Ballistic gelatin test results : .32ACP

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Brass Fetcher

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Well, this is it - I have completed one of my major goals with gelatin testing. This is to find a IWBA-compliant (bullet goes 12" + in gelatin) for the Kel-Tec P32, using stock factory components...!

The load is this : Magtech cases, CCI SPP, 85gr Hornady XTP and N310 powder. 2.0gr of N310 was used, and COL = 0.982".

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Cartridge : Handloaded 85gr Hornady XTP

Firearm : Kel-Tec P32

Block calibration : All depths corrected (From 11.1cm @ 605 ft/sec)

Shot impacted at 852 ft/sec, penetrated to 13.9" and was recovered at 0.358" average diameter. The bullet exited the block at 13.9" and was recovered at ~ 0.1" into polyester bullet catch box. This is to say that the penetration of the tested bullet would not exceed 14.0" in ballistic gelatin.

Yes, I know that the expansion was not the greatest... greater performance can be had by the 71gr and 76gr XTPs.... but you have to make those by lathe or by grinding the base of a 85gr XTP. And I can't imagine how that would play out in court...! I would stick with the 85gr - they can be bought all day long from reloading component manufacturers.

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Hey JE223, I carry a p32 every day. Are these only available by handload? Is there any commercial available similar to this hand load? I have not yet gotten into hand loading yet.

Thanks for the research.


mk
 
I haven't seen anything like this in a factory cartridge, but I would really like to see it... Avoiding any of the questions about the legal liability (I'm not saying there is or isn't in this case) of using handloads.
 
Hmm... Kinda impressive for a mousegun. 852fps with an 85gr. That sounds a little warm. That bullet was moving along for a 32ACP when you consider the hottest 71gr factory loads are barely breaking 1000fps(from such this short a barrel).

I don't think there even are any factory 32ACP loads at all with a bullet that heavy are there?

[scratches chin] Might be worth picking up some 32ACP dies for my RCBS.


Yes, I know that the expansion was not the greatest... greater performance can be had by the 71gr and 76gr XTPs.
Yea, maybe they expand more, but do they penetrate that deep? It seems to me that whenever 71gr. 32ACP expands, it's like popping a big 'ol drag chute. It just doesn't have the weight or velocity to keep on going very far after that.
 
:D Thank you for asking :

Shot 4 - 2.2 grains of N310 powder, WSPP. Bullet penetrated 13.3 ± 0.031", average expanded diameter was 0.398 ± 0.0005". Shot impacted at 930 ± 0.500 ft/sec.
This looks to me to be the best result that I got from these bullets...

Basically, I set my lower penetration limit to 12.0"... the faster I can push the bullet past that, the better IMO. While I wish that I could simply increase the velocity, to increase the expansion or perhaps back off the velocity and increase weight to increase the penetration... this has to work hand-in-hand with the metal properties and jacket/cavity configuration of the bullet itself.

Many, many thanks are owed to Hornady for producing the 85gr XTP... It works from .32ACP to .32NAA/.32H&R magnum to 7.62x25mm in terms of expanding and penetrating to adequate depths... great bullet. I talked with a representative of the company some time ago, suggesting that they offer a 85gr (or ideally a 71-76gr) XTP load as factory ammo. They nicely let me know that they were happy with the 60gr load (and I understand that... they probably are 'in' that load for lots of money).
 
whats that track that it looks like something exploded in the gelatin? Impressive results for a mouse gun.
 
If you want some really hot .32 Auto stuff Fiocchi has a 60 gr SJHP 7.65 Browning round which is rated at 1200 fps-205 ft/lbs of energy. In contrast, their 60 gr Hornady XTP HP is rated at 1000/130 and their 73 gr FMJ round is rated at 980/155. I'm using it in my Kel-Tec P-32 and it has no more kick than the other rounds but had the energy of a .380 Auto. http://www.fiocchiusa.com/cat_centerfire.php
 
Pretty impressive for a 32. One of these days I will come across a NAA Guardian in 32, and buy it. They're scarce around here.

Perhaps Tim Sundles (Buffalo Bore) could be persuaded to consider production of a good 32 self defense load. I'm frankly surprised there aren't more around; isn't the 32 used by police in some european countries? Or maybe it used to be.
 
I have a CZ27, .32cal , Was an officer issued weapon durring WW2. They chose it over the .380 for some reason, doubt they still use it, but I too am impressed with the penatration.:)
 
what's the point?
The P-3AT is the same size gun with a bullet that is bigger than your expanded 32cal bullet before the 380 is even fired and in fmj will penetrate well over 16".
 
If you want some really hot .32 Auto stuff Fiocchi has a 60 gr SJHP 7.65 Browning round which is rated at 1200 fps-205 ft/lbs of energy. In contrast, their 60 gr Hornady XTP HP is rated at 1000/130 and their 73 gr FMJ round is rated at 980/155. I'm using it in my Kel-Tec P-32 and it has no more kick than the other rounds but had the energy of a .380 Auto

The Fiocchi 60 gr SJHP ballistics you quoted is a myth!

In a number of tests, it performed pretty much the same as most 60gr ammo.

here is one ballistic test of it.

http://www.goldenloki.com/ammo/gel/32acp/gel32acp.htm
 
what's the point?
The P-3AT is the same size gun with a bullet that is bigger than your expanded 32cal bullet before the 380 is even fired and in fmj will penetrate well over 16".

Because a 32 can be made much smaller than a P3AT. If that's not important to you, ok... But it is important to some.
 
kokapelli,
Since I'm not on the Fiocchi Staff I can't prove to you that the ammo is for real. I highly doubt that data could be posted unless it was true. Like loplop said, European LEO's do or did use the 7.65 Browning for a very long time. That round was developed for them.

Look at the link I provided, there are 3 rounds made in .32 Auto and only that one has those numbers. Just because you don't believe it doesn't make it so. I would tend to trust the posted data over your opinion.

If you look at the link you provided you will see the Fiocchi round attained over 100 fps more than any other round tested in a very short barrel. (except for the Corbon round and the 40 gr round) It out did several by 200 fps. I would say the data posted by Fiocchi is correct and 1200 fps is do-able in a standard size pistol. Show my just one other round that will do just under 1000fps out of a P-32. I like getting that kind or performance from a round I can buy in a box of 50 for under $13.

I wasn't trying to start a "Brand War", I was only trying to mention an alternative for those who don't handload. Winter Borne and other (me included) don't reload so we need to find good factory ammo.
 
I know that the Fiocchi 60gr jhp is rated at 1200fps, but I have never seen anyone get that kind of velocity from it!

When I carried a P-32, I carried the Fiocchi round for awhile until I saw an article that stated it's velocity was way overstated. I started looking for ballistic test with it and never found any that even came close to the velocity Fiocchi clams!

In any case, I switched to the P-3AT that is insignificantly larger than the P-32 and, IMO shoots a larger and more effective round.
 
OK - I have the Fiocchi ammo in question (last time I checked). I will load it up and shoot it out of a .32NAA (velocities in excess of 1200 ft/sec are no problem with this cartridge). No promises when this will happen, but I will look into it. Even better - someone can send a box of the Fiocchi ammo in question to my FFL and I can use those. Much easier than me looking in my 'odds-and-ends' drawer.

FWIW, 60gr is too light for even a .32ACP - but is perfect for the .25ACP. Expect shallow penetration and probably great expansion with this bullet at 1200 ft/sec.
 
JE223, your site is freakin awesome but man is it alot to look through! I've been checking all the semi-auto possible rounds to see, have you ever tested ballistics for the Winchester Winclean brass enclosed bullet? Curious to see how it does with the open tip but lead slug...
 
Lets get something straight, I never said you will get 1200 fps out of a P-32 or .32NAA just like you aren't going to get 1450 fps from a 125 gr .357 Magnum round out of a 2" Snub Nose. You will however get more velocity from the Fiocchi round than the others because the baseline starts at 1200 fps rather than 1000 fps. That was always the point I was making, nothing else.
 
I've never had any of my gelatin threads get locked... I hope this is not the first.

It's a hot little round and I will test it (out of a .32NAA) to settle any arguments. It's well known that factory velocities are a bit 'idealized' in many cases... this is akin to not getting the miles per gallon that it says on your cars sticker... not a big deal usually and velocity is no indication of terminal performance in many cases.
 
JE223,
This isn't an argument, at least on my end. I'm only trying to lay out what the facts are. I'm not upset at anyone and I hope I'm not upsetting anyone either. That was never my intention, really....

I'm sure you won't get 1200 fps out of a .32NAA but you will get close from a 4" barrel like all the other numbers are taken from.
 
Speer 60 grain Gold Dot JHP ( 6.4 ± 0.031" (uncorrected) penetration, impacted at 1237 ± 0.500 ft/sec, 0.494 ± 0.0005" average diameter with total core-jacket separation)

Here is a Speer Gold Dot that I handloaded in the 2.75" .32NAA barrel... at the time, I did not know what I 'know now' about handloading... I could try to push 1300 ft/sec in the future.
 
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