Actual barrel diameter Matchguns MG-4 and Pardini HP32

Does anyone know the actual barrel diameter of the MG-4 32 S&W long and Parsini HP32 32 S&W long?  Are they the same?  What bullet diameter shoots best in them?  Thanks.

My MG4 slugged out to .3139. .314 bullets can work in it - as long as you swage your own. See FC60 for the design. Bear Creek .315 came second to those in my tests.

Bore or barrel diameter???

Straybit: thanks. In the Bear Creek website I only see .314 bullets. Did they used to make .315? https://www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com/32hbwc98gr

They made me some 315s on request. Phone them up - I'm sure they can do more. I have a bunch of them around - if you PM me the address I can send you some to play with.

Ok so the Bear Creek .314 are too small to work well in the MG-4?

Well, the 315s are better. At least when I load them in Lapua brass with 1.40 gr N310.

Ok thanks. I see in another thread the Pardini slugged at .314 so the .315 BC bullets would probably work well in both. Just starting this process and trying to figure out what I don’t know. (Which is a lot).

Greetings,

The MG4 barrels I have measured gauge 0.315" groove diameter.

The Pardini barrels are difficult to measure without the use of a 3-legged inside micrometer. Originally, the 32 barrels measured 0.313" - 0.314". The latest offering from Pardini has a choke of 0.312" applied to the muzzle. The rest of the barrel is still 0.313' - 0.314".

The use of 0.314" minimum or 0.315" swaged HBWC bullets offer the best results.

Cast bullets? Go for it. Please post your best ten shot 50 yards groups on the Forum. I have never equaled the accuracy when tested against the swaged HBWC bullets.

I have plenty of 50 yard X-ring targets fired with both the MG4 and Pardini HP factory barrels using HBWC bullets.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks. So dumb question are any of the commercially available bullets swaged or all cast? The Bear Creek bullets mentioned above are cast? If I want swaged then I have to get my own swaging machine and use commercially bought bullets and swage them to size?

I'm 90% sure the Bear Creek ones are swaged. They created the 315s for me by reaming out a worn 314 die - which would imply swaging - I think?

But yeah - the way to go is swage your own. At least for the MG4. And be very very OCD about your loading process

Greetings,

In the USA, Bear Creek and Speer manufacture swaged HBWC bullets. If there are other's, please post a link.

Imported from Finland are the Lapua HBWC bullets.

There is not a great selection for loading the 32 S&W Long WadCutter.

If you have the time and resources ($$$$) home swaging is a good way to go.

For my own use, I first cast little 0.308" diameter cylinders weighing about 100 grains. Next, I swage them to 0.311" diameter at 98 grains. The final swage is either 0.312", 0.314", or 315", depending on my needs, to fully shape the bullet's features. Last, they get lubricated prior to loading.

The cost of the above three die sets and punches will cost roughly $1250.00. Then, factor in the cost of a proper swaging press.

The above is a lot of work. Not an endeavour for everyone.

Cheers,

Dave

fc60 wrote:The cost of the above three die sets and punches will cost roughly $1250.00. Then, factor in the cost of a proper swaging press.

Current cost from known manufacturer is ~$650.00 for single die / two punches set.  Plus about 12 weeks delivery time frame.

AP