Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .32 S&W Long N.P. with .309 | 71gr | H&N RN HS bullet and 4 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon TrailBoss.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol² | <<locked>> | 68% | 11,937 psi | 82% | 1001 fps | 97.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 10,791 psi | 74% | 935 fps | 99% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 9,442 psi | 65% | 906 fps | 93.8% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 76% | 12,140 psi | 84% | 978 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 4"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 9,398 psi | 65% | 909 fps | 94.3% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*² | 2.5 gr | 64% | 5,134 psi | 35% | 682 fps | 87.7% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14* | <<locked>> | 80% | 6,237 psi | 43% | 755 fps | 85.8% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star² | <<locked>> | 60% | 7,803 psi | 54% | 827 fps | 98.8% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 2 powders for .32 S&W Long N.P. loaded with the .309 | 71gr | H&N RN HS. Hodgdon TrailBoss delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 935 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 906 fps to 935 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 2 of the 2 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (100 MPa), the top charges use 65–74 %, leaving at least 26 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon TrailBoss rank at the top here: for .32 S&W Long N.P. with the .309 | 71gr | H&N RN HS they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, ReloadSwiss RS 14 burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.