Reloading the .32 ACP for the first time

[ryan3465]

Hello all

I'm going to begin reloading the .32 ACP soon for my Colt 1903 Pocket. I am familiar with loading 9mm but I just wanted to know if anyone had any advice or lessons for loading this cartridge or loading for this gun.

Thanks!

 

[josephbw]

No special tricks, it loads pretty much like most pistol rounds. One thing to be very careful about is to get a very accurate scale, and make sure each powder load is right. With the small case volume, a small error can make a big difference in the safety of the round.

I reload for the very same gun. It is my all time favorite pistol.

 

[Matt Dillon]

Check the OAL very carefully. The ogive profile in some of the 32 chambers may cause you to seat the projectile deeper than anticipated. I load for the cz70, and found that the rather longish profile of Sellier & Belot .32 acp works very well in the cz70. It gave me fits, however, to get the correct depth and crimp for the national bullet company lrn that I was loading. I finally got things figured out, but I had to use a Redding taper crimp die and seated the projectiles deeper than I wanted in order together them to chamber reliably.

 

[Shadow 7D]

and watch your fingers, little parts and all that...

 

[Walkalong]

Start low, and work up .1 Gr at a time. It is a tiny case and pressures rise quickly, especially with the real fast powders.

 

[blue32]

I load for my '22 Colt 1903 III. Compared with my Kel-tec P-32, the chamber throat is a tiny bit larger. I say this as a compliment because I typically use cast bullets now in .313 (Rimrock 78gr. LRN).

I would say your load has a lot to do with the strength of the recoil spring. When I worked up a load I tried to find the lightest one that would reliably work the slide.

The following is load data worked up using Hornady 8th ed. for the 71 gr. fmj. The 78 gr. LRN was worked up from 2 gr. of W231. I could not find any load data for the 78 gr. LRN so use at your own risk.

For my Colt: With a 78gr. LRN, it is 2.2 gr. of W231. With a 71gr. .311 fmj, it was in the area of 2.25 to 2.3 gr. of W231. The COAL for the 71 gr. fmj was set per Hornady 8th ed. The COAL for the 78 gr. LRN was set in the crimping groove.

I use RCBS dies and seat/crimp in one operation. Press is a Dillon 550b. I've found CCI500 and Federal GM100 primers provide reliable ignition with little variance.

I see that Unique and Red Dot appear in the loading tables for 32 ACP, however, I have found those powders to be temperamental in my Dillon powder drop when one tenth of a grain variance is the norm. I recommend you stick with a ball powder that meters exceptionally well.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. There are a lot more 32 ACP reloaders on here much more experienced than I.

 

[J_McLeod]

If you need more brass I have 50-100 pieces I don't need.

 

[TenDriver]

I sorted a few .32ACPs last night. Only 10-20, but if anyone needs them they're available.

 

[45lcshooter]

I'll be loading for 32acp as well. I would think its just like any other straight walled pistol case unless loading cast then you expand the case.

But I'm also having a hard time trying to find bullets and brass.

 

[loose noose]

I've got a Beretta in 32acp, and it loads really very simple, however I use jacketed bullets from Western Nevada/West Coast Bullet Factory, out of Carson City, Nevada. I got my casings from Mid South Shooting Supply. I reload all my pistol cartridges on a RCBS Piggy Back Progressive Press, and never had a problem with any of my reloads.

 

[oneounceload]

I used to load for a Walther PP. As mentioned, powder weight is CRITICAL that you get it right. No large variances that might normally be OK in a rifle load. My best results were with Speer 60gr GDs, but the Walther was able to handle "warm" loads without issue and they fed as well as the typical 71gr RN

 

[deadeye dick]

I also load .32s. Is it nessary to crimp the load? I don't. I use Lee dies and a classic turret press with three dies 71 FMJ The only problem I have is with the case mouth getting nicked by the expander die ruining the case. Any suggestions.

 

[beatledog7]

deadeye,

Sounds like your cases are not staying centered in she shellholder. I suspect you could solve that by pressing a finger against the case as you raise the ram, ensuring the case is fully seated into the cradle of the shellholder. Once the mouth touches the expander button, you'll want to let go.

 

[Matt Dillon]

I found it necessary to use a Redding taper crimp die, as the crimp I got from my Lee die wasn't satisfactory.

 

[ryan3465]

I'll be loading for 32acp as well. I would think its just like any other straight walled pistol case unless loading cast then you expand the case.

But I'm also having a hard time trying to find bullets and brass.

45lcshooter, I've been looking for bullet as well, with no luck. Reloading components are pretty scarce right now in central Maine, just as it is across the board it seems. I was lucky and able to pick up two boxes of Fiocchi .32 ACP from the shop I bought the gun at for 10 bucks a piece, which I thought was a really good deal, but ill have a bunch of empty cases soon enough!

 

[lightman]

I can't add much to what has been said. Just be careful. A small case and fast burning power can get pressure signs quick. Also, beware of double charges. Oh yeah, watch the fingers!!! It should load just like your 9mm, or any other pistol round, but being smaller can be a pain. Lightman

 

[Walkalong]

The only thing bad about shooting .32 ACP is the cases tend to disappear into thin air when fired. I don't think any of mine throw cases in the same place, and only one throws them fairly close together. I bought 500 OF from bsd650 here on THR in June of 2011, and then I lucked up on 1K for $30 plus shipping last year, so I'll be good for awhile.