.32 NAA: status?

[David4516]

Whats goning on with the .32 NAA?

It's been around for a while now, but as far as I know there is only 1 pistol chambered for it.

The reason I bring this up is because I'm considering converting a Makarov pistol to .32NAA caliber. I'm worried that ammo and reloading components are going to be difficult to find if interest in this caliber doesn't start to rise.

I think it has some potential, the guys at Makarov.com say their test Mak gets 1400 FPS, not too bad. Sounds alot like 7.62X25 Tok, just shorter case and lighter bullet...

So, does this round have a future?

 

[RUT]

>>I'm worried that ammo and reloading components are going to be difficult to find if interest in this caliber doesn't start to rise.<<

I've shyed away from it for this reason as well.

 

[mtnbkr]

Other than brass, components are common. There are plenty of 32cal bullets available ranging from 60grs up to over 100gr. For the 32NAA, I'd stick with the 60gr to 71gr bullets (I think factory is 60gr). In a strong gun, I'd be tempted to try bullets like Hornady's 85gr XTP. If you could get that bullet up to an honest 800fps or more, you'd have one heck of a defense and small game load. It's hard to do in the 32acp, but shouldn't be difficult in the 32naa with it's increased powder capacity and pressure.

If I loaded for that caliber, I'd stock up on brass big time (1000 or more new cases). Other than that, the components are available.

Chris

 

[David4516]

You have a point there...

and even the brass problem isn't that bad, because I think you can make .32NAAs from .380ACP brass...

 

[Johnny Guest]

I don't undersplain - - -

mtnbkr wrote:

In a strong gun, I'd be tempted to try bullets like Hornady's 85gr XTP. If you could get that bullet up to an honest 800fps or more, you'd have one heck of a defense and small game load.

The Remington factory shows their standard "hardball" .380 ACP load is a .355" FMJRN at 955 fps, and an 88 gr JHP at 990 fps. These are from a four-inch barrel. Heck, even their standard .32 ACP is listed as a 71 FMC at 905 in a four-inch.

Perhaps the .32/.380 semi-wildcat might make sense in a tiny pistol like a converted P32 (lightweight) or NAA (heavier.) From a Makarov (both larger and a lot heavier,) I wonder how an .311" 85/800 load would be worthwhile.

OTOH, as moderator of this board's H&R forum, I realize that handloading is its own reward.

Best regards - -
Johnny

 

[mtnbkr]

I'm keeping the performance out of a P32 in mind. RWS only does 850fps out of my P32. I doubt Rem is any hotter.

In a Mak, I would think you could get that 85 to over 1000fps. That would make it expand well and dive deep, given that 60gr 32acp bullets at 900fps go around 9" deep in gelatin. Once I finish my work with the 60gr gold dot, I'm going to spend some quality time with the 85gr XTP. I tried Reed's Ammo Research 85gr XTP load, but their 850fps advertised speed chrono'd at 400fps from my P32. Only 425fps from a CZ50.

Chris

 

[David4516]

I'm sure you could get an 85 gr bullet going faster than 1000 FPS from a Mak, my Makarov (in 9mm Mak) will shoot a 95 gr bullet at 1050, so the lighter, smaller bullet should go faster still... maybe 1100 or 1200 FPS...

I looked over at makarov.com and it looks like they sold all of their .32NAA barrels... I wonder if there will be more?

 

[kokapelli]

flyer over at the KTrange NG has manufactured a 32NAA barrel for a P-3AT.

The last post in this thread has the results.

http://www.ktrange.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=197&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=32naa&start=15

 

[carpettbaggerr]

Rapidrob's getting 1960fps from a Mak


http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=99915