.32 caliber load data question

5150 · September 23, 2020, 09:56 AM

Glad I'm back here. I have a lot of .32 caliber (71 gr.) bullets that need to be reloaded. I want to squeeze them into .32 S&W Long cases but can't find load data for it. I'm using Hodgdon Titegroup, but their website only shows 83 gr. as the lightest one for the Long ctg. The 83 gr. load shows 1.7-2.0 grains of Titegroup. With the 71 gr. bullet being about 15 percent lighter, what adjustments, if any, need to be made to make this work? Finding other powder and/or bullets do not seem to be a viable option at this time. Any thoughts on load data for the lighter bullet? Thanx.

Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windoze 95

Jim Watson · September 23, 2020, 10:03 AM

What gun? Something modern?
The 71 gr bullet is meant for .32 ACP which is why you don't see a "recipe" for S&WL.
I would just load at the high end for an 83 gr bullet with the 71 and plink away.

5150 · September 23, 2020, 10:36 AM

Thanx for your response. It's for a 3" Ruger SP-101. It can handle .327 Federal so it's pretty stout. I just don't wanna stray from published load data w/o asking for advice. And I also have both crimp dies so no problemo there.

Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windoze 95

TruthTellers · September 23, 2020, 03:25 PM

My Lyman 50th says 2.1 to 2.4gr of Titegroup for use with an 85gr XTP bullet. Since the Berry's is lighter and plated, not jacketed, I'd start at 2.4gr and work up. If you do get a squib, the Berry's are not difficult to remove from the bore.

You're shooting these in a .327 revolver in a .32 S&W L. case. You can go over the max pressure for .32 S&W L. and be okay and with the longer jump to the cone, the pressure is going to drop some due to gas leaking.

You don't want to go way over pressure for the case tho because they're not designed to take it and you don't want to ever shoot these in a .32 S&W or .32 H&R Mag revolver because, while it's likely safe, this is not a published load.

You would be better off using published data and there is data out there for this bullet in the .32 H&R Mag.

Besides that, use a taper crimp BTW. The Berry's don't like roll crimps. I use Trail Boss when I load that Berry's bullet in .32 revolvers and it's a nice load.

And, for liability purposes only

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data not covered by currently published sources of tested data for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assumes any liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of this information.

GarrettJ · September 24, 2020, 10:16 AM

There's a 75 gr. lead load on the MD Smith .32 SW-L webpage.

P Flados · September 26, 2020, 11:07 PM

I have loaded a lot of "non-standard" light bullets in 327 cases for my 4.2" Ruger SP-101.

I use Promo (Red Dot equivalent) and Titegroup.

If you use 327 cases, you eliminate the jump from the end of the case to the cylinder throat.

Using 327 cases also eliminates any worries about needing to stay below the S&W long pressure rating.

For TG with a PC coated version of my custom 55 gr cast bullet, I did a workup with a chrony. I started at 3.1 gr (800 fps) and worked up to 5.5 gr (1450 fps). I shot a lot (many hundreds) of BLL coated versions of this boolit at 3.1 grs as any hotter caused leading.

For your 71 gr bullets, 1000 fps is about where a 32 ACP would max out. Based on Quickload, it takes 2.75 gr of TG for this speed in a S&W long case and around 3.0 gr in a 327 case.

Note also that my powder measure does good with TG down to about 2.5 grs. Any less and I would resort to scooping.

T. O'Heir · September 28, 2020, 01:46 PM

This was discussed on these pages in 2016. And many other times.
Before Reloader's Nest shut down(sniff. It was a fabulous site.) there was a 71 grain jacketed Bullseye load listed. Same as GarrettJ's MD Smith 75 grain data(a few grains won't matter, but 13 is too much. The percentage difference is irrelevant.). 3.0 Max. Reduce by 10% for the Start load.

September 23, 2020, 09:56 AM	#1
5150 Member Join Date: August 8, 2019 Location: Katmandu Posts: 28	.32 caliber load data question Glad I'm back here. I have a lot of .32 caliber (71 gr.) bullets that need to be reloaded. I want to squeeze them into .32 S&W Long cases but can't find load data for it. I'm using Hodgdon Titegroup, but their website only shows 83 gr. as the lightest one for the Long ctg. The 83 gr. load shows 1.7-2.0 grains of Titegroup. With the 71 gr. bullet being about 15 percent lighter, what adjustments, if any, need to be made to make this work? Finding other powder and/or bullets do not seem to be a viable option at this time. Any thoughts on load data for the lighter bullet? Thanx. Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windoze 95 __________________ I drove by a sign that read, "Remember... Only *YOU* can prevent forest fires." It made me wonder why I was the chosen one.

September 23, 2020, 10:36 AM	#3
5150 Member Join Date: August 8, 2019 Location: Katmandu Posts: 28	Thanx for your response. It's for a 3" Ruger SP-101. It can handle .327 Federal so it's pretty stout. I just don't wanna stray from published load data w/o asking for advice. And I also have both crimp dies so no problemo there. Sent from my Commodore 64 running Windoze 95 __________________ I drove by a sign that read, "Remember... Only *YOU* can prevent forest fires." It made me wonder why I was the chosen one.

September 23, 2020, 03:25 PM	#4
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,888	My Lyman 50th says 2.1 to 2.4gr of Titegroup for use with an 85gr XTP bullet. Since the Berry's is lighter and plated, not jacketed, I'd start at 2.4gr and work up. If you do get a squib, the Berry's are not difficult to remove from the bore. You're shooting these in a .327 revolver in a .32 S&W L. case. You can go over the max pressure for .32 S&W L. and be okay and with the longer jump to the cone, the pressure is going to drop some due to gas leaking. You don't want to go way over pressure for the case tho because they're not designed to take it and you don't want to ever shoot these in a .32 S&W or .32 H&R Mag revolver because, while it's likely safe, this is not a published load. You would be better off using published data and there is data out there for this bullet in the .32 H&R Mag. Besides that, use a taper crimp BTW. The Berry's don't like roll crimps. I use Trail Boss when I load that Berry's bullet in .32 revolvers and it's a nice load. And, for liability purposes only CAUTION: The following post includes loading data not covered by currently published sources of tested data for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assumes any liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of this information. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out." Last edited by TruthTellers; September 23, 2020 at 03:31 PM.

September 28, 2020, 01:46 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	This was discussed on these pages in 2016. And many other times. Before Reloader's Nest shut down(sniff. It was a fabulous site.) there was a 71 grain jacketed Bullseye load listed. Same as GarrettJ's MD Smith 75 grain data(a few grains won't matter, but 13 is too much. The percentage difference is irrelevant.). 3.0 Max. Reduce by 10% for the Start load. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 23, 2020, 10:03 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	What gun? Something modern? The 71 gr bullet is meant for .32 ACP which is why you don't see a "recipe" for S&WL. I would just load at the high end for an 83 gr bullet with the 71 and plink away.

September 24, 2020, 10:16 AM	#5
GarrettJ Member Join Date: April 13, 2008 Posts: 94	There's a 75 gr. lead load on the MD Smith .32 SW-L webpage.

September 26, 2020, 11:07 PM	#6
P Flados Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2017 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 243	I have loaded a lot of "non-standard" light bullets in 327 cases for my 4.2" Ruger SP-101. I use Promo (Red Dot equivalent) and Titegroup. If you use 327 cases, you eliminate the jump from the end of the case to the cylinder throat. Using 327 cases also eliminates any worries about needing to stay below the S&W long pressure rating. For TG with a PC coated version of my custom 55 gr cast bullet, I did a workup with a chrony. I started at 3.1 gr (800 fps) and worked up to 5.5 gr (1450 fps). I shot a lot (many hundreds) of BLL coated versions of this boolit at 3.1 grs as any hotter caused leading. For your 71 gr bullets, 1000 fps is about where a 32 ACP would max out. Based on Quickload, it takes 2.75 gr of TG for this speed in a S&W long case and around 3.0 gr in a 327 case. Note also that my powder measure does good with TG down to about 2.5 grs. Any less and I would resort to scooping.