Flattened primers on .32 S&W Long. What'd I do wrong?

The full wadcutter and a SWC are different anamals entirely. Are you sure that those recipes are for use with a full WC. I will look up my data when I get home but someone who has already done this and has a good load.

TTv2 said:

I also used the same charge, but in .32 H&R Mag and didn't get any primers flattened, so this isn't making sense.

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Flattened primers can (rarely) be caused by excess headspace . . if there's room for the primer to back out significantly, followed by enough pressure to slightly expand the now unsupported primer and then reseat the head over it, they can appear flat. It's rare, but possible.

For your top break, go low; if it's got enough oomph to hole the paper, you've about got it right.

TTv2 said:

I got 1000 Speer wadcutters because they were cheap and available. It was my first time loading wadcutters and I've avoided them for a long time because I always feared given how deep they're seated I'd have pressure issues.

Well, I was right.

I used 1.8gr of Titegroup (starting load according to Hodgdon) in mixed .32 SWL cases and got primers flattening. Smartly, I shot them in a .327 revolver, so I didn't damage the gun, but I was thinking of shooting these in a top break and it's a good thing I didn't.

I also used the same charge, but in .32 H&R Mag and didn't get any primers flattened, so this isn't making sense. I used load data from Hodgdon's website and all my cases were the same OAL, within a couple thou of each other.

I'm gonna switch to Bullseye next time and see if I also get flat primers. If I do, then I'll have to cut the powder charge, but if I don't then something is up with Titegroup and wadcutters.

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How was the recoil and muzzle blast compared to other plinking loads?
Do you have check weights? I shoot other 32s and your charge weight seems to be in line.
I would step down .1 at a time making sure the bullets clear the barrel.
I'm not a Titegroup lover. It works for a lot of people though.

1.8 is the starting load for Speer 98gr LHBWC according to Hodgdon, so the load data is correct. Of course, the MAX is only 2.0, so not a lot of room for error; which begs the question - are you SURE the charge weight was only 1.8?

You simply cannot use a primer to tell whether or not pressures are too high. How would a given small pistol primer know to flatten at the maximum pressure of 15,000 psi in the case of your .32 S&W Long, but know not to flatten until pressures reach 45,000 psi in a .327 Federal Magnum?

35W

Do you have pics of the primers. It seems like 90% of the when people think they have "flat" primers it's really not flat at all.

TTv2 said:

Some could have been 2.0, but when checking the throws I was getting 1.7 to 1.9. BTW, I seated the bullet about .005 longer than what Hodgdon calls for OAL to reduce pressure in the even I got a 2.0 or 2.1 throw.

I zero my beam scale every time I use it and double check with a digital scale. It's never failed me before.

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With a 0.3 grain difference between min and max charges I would be weighing every one and not accept any over my desired charge weight.

chris

There are a number of things to consider. I'm assuming the same primers were used in the S&W and H&R loads. With the same bullet, primer, powder and charge, the larger H&R case would produce less pressure and velocity than the S&W loads due to it's greater case capacity. So the S&W loads could produce a bit more recoil. Primer pocket fit should also be close to the same between the S&W and H&R cases, though it will likely vary with mixed brass.

I too would try a different powder.

They don’t have to be seated flush with the case mouth. The wad cutters I have loaded in 32swl I have seated to about 1/8” above the case and lightly crimped into a cannelure. I haven’t seen any overpressure signs, but I do know that I don’t want to go up the ladder much as they recoil harder than any factory load I have shot. I will not shoot those in my weaker guns, it’s round nose cast only for my RG and my antique 32sw. With a little more volume under the bullet the loads are much more forgiving.

Walkalong said:

Titegroup is a high energy powder as well.

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TiteGroup is also very sensitive to OAL. If you have the room for it, try a longer OAL with the same starting charge and see where that gets you.

TTv2 said:

Some could have been 2.0, but when checking the throws I was getting 1.7 to 1.9. BTW, I seated the bullet about .005 longer than what Hodgdon calls for OAL to reduce pressure in the even I got a 2.0 or 2.1 throw.

I zero my beam scale every time I use it and double check with a digital scale.

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► Why don't you tell us the brand of powder measure and scale you are using. The quality of the equipment makes a huge difference at these miniscule powder weights.

► Why don't you tell us the setup process you use for dialing in your powder measure.

TTv2 said:

It's never failed me before.

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Are you comparing the powder weight variations between loads like 8.0 & 8.1gr, and 2.0 & 2.1gr ?? If so the error is in thinking the percentage of change is the same.

2nd Walkalongs saying AA#2, AA2 meters great for those tiny charges.

TTv2 said:

I will, but you'll bash the powder measure for being "junk" when it's been extremely accurate for me, more so than the Lee Auto Drum.

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Since you know everyone's answer ahead of time, I'm wondering why you even bother to ask.

Sad really. I only asked because Lee powder measures require anti-static treatments at this time of year in some areas of the country. And IMHO your setup is lacking.

It is not uncommon for low pressure revolver loads to produce flattened primers due the the cartridge load not having enough pressure to hold the case in the cylinder. The cartridge pushes back against the recoil shield and the primer flows against the recoil shield resulting in a flattened primer due to low pressure. If your load has a powder charge that meets the start level then the flattening of primers will be from low pressure and not high pressure.

I have a Colt Police Positive in .32 Colt NP which is the same as the S&W .32 Long but Colt wouldn't stamp the S&W name a their revolvers so they renamed the cartridge .32 Colt for their revolvers. They did the same for the .38 S&W cartridge which was called .38 Colt NP (New Police) by Colt and even stamped cases with the Colt name for their guns.

I have used Red Dot and Unique for loads in my pistol, the faster Red Dot being closer to the burn rate of the Titeroup you are using than the slower Unique.

Walkalong said:

Assuming HBWCs, a piece left in the barrel and even more pressure the next shot.

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And a possibly bulged barrel.