32 ACP Cast

[hawkeye1]

Just picked up a Beretta 32. Does anybody bother with reloading these? Am thinking of a cast bullet with W231. Got any suggestions? Am looking for a plinking load to play with.

 

[Walkalong]

2.2 Grs. AA #2 and a 71 Gr. FMJ, WSP primer. No, never cast for it. No reason one couldn't though.

 

[hawkeye1]

thanks walkalong, might try that. am still looking for a cast load. come to think of it, I still need a bullet mold of correct bullet weight

 

[Master Blaster]

I do, but I haven't loaded any recently for my P32. The reason I load for it is because .32acp ammo is expensive, and lead bullets in commercial ammo is impossible to find. IIRC my load is 2.3gr titegroup, and a Laser cast 78 grain bullet.

You will find that many of the cast bullets availiable are for .32 H&R mag revolver loads so they will be too heavy for .32 acp loads.

http://www.laser-cast.com/32Cal.html

I loaded lead because our club wanted us to use cast bullets indoors, due to a zoning restriction.

If I were loading some now I would use these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=187171&t=11082005

 

[Walkalong]

I bought 100 of those XTP's. I am going to load them a bit warm and try them out for fun. I also got 100 of the 100 Gr. XTP's to load in the .32 S&W Long.

 

[Mark whiz]

A couple years ago I picked up 1000 60gr XTP blems from Midsouth Shooters Supply for a song , so I have some good loads worked up for what it now the"Ex's" Beretta Tomcat.

When I get home tonight, I'll list them for you

 

[Mark whiz]

OK, here's my .32ACP data:

60gr XTP JHP bullet
1 - 3.1gr Hod Universal Clays, OAL .930"
2 - 2.5gr IMR 700-X, OAL .930"
3 - 3.5gr AA#5, OAL .905"

60gr Speer Gold Dot bullet
1 - 2.1gr Win231, OAL .930"
2 - 2.6gr IMR 700-X, OAL .930"

All of these loads are probably close to being on the "warm" side of the power curve, so work up to them if you try 'em. It's just that the Tomcat likes them warm in order to feed well.

The Gold Dot/Win231 load is probably the most accurate out of the bunch - at least in that one particular pistol.

 

[hawkeye1]

Good info, thanks. I think I will try some of those Gold Dot/W231.

Speaking of the Tomcat, how do you like it? I picked mine up for the wife, but could easily keep this one for myself.

 

[Mark whiz]

The Tomcat is a cute little gun. The flip barrel is convienent for cleaning and for concealed carry purposes (since the hammer doesn't have to be cocked with a round in the chamber). That was the big selling point, as my Ex didn't feel comfortable with the "slide loading" of most semi-autos.

On the down side, I have big hands and that (or any pistol that small) really beats up my hands - after 3 or 4 mags of shooting, I'm ready to move to something bigger. The ejection is a little tricky, often flipping cases straight up and back and if you're wearing a cap while shooting, every once in awhile you end up with a hot case under the brim and in your face . Also make sure you keep the grips tightened up after shooting it as they tend to loosen up with time and when that happens they will spider crack and break into pieces.

All that said, I am looking to pick up another one if I can find one with the right price - it is a fun play gun and great as a quick carry piece to throw in the pocket on your way out the door. Besides I still got all the reloading stuff for it and about 800 more of those XTPs to use up.