Picked up an SP101 recently in that caliber. Not sure why I just like the SP101's. Not even sure I'll keep it. Somebody bring me up to speed on the cartridge and is it possible to rebore the cylinder to 327? Inquiring minds and all. Thanks for the help.
Someone edumacate me on the 32 H&R mag.
- Thread starter Bear Paw Jack
- Start date
protoolman
Service-Sixer
To me its a fun cartridge kinda like reloading a .22 for small game and plinking. I wouldn't re-bore it I'd just sell it to me and buy a a .327. I've kicked myself for not buying a .32 mag when I had the chance at one a few years ago, now I can't find one! I have to console myself with the 2 single six .32s I have from the 1980s with adjustable sights.
Bear Paw Jack said:
Marlin. I can see a collector wanting the .32's, but for those that shoot SP101's, me included, I cannot see any of the .32's doing what a .38/.357 can do a whole bunch better.
I know that gun folks do all kinds of stuff that they want to do, me included, so I absolutely cannot judge anybody for doing whatever they want to do with their equipment.
That aside, yours is a good question. I, not having printed dimensions of the revolvers and/or cartridges readily in front of me, don't know the feasibility of .32 Mag cylinders being reamed to .327 dimensions. Can I assume your .32 Mag is a short-frame? And if so, is the cylinder long enough for the .327 cartridge? This is interesting. I will stand by. 8)
See ya.
WAYNO.
After a little research...The .327 cartridge is 1.47" long. The "long" cylinder on a SP101 is roughly 1.5" long. The "short" cylinder is roughly 1/10" shorter, so that makes it roughly 1.40" long. We know the rim thickness would not be included in the chamber length requirement, so bottom line is, this would be close! :?:
The .32 H&R was introduced in the early 80s by, you guessed it, H&R, with Ruger picking it up for its adjustable sight Single Six in 1984. In the 90s the adjustable sight Single Sixes were phased out in favor of the "Vaquerito" style increasingly popular with CAS. It's basically a "magnum" to the .32 S&W Long, although much to the chagrin of many shooters pressures were kept down because of the weaker H&R guns chambering the cartridge. This kept it from being a "true" magnum, though it was and is a delight to shoot--and enough bang and oomph (on both ends) to let you know it's certainly no .22__anything. .
Good, bad or indifferent depending on your point of view, the H&R was touted as "almost a .38"--and in certain loadings equaling or exceeding some .38s on the low end. It did fill the enormous gap from the .22s to the .38/.357, and permit that kind of performance in a 6 shooter, in formats (such as the SP and Smiths J Frames) permitting only 5 in the .38s. I've always liked the cartridge "just for what it is," but the .327 finally answered the call for allowing the .32 Mag to achieve its true potential...and it is a "real" magnum--at appx double the pressure--and the H&R essentially has become its "Special."
Single Sixes can be converted to .327 with a new cylinder (because of length issues) by a customizer such as Bowen, Harton, Clements, etc. About the SP101, I believe the other poster is right in suggesting just getting a .327.
Good, bad or indifferent depending on your point of view, the H&R was touted as "almost a .38"--and in certain loadings equaling or exceeding some .38s on the low end. It did fill the enormous gap from the .22s to the .38/.357, and permit that kind of performance in a 6 shooter, in formats (such as the SP and Smiths J Frames) permitting only 5 in the .38s. I've always liked the cartridge "just for what it is," but the .327 finally answered the call for allowing the .32 Mag to achieve its true potential...and it is a "real" magnum--at appx double the pressure--and the H&R essentially has become its "Special."
Single Sixes can be converted to .327 with a new cylinder (because of length issues) by a customizer such as Bowen, Harton, Clements, etc. About the SP101, I believe the other poster is right in suggesting just getting a .327.
OP
Wayno, I know, crazy idea wasn't it?? Especially considering I've got 2 SP101's in 357 in my favorite 3 and what ever". The 32 is a 3" also I jumped. Might just pass it onto Protoolman for what I've got into it, I think it's a good thing to do sometimes. Just couldn't see letting it go to someone who might not appreciate it. Not even positive I need a 327. I just picked up a sweet Mod 60 3" in 38 special. You know how it is I've jumped on stuff a lot the last month or so. Good thing there is a gun show coming up, Other wise I wouldn't have anything to do at my table. :D Somebody on another thread was explaining what Ruger did with all those short frame SP101's and all of a sudden the light came on and I thought those fellows are pretty smart making lemon aide out of lemons.
FWIW... The SP101 chambered in .32 Mag CAN have the chambers reamed to .327. Most of the well known GS's do this for just under $100.
Yes the Single Six needs to have a new cylinder and the barrel cut back just a tad. One can rechamber the existing chamber but will not chamber anything longer than a 85gr bullet/.327.
If you don't handload I would stay away, Ammo options are limited and can be hard to find.
Even though there are no Ruger Only Loads published, There is some good recipies out there that make the 32 Mag a Zzzzzinger................. In a Ruger only. :wink:
Yes the Single Six needs to have a new cylinder and the barrel cut back just a tad. One can rechamber the existing chamber but will not chamber anything longer than a 85gr bullet/.327.
If you don't handload I would stay away, Ammo options are limited and can be hard to find.
Even though there are no Ruger Only Loads published, There is some good recipies out there that make the 32 Mag a Zzzzzinger................. In a Ruger only. :wink:
Bucks Owin
Hunter
gak said:
Good post... :wink:
Dale53
Blackhawk
I have several .32 H&R Magnum revolvers (and a TC Contender custom barrel).
My Ruger SP 101 is an excellent platform for this cartridge.
Ed Harris has an excellent, pressure tested, article on loading the .32 H&R magnum with some excellent tips.
Send me your Email address in a Private Message, and I'll forward you a copy.
Use for the .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnum?
They are excellent small game cartridges when hand loaded with good bullets. I shoot only my own cast bullets and find a Group Buy 100 gr Keith or the RCBS 98 Gr Keith to give excellent results. Frankly, I shoot many more .32 S&W Longs in my .32 Mag revolvers as I find they shoot very well, perform better than ANY .22 caliber from a revolver on small game and cost little to reload. I will often run a 1000 rounds through my Dillon 550B and find they don't really last all that long.
The cast bullets use considerably less lead than the larger calibers, if you need justification, and the smaller powder charge required is also economically advantageous. I just find the power level is very useful for general target and small game shooting. All in all, a very practical cartridge whether using the .32 S&W Long or the .32 H&R.
They make an excellent training round for new shooters who are interested in becoming a "complete shooter". That is to say, those who want to learn how to cast bullets, reload, shoot and hunt.
I would like to caution those who are interested in finding a used Ruger SP 101. Mine does NOT shoot to the sights (the rear sight is "windage adjustable only") with any load tried. I have vision problems, so I had my pistolsmith install a Weaver base on mine and installed a Red Dot sight on it. My pistolsmith thought I had lost my mind, but it is a VERY nice combination:
Dale53
My Ruger SP 101 is an excellent platform for this cartridge.
Ed Harris has an excellent, pressure tested, article on loading the .32 H&R magnum with some excellent tips.
Send me your Email address in a Private Message, and I'll forward you a copy.
Use for the .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnum?
They are excellent small game cartridges when hand loaded with good bullets. I shoot only my own cast bullets and find a Group Buy 100 gr Keith or the RCBS 98 Gr Keith to give excellent results. Frankly, I shoot many more .32 S&W Longs in my .32 Mag revolvers as I find they shoot very well, perform better than ANY .22 caliber from a revolver on small game and cost little to reload. I will often run a 1000 rounds through my Dillon 550B and find they don't really last all that long.
The cast bullets use considerably less lead than the larger calibers, if you need justification, and the smaller powder charge required is also economically advantageous. I just find the power level is very useful for general target and small game shooting. All in all, a very practical cartridge whether using the .32 S&W Long or the .32 H&R.
They make an excellent training round for new shooters who are interested in becoming a "complete shooter". That is to say, those who want to learn how to cast bullets, reload, shoot and hunt.
I would like to caution those who are interested in finding a used Ruger SP 101. Mine does NOT shoot to the sights (the rear sight is "windage adjustable only") with any load tried. I have vision problems, so I had my pistolsmith install a Weaver base on mine and installed a Red Dot sight on it. My pistolsmith thought I had lost my mind, but it is a VERY nice combination:
Dale53
Bucks Owin
Hunter
"My pistolsmith thought I had lost my mind, but it is a VERY nice combination"
I kinda like it myself! :wink:
What's with the trigger shoe?
I kinda like it myself! :wink:
What's with the trigger shoe?
CraigC
Hawkeye
Reminds me of the little Charter Arms Pathfinder that Hal Swiggett mounted a scope to and was so fond of for small game hunting.
rugerlovah
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2009
- Messages
- 196
i have the 3" .32 mag sp101 as well. probably end up packing it more than any other gun on trips, etc. to me the 3" barrel aims more like a snubnose than a 4" or longer barrel, making accuracy past 10 yds or so a little more work. but its a great little revolver for what it is.
mine hit dead on straight from the factory ....... with lighter loads. with full bore .32 mags it hits an inch or 2 high at 10 yds. no way to adjust that out, either.
i do almost all of my shooting with cast lead bullets and HP38. the hornady 90 g cast SWC's are cheap, and they work great with aforesaid hp38 at cast bullit speeds.
as somebody else mentioned, its a real fun round to shoot ... if you reload. enough umph there to let you know that its not a .22 anything, but not as much umph as a .38/.357 class gun.
i liked mine enough that i also picked up a .32 mag birdshead vaquerito. it shoots great too, a little easier to get good accuracy with because of the longer barrel and heavier weight (although the sights are harder to pick out)
mine hit dead on straight from the factory ....... with lighter loads. with full bore .32 mags it hits an inch or 2 high at 10 yds. no way to adjust that out, either.
i do almost all of my shooting with cast lead bullets and HP38. the hornady 90 g cast SWC's are cheap, and they work great with aforesaid hp38 at cast bullit speeds.
as somebody else mentioned, its a real fun round to shoot ... if you reload. enough umph there to let you know that its not a .22 anything, but not as much umph as a .38/.357 class gun.
i liked mine enough that i also picked up a .32 mag birdshead vaquerito. it shoots great too, a little easier to get good accuracy with because of the longer barrel and heavier weight (although the sights are harder to pick out)
Driftwood Johnson
Blackhawk
Howdy
A few years ago there was a glut of Stainless 'Vaqueritos' on the market going for $299. I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a pair.
A few years ago there was a glut of Stainless 'Vaqueritos' on the market going for $299. I'm still kicking myself for not picking up a pair.
Dale53
Blackhawk
What's with the trigger shoe?
I have rather large hands and added the Hogue grips and the trigger shoe to increase the length of pull on this small revolver.
By the way, this is a FOUR inch barreled revolver.
Mine wouldn't shoot to the sights with any load tried, from mild to wild.
At any rate, it was an easy task to sight in properly with the Red Dot.
The combination will NOT be leaving here any time soon, either! :P
Dale53
I have rather large hands and added the Hogue grips and the trigger shoe to increase the length of pull on this small revolver.
By the way, this is a FOUR inch barreled revolver.
Mine wouldn't shoot to the sights with any load tried, from mild to wild.
At any rate, it was an easy task to sight in properly with the Red Dot.
The combination will NOT be leaving here any time soon, either! :P
Dale53
VonFatman
Blackhawk
Bear Paw Jack,
If you want to feel how "easy going" a load of .32 H&R Mag. can be...try using this lightweight revolver!!
Mr. gak,
I agree with Mr. Owin and others...Good Reply!
Bob
If you want to feel how "easy going" a load of .32 H&R Mag. can be...try using this lightweight revolver!!
Mr. gak,
I agree with Mr. Owin and others...Good Reply!
Bob
LuckenbachTexas
Buckeye
You either love em or hate them. The ammo is hell to find sometimes. I personally only own one because the Single Six in 32 mag is the right everything.
I wouldn't own it in any other gun.
I wouldn't own it in any other gun.
Flash
Buckeye
Dale53 said:
I have a 4" barreled version myself and found Crimson Trace grips much better than all the excess baggage of optics. The accuracy is much better than the 4" 22lr I had.
edlmann
Blackhawk
CraigC said:
Brownells does sell this T-shirt:
blackwolfe
Single-Sixer
To me the biggest shortcoming of the SP 101 is the sights. I have both a 4 inch 22 and 32 and am considering getting them milled for J frame adjustable sights. I saw a picture of one with a Novack rear sight installed and it sure looked good.
I really like the .32, but have yet to shoot a .327. Would really love a small framed .327 revolver and a lever gun to match.
I really like the .32, but have yet to shoot a .327. Would really love a small framed .327 revolver and a lever gun to match.
contender
Ruger Guru
Well, I enjoy the 32 H&R mag in my Single-Six revolvers,, AND I wish I could find a "deal" in a SP. However,, I also have a 327 Mag in the Blackhawk. Another very nice caliber & gun.
If it were mine,, I'd leave it alone,, and if I had no use for it,,, I'd let someone else own it.
If it were mine,, I'd leave it alone,, and if I had no use for it,,, I'd let someone else own it.
About 20 years ago I came across a Smith in 32H&R and the price was right. It's an accurate shooter and a lot of fun. Recoil is about like a 22 mag. I just picked up a GP100 in 327. Both are a hoot. A little more push in the 327 but still nothing near a 357. As said in an earlier post ammo is the problem. I reload so once I get 327 brass I'm all set but...getting 327 brass is a bear. I did get an email from Startline and they are going to produce it but don't know when they will get it in their production schedule. Keep your fingers, help may be on the way. BTW my Smith is a model 16 on a K frame.
Flash
Buckeye
contender said:
It depends on how you look at it. A high price today is a deal next year.
contender
Ruger Guru
Oh,, trust me,, I know that all too well. Another quote; "You never pay too much,, just too soon sometimes!"
To me,, I keep my eyes open,, and when a "deal comes along,, I try & snag it. Such as the SP-101 in 22 LR last year for $275.
To me,, I keep my eyes open,, and when a "deal comes along,, I try & snag it. Such as the SP-101 in 22 LR last year for $275.
Flash
Buckeye
contender said:
Whew, a deal indeed!
OP
Contender, did you have to wear a mask and point a gun at him to get taht great deal??? :D :D Not saying I'd blame you if you did!!.
OP
If someone is interested in this let me know by pm and we can talk about it otherwise it will be going to the gun show this weekend. I agree better to let someone have it that wants it than to mess it up. I don't have a problem letting it go for what I have into it and I can send you the original pictures and posting on the price. Or at least a link. I don't actually have the gun at home as I bought so many at one time I usually only bring one home a week so my FFL doesn't have to send a multiple purchase paperwork form in.
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