.32 Special - Your Favorite Load

ligonierbill · December 15, 2018, 08:30 AM

I have added this round to my list of cartridges. No problems finding data or supplies, but I wonder if anyone has a favorite load, bullet. Or something that did not work well. Marlin 336 with old-style rifling.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · December 22, 2018, 11:41 AM

My 32's like 160-180gr everything. Although I home cast 2-bullet weights for most of my shooting use. Both are g/c accepting. Otherwise I wouldn't bother to cast em.

321497 & 321427. 427s purpose? Little 134 gr'er primarily used for night time vermin seen moping around in the grass under the yard light or diddling with the lock on my Gasoline storage tank. (the latter be-gets a warning shot so to suggest: "Best get to quick step'in out of the yard"
As far as powder measure?
Accurate powder brochure or http://castpics.net/dpl/

Powder? whole different ballgame from what other 32 special shooters prefer. My preference>AA-2223 being a ball like powder has proven to be a tad more stable (shot to shot) & accurate propellant I think better than 30-31. Since I don't have scopes mounted on my 32's I require the tightest {eye sight} groupings from a powder I can get. 2223 works for me.

Alliant is also a pretty good powder to load. Only problem with its use is its sharp muzzle report.> (loud)

ligonierbill · December 22, 2018, 05:01 PM

Thanks. I was beginning to think no one was loading this, or they were keeping it a secret.

sundog · December 24, 2018, 09:40 AM

RCBS 32-170-FN and IMR 3031. The Ranch Dog 165-FN is also a good'un.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · December 25, 2018, 12:12 AM

Quite a few 32-specials about. Quite a few 32 reloader's too. But there are times where interest in other calibers quietly {Trumps} subjects like this> (32 special.)

Scorch · December 27, 2018, 03:04 AM

170 gr jacketed and IMR3031. No need for anything else.

buck460XVR · December 27, 2018, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorch

170 gr jacketed and IMR3031. No need for anything else.

^^^Kinda where I'm at. My .32 is my grandpa's ol' Winnie. He bought it along with a Fox model B when he got back from France after WWI. I have them both. The little 16 ga. is still my go to pheasant gun. I don't shoot the .32 that much, keepin' it for my son, so the cost of buying jacketed isn't going to break me.

ligonierbill · December 27, 2018, 01:48 PM

Thanks to all. I had IMR-4895 on the shelf, so I ran with that and a Speer 170 FP. Works good. QL tells me 3031 will do the same at slightly lower pressure. Might have to buy a can.

This 1948 rifle has a Weaver K 2.5 post mounted, and it is a joy to shoot. Pretty dang accurate, too.

December 15, 2018, 08:30 AM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	.32 Special - Your Favorite Load I have added this round to my list of cartridges. No problems finding data or supplies, but I wonder if anyone has a favorite load, bullet. Or something that did not work well. Marlin 336 with old-style rifling.

December 24, 2018, 09:40 AM	#4
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	RCBS 32-170-FN and IMR 3031. The Ranch Dog 165-FN is also a good'un. __________________ safety first

December 27, 2018, 03:04 AM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	170 gr jacketed and IMR3031. No need for anything else. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

December 22, 2018, 11:41 AM	#2
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	My 32's like 160-180gr everything. Although I home cast 2-bullet weights for most of my shooting use. Both are g/c accepting. Otherwise I wouldn't bother to cast em. 321497 & 321427. 427s purpose? Little 134 gr'er primarily used for night time vermin seen moping around in the grass under the yard light or diddling with the lock on my Gasoline storage tank. (the latter be-gets a warning shot so to suggest: "Best get to quick step'in out of the yard" As far as powder measure? Accurate powder brochure or http://castpics.net/dpl/ Powder? whole different ballgame from what other 32 special shooters prefer. My preference>AA-2223 being a ball like powder has proven to be a tad more stable (shot to shot) & accurate propellant I think better than 30-31. Since I don't have scopes mounted on my 32's I require the tightest {eye sight} groupings from a powder I can get. 2223 works for me. Alliant is also a pretty good powder to load. Only problem with its use is its sharp muzzle report.> (loud)

December 22, 2018, 05:01 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	Thanks. I was beginning to think no one was loading this, or they were keeping it a secret.

December 25, 2018, 12:12 AM	#5
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	Quite a few 32-specials about. Quite a few 32 reloader's too. But there are times where interest in other calibers quietly {Trumps} subjects like this> (32 special.)

December 27, 2018, 01:48 PM	#8
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,456	Thanks to all. I had IMR-4895 on the shelf, so I ran with that and a Speer 170 FP. Works good. QL tells me 3031 will do the same at slightly lower pressure. Might have to buy a can. This 1948 rifle has a Weaver K 2.5 post mounted, and it is a joy to shoot. Pretty dang accurate, too.