Any chance 100 grain XTP in a 32 ACP?

[berettaprofessor]

I came across some Hornady 100 grain XTP's (0.312) today and wondered if they can be loaded in a 32ACP cartridge? Normally I load 71 grain plated RN's with AA2, but I've seen some "amateur" references to trying the 100 grain XTP's with 1.8 grains of W231/HP38. Hodgdon lists data for 85 grain 0.312 Hornady XTP bullets at 1.6-1.8 grains AA2 and 0.940 OAL (max 695fps) in the 32ACP but doesn't list any bullet weight higher than that for 32ACP (the 100 grainers are listed in 32H&R Magnum, and 98 grains in 32S&W long).

Anybody think it might be workable to try the 100 grain XTP's under 1.6 grains AA2 and use a 0.984 (max) OAL in 32ACP? Or am I asking for damage? Or just wasting time because I could never reach a velocity to get the XTP's to expand?

 

[Walkalong]

I haven't shot anything heavier than the 83 Gr DEWC, and only one gun would chamber it.

I tried 2.0 Grs AA #2. I logged as being very sooty, & "assumed" low pressure, but did not

run them over the chrono, I was just function testing. I wouldn't think you would be able to

push the 100 Gr XTP fast enough to make it work in .32 ACP, dunno though.

 

[berettaprofessor]

It might not go fast enough, but first will it blow something up? I think I'll try it in a Beretta 71 before my Keltec 32

 

[P Flados]

You are not going to reliably get any expansion to speak of from a 100 gr bullet out of a 32 ACP.

A commercial cast in the 90 gr to 98 gr range is probably a better choice if you want to try a heavy option. The second half of the thread at the link below has some great info on loading cast in a 32 ACP. If you can find a 98 gr with a published bullet length, I could generate some Quickload info for you. Barrel length and powder(s) would be needed.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?455944-32-acp

 

[cfullgraf]

I’ve loaded 110 grain 38 caliber bullets in a 380 ACP Beretta M84. They worked and function fine but performance was lackluster when compared to 100 grain bullets.

I suspect you'd find similar drop off in performance in 32 ACP if using heavier than normal bullets.

For plinking or punching holes in paper, they may be the ticket.

In 32 SWL, 32 H&R Mag and 32 Fed Mag, I load lots of 98 grain bullets in wadcutter and semi-wadcutter designs.

 

[Walkalong]

but first will it blow something up?

Not unless you get carried away with the powder charge, which can happen quickly in small cases with heavier than normal bullets.

Work up in sloooowly in .1 increments.

 

[rfwobbly]

I came across some Hornady 100 grain XTP's (0.312) today and wondered if they can be loaded in a 32ACP cartridge? Normally I load 71 grain plated RN's with AA2...

In testing 32ACP fairly extensively, I've found that the best bullet weights (for accuracy) are between 70 and 80gr for blow-back 32ACP auto pistols.

....but I've seen some "amateur" references to trying the 100 grain XTP's with 1.8 grains of W231/HP38.

I believe these heavier bullets are intended for revolvers shooting the H&R Magnum. There are so many flavors of 32cal that you need to read very carefully.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Well, I stayed with the 85 XTP's for 32 ACP since I had published data. Certainly those 0.312 bullets need the Lee crimp die to chamber easily, but those rounds chambered in both a Beretta 70 and my Kel-Tec barrel. I shot two in my Beretta...too cold to get the chrony out so I didn't want to waste the trial loads. But, I can report that at 40ºF and at 1.8 grains of Accurate #2, they didn't blow up the gun.

I did load one of the 100 XTP's....will try it later. It chambered fine. RFWobbly, you're completely right about the revolvers for the 100XTPs. 32H&R Magnum and 327 Federal have the published loads.