Reloading .32 ACP with heavy bullets.

[Kiwi cop]

I am looking for a powder/load combination using 90 grain projectiles in .32 ACP. All the data I can find lists 71 grain projectiles as the heaviest in tis calibre but the 90 grainers are all I can source locally (and I no longer cast my own due to time constraints).

I shoot a classic pistol match about 3 times a year, 48 rounds. I have been purchasing ammo for the last few years but the prices are getting ridiculous.

Any suggestions?

 

[Rule3]

Sir, this may help or lead you in a direction. Not sure what powders you have available.

32acp .314 100gr reload data?

Heavy .32 ACP Bullets in Pistols & Rifles - Reloading Cookbook - Reloading - The Cast Bullet Association Inc. Forum

 

[reddog81]

I use 1.7/ 1.8 grain bullseye for my 90-92 grain cast bullets. It seems like a nice mild load. You might be able to go down or up a little depending on the gun but be careful with those tiny cases.

 

[DWalt]

Over 30 years ago I loaded .32 ACP with 100 grain Speer .308 plinkers, but I don't remember the load - it used Unique. I shot lots of them.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

From a 1980's "Winchester Reloading Bulletin"; 1.4 grains of WW231 (same as Hodgdon HP38) with 90 JRN, I used that load with hundreds of cast 90 grain RN in my Walther PPk and my Berretta 3031 "Tomcat".

I have no idea of what powders are available to you, but 32 S&W (short) is at much lower pressure than 32 ACP, so any 32 Short load that works the slide will be safe, but probably won't shoot to the sights.

I used this load originally in a Davis derringer for SASS (cowboy shooting), which requires lead only bullets, then I found it works well in my autos also. At 3 to 5 yards (or meters) it is very close to the sights of the derringer and will do a 3" four shot group, which is better than any factory ammo has done! Except for the Germans, nobody really expects the little 32's to be effective much further than across a card table. My European autos, and my 84 year old dad's 3 Type-M Colts are accurate further with this load, but forget about stopping power!

Ivan

 

[6thtexas]

Ed Harris has done a lot of work with the .32 ACP and heavy bullets. Try googling his name and .32 auto and/or check out some of the bullet casting forums.

Currently I am running a 77 gr. lead FN on top of 2.2 gr. Bullseye in a Beretta Tomcat. I am planning on trying out some 87 gr. RFN in it as well. I have shot the RCBS 98 gr. SWC with 1.7 gr. Bullseye but they were a bit slow out of the little Beretta

 

[teletech]

A couple loads I used successfully in a 1903 colt years ago:
90gr LRN with 2gr of Red Dot.
85gr Hornady#3205 JHP, 2.5gr Unique.

 

[Kiwi cop]

From a 1980's "Winchester Reloading Bulletin"; 1.4 grains of WW231 (same as Hodgdon HP38) with 90 JRN, I used that load with hundreds of cast 90 grain RN in my Walther PPk and my Berretta 3031 "Tomcat".

I have no idea of what powders are available to you, but 32 S&W (short) is at much lower pressure than 32 ACP, so any 32 Short load that works the slide will be safe, but probably won't shoot to the sights.

I used this load originally in a Davis derringer for SASS (cowboy shooting), which requires lead only bullets, then I found it works well in my autos also. At 3 to 5 yards (or meters) it is very close to the sights of the derringer and will do a 3" four shot group, which is better than any factory ammo has done! Except for the Germans, nobody really expects the little 32's to be effective much further than across a card table. My European autos, and my 84 year old dad's 3 Type-M Colts are accurate further with this load, but forget about stopping power!

Ivan

Thanks!

I have some ADI AP50 powder which is identical in burning rate to WW231/HP 38, but all I could find data for was 71 grain bullets using ADI AP30 and AP70 powders.

I'll load up a few rounds and see how they go.

BTW the gun is an Astra Constable, a Spanish knockoff of the PPK so even better.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks!

I have some ADI AP50 powder which is identical in burning rate to WW231/HP 38, but all I could find data for was 71 grain bullets using ADI AP30 and AP70 powders.

I'll load up a few rounds and see how they go.

BTW the gun is an Astra Constable, a Spanish knockoff of the PPK so even better.

ADI AP50 is not "identical" it is not made by ADI it is made here in Florida at St Marks powder. The burn rate is within 5% but the load data is not Identical.

Powder equivalents, ADI Powders Handloaders' Guide

 

[Rogeronimo]

ADI AP50/AS50 is closest to int'l clays (some say identical) ... Hornady has data, but only through 71 grains.