32acp questions.

C

Chainsaw.

New member
Soooo. An entirely new to me cartridge. Never even shot one, but I just bought a pistol in this caliber. The only load I find is hodgdons loading under a 71 grain bullet. In the interest of cost Im thinking of running Missouri bullet companies 78 grain hi-tek coated bullets. My thinking says starting at the minimum load for a jacketed bullet would be ok with the lead load. Im I right?

Also. Am I a masochist? :D
 
What powder are you thinking? I usually load Power Pistol based on Speer and Hornady data, but I have not loaded any cast. Lyman has data for 75 and 85 cast and the usual lineup of fast powders. Let me know what you have, and I will narrow it down.

FWIW, Buffalo Bore sells a 75 hardcast load that goes 1,031 avg/22.6 Std from my Mauser HSc (3").

You're not a masochist until you've loaded the original heeled bullets over blackpowder in .41 Long Colt.
 
My go to pistol powder is the much loved/ much maligned tite group. I've had good luck with it. I also have a 1/4 pound of old ms540 winchester powder and /- a pound of HS6. Didnt remember that till just now.

Well, and ramshot enforcer and h110, but....yeah, no....


Heeled bullets?? Oh the humanity!!
 
Titegroup: Lyman Start 1.8 gr/814, Max 2.0/861.

They tested in a Universal Receiver and a Mauser HSc, but only list pressure measurements for 231 and HP-38. I presume those were tested in the pressure barrel.

They did not test any 85 gr loads with Titegroup.
 
The load window is pretty small for most 32 ACP data. It looks like for a 71 grain FMJ using Titegroup they recommend 2.0 to 2.2 grains. Some where around 1.8 +/-.1 seems like it would be a logical load for a 78 grain bullet.

The 7 grain difference between 71 and 78 doesn't seem like much but that's almost a 10% larger bullet.
 
The .32acp is kind of neat, loading is the same as for any pistol round, just ..smaller. This may, or may not be important, but for myself, its a bit of a challenge, the only thing worse is the .25acp.

Every .32acp I can think of right now is blowback operated. So, there's no room to increase pressures safely.

Be aware that the .32acp is not actually .32 caliber. Bullets are .311" which actually makes it a .30, but there are many rounds that use a bullet of different diameter than the stated name caliber.

I spent some time looking for brass, at the gun shows, and never found more than a handful of cases...then one time, (several years ago) at one of the brass dealers tables there were several bags of 500. I bought one, and it will probably still be half full when my kids inherit it. :rolleyes:

A little pinch of fast powder is all you need, I used 231 and Bullseye.

There's not a great deal of interest in reloading the .32acp (or the .25) and some manuals don't even list them.

Hornady makes (or made) a 60gr JHP. I have a couple boxes, but haven't yet used them, so I can't give you an honest opinion on how they work.
 
Those 60gr GD out of my Walther PP worked great when I had it. As mentioned, however, you really need to place a blanket or tarp or something similar to catch your brass. They disappear rather quickly otherwise.
 
The 78gr rn is primarily a .32 S&W bullet. I’ve always been a .32 fan in any of it’s forms. You can probably find a good deal on Rainer plated bullets. With the velocity of the .32 acp they won’t fly apart.. A funny note I read an old article years ago that stated in a pinch .32 S&W would work in a .32 acp. I loaded a mag in my Browning 1922 and it worked - I don’t ever think it hit the target.
 
I reloaded 32 ACP once, many years ago. A very pretty girl looked at me "that way" and asked if I would reload them for her since she didn't know how, and I thought it was an excellent opportunity to get to know her. Once you have loaded little bullets with little charges of Unique, you will swear off reloading the 32. And no, it wasn't worth it.
 
Scorch that hilarious. Weve all done favors for pretty girls just to get put in the friend zone.

I shot the pistol today and found it to be....meh. Ill still shoot it, whether I'll reload it might now be up in the air. But then again, knowing me I probably will.
 
"...little bullets with little charges..." Pretty much applies to all wee, tiny, small cartridges. Unless she's rich and has low standards. snicker.

This is out of the Lyman Pistol and Revolver manual.

77 grain cast, Lyman mold # 311252, .975" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
700X 1.5 750 1.9 895
PB 1.6 665 2.2 870
SR-7625 1.7 675 2.3 860
Bullseye 1.5 685 2.0 830
Red Dot 1.5 695 2.3 940
Green Dot 1.6 705 2.4 895
Unique 1.8 625 2.6 860

84 grain cast, Lyman mold # 313249, .984" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
700X 1.3 685 1.7 830
PB 1.5 665 2.1 830
SR-7625 1.7 675 2.2 860
Bullseye 1.5 660 1.9 795
Red Dot 1.5 665 2.1 895
Green Dot 1.6 680 2.3 845
Unique 1.8 650 2.5 860

PB and SR-7625 powders are old DuPont powders. Don't think the PB is still available. Dunno about the SR-7625.
 
Scorch said:
I reloaded 32 ACP once, many years ago. A very pretty girl looked at me "that way" and asked if I would reload them for her since she didn't know how, and I thought it was an excellent opportunity to get to know her. Once you have loaded little bullets with little charges of Unique, you will swear off reloading the 32. And no, it wasn't worth it.
Click to expand...
It's only "worth it" if the very pretty girl pays you back with certain "acts of kindness" ,
wink! wink!.....If she doesn't , then yes , it's not worth it at all .
Gary
 
I had a pocket carry quite some time ago. 32 ACP Colt 1903 model. A lovely little pistol. Shot pretty darn good too. Its intended purpose was to eliminate chipmunks and stripped gophers at my cabin.
Just saying. After a qualifying shoot to prove a point. A friend & I shot our pistols that day into a large number of pre cut to size cardboard box separators. I with my 71 gr. FMJ powered up with Win 231 something like 3-Grs if I recall? My friend did the same with his 38 Special S&W stub shooting a semi-jacketed SP.
To both our surprise the little 32 bored completely thru all the cardboard material in its way and it exited the container. 38 special on the other hand was lucky to get to the 1/2 way point and too showing little to no expansion. I guess after witnessing what a 32 is capable of. I wouldn't underestimate that little ACPs capability "nope I surely wouldn't."

I sold that little 1903 pocket carry Colt to a co-worker back in the 80s. To this very day I regret that 32's sale. "What a dandy little firearm it was. One of the few pistols I shot that had a awfully good feel to its grip.
 
Im thinking of running Missouri bullet companies 78 grain hi-tek coated bullets.
Click to expand...

MBC's 32 is 32 H&R, which are .313". Those bullets in 32 ACP brass might result in cartridges with too much outside diameter to chamber in your pistol.

I think 32 ACP FMJ bullets are .311" in diameter.

I haven't loaded any 32 ACP, but was looking into it a couple of weeks ago, so I don't speak from experience.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top