The 32 S&W Long Cartridge and You

During the first part of the 19^th century Smith & Wesson introduced its First Model Hand Ejector Revolver chambered in the 32 S&W Long Cartridge. Soon after the cartridge's introduction Colt and other manufacturers started using it for common chambering. Soon after the introduction of the 32 S&W Long cartridge there were both break top and solid frame revolvers chambered for the 32 S&W Long cartridge.

Currently the 32 S&W Long cartridge available from ammunition manufacturers is loaded with a 98 grain bullet with a velocity around 705 feet per second, while this velocity seems like a snail compared to modern ammunitions, it is still a great round especially for the beginning of the century. Ammunition manufacturer Federal also loads a 98 grain wadcutter for target practice. The 32 S&W Long cartridge loaded with the wadcutter is actually still considered a very popular load in Europe as a target cartridge especially in some of the higher end match pistols like the semi automatic Walther GSP. The 32 S&W Long cartridge has also been known to produce impressive accuracies with any fine handgun for that matter.

The 32 S&W Long cartridge oddly enough is identical to the 32 Colt New Police cartridge but it must be understood that the two cartridges are not in any way interchangeable between the firearms. While I am not 100% sure why this is my only reasoning is that it has to be due to pressure differences of the two cartridges. This can be a slight issue for the hand loader because I have also heard that the loading data for the two cartridges is identical as well. So why they are not interchangeable if they are identical in size and pressure, but I am not the expert, and the experts say that they are not. With this in mind there are many options for loading the 32 S&W Long cartridge.

The 100 grain jacketed hollow point is an excellent bullet for the cartridge to be used with plinking and the occasional small game hunting. Every once in a while there is also several propellants that are marked for a DNR which of course means "Do not reduce" meaning the powder used should not be reduced, in this case the bullet with a lower pressure may get stuck in the barrel. Then there are the 98 grain wadcutters, which are thought to be the best bullet type for target practice, plinking, or any sort of accuracy. Not only do professional shooters use the 98 grain bullet for matches but the 98 grain bullet has a proven track record of accuracy all over the world. Along with the 98 grain bullets come the 100 grain and the 90 grain cast cowboy action shooting bullet. These too have had proven accuracy that is very impressive, and the small flat point works wonders on small game.

While I would never take the 32 S&W Long cartridge into a bear fight or try and take a deer with the cartridge it has proven to be a very accurate cartridge for ever the toughest of conditions during contests and in the real world shooting sports. With the recent emergence of popularity aimed at the cowboy shooting sports I fully believe that these older cast bullet cartridges are never going to ever really die, thankfully there is a strong following that will keep the greatest part of our nations history alive.