32acp 75gr LFP ????

[deadeyedog270]

I bought a box of lead cast bullets and loaded some up for my wife’s Kel TekP32, I did the starting load with titegroup powder and they would not fully cycle the action they only would cycle at max load (only 0.2 gr. of powder from start to max)
I checked bullet weight and out of 100 bullets all were between 77 and 78.80 gr.
Is this normal with Cast Lead bullets I have not dealt with lead loads much?
The 5 loads I did at max powder cycled great with no signs of pressure knowing that the bullet weight is a little more could I up my powder a little?

What I am using
75 gr. LFP (weighed 77-78.80)
Lyman 49th recipe
Titegroup powder
Starting: Velocity Max: Velocity
1.8gr 814 2.0gr 861
OAL .975

I do have Green Dot but have tried out the recipe yet
Starting: Velocity Max: Velocity
1.6gr 705 2.4gr 895
Any thoughts?

 

[NCsmitty]

I shoot as cast 77gr in 32ACP in my old Savage, using 2.7gr of Unique powder. You really need to be cautious with the fast burning powder that you are using. Velocities above 900fps and possible pressure spikes can occur rather quickly, and most 32ACP pistols are blowback design, and heavy over maximum charges may damage the pistol over time.
If you achieve gun function and accuracy with your powders at the recommended charges, then go with it. The 32ACP is not designed to be a magnum.


NCsmitty

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear Deadeye,

As I'm sure you understand, the reason the start and max loads are so close is that the case is teenie-weenie, and so pressure goes up fast with every 1/10th grain of powder. As I was working up a .32 acp load for my P-32 six months ago, when I got a load that cycled the action without being over pressured, I was relieved and called it good! That's what I would do if I were you.

As to your actual question , I don't know whether it would be safe to add another 1/10th to your load.

LBS

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've never used TiteGroup in the .32acp. I'm not sure I'd even want too if I had any. My experience with TiteGroup in the .38spl wasn't acceptable, so I wrote it off.

I have used a LOT of Bullseye and Win231 in the .32acp. These are both small grained powders and meter/measure very well. Important for the small cases/charges neccessary. I don't recommend Unique, Clays, RedDot, ect due to the very large flake size and problems with metering. I don't enjoy weighing individual charges, so I avoid these powders.

For the cast bullets I much prefered Bullseye. I found that 1.8gr with the Lyman 75gr RN (casts to 78gr) was the minimum for safe cycling and 2.2gr for a defense type load. I've found that from both a Beretta TomCat and the KelTec P32 that the 1.8gr load is amazing accurate. Velocity is about 750fps from the Keltec, and 775fps from the TomCat. My KelTec is a newer one that has a front sight and not just the sighting channel. It hits to POA/POI at 7yds. With the cast bullet load (also a 60gr XTP over 2.7gr of Win231) will hit a bottle cap at 21'. Easily accurate enough for either legless or 2-legged snakes.....

The max load is probably where Hodgdon just quit as it was what resulted in proper function, which is the goal with this type cartridge.

The European standard for the .32acp is much higher than the SAAMI standard. As a result, the Fiocchi ammo is much hotter than the Remington, Winchester, and Federal ammo.

But, use the Fiocchi, RWS, and S&B ammo sparingly. I cracked the frame and slide on a Beretta TomCat using a lot of that ammo and similiarly loaded reloads. I was addicted to shooting my TomCat that I carried as a backup gun while on duty. At 25yds it was more accurate than the Glock M22 that I carried as the primary (State issue, no choice......). I really liked to see the look on the faces of the training officers when they'd score my targets for qualification. They'd look at the target, then ask if I'd used a S&W M41 (Target pistol) to qualify with. (we were required to qualify with our personal back-up firearms) Yes, the little Beretta would shoot 2-3" groups at 25yds !!! And POA/POI at that.

Beretta did send me a new gun. However, the tilting/locking barrel action of the Keltec makes it much stronger/more rugged than the simple blow back action of the Brittle metal-steel slide/aluminum reciever of the Beretta.

I actually used the .32acp to put down some deer that had been injured in auto collisions. Well placed, the .32 worked.......

Only issue I've ever had with the .32 is finding the fired cases !!! They hide really well..... and aren't cheap anymore....