Loading 78 grain lead bullets for .32 ACP

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Sid

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Does anyone have any load data for this? My local gun shop has these. The Lee manual lists a load for 77 grain lead bullets but the powder is one that I never heard of.

I have not been able to find my usual 71 grain FMJ bullets for anything like a reasonable price. I did an online search and only found one place that had Hornady bullets but they were .21 cents each. At that price it doesn't pay to reload with them.

I would like to thank you in advance for any help.
 
The Lee manual is Hodgdon data. Lee tests nothing. However, 78 grain data will do for a 77 grain bullet. One grain doesn't matter.
Not many load .32 ACP. Very little data. My old Lyman book has 77 grain cast data.
1.5 to 2.2 of Bullseye. 1.7 to 2.5 of Red Dot. 2.0 to 3.1 of Unique.
"...but they were..." Any jacketed bullet will cost more. Even more when it's odd.
 
I just loaded 78 gr 32s this afternoon into 32 S&W Long. I used Trailboss 1.9-2.0 gr, because the powder has to be bulky enough to fall within the Lee powder measure's .30cc minimum. I have ordered a Dillon measure and X-small powder bar, but wanted to try something while I am awaiting arrival. My intent is to use Red Dot, Bullseye, or Unique.
 
burrhead wrote:Bullseye or Unique is where I'd start.
Click to expand...

And you probably never loaded 32 ACP. Unique does not work that well in 32 ACP because it is operating at pressures lower than optimum. I works, just not well.

My question stands, what powders does the OP have on hand? Based on around 15 years loading for this little gem, I have some tested data of my own and can offer adivce on published data (I have Lyman 49 and Alliant on hand) on what most likely works and what most likely doesn't.
 
SHR970

Thanks for your interest and I would certainly appreciate any help you can offer. Here are the powders that I have on hand:

TiteGroup, Autocomp, Accurate # 5 and Red Dot. I use an RCBS powder measure for reloading.
 
Red Dot is included for 75 gr in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. That would be close enough for me to extrapolate.
 
Red Dot Start 1.5 Max 2.3 gr. Your sweet spot will most likely be 2.1 or 2.2 gr. If you exceed max in a work up it will get spikey...right around 2.5-2.6 gr.

AA#5 does not work well in this round; disappointing velocities.

TG is start 1.8 Max 2.0...not much margin here.

Autocomp is a bit slow for the application.
 
I load my .32ACP using 90 grain bullets from a Lee Mold and 1.6 grains of Red Dot. Seems to work just fine in my Savages and Ortiges You should have no problems using that lighter bullet.
 
I have done any in a while, and will have to check my log at home, but I think I was using 2.1gr Red Dot for 77gr Lead.

Red Dot seemed to be one of the better performers to me for .25 and .32acp compared to Bullseye. My .25 seems to favor Unique which I did not expect.
 
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