Need help with Powder selection for .32's and .327

[CM_from_PA]

I’m now set up to start reloading for my .237 Federal SP101 3”. I used to load .357 & .38 and I have some material left over. Specifically about a quarter pound of Unique and a few hundred primers. I’ve bought Starline brass for .327 Mag and .32 H&R mag. I have some once used brass for .32 S&W Long and .32 S&W. So, I’ll be using up the Unique in my early test loads and I need some help in my powder research.

I’ll be pushing either 85grain or 115grain plated flat points. I’ll be looking into 75gr Xtreme Defense & 95gr Xtreme Defense down the road, but I’m getting ahead of myself. My preliminary research has led me to ask about the following:

Accurate #2
HP-38 or Winchester 231
Hodgdon Universal
Accurate #5

Given the range of what I want to load, will any one of these be the best to start with? Or do I need to look at getting more than one? Any other suggestions? These I can get locally these days.

 

[DWalt]

Don't overthink it. Unique (or similar like Universal) is all you will ever need. There are many other powder choices, but why needlessly complicate your life?

 

[mikld]

I have used Universal successfully in 32 H&R Mag. (about 1K for Charter Arms Professional 32 H&R) and 32 S&W Long (several hundred). I have also Used Universal in nearly all my handgun reloads (7 calibers).

 

[Sevens]

There’s a few pertinent bits that are very specific to .327 Federal Magnum so my post here addresses only that cartridge and not the shorter, far lower pressure cartridges.

First is that the factory spec for this 45,000 PSI Max cartridge is small rifle primers. There are only a select few handgun rounds in existence that exceed 36k psi max and this is one of them and this max peak pressure is specifically why Federal and Speer load factory cartridges with a small rifle primer, and you should also.

To that end, it makes good sense to be wise about the projectiles you use in a cartridge with this pressure. It was explained to me by then-ATK ballistician Ben Amonette that when you are working with a cartridge capable of extreme pressures, especially with any revolver where the component bullet has to make the jump from cylinder to forcing cone, you choose a bullet that is up to the task of the pressure capability.

Hornady XTP bullets are up to that task… I would suggest that low-end plated bullets are not. Amonette went on to explain that extreme pressure on the base of the projectile will attempt to force the bullet out of round and could cause forcing cone damage at extreme pressures. We got to this part of the conversation when I had inquired of the possibility of exploring extreme velocities with the 71 grain FMJ bullet most associated with the .32 ACP cartridge. I trust the advice of this particular expert.

I’m not sure if Ben still works for the Alliant company in this post-ATK time, but I still hold his advice in high regard.

 

[Model19man]

AA # 5 and WW231 / HP38 are available and easy to buy. The others aren't.

 

[CM_from_PA]

Great info. Thanks to all.

 

[mtgianni]

I have used AA2 for loads in the 32 H&R with 90-120 gr bullets. It is the favorite powder for my CA Professional. The Ruger and 16-4 like it also though they do just as well with others. Ruger Single Six Magnum really likes Unique and the Smith doesn't get shot much as it had no turn lines when I got it.

 

[deputydon]

I have had good luck with W231 & Titegroup in .32's.

-don

 

[gwpercle]

Use the powder(s) you can find reloading data for ...

A quick look in a couple manuals show that the 4 powders you mention should cover all 4 of the 32 cartridges you mention ...
I like to load lead bullets and faster powders in the 32 S&W and 32 Long ( Accurate #2 & HP38 / 231 )... and jacketed bullets and slower powders in the 327 Federal and 32 H&R Magnum (Universal & Accurate #5 ) .
But there is some overlapping with those powders and bullets in all 4 rounds ... the faster powders might be more suitable to lead bullet loads , think about what you will shoot most . You should be set to get started with some testing !
just use reliable data and ... Load Safe .
To your list add TiteGroup , grab some if you can it's a winner in 32's.
Gary

 

[Green Frog]

My light to moderate loads in all the 32 family are mostly HP38/231 or Bullseye. OTOH, for higher performance loads, especially in 327 FM, I’ve used Accurate #7 and a non-canister equivalent to #9. I’ve never used either of these in anything shorter than 32 H&R though
I think I could probably do all my loading of 32s with a good supply of 231 and #7 if need be.
Froggie

 

[tops]

I don't know know how difficult it is to find but my brother has plenty of Winchester 296 that he is using to load 327 Mag. and .32 H&R Mag. He is happy with the results. Larry

 

[DWalt]

I don't know know how difficult it is to find but my brother has plenty of Winchester 296 that he is using to load 327 Mag. and .32 H&R Mag. He is happy with the results. Larry

W296 is identical to H110 and fairly close to AA#9, IMR 4227, and 2400. They are on the slow end of the spectrum for most handgun use and are best suited for large Magnum heavy loads. Will they work for lighter loads and non-Magnum handgun cartridges ? Sure, but why? They are very inefficient in that application.

Propellants in the Unique range, such as Universal and Power Pistol, are most economical, efficient, and the best bet for loading most non-Magnum handgun cartridges of every caliber. And even somewhat into the Magnum level.

 

[Sevens]

H-110 is perfectly at home in .30 Carbine… which is darn near the equivalent of the .327 Federal Magnum. W296/H-110 is perfectly suited in the .327 Federal, especially for the heavier bullets.

 

[Chubbs103]

For .32 H&R in a handgun, I mainly shoot lead and use W231 and Unique. Jacketed bullets in my Marlin 1894 start showing promise with IMR4227 and really come alive with H110/W296.

 

[Skeet 028]

Someone mentioned Tightgroup. Never used any for anything. I was looking at loads for it. I found an 8 lb can of it in the grudge yesterday. Don't even know where I got it. Evidently it uses light charge weights in most everything. Bet it'll work in the 2 smaller 32s...maybe 3 smaller.

 

[gwpercle]

Someone mentioned Tightgroup. Never used any for anything. I was looking at loads for it. I found an 8 lb can of it in the grudge yesterday. Don't even know where I got it. Evidently it uses light charge weights in most everything. Bet it'll work in the 2 smaller 32s...maybe 3 smaller.

Skeet ,
I keep calling the Hodgdon powder I have , Tight Group ... also seen spelled (TightGroup)... as well as spelled (Tightgroup )...

But I'm sitting here looking at the bottle and it says TiteGroup
The burn rate chart shows it as Tite Group , two words ...

I went to Hodgdon's data center and they show it as one word
... Titegroup

The other powder that I mix up Tite Wad was spelled as one word Titewad !

So Please do me a favor ... eyeball exactly what is on that 8 lb. container and what is the spelling ... Tightgroup or Titegroup !

I could swear this powder was Tightgroup but I keep seeing Titegroup ... Please look at what you have and tell me what we got ... Tight or Tite !!!

I might have to try Titewad ... I like that name ...
it resembles me !
Gary

 

[The Kid]

I use AA5 or 231 for plinking type loads in 32 H&R and 32 Long. They work great and go a long ways with the small charges.

For all around and higher performance loads I use Power Pistol. It works great and most importantly is available in my area. I keep a couple 4lb jugs under the bench and use it for much of my handgun loading, pretty much replacing Unique at this time since it’s hard to find.

 

[CM_from_PA]

Went to two of my local shops and I'm seeing Titegroup, Power Pistol and Lil'Gun. None of the Accurates or Universal HP-38 or Winchester.

There is other stuff, but none in my load books. Going with Lil'Gunn for my magnum loads. Now to decide between the two faster powders.

 

[Sevens]

You just brought a can of worms and I’ll open it, why not?!

Hodgdon Lil’Gun has a reputation for eating revolver forcing cones. This reputation was established and traveled from it’s origin at Freedom Arms in Wyoming, where it was destroying .454 Casull guns.

Does Lil’Gun eat forcing cones of smaller diameter revolvers? I do not know, but I will say this…

I’ve been loving this hobby for 3-1/2 decades and I probably have an array of a couple dozen plus different powders in my cache and after learning about the Lil’Gun fiasco and deep diving in to it, I -GAVE- away what was left of the pound I had to a buddy and I won’t go near the stuff.

Especially these days, just far too many options to dink around with something suspect.

 

[teletech]

Not on your list, but in my 32SWL experience, the best accuracy I got was with Red Dot.