Hammerli 280 32 S&W Long Barrel

First topic message reminder :

I had asked in a previous post about ammunition for the 280 in 32 S&W Long. I tried a variety of loads for 50 yards and nothing works well. Some respondents say to change the barrel, but I can't find a different barrel. Does anyone have a recommendation for a barrel i.e. twist, manufacturer, and source? I use a 280 in .22 LR, and Gold Cup for .45, now I need a centerfire that will hold the black at 50 yards.

Greetings,

I have not seen a replacement barrel that out groups the factory Pardini 32 ACP.

You do need to load quality ammunition.

The Hornady 85 grain XTP works very well for 50 yard shooting. Groups well within the 10-ring and occasional X-ring groups.

For 25 yards, folks have had good results with 0.314" cast bullets.

Reloading is a must. Factory ammunition is focused on Personal Defense and cannot be relied upon for accuracy at 50 yards. Yes, you might get a good lot; but, will the next box, different lot, perform the same?

Cheers,

Dave

Below targets fired at 50 yards using a factory Pardini barrel mounted in a mechanical fixture.

Sams built P240 32 acp. Walther 0.308 barrel 1:10 twist.
Jon

Has anyone tried the Bear Creek .314 98 gr. Hbwc. ? They seem to measure .314/ .3145. No idea how they compare to the resized “plinkers”

Jon Eulette wrote:
Sams built P240 32 acp. Walther 0.308 barrel 1:10 twist.
Jon

Jon, if you ever sell that, I'm a buyer. That would convince me to start loading 32.

Dave

"Cast 32s don't shoot well".  Actually, some do. Two different ransom rest targets two different guns, two different shooters/reloaders, same load same bullet... 88gr NOE sized to 0.315. Top group size is written on it. Bottom group is just over 2 inches, but 9 of 10 would be x's.

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

I wonder when I quit machining custom barrels?

Good thing I read the BaloneyNet. Now I can halt my barrel projects to work on other things...

Cheers,

Dave

haha

had good luck with .98 g HBWC heads 1.7 BE also VV310 1.6g also Titegroup 1.8g
But any wind at 50 yds and its difficult to keep in the 10 ring. you have to time the wind and shoot between gusts. 
any other distance and the .32 SWL excels 
i wish they still made new pistols with this chamber or .38 for that matter. 
good luck

Greetings,

"Two snaps and a twist" for 10sandXs!!!

Scanned groups say much more than "Shoots better than I can".

I also applaud your cast bullet prowess.

Sincerely,

Dave

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

"Two snaps and a twist" for 10sandXs!!!

Scanned groups say much more than "Shoots better than I can".

I also applaud your cast bullet prowess.

Sincerely,

Dave

Thanks Dave, 

I still have the bullets you swaged. Plan is to get them tested after phoenix...

Rob