Loading the .32 ACP

[bsam4me]

Having some difficulty finding much information on the .32 ACP for cast round nose 76 grain bullets. Lotsa stuff on the standard 60 & 71 grain, but I've got about 500 rounds of the 76's that I want to use! Here is what I have at this point- Win 231 @ 2.0 with .94 OAL- seems like a good start, will cycle great in 2 out of three guns. The one I'm having difficulty with is a CZ70- will not reliably cycle. Would like to try a different powder- like bullseye or titegroup but would be open to any suggestions. Anyone have any luck working up these little guys? Also, have a box of Hornady XTP in 85 grain (.312) that I have not had any luck getting to fit in the barrel- by the time you get the OAL short enough it distorts the case too much.... I thought this would be a good one to try- anybody had any success with this one?

 

[Master Blaster]

I have loaded 400 of these for my Keltec p-32:

77gr lrn from Laser Cast 2.2 gr hodgdon titegroup
dont recall OAL I think .97, used Lee carbide pistol dies.

The recoil is about the same as remmington jacketed, federal HS or the corbons.

Accuracy is good. gun cycles reliably

Use a reloading manual to check the data.

 

[Master Blaster]

have a box of Hornady XTP in 85 grain (.312) that I have not had any luck getting to fit in the barrel

Thes bullets are probably designed for the 32 S&W or .32 H&R revolvers, not for semiautos.

 

[bsam4me]

yeah... I suspected when I talked to the salesman on the phone that these bullets were not intended for the acp.... he did not inspire a lot confidence with his answer. Guess i just have another box on the shelf to collect dust.... either that or get a 32 s&w... hmmmm...... ever bought a gun because you had a box of shells to use?

 

[GooseGestapo]

the bullets will probably work in your .32acp. My Lyman mould for the .32acp bullet will cast out at about 71gr with linotype, but never having cast linotype with it I don't know. I use wheelweight and it casts 78gr.
Don't worry about the slight weight difference. If anything, it is an asset is this small cartridge.
I have found that no powder quite equals Bullseye in the .32acp, especially with cast bullets.
My favorite load is:
Lyman cast round nose 78gr sized to .311
Most brass except R-P which has too small an extractor groove.
Federal or Winchester primers, some small guns don't have really strong hammer falls so a sensitive primer helps.
Bullseye Powder: 1.6 min. 1.8gr -Best, 2.2gr absolute max.
Velocity: 1.6gr 685fps
1.8 755fps
2.0 825
2.2 875
I seat to 0.985" oal, with a slight taper crimp to foward edge of crimp groove. (this mould/bullet will also work for .32 S&W short, long, and .32 H&R Mag. as well.)
I lube the bullet with 505/50 alox lube, leading is nil. Accuracy exceeds all jacketed in my experience.

 

[bsam4me]

thanks for you help guys.... I think I have enough information to give it a go and work something up. Will do some experimenting with the 85 XTP's.... and see if I can figure out why the case is distorting when the bullet is inserted. Have not had that problem with any of the lighter loads... it occured to me today that I might be able to remove the primer punch from the sizing die and run one through to reform the outside of the case... of course will try this with one that has no primer or powder first...

I sure like shooting these little guys... but it appears a bit easier to find data and load info in my other calibers. Both my son and wife like the .32- so it keeps them happy- thats worth a lot!

cheers

 

[Master Blaster]

If the bullet is deforming the case when seating, you may need to put less crimp on it (if crimping and seating in the same step),

Or you may need a little more belling /flaring.

JMHO