6                        56.0      4.0     0.26     870    75.6    14000    3983   0.616  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate No.5                       51.0      3.8     0.25     870    72.7    14000    4015   0.614  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon Longshot                    52.7      3.8     0.25     868    78.1    14000    3947   0.617  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester 540                      51.4      3.8     0.25     868    78.5    14000    3941   0.617  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant BULLSEYE                    56.2      2.7     0.17     868    88.8    14000    3843   0.614  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Ramshot True Blue                   52.2      3.8     0.25     868    78.3    14000    3939   0.617  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N340                     66.2      3.2     0.20     867    88.3    14000    3827   0.619  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
NitroKemia REX 2/Yellow/32          77.9      3.0     0.19     867    93.8    14000    3702   0.618  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N320                     59.9      2.5     0.16     859    99.7    14000    3403   0.625  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate Solo 1250                  65.4      2.8     0.18     857    94.7    14000    3558   0.618  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
NitroKemia REX 1/Red/28             74.6      2.9     0.19     857    94.8    14000    3497   0.610  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Winchester 231                      50.9      2.8     0.18     851    96.1    14000    3478   0.623  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate No.2                       61.4      2.9     0.19     845    84.5    14000    3530   0.616  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant GREEN DOT                   60.7      2.4     0.16     844    99.2    14000    3340   0.639  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate Nitro 100                  57.8      2.2     0.14     835    99.1    14000    3183   0.626  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Alliant RED DOT                     60.6      2.2     0.14     834   100.0    14000    3056   0.641  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star            82.3      3.0     0.19     832   100.0    14000    2875   0.641  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Accurate Solo 1000                  57.4      2.3     0.15     827    99.5    14000    3034   0.628  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Norma R1                            61.6      2.2     0.15     817   100.0    14000    2781   0.652  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Hodgdon Clays                       50.6      1.7     0.11     766   100.0    14000    2200   0.639  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
IMR TrailBoss                      102.0      2.5     0.16     709    98.1     9211    2513   0.770

You won't be able to use that specific Lee bullet, but 93gr of a lead bullet should get you some powders to try out once you figure out what to do for bullets.

Here are some 10,000PSI loads so you can compare the 14,000PSI max loads above and these starting loads:

Cartridge          : .32 Long Colt
Bullet             : .311,  93, LEE 311-093-1R
Useable Case Capaci: 7.806 grain H2O = 0.507 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.216 inch = 30.89 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 10000 psi, or 68 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 102 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

4 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 40%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N330                     54.7      2.6     0.17     774    90.7    10000    3252   0.714
Vihtavuori N105                     83.2      4.7     0.30     774    52.6    10000    3525   0.705
Accurate No.7                       62.0      4.8     0.31     772    50.5    10000    3488   0.712
NitroKemia REX 3/Green/36           70.7      2.8     0.18     769    86.6    10000    3217   0.718
Vihtavuori 3N37                     60.5      3.4     0.22     766    71.0    10000    3305   0.715
Vihtavuori 3N38                     73.7      4.3     0.28     764    54.7    10000    3319   0.710
Vihtavuori N350                     62.7      3.3     0.21     764    71.3    10000    3231   0.710
Alliant HERCO                       65.8      3.0     0.19     762    76.1    10000    3356   0.740
Alliant POWER PISTOL                58.0      3.3     0.21     761    60.9    10000    3328   0.717
Alliant UNIQUE                      57.3      2.7     0.17     761    80.6    10000    3286   0.739
Accurate No.9                       68.3      5.2     0.34     755    44.7    10000    3229   0.712
Alliant BLUE DOT                    76.0      4.4     0.29     754    50.1    10000    3275   0.723
Hodgdon Universal                   51.9      2.4     0.16     753    89.8    10000    3138   0.752
Vihtavuori N320                     50.6      2.1     0.14     751    96.8    10000    2874   0.728
NitroKemia REX 2/Yellow/32          65.6      2.5     0.16     750    87.5    10000    2973   0.723
Ramshot Silhouette                  46.5      2.9     0.19     749    77.2    10000    3069   0.725
Winchester WAP                      46.7      2.9     0.19     748    76.7    10000    3058   0.725
Vihtavuori N340                     56.1      2.7     0.17     748    81.2    10000    3035   0.729
Hodgdon HS-6                        47.7      3.4     0.22     747    68.0    10000    3089   0.724
Hodgdon Longshot                    44.8      3.2     0.21     747    70.5    10000    3072   0.725
Winchester 540                      43.6      3.2     0.21     746    70.9    10000    3069   0.725
Accurate No.5                       43.3      3.2     0.21     746    65.1    10000    3098   0.722
Ramshot True Blue                   44.3      3.2     0.21     746    70.7    10000    3066   0.725
Alliant BULLSEYE                    46.9      2.2     0.15     746    81.8    10000    3003   0.722
Accurate Solo 1250                  55.0      2.4     0.15     742    88.8    10000    2868   0.724
NitroKemia REX 1/Red/28             62.4      2.4     0.15     742    88.8    10000    2790   0.715
Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star            69.9      2.5     0.16     738   100.0    10000    2533   0.745
Winchester 231                      42.7      2.3     0.15     737    90.6    10000    2812   0.732
Alliant GREEN DOT                   50.7      2.0     0.13     733    95.7    10000    2770   0.753
Accurate No.2                       52.3      2.5     0.16     730    77.4    10000    2802   0.724
Alliant RED DOT                     50.4      1.8     0.12     728    99.1    10000    2604   0.753
Accurate Nitro 100                  48.1      1.8     0.12     726    95.5    10000    2620   0.737
Accurate Solo 1000                  47.8      1.9     0.12     719    96.5    10000    2516   0.740
Norma R1                            51.2      1.9     0.12     719   100.0    10000    2391   0.763
IMR TrailBoss                      102.0      2.5     0.16     709    98.1     9211    2513   0.770
Hodgdon Clays                       41.4      1.4     0.09     676   100.0    10000    1851   0.746

[hambam105]

Thanks for the spec sheet.

Have you experience with a heeled vs non-heeled bullets for a 32 Long Colt out of a 1950s style Colt Detective two-incher?

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for the spec sheet.

Have you experience with a heeled vs non-heeled bullets for a 32 Long Colt out of a 1950s style Colt Detective two-incher?

I don't have a 32 long colt or any other guns that shoot heeled bullets.
You won't be able to run non heeled bullets in the 32 long colt due to the case diameter.
If you did make some 7mm bullets that would fit into the case, they would be crazy loose in the bore and would shoot terribly.

You might consider rechambering the cylinder to 32 S&W so you can use standard 0.312 bullets.

[hambam105]

I see where you are going with the 7mm bullets. Appreciate the thought.
I intend on loading these grizzle bear one-shot-stoppers the same way the real old-timers would have.
I've seen too many 310 tools and thirty-two something dies and cases and bullets that nobody wants.
I haven't found the pistol, yet. But I should know a little something about pre 38 Special cartridges.
I have my eye on a Colt Detective Special that I think might be chambered in 32 Long. No matter the cartridge, that's the one I'll load for first.

[at_liberty]

You are smoking crack if you think a 32 long colt will accept 0.358" diameter bullets.
The dimensions I found online suggest that the 32 long colt would still use heeled bullets.


Both variations in the photo use a heeled bullet.
The difference is just where the lube is at.
In order for a straight 0.312 bullet to be used, the chamber needs to be larger to make room for the case diameter.

All of the 32's that take straight bullets have a case diameter around 0.337" allowing for around 0.012" of case wall thickness over a 0.312" diameter bullet.
The Long colt shows 0.314" case diameter which would leave 0.001" case wall thickness on a 0.312" bullet.
That's way too thin to hold the ammo together.
The 0.314" case diameter suggests the bullet diameter would be more like 0.290" or so with 0.012" case wall thickness.

If you have some fired cases or the gun, measure the outside diameter of the cases or the inside diameter of the chamber and see if it's around 0.320" or around 0.340" diameter.
That will tell you what type of bullets is uses.
The smaller diameter chamber will be for heeled bullets.

The 32 S&W cases all use a straight 0.312" bullet just like a 32 mag or a 327 federal.
Those straight bullet cases are generally 0.337" diameter and the chambers are 0.340".

Despite your rude reply, I have to admit that I was thinking of 38 rather than 32.

[Bumslie]

There is a seller on gun broker selling 100ct projectiles if you dont cast.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/805761840

I'll rummage through my old ideal books and send you any pics.

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[hambam105]

at liberty,

I do appreciate your response. No sweat.
Never thought I'd be looking to reload for an 1870s cartridge and so far I am learning a lot in the process.

Of all the people who read my post, you were one of only two people trying to assist so far and therefore you deserve some credit. Thanks.

[hambam105]

Bumslie
I owe you one. Thanks for the info. I followed up on the gun broker link. I thought it a bit odd at first. But the guy selling the projectiles
appears to have 1st hand knowledge on this quest of mine to start loading like they did in the Olden-Days.

ar15barrels mentioned heel bullets and that has opened a new can of worms around here. Thanks again ar15barrels.

[Bumslie]

If you're wanting to cast your own, accurate molds has a few designs for the .32 colt

http://www.accuratemolds.com/catalog.php

Just search on screen for "heeled" and you'll see a few choices.

You could also ask him to copy the 299153 mould from the gun broker if you like that design.

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