32ACP powders

308Loader · October 11, 2020, 05:57 PM

Started loading for my berretta 81 in 32ACP. Sweet shooting mini berretta. currently using tight group. Cases came out sooty and hot, is their a better powder for this little guy? Load is 2.0gr TG, berry's 71gr RN. Shoots fine, but is their a better choice?

**Unclenick** · October 11, 2020, 06:40 PM

All the usual suspects for fast pistol powders should work. Lots of folks complain about TG getting hot. Try Clays or Bullseye or 231 or Ramshot Zip or Accurate No.2. The last three should be good choices because spherical powders tend to be easier to meter by volume consistently, and such a small case doesn't have a lot of room for error.

FITASC · October 11, 2020, 07:05 PM

All the fast pistol/shotgun powders will work

TruthTellers · October 11, 2020, 08:07 PM

I use Bullseye. Tried Unique once, felt like it was too much, but I should chrony both before I say it is indeed too much.

Lyman 50th says that Red Dot gets a decent velocity with a max charge, but good luck finding any of that these days.

ligonierbill · October 12, 2020, 10:08 AM

Power Pistol works for me in a variety of pistols and loads.

308Loader · October 12, 2020, 06:44 PM

what is the appropriate OD of the flair and crimp? first run went well, seating on the second I seem to be scraping off plaiting.

Mike38 · October 12, 2020, 07:15 PM

I use 1.8 grains of Tite Group, 71 grain LRN for .32acp shot in a Kel Tec P32. It is a touch on the dirty side, but no where near as bad as when I use Tite Group in .45acp. I do tend to crimp more than most people. Maybe my crimp is allowing better powder burn?

Average Joe · October 13, 2020, 06:18 PM

Red Dot works for me

T. O'Heir · October 14, 2020, 02:05 PM

"...came out sooty and hot..." Lighting a fire in 'em will do that.
"...appropriate OD of the flair and crimp..." There is no number. The amount of each is "enough" and no more. The flare is enough to be able to sit the bullet in without it falling out. The crimp, which will be taper crimp only, is just enough to hold the bullet in place.
Keep in mind that a Beretta 81 is not a target pistol.
No data on Berry's site, but plated bullets use cast bullet data. They are not jacketed bullets. No plated or cast data on Hodgdon's either.

**Unclenick** · October 14, 2020, 02:12 PM

308Loader,

Different brands of brass have different neck wall thicknesses, so there won't be a universal correct OD. You get the ID a few thousandths over the bullet diameter, but that's about all that can be said for sure.

October 11, 2020, 05:57 PM	#1
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	32ACP powders Started loading for my berretta 81 in 32ACP. Sweet shooting mini berretta. currently using tight group. Cases came out sooty and hot, is their a better powder for this little guy? Load is 2.0gr TG, berry's 71gr RN. Shoots fine, but is their a better choice? __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

October 11, 2020, 06:40 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,743	All the usual suspects for fast pistol powders should work. Lots of folks complain about TG getting hot. Try Clays or Bullseye or 231 or Ramshot Zip or Accurate No.2. The last three should be good choices because spherical powders tend to be easier to meter by volume consistently, and such a small case doesn't have a lot of room for error. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 11, 2020, 07:05 PM	#3
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,654	All the fast pistol/shotgun powders will work __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 11, 2020, 08:07 PM	#4
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,962	I use Bullseye. Tried Unique once, felt like it was too much, but I should chrony both before I say it is indeed too much. Lyman 50th says that Red Dot gets a decent velocity with a max charge, but good luck finding any of that these days. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

October 12, 2020, 06:44 PM	#6
308Loader Senior Member Join Date: August 24, 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 639	what is the appropriate OD of the flair and crimp? first run went well, seating on the second I seem to be scraping off plaiting. __________________ Just a dude with stuff.

October 12, 2020, 10:08 AM	#5
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,648	Power Pistol works for me in a variety of pistols and loads.

October 12, 2020, 07:15 PM	#7
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,758	I use 1.8 grains of Tite Group, 71 grain LRN for .32acp shot in a Kel Tec P32. It is a touch on the dirty side, but no where near as bad as when I use Tite Group in .45acp. I do tend to crimp more than most people. Maybe my crimp is allowing better powder burn?

October 13, 2020, 06:18 PM	#8
Average Joe Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,332	Red Dot works for me

October 14, 2020, 02:05 PM	#9
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...came out sooty and hot..." Lighting a fire in 'em will do that. "...appropriate OD of the flair and crimp..." There is no number. The amount of each is "enough" and no more. The flare is enough to be able to sit the bullet in without it falling out. The crimp, which will be taper crimp only, is just enough to hold the bullet in place. Keep in mind that a Beretta 81 is not a target pistol. No data on Berry's site, but plated bullets use cast bullet data. They are not jacketed bullets. No plated or cast data on Hodgdon's either.

October 14, 2020, 02:12 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,743	308Loader, Different brands of brass have different neck wall thicknesses, so there won't be a universal correct OD. You get the ID a few thousandths over the bullet diameter, but that's about all that can be said for sure. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle