Reloading .32acp.

[jimmyj]

Anyone reload .32acp ?
Opinions ?

 

[Top Strap]

Anyone reload .32acp ?
Opinions ?

They are small but fun. The Dillon 550 loads them nicely.

 

[Tex1001]

Yes. Be careful. Easy to over/under charge.
Hard to manipulate empty cases. Harder
still to manipulate projectiles.
Factory ammo costs big bux. Be careful.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I would stick to shooting the old 32 S&W out of a nice old DA or Lemon squeezer. They don't fling the empty brass into oblivion.

John

 

[Alk8944]

Yes, I do. For more than 60 years. It's just like loading any other cartridge, just smaller cases and bullets. Nothing at all difficult or special.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I load the 32's with a factory new Lyman 32 ACP die set that sat for20 or more years in a shop. I load 32 S&W & 32 S&W Long with the same die set using a different shell holder. At the same shop I bought a New-old stock Lyman bullet mold for 32. It is the 84 grain RN model, where most like the 71 grain RN, but my old Lyman manuals have load data for up to 110 grain RN (M-1 carbine bullet) The "Get rid of it so we don't inventory it again" price for both was $20 out the door!

When loading small cases like 25 and 32, the consistency of the powder charge is probably the most critical part! The old and now discontinued Lyman #55 Powder Measure had a little door knocker (Called "The Hammer") on the front of it to insure a vibration that did two things. Lift charging handle up a flip the hammer. This settled the powder inside the barrel chamber. Lower the handle and rap the hammer again. This vibrated ALL the powder out of the barrel and into you case. With Flake powder like Unique this was critical for consistent velocity and accuracy! I have the Black Powder variant of the Lyman 55, but when it's tied up on another project, I use a different measure and rap the chamber area with a screwdriver handle. The Lyman # 55 is much faster but this works!

I have one 32 Auto and two Davis Derringers, chambered for 32 ACP. I actually use load data for 32 S&W (Short) in ACP cases for the Derringers in "Belly Gun" matches in SASS. The accuracy is good enough the cut a playing card in half @ 10', 2 or 3 times per 5 tries (3 usually wins every match!). That same light 32 short loading in ACP cases functions my 3031 Tom Cat, my brothers 1903 Colt and my mom's Walther PPk! I've never used any powder except Unique and WW231 and highly recommend both!

Ivan

 

[robertrwalsh]

I reload for .32 auto. Availability and cost are why. I own several and they are FUN to shoot. I use mostly Berry's plated bullets. The small size of the case makes handling a little awkward. Not a big deal. I use a single stage press so I charge the cases in a reloading block.

 

[max]

I reload for the 38's, 41's, 44's, and 45's so I can afford to shoot the occasional factory .32.

 

[Krogen]

Small cartridges like the 32 ACP can be a challenge. As noted above, they're easy to overcharge. With such small charges your powder charging procedure needs close attention. It's common to see a 0.2 grain difference between min and max charges. Can your powder measure deliver precise charges? You probably need to weigh each charge. Even if you can stay within +/- 0.1 gr staying between min and max charges, velocity consistency is problematic. I see this with 32 S&W Long where I'm looking for a 1.7 grain charge. I have taken to using an Autotrickler V4 and A&D scale. The V4 gives +/- 0.02 grain consistency which alleviates my main concern with these small cartridges.

 

[Warren Sear]

I have loaded 32 ACP, 32 S&W, and 32 S&W Long for years, using my own cast bullets, and an RCBS Uniflow powder measure I bought new in 1980. I do not weigh individual charges. No problems of any kind.

 

[venomballistics]

If 9mm didn't grow wild like it does, I'd be all over things 32 cal.
From a reloading standpoint, a few pounds of powder and a few hundred pounds of lead might be a lifetime supply of reloading components

 

[gwpercle]

I reload 32 auto/acp for a Walther PPK ...
Not hard , loading data is plentiful .
I even cast my own bullets for the little round .
Gary

 

[oldcorps76]

I have a postwar Walther PPK, a 1908-manufacture Colt 1903, and a Wehrmacht-issue 1944 Walther PP. As much as I like to shoot, factory ammo is a killer. So....

I was able to get Lee .32 ACP dies to work with my Dillon 550, no mean feat. I loaded a few experimental rounds. I have yet to do anything in quantity, but when I do it'll be bought LRN 71 gr .32 and WW 231.

 

[Timber Wolf]

First cartridge I ever hand loaded, decades ago. And with Lee hand tools. My one and only experience with the lee loader.

 

[warren5421]

I have one Walther PP, two Beretta 1913/14's, three Colt 1903's. I use Red Dot powder loaded to Buffalo Bore power. I use either a RCBS single stage, a SDB, or a 550 to load on but I double weight each charge, using a RCBS electric scale and a beam scale. All run just fine with my reloads. My always gun is one of 1903's with a 1911 in .45 ACP or 10 mm if going somewhere.

 

[Tex1001]

1967 Walther PPK
Two wartime Mauser HScs
KelTek P32
About 12 years ago I got a few hundred of the
Speer 60 grain Gold Dots but I can't bring myself
to actually load/use them.
Anyone actually fired them in anger

 

[Oldgunslover]

Search for Ed Harris articles about reloading the .32 ACP, they are very useful.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Anyone reload .32acp ?
Opinions ?

I don’t see it as necessary. I only shoot my 32 ACP once a year and maybe 14 rounds.

As a Senior Citizen I prefer 22 LR and usually shoot 9mm or 38 Special.

 

[SASFixer]

Anyone reload .32acp ?
Opinions ?

I have in the past. When one of my sons wanted to help me reload when he was about 4. I let him operate the handle on the single stage press. I would insert the case in the holder he pulled the handle, we were doing just great making great progress until he pulled the handle before my index finger cleared the press stuffing the tip of my finger inside of the case all the way to the finger nail. No "fail safes" on that boy.

 

[bedwards]

I haven't in years, but I remember the case/bullet tension being a struggle to get right.

 

[tejano]

I own 6 32 acp pistols. I go through cycles with them. In the on cycle I reload and shoot them weekly. They go into a rotation. I am currently in the off cycle. I have about 200 reloaded rounds ready to go. Been doing this for more than 2 decades. Haven’t shot a box of factory ammo in years. I am currently shooting lots of .40 in pistols and 1 revolver. This after ignoring the .40 until it fell out of fashion. I once joked that the 32 acp is like the Miata of guns—not very practical, but a whole lot of fun.

 

[Eddietruett]

Hardest part was powder dropping. I Load 32 on a Lee Turret with a Disc Powder Measure. Holes were too large for the small qty of powder i was wanting to use.I filled one of the holes on a Lee Powder Disc with JB Weld, sanded smooth and drilled progressively larger holes until I got the weight I wanted. Wound up using Accurate #2 since it’s so fine, very light charges are surprisingly consistent.

 

[Funflyer]

32 auto isn't as straight forward as some say it is. It's not difficult but there are a few things you need to know to have success. Here's an article that's well worth reading.

 

[bedwards]

That was a good article. I imagine the different brass thicknesses was my problem. I'm going to have to check mine and see.

 

[tejano]

Here is another.

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/32ACPrevisited.htm

 

[gew98]

I reload 32 auto/acp for a Walther PPK ...
Not hard , loading data is plentiful .
I even cast my own bullets for the little round .
Gary

I used to use copper plated and even some J words. Tried the lead. Problem I encountered is all the cast and most other 32 acp bullets where not the kinda pointed nose like factory ammo was. These tended to have hiccups in some makes of 32's . Mind you all my 32's back then were wartime or prewar to include a savage. I had the best reliability with the copper plated I got back then as they were the pointiest ogive. I had a keltec and both my inlaws had keltecs too. Of course far from accurate and it took higher pressure loaded rounds to make them reliable and they got seriously dirty and jammable with cast. Did OK with copper plated. MIL still has her and her late husband's keltec...I traded mine off 5 + years ago. It was too much bang in the wife's hands. I gave her and H&R 732 32 S&W long , I think it is wheelgun with 4" barrel and it fits her hand just right. Gave the MIL about 18 years ago an H&R nickeled 32 S&W long H&R snubbie - she still has that.

 

[gew98]

I haven't in years, but I remember the case/bullet tension being a struggle to get right.

OAL and bullet shape were my two biggest problems. Using a Dillon I never had an issue with dropping the charges that would work. And some 32 ACP pistols , especially older german models like the HSC and 1910/34 they were very finicky . Had a fritz Langenhiem that was like my browning 1900 - it just ate any 32 load and carried on. Ortgies I really had to have them crimped so as not to shove bullet in case. I had bought a Redding 32 ACP taper crimp die and ground some off the bottom to get the most crimp I could.

 

[6thtexas]

I have been loading for a 1903 Colt and a 1964 vintage pp for years. I think it's pretty straight forward, at least for these two guns. I use RCBS dies including a taper crimp die, and an Accurate mold that throws a 77 gr. FP bullet. If you are loading for an older European pistol keep in mind that they were made to run on hotter Euro ammunition and may not work with light loads. With the keltec P32 and the little Beretta keep the loads light. The Beretta Tomcat used to have a warning in the manual to restrict factory loads to a certain pressure level (U.S. made cartridges). They mean it. A friend of mine cracked a frame just running RWS and Italian made Fiocchi through his Beretta and wound up selling it for parts. Another caveat is to watch the OAL as short cartridges will cause rim lock.

The .32 ACP is a very underappreciated round. It is easy to shoot and with the right loads penetrates very well. I have taken a rabbit or two with it and also put down livestock for slaughter with it. The biggest gripe I have about it is recovering cases. At the range I bring a big tarp and stand on it!

Do check out articles by C.E "Ed" Harris on reloading the .32 ACP. He has worked extensively with the cartridge.

 

[JH1961]

Anyone reload .32acp ?
Opinions ?

I did 35, or so, years ago. I loaded Hornady 95gr LSWC for my Walther PP. Excellent accuracy and reliability. I *think* I used WIN 231, but AM NOT SURE.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I have been loading for a 1903 Colt and a 1964 vintage pp for years. I think it's pretty straight forward, at least for these two guns. I use RCBS dies including a taper crimp die, and an Accurate mold that throws a 77 gr. FP bullet. If you are loading for an older European pistol keep in mind that they were made to run on hotter Euro ammunition and may not work with light loads. With the keltec P32 and the little Beretta keep the loads light. The Beretta Tomcat used to have a warning in the manual to restrict factory loads to a certain pressure level (U.S. made cartridges). They mean it. A friend of mine cracked a frame just running RWS and Italian made Fiocchi through his Beretta and wound up selling it for parts. Another caveat is to watch the OAL as short cartridges will cause rim lock.

The .32 ACP is a very underappreciated round. It is easy to shoot and with the right loads penetrates very well. I have taken a rabbit or two with it and also put down livestock for slaughter with it. The biggest gripe I have about it is recovering cases. At the range I bring a big tarp and stand on it!

Do check out articles by C.E "Ed" Harris on reloading the .32 ACP. He has worked extensively with the cartridge.

My friend was lucky to have his cracked frame replaced with a new Beretta gun. He dumped it when the new gun arrived. I like the 82 BB. but shy away from the Tomcats. Totally different size class guns of course.

It seems silly that an Italian brand .32 cannot handle Fiocchi ammunition.