JustsayMo
Single-Sixer
My recent discovery and appreciation of 32 caliber revolvers has caused me to bring another one home... This time it was an SP101 in 327 Federal.
I was already a fan of the SP101 as the 357 version is a frequent companion. Another bonus was that this one came with a bunch of ammo too... So that meant a trip to the range was in order.
I started out using some 32 H&R loads that work well in my Single Six using the RCBS 32-98 SWC.
The often cited 3.2grain W231 (Hodgdon's starting load) gets 928 fps average in the 5.5" Single Six and drops down to 815 fps in the 3" SP101. It shot well considering it was the first shots out of a new gun.
Alliant's MAX published load of Unique averaged 997 fps, was VERY accurate and prints about 1" above point of aim at 7 yards. The Single Six spits these out a 1190 fps and my Marlin 1894 get 1365 fps.
Hodgdon's MAX published load for Lil'Gun averaged 1145 fps and showed promising accuracy. The Single Six averages 1287fps and the 1894 averages 1724 fps with this load. Accuracy is good but the velocity is inconsistent with wide extreme spreads. That was true at the starting levels too.
I rarely buy or shoot factory ammo. Since this ammo came with it I was curious what it would do.
The first was some Black Hills 85 gr JHP in 32 H&R Mag. It proved to be the most accurate of the day and averaged 939 fps. The group was about 2" High and a little right of point of aim.
The Georgia Arms 100gr JHP in 32 H&R averaged 1174 fps and was impressively accurate as well. The primers were pretty flat with this load.
There was also a package of 32 S&W Long made by Georgia Arms. It too shot well averaging 878 fps. The primers were somewhat flattened in this load too.
The last load I tested was some American Eagle 327 Federal Magnum 85g JSP. They averaged 1323fps and were impressively accurate. The recoil was noticeable and the muzzle flash was visible in daylight. It was quite comfortable to shoot in the SP101. I found it interesting that the Single Six 32 H&R comes close to reaching that velocity with the Lil'Gun load with a heavier bullet - 100 gr as cast, 1287 fps.
I was already a fan of the SP101 as the 357 version is a frequent companion. Another bonus was that this one came with a bunch of ammo too... So that meant a trip to the range was in order.
I started out using some 32 H&R loads that work well in my Single Six using the RCBS 32-98 SWC.
The often cited 3.2grain W231 (Hodgdon's starting load) gets 928 fps average in the 5.5" Single Six and drops down to 815 fps in the 3" SP101. It shot well considering it was the first shots out of a new gun.
Alliant's MAX published load of Unique averaged 997 fps, was VERY accurate and prints about 1" above point of aim at 7 yards. The Single Six spits these out a 1190 fps and my Marlin 1894 get 1365 fps.
Hodgdon's MAX published load for Lil'Gun averaged 1145 fps and showed promising accuracy. The Single Six averages 1287fps and the 1894 averages 1724 fps with this load. Accuracy is good but the velocity is inconsistent with wide extreme spreads. That was true at the starting levels too.
I rarely buy or shoot factory ammo. Since this ammo came with it I was curious what it would do.
The first was some Black Hills 85 gr JHP in 32 H&R Mag. It proved to be the most accurate of the day and averaged 939 fps. The group was about 2" High and a little right of point of aim.
The Georgia Arms 100gr JHP in 32 H&R averaged 1174 fps and was impressively accurate as well. The primers were pretty flat with this load.
There was also a package of 32 S&W Long made by Georgia Arms. It too shot well averaging 878 fps. The primers were somewhat flattened in this load too.
The last load I tested was some American Eagle 327 Federal Magnum 85g JSP. They averaged 1323fps and were impressively accurate. The recoil was noticeable and the muzzle flash was visible in daylight. It was quite comfortable to shoot in the SP101. I found it interesting that the Single Six 32 H&R comes close to reaching that velocity with the Lil'Gun load with a heavier bullet - 100 gr as cast, 1287 fps.
