Some rounds chase power. The 32 S&W Long chases accuracy and calm, easy shooting. It has punched paper in target revolvers and match pistols for well over a century. It also rides in small vintage revolvers that people still carry and shoot.
Below are 32 S&W Long ballistics for every load Bulk Ammo Vault lists with full data. You’ll also learn which guns can fire it, what wadcutters do, and how to read the figures. Speed and energy numbers come from the linked product listings.
A Short History
Smith & Wesson introduced the 32 S&W Long in 1896. It’s a longer version of the older 32 S&W. The round became a standard police and pocket revolver load in the early 1900s, then found a long second life as a target round.
Light recoil and good accuracy keep it in use for target shooting. Precise wadcutter loads, like the Lapua loads we carry, are made for that kind of shooting.
Which Guns Can Fire It?
The 32 S&W Long is a rimmed revolver round with a .312 inch class bullet. Several longer 32 chamberings accept it:
- 32 S&W Long revolvers and some target pistols built for it.
- 32 H&R Magnum revolvers. The Magnum case is longer, so the Long fits and fires safely.
- 327 Federal Magnum revolvers. These can fire 32 S&W Long as well as the shorter 32s. Confirm in your revolver maker’s manual.
It does not go the other way. Never fire 32 H&R Magnum or 327 Federal Magnum in a gun marked only 32 S&W Long. And the 32 S&W Long is not the same as the 32 ACP or the old 32 Long Colt. Match the box to the stamp on your gun.
32 S&W Long Ballistics Table
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua 32 S&W Long 86 Grain Wadcutter | Wadcutter | 86 | 787 | 118 | 50-round box |
| Magtech 32 S&W Long Wadcutter 98 Grain | Wadcutter | 98 | 682 | 102 | 50-round box |
| Remington 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Round Nose | Round Nose | 98 | 705 | 108 | 50-round box |
| Magtech 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Round Nose | Round Nose | 98 | 705 | 108 | 50-round box |
| Aguila 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Round Nose | Round Nose | 98 | 705 | 108 | 50-round box |
| Magtech 32 S&W Long Hollow Point 98 Grain SJHP | Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point | 98 | 778 | 132 | 50-round box |
| PPU 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Round Nose | Round Nose | 98 | 787 | 136 | 50-round box |
| Lapua 32 S&W Long 98 Grain Wadcutter | Wadcutter | 98 | 787 | 135 | 50-round box |
| Fiocchi 32 S&W Long Wadcutter 100 Grain Cowboy Action | Wadcutter | 100 | 730 | 120 | 50-round box |
| Fiocchi 32 S&W Long 97 Grain FMJ Heritage | Full Metal Jacket | 97 | 800 | 138 | 50-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot 32 S&W Long 100 Grain Round Nose | Round Nose | 100 | 886 | 174 | 50-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 32 S&W Long Wadcutter 100 Grain Hard Cast | Hard Cast Wadcutter | 100 | 900 | 180 | 20-round box |
| Buffalo Bore 32 S&W Long 115 Grain Hard Cast Flat Nose | Hard Cast Flat Nose | 115 | 800 | 163 | 20-round box |
Every load here lists 900 fps or less. The slowest is the Magtech 98 grain wadcutter at 682 fps and 102 ft-lbs. The Buffalo Bore 100 grain hard cast wadcutter lists 900 fps and 180 ft-lbs, the most energy of the group.
Reading Velocity and Energy
Velocity is muzzle speed. Energy is the work the bullet can do at the muzzle. In a mild round like this, energy figures stay low. That’s a feature for target work. Low speed and light recoil help you shoot tight groups.
Watch the barrel
Listed figures come from the maker’s test barrel. A 2 inch pocket revolver will run slower. A 6 inch target revolver may come close or beat the label. Revolvers also lose a little gas at the cylinder gap.
Firing it in a longer chamber
When you shoot 32 S&W Long in a 32 H&R or 327 Federal revolver, the bullet jumps farther before it hits the rifling. Accuracy is often still good. Speed may differ a bit from the label. Clean the chambers after a long session so fouling doesn’t block the longer cases later.
Weather and altitude
Cold can drop speed a little. Altitude barely changes muzzle speed. Neither matters much at target distances.
Wadcutter, Round Nose or Hollow Point?
Wadcutters for target work
A wadcutter is a flat-faced cylinder of lead. It punches a clean, round hole in paper, which makes scoring easy. Lapua 98 grain wadcutter lists 787 fps and 135 ft-lbs. The lighter Lapua 86 grain wadcutter lists 787 fps and 118 ft-lbs. Fiocchi 100 grain wadcutter lists 730 fps and 120 ft-lbs.
Round nose for plinking
Round nose lead loads are easy feeders and fine for plinking and practice. Remington WheelGun 98 grain lists 705 fps and 108 ft-lbs. Sellier & Bellot 100 grain round nose runs faster at 886 fps and 174 ft-lbs.
Hollow points and hard cast for defense
If you carry a 32 revolver, look at loads built for it. Magtech 98 grain SJHP lists 778 fps and 132 ft-lbs. Buffalo Bore 115 grain hard cast flat nose lists 800 fps and 163 ft-lbs. Older revolvers may be worn or weak. Ask a gunsmith before you shoot hotter loads in an antique. Self-defense laws vary, so check your state and local rules.
Small Game and Pests
Some shooters use 32 S&W Long for small game around the farm. A flat nose or wadcutter makes a clean hole at short range. Check your state’s hunting rules first. Some states limit which handgun rounds you can use for game.
Want a pocket round for a semi-auto? See our 32 ACP ballistic data guide. For another target-friendly wadcutter round, read the 38 Special wadcutter ammo guide.
Shop 32 S&W Long Ammo
Browse our 32 S&W Long ammo for wadcutters, round nose and defense loads. Compare the 32 S&W Long ballistics in each listing, and pick the load that fits your gun and your goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you shoot 32 S&W Long in a 32 H&R Magnum?
Yes. A 32 H&R Magnum revolver can safely fire 32 S&W Long, because the Magnum case is longer. A 327 Federal Magnum revolver can fire it too. Confirm in your revolver maker’s manual. Never do the reverse. Magnum rounds should not be fired in a gun marked only for 32 S&W Long.
Is 32 S&W Long the same as 32 ACP?
No. The 32 S&W Long is a rimmed revolver round. The 32 ACP is a semi-rimmed round for semi-auto pistols. Their bullets are close in size, but the cases differ. Use only the cartridge marked on your gun.
Is 32 S&W Long good for self defense?
It’s a mild round with modest energy. People who carry a 32 revolver often choose a hollow point or hard cast flat nose for better results than a round nose. Test the load in your gun first. Self-defense laws vary, so check your state and local rules.
What is 32 S&W Long used for?
Today it’s mostly used for target shooting, plinking and small revolvers. Wadcutter loads are favored for precision target work because they cut clean holes in paper. Some owners also carry older 32 revolvers or use them for pests at short range.
