Want to Reload the entire .32 through .327

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CM_from_PA

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So I have Older guns chambered in .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long. I have an old Mauser HSc in .32acp. I just bought a .327 Federal Mag and I'd like to reload for all. Maybe not so often for the acp and the short.

I have a Dillon Square Deal B in .357/.38 that I have used for years, but Dillon is back ordered on die sets for almost a year. So I figure I'll get a one station cheap setup and get all the dies I need. I've been looking at very basic Lee bench setups.

What die sets do I need to go from .32acp through .327 Fed.?
I know Lee makes a set that covers .32 Long & .32 H&R. What extra do I need to get to cover my wants and desires? Or at least most of them.
 
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So, here is what I'm finding in the Lee universe, since I want to go as least expensive as possible:

1) .32 S&W Long - 3 Die set - (says it will handle .32 H&R, as well. I'm assuming .32 S&W as well)

2) .32 H&R / .327 Federal - 3 Die Set - (is this the same as above but with the addition of .327 Fed?)

3) .32 ACP - 3 Die Set (this will be what I need to add to either of the above)

Is there any chance in hell that these will go into my Dillon rig?
 
You can do all of these with either .32 S&W or .32 ACP dies. There are some accommodations that must be made however for the longer cases. The only one I don't load of your list is .327 Magnum.

Or they can all be done in .32 S&WL dies except the two shorter cartridges can't be crimped. Die brand doesn't make any difference!
 
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I have loaded .32 S&W, .32 S&WL, and .32 ACP using .32 ACP dies. But that was using just a normal RCBS set with 7/8x14 dies. Would probably work with the similar but longer .32 cases, but I don't have any of those.
 
The resizing die in my Lee 32 S&W die set was stamped 32 ACP. My Lee 32 S&W Long set worked fine for the 32 H&R Mag, though I think the 327 Mag would be a bit of a stretch for it.

John
 
I bought a cal conversion and set of Dillon dies/tool head/ powder measure for my 550 Dillon at the gun show back in December. Will supposedly do 32L H&R and 327. Don't know about the latter. I also have a set up for the 750 with RCBS Carbide dies...the dies say 32 S&W 32 Long and 32 H&R. RCBS made a die set marked as doing 327 too but think it has another stock number? My Ruger SP101 does shoot 32 ACP...but need to push some cases out with a pencil/dowel. I do not reload 32 auto or 32 S&W...PIA
 
I load 32's on a single stage 7/8-14 press. You need a different shell plate for ACP and the rimmed cartridges. Some die sets have a decapping rod that is too short for H&R and Federal cartridges. You can still size with them by removing the stem and deprime with a 357 mag or rifle die and the correct shell holder, or by the hammer style decapper.

Going even further into the 30/32 caliber handgun family, I load 32-20, 30 Mauser, & 30 Carbine.

I have two bullet molds, a 73 grain RN and a 117 grain RNFP w/GC. When I cast bullets I cast many hundred more than I need for whatever project is at hand and size them for the 4 diameters this family uses: .308, .309, .311, & .314. You never know what you'll want to whip up a few rounds for next.

Cowboy Action Shooting requires Lead bullets with no gas check. They have a side match at some clubs for "Belly Guns" in derringers and revolvers in 32 (any) & 38 S&W or Short Colt. My derringer is in 32ACP, but I load ACP brass with 32 S&W (short) loading and it is very accurate.

Once you have the basic equipment, it is amazing what you can whip up! Just remember to keep the ammo in well-marked boxes or bags, so you don't shoot a hot load in a weak handgun.

Ivan
 
Just a kinda dumb question...As I said I don't load 32 ACP...short little suckers...but for some odd reason have a 3lb coffee can full of new primed brass. Don't even know when or where I got it. Is 32 ACP a higher pressure round like 9mm? I also had about a 700 71 gr FMJs. I loaded a few of the bullets in 32-20 and they shot ok. I also acquired a 550 cal conversion less the powder funnel at a gun show many years ago for the 32 ACP...so I could load 'em...I also have an old Colt 1903(needs a striker) I could shoot 'em in...they are just so small with my "old" fangers
 
.32 acp Link

Skeet 028 said:
Just a kinda dumb question...As I said I don't load 32 ACP...short little suckers...but for some odd reason have a 3lb coffee can full of new primed brass. Don't even know when or where I got it. Is 32 ACP a higher pressure round like 9mm? I also had about a 700 71 gr FMJs. I loaded a few of the bullets in 32-20 and they shot ok. I also acquired a 550 cal conversion less the powder funnel at a gun show many years ago for the 32 ACP...so I could load 'em...I also have an old Colt 1903(needs a striker) I could shoot 'em in...they are just so small with my "old" fangers
Click to expand...


32 ACP Ammo at Ammo.com: Cheap 32 ACP Ammunition in Bulk

This will give you an idea of .32acp info.
 
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32s

I have a Dillion 550 with one block for the Dillion 4 die set. I do 32L. 32 H&R mag, & 327 Fed mag. I would suggest you find a used turret press and buy a set of 32 dies. Set your full length resizing/decamping die and don't touch it again. Set your belling die and your bullet sitting/crimp die for the 32L. When you want to change caliber all you will need to do is back out the belling stem and readjust the sitting/crimp die! Using a turret press you will not need to remove the die body for each operation! IF, you decide you want to change to a totally different caliber, do not remove the dies from the die plate, just order another die plate from the manufacturer of your press. Sorry I have no experience with the 32ACP. This is my ANTIQUE Herters turret press. It is now set up with 30-06,243, & 270 dies which all use the same shell holder!
1gfwbne.jpg

jcelect
 
/I like the handle holder. All those Herters presses need 'em. Those turret presses are heavy. I no longer have one...but do have quite a few Old Herter's shellholders. I use a couple just for depriming. I do have one of the old Herter's H presses made by Dunbar
 
Herters presses

Skeet 028 said:
/I like the handle holder. All those Herters presses need 'em. Those turret presses are heavy. I no longer have one...but do have quite a few Old Herter's shellholders. I use a couple just for depriming. I do have one of the old Herter's H presses made by Dunbar
Click to expand...
Funny you should mention the "handle holder"! After I cleaned, painted, and lubed that press that handle would not stay up. That holder was devised after too many pinched fingers! Now the single stage Herter's, just behind the turret press, has a ball detent that holds the ram down keeping the handle up! I think these Herter presses are missed by many reloaders as they are virtually indestructible! There are two more in my shop! You may ask "why"! The single stage was free from someone that was cleaning out his fathers garage and the turret cost me $10.00, and it has the C&H shell holder adapter!
jcelect
 
jcelect said:
I think these Herter presses are missed by many reloaders as they are virtually indestructible!
Click to expand...

It is hard to explain to people under 35 that "New and Improved" seldom is. That "Modern Space Age Materials" is rebranded Pot Metal, and "Light Weight" or "Reduced Bulk" means, reduced durability!

I remember single stage presses that weighed 35 to 50 pounds! Of course, mail-order fright would be as much as the press to day.

I do have a Lee press that is very small and thin-walled cast aluminum. New it was $8 and I think it would snap FL sizing 30-06!. I use it at the range with already sized & primed brass to assemble loads in the field. 3 drywall screws and it's mounted to a wooden bench! I Like the mounted press better than tong tools for these functions.

The old C-H brand was bought out and moved. It is now CH4D and in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. They still inventory all (or most) of those monster presses!

If you can think of any size reloading die up to 25mm Chain Gun, they have presses and will make dies!! Plus they will outlast your great grandkids!

Ivan
 
Many of the Herter's single stage presses with the cast iron handles had a ball check...but over the years many were removed for "cleaning" and lost. There were 3 or 4 companies that sold essentially the same press as Herter's...One was Well's, Herter's, Don't forget Ruhr American(still Herter's) and being old can't remember the other but RCBS bought out most of their reloading line. Wish I could remember what it cost to ship the old Herter's presses. Herter's also had one great powder scale that had oil dampening but it was very precise....at least for my uses. Herter's dies were originally made I think by Bystrom and later other companies suppliedthem. I even have a Herter's dies made by RCBS.
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
It is hard to explain to people under 35 that "New and Improved" seldom is. That "Modern Space Age Materials" is rebranded Pot Metal, and "Light Weight" or "Reduced Bulk" means, reduced durability!

I remember single stage presses that weighed 35 to 50 pounds! Of course, mail-order fright would be as much as the press to day.

I do have a Lee press that is very small and thin-walled cast aluminum. New it was $8 and I think it would snap FL sizing 30-06!. I use it at the range with already sized & primed brass to assemble loads in the field. 3 drywall screws and it's mounted to a wooden bench! I Like the mounted press better than tong tools for these functions.

The old C-H brand was bought out and moved. It is now CH4D and in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. They still inventory all (or most) of those monster presses!

If you can think of any size reloading die up to 25mm Chain Gun, they have presses and will make dies!! Plus they will outlast your great grandkids!

Ivan
Click to expand...

I don't know, Dillons hold up really well and are made of aluminum.
 
glenwolde said:
I don't know, Dillons hold up really well and are made of aluminum.
Click to expand...

Very true! But look at the size of the casting and it isn't hollow! I have a 1984 450 upped to 550b with over 1/2 million rounds and a 1050 with 3/4 million rounds (former team press) and they are still going strong. But there is nothing light weight, about any of the Dillons!

Ivan
 
Comparing presses

When comparing presses you can not compare a progressive Dillon to a single stage, or turret press. The mechanics of the two are totally different! On any single stage press the ram is in line with the die being used, but on a Dillon progressive the ram is offset to the die! On the Dillon the force applied to the brass forcing it into the die is through a fulcrum, the shell holder plate!
On a single stage press the force applied to the brass is in a straight line with the ram. The mechanics of a single stage allows for much more force to be applied to the brass forcing it into the die. The Herter presses have a much heavier frame to allow this force to happen without any flexing of the frame! Anyone that forms their own brass from a different caliber understands the force required to perform this process and has probably dealt with a brass stuck in the forming die with the rim torn off!

My reloading bench! I speak from experience!
riIxBsz.jpg


jcelect
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
Very true! But look at the size of the casting and it isn't hollow! I have a 1984 450 upped to 550b with over 1/2 million rounds and a 1050 with 3/4 million rounds (former team press) and they are still going strong. But there is nothing light weight, about any of the Dillons!

Ivan
Click to expand...

I misinterpreted your post as saying only cast iron lasts. I too have an early 80's Dillon 500 (that's what I call my 450 that I upgraded to a 550 frame). I've worn out some parts but those were replaced under warranty. I expect it to go another 40 years but I'm pretty sure I won't.

My single stage is a Lee Classic Cast. It's iron. It's heavy.
 
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