After looking at a few different brands of ammo I see there are wild variances in the ballistics claimed for the cartridge.
I think all the published claims are a little higher than what the actual performance would be as we've seen with a lot of ammo claims. That seems to be an industry-wide "B.S." selling point.
1)Midway advertises an S&B round with a 100gr slightly flattened lead nose which mimics the original 32 Colt NP round shape and claims muzzle velocity of 886 FPS and muzzle energy of 174 ft lbs.! It's also more expensive there than anywhere else advertised. If true, this would be probably the best performing 32 round excepting the 32 magnum, which is out of the question for this gun:
Sellier & Bellot Ammunition 32 S&W Long 100 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
2)Cheaper Than Dirt advertised the same round for less money, but shows a photo of S&Bs wadcutter. Figures are the same, but I would have to call them first to make sure they really mean the round nose lead bullet and not the wadcutter.
61902 - Ammo .32 S&W Long Sellier & Bellot Lead Round Nose 100 Grain 886 fps 50 Round Box
3)Cheaper Than Dirt shows a Fiocchi 95 gr round that states a muzzle velocity of 800 fps and muzzle energy of 139 ft lbs.
63056 - Ammo .32 S&W Long Fiocchi Pistol Shooting Dynamics Lead Round Nose 97 Grain 800 fps 50 Round Box
4)Midway also has the Prvi Partizan round in 98 gr. RN which states 787 fps and 136 ft lbs at the muzzle
Prvi Partizan Ammunition 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
5) Able's has a Magtech SJHP which claims 778 fps and 132 ft lbs at the muzzle
Magtech 32SWLC Pistol and Revolver Cartridge, 32 S&W Long, Semi Jacketed Hollow Point, 98 GR, 778 fp - Able Ammo
These examples tout performance that is considerably higher than the standard figures of 705 fps and 115 ft lbs. at the muzzle. I am sceptical about the claims, however, it stands to reason that they might be a bit higher than the performance norms for the round, even if they are exaggerating a bit. Too bad I can't chrono the stuff as the first example of 886 fps and 174 ft lbs would be a considerable increase in performance for this old cartridge.
I have never been convinced that wadcutters are better for self defense.
I do agree that if one has choices, the round nose lead would not be the best choice. However, the loadings for this cartridge don't seem to justify buying a SJHP. Ideally, a soft lead semi wadcutter like the Buffalo Bore or Nyclad projectiles would probably be the best choice Unfortunately, Buffalo Bore does not make a 32 Colt NP or 32 S&W long cartridge.
Guy, I agree with you that the best you can expect from this little cartridge is trying to find a round with better penetration. I agree that I would not expect much if any expansion given the cartridges limitations.
I think all the published claims are a little higher than what the actual performance would be as we've seen with a lot of ammo claims. That seems to be an industry-wide "B.S." selling point.
1)Midway advertises an S&B round with a 100gr slightly flattened lead nose which mimics the original 32 Colt NP round shape and claims muzzle velocity of 886 FPS and muzzle energy of 174 ft lbs.! It's also more expensive there than anywhere else advertised. If true, this would be probably the best performing 32 round excepting the 32 magnum, which is out of the question for this gun:
Sellier & Bellot Ammunition 32 S&W Long 100 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
2)Cheaper Than Dirt advertised the same round for less money, but shows a photo of S&Bs wadcutter. Figures are the same, but I would have to call them first to make sure they really mean the round nose lead bullet and not the wadcutter.
61902 - Ammo .32 S&W Long Sellier & Bellot Lead Round Nose 100 Grain 886 fps 50 Round Box
3)Cheaper Than Dirt shows a Fiocchi 95 gr round that states a muzzle velocity of 800 fps and muzzle energy of 139 ft lbs.
63056 - Ammo .32 S&W Long Fiocchi Pistol Shooting Dynamics Lead Round Nose 97 Grain 800 fps 50 Round Box
4)Midway also has the Prvi Partizan round in 98 gr. RN which states 787 fps and 136 ft lbs at the muzzle
Prvi Partizan Ammunition 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Lead Round Nose Box of 50 - MidwayUSA
5) Able's has a Magtech SJHP which claims 778 fps and 132 ft lbs at the muzzle
Magtech 32SWLC Pistol and Revolver Cartridge, 32 S&W Long, Semi Jacketed Hollow Point, 98 GR, 778 fp - Able Ammo
These examples tout performance that is considerably higher than the standard figures of 705 fps and 115 ft lbs. at the muzzle. I am sceptical about the claims, however, it stands to reason that they might be a bit higher than the performance norms for the round, even if they are exaggerating a bit. Too bad I can't chrono the stuff as the first example of 886 fps and 174 ft lbs would be a considerable increase in performance for this old cartridge.
I have never been convinced that wadcutters are better for self defense.
I do agree that if one has choices, the round nose lead would not be the best choice. However, the loadings for this cartridge don't seem to justify buying a SJHP. Ideally, a soft lead semi wadcutter like the Buffalo Bore or Nyclad projectiles would probably be the best choice Unfortunately, Buffalo Bore does not make a 32 Colt NP or 32 S&W long cartridge.
Guy, I agree with you that the best you can expect from this little cartridge is trying to find a round with better penetration. I agree that I would not expect much if any expansion given the cartridges limitations.
