Anyone loading the smallest pistol rounds? (.25's, .32's, .380's)

[Andy Griffith]

With the scarcity of .380ACP rounds and to some extent the less than quantity of other smaller pistol calibers than 9mm or .38 Special...

I am going to attempt to load some of these little fellers on my Hornady LNL-AP soon as I can.

I just ordered a set of .25ACP dies and shellplate (I don't even own a .25ACP pistol)- but I have sets for the .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long/H&R Magnum.

I've had the components for .32 ACP for some time, but haven't ever gotten around to loading them for my Savage- so this will be a new experience for me.

Also, I got around to ordering a roll crimper for the .32 S&W as the set for the .32 S&W Long and H&R magnum will work for resizing and the .32 ACP seater will work for that too- but the crimping dies in both of those sets are inadequate for crimping this little, short cartridge.

I would like to buy a set of .380ACP dies used (I don't own a .380 either!)...but I haven't seen any at the shows or swap meets lately. It is likely no worse than loading .38S&W rounds.

Anyway, I just wanted to see if anyone else may be loading these pipsqueak rounds on progressive equipment?

 

[Dale53]

I regularly load the .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnums on a Dillon 550B.

They load as straight forward and as easy as a .38 Special.

Dale53

 

[wyo-man]

Just started to load .380's (found about 100 empty brass at the range last month - neighbor had .380 dies, but no .380) but not on a progressive.

wyo-man

 

[Rule3]

I have been loading .380 auto on a single stage and now on my turret. Just watch out for those 9mm's sneaking in and vica versa(sp?)

 

[dbracin]

I load .32 acp, but I've only used a single stage press so far. I use a .22lr case soldered to a brass rod as a power measure/dropper. I just worked up a load and filed the case until I got the amount of powder I wanted. Works for me.

 

[primersp]

i load 32 acpwithcasting bullets on lee turret

 

[bmcgilvray]

I load them but on a single stage press.

 

[NKJ nut]

I have loaded all of them except 25 ACP on progressive. The 25 ACP I load single stage. This little number is so sensitive to variations in charge weight that I prefer to weigh the charge. Often there is only a couple of 1/10th variation from minimum to max charge, but that can result in 200 FPS ES. I don't need much 25 ACP anyway so I just do it the slow way.

 

[ACP230]

I loaded up some .32 ACPs years ago and just stumbled across a box with a few left inside. Reloads were fired from a Savage 1905, a Manurhin (Walther) PP, and a CZ 50.

I used a Lee C-press and a Lee Turret and Lee dies. Had to stop yanking the press arm so hard when seating the bullet because the .32 cases are easy to bend.

The bullet was a 70 grain LRN from a company that is now out of business. I still have some of those around too.
One of these days I'll load .32ACP again but not till I use up the 1,000 rounds of RWS FMJ ammo I bought when it was cheap.

I know a guy who reloads the .25 ACP but I haven't loaded it or the .380myself.

 

[OKFC05]

I have a Dillon but load the mini-bangs on a Lee turret.

Beware your fingertips!

 

[Andy Griffith]

Beware your fingertips!

That's what I'm scared of!
Presses will bite...and hard!

 

[Sven]

That's what I'm scared of!
Presses will bite...and hard!

Ain't that the truth! I've done about 500 rounds of .380 on my Dillon 550B. Everything seemed to go just fine and the reloads shoot great.

 

[Nygma]

Beware your fingertips!

For the 25 and 32 ACP I use a pair of forceps with the tips made for grasping round objects to handle the casings.
My loading blocks are the plastic gizmos that new ammo comes packed in, and all charges are weighed.
If you have large fingers loading these two can be a real challenge. I've pretty much given up on the 25, just too much of a PITA.

 

[SOFMatchstaff]

I load both the 32 and 380 acp on the RL-1050, no problems except the occasional stray 9mm or a 32 in the 380 case. Carefully watch the powder charges.

 

[Electraclyde]

I load .380 on a Lee turret. Hard to get the powder correct on these.

 

[primersp]

the worst cartridge that i have reload is 22 hornet ,even with carefull
i crash one .
reload on a rcbs rock chucker to compare 32 acp is a pleasure.

 

[VonFatman]

Yes,
I reload: .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, 38 S&W & .380 on my Dillon 650....380 is the easiest caliber I reload.

Bob

 

[Jeff423]

It used to be that the LNL did not have a powder through expander die for .32.

Jeff