Can I load a 71 grain .32 ACP bullet for .32 S&W Long?

TruthTellers · April 25, 2017, 03:02 AM

I'm having trouble finding bullets to load into a .32 S&W Long. I know the Hornady XTP will work, but they're expensive and would be a waste because they won't expand at the low .32 S&W velocities.

The .32 ACP's standard 71 grain FMJ round nose is very common and I'm wondering, can I use that in the .32 S&W Long even though it doesn't have a cannelure for crimping?

ligonierbill · April 25, 2017, 07:28 AM

Well, you could try it. I doubt the little .32 is going to cause the bullets to move in the case, crimp or no. If it were me (and now you've got me thinking) I would get out my .32 ACP seating die and use that to taper crimp. But a very light roll crimp might just take the flare out of the case without damaging the bullet. Personally, I load Hunters' Supply 76 cast and Meister 94 cast.

Speer has an interesting load that I have run successfully. They load a GDHP 60 designed for .32 ACP to a precise 1.105 and crimp over the ogive. It just about duplicated auto velocities for me. Doing that with the 71s, however, might result in seating the bullet deeper than you want.

RKG · April 25, 2017, 08:37 AM

I think that, in additional to the crimp issue, it would be a shame to use the 71 grain FMJs in .32 S&W Long. Around here at least, the 71 grain FMJs are scarcer than an honest politician, and we consider them precious for keeping our .32 ACPs shooting.

There are two bullets I use for plinking with my .32 Longs: one is a 95 grain cast SWC from Penn Bullets. These are gorgeous case slugs, quite reasonably priced, and available directly from the Penn Bullets website. The other bullet I use is the Speer 98 grain swaged HBWC. I acquired a couple of thousand of these so long ago I don't remember the cost, but it was quite low, and the HBWCs are extremely accurate.

In both cases, a mild charge of Unique and Starline brass.

reddog81 · April 25, 2017, 10:04 AM

Midway has a couple of different styles of lead bullets in the 75 to 100 grain weights.

tranders · April 25, 2017, 10:49 AM

Acme Bullets out of Wisconsin have bullets for the 32 S&W Long. I have used their 100 grain powder coated bullets in my S&W model 30.

NINEX19 · April 25, 2017, 11:00 AM

I had the same question a while back. I did some testing, with not the best results. I intended to get back to experimenting, and still will. Just need the summer back.

Anyway, there is a good thread here on it.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=577928

TruthTellers · April 25, 2017, 12:17 PM

One thing I should mention is that I'm going to shoot these in a .32 H&R Magnum revolver.

If that makes any difference.

FITASC · April 25, 2017, 12:44 PM

There are lead bullets from a variety of sources made for the 32SWL; weights typically run from ~85 to ~100 gr.

reddog81 · April 25, 2017, 12:54 PM

Any idea what the throat diameter is on the gun? I'd try to match the bullet diameter to the throat diameter.

I believe the the groove diameter is supposed to be .312 so I'd try and find a bullet with a .312 or .313 diameter. Missouri Bullet Co has a couple of powder coated options that would surely work well.

Don Fischer · April 25, 2017, 03:26 PM

I don't shoot my 32 S&W but do my 32 long. all I shoot are cast bullet from a
lee die. I think I have a die for the 70 something gr bullet but I don't have case's for the 32 S&W and probably wouldn't shoot it even if I did, it's an auto loader.

Sevens · April 25, 2017, 05:01 PM

You can absolutely shoot the 71gr FMJ bullet meant for a .32 ACP from a .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Magnum. I have made many hundreds and run them in .327 Federal Magnum.

You can also use the Berry's plated 71gr slug.

I will absolutely agree that a better choice, especially for .32 S&W Long is going to be a lead bullet. Likely more accurate, likely lower in cost.

SHR970 · April 25, 2017, 06:23 PM

Yes it can be done. I have done so out of my SSM. I used 88 gr. lead max loads of Red Dot and Green Dot as my starting point and found myself worried I might squib one. Even in what should be safe for S&W Long territory I wasn't pleased with the results. I had to step up the pressure before they behaved and I got consistent performance.

If you REALLY want to go this route I can offer advice on how to do this but will take ZERO responsibility for your results since I have no control over your practices.

FrankenMauser · April 25, 2017, 07:54 PM

The 71 gr FMJs work but I'm not a fan.

Hornady's SWCs and HBWCs work quite well. I'm partial to the HBWC, but as hinted by the lack of a link, Hornady has discontinued them - at least temporarily. (Edit: Looks like the SWC is dead, too. What's available is N.O.S.)

Look to cast bullets. There are hundreds of options out there, and the little .32s can be purchased in bulk for pretty decent prices (due to lower materials costs).

T. O'Heir · April 26, 2017, 01:20 PM

.32 S&W and H&R Mag bullets are supposed to be .314" diameter. ACP's are .312". Won't matter with a cast bullet, but it might with jacketed.

SHR970 · April 26, 2017, 05:29 PM

Quote:

.32 S&W and H&R Mag bullets are supposed to be .314" diameter. ACP's are .312

Sorry but that should read 32 S&W and H&R Jacketed bullets run .312" and 32 ACP bullets in the US run .311" Some Euro 32 ACP jacketed bullets run .309".

Typical Commercial cast for the 32's run .312" - .313"

April 25, 2017, 03:02 AM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,954	Can I load a 71 grain .32 ACP bullet for .32 S&W Long? I'm having trouble finding bullets to load into a .32 S&W Long. I know the Hornady XTP will work, but they're expensive and would be a waste because they won't expand at the low .32 S&W velocities. The .32 ACP's standard 71 grain FMJ round nose is very common and I'm wondering, can I use that in the .32 S&W Long even though it doesn't have a cannelure for crimping? __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

April 25, 2017, 12:17 PM	#7
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,954	One thing I should mention is that I'm going to shoot these in a .32 H&R Magnum revolver. If that makes any difference. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

April 25, 2017, 12:44 PM	#8
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,645	There are lead bullets from a variety of sources made for the 32SWL; weights typically run from ~85 to ~100 gr. __________________ "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

April 25, 2017, 05:01 PM	#11
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	You can absolutely shoot the 71gr FMJ bullet meant for a .32 ACP from a .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Magnum. I have made many hundreds and run them in .327 Federal Magnum. You can also use the Berry's plated 71gr slug. I will absolutely agree that a better choice, especially for .32 S&W Long is going to be a lead bullet. Likely more accurate, likely lower in cost. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

April 25, 2017, 07:54 PM	#13
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,774	The 71 gr FMJs work but I'm not a fan. Hornady's SWCs and HBWCs work quite well. I'm partial to the HBWC, but as hinted by the lack of a link, Hornady has discontinued them - at least temporarily. (Edit: Looks like the SWC is dead, too. What's available is N.O.S.) Look to cast bullets. There are hundreds of options out there, and the little .32s can be purchased in bulk for pretty decent prices (due to lower materials costs). __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

April 25, 2017, 07:28 AM	#2
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,646	Well, you could try it. I doubt the little .32 is going to cause the bullets to move in the case, crimp or no. If it were me (and now you've got me thinking) I would get out my .32 ACP seating die and use that to taper crimp. But a very light roll crimp might just take the flare out of the case without damaging the bullet. Personally, I load Hunters' Supply 76 cast and Meister 94 cast. Speer has an interesting load that I have run successfully. They load a GDHP 60 designed for .32 ACP to a precise 1.105 and crimp over the ogive. It just about duplicated auto velocities for me. Doing that with the 71s, however, might result in seating the bullet deeper than you want.

April 25, 2017, 08:37 AM	#3
RKG Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: Boston Posts: 569	I think that, in additional to the crimp issue, it would be a shame to use the 71 grain FMJs in .32 S&W Long. Around here at least, the 71 grain FMJs are scarcer than an honest politician, and we consider them precious for keeping our .32 ACPs shooting. There are two bullets I use for plinking with my .32 Longs: one is a 95 grain cast SWC from Penn Bullets. These are gorgeous case slugs, quite reasonably priced, and available directly from the Penn Bullets website. The other bullet I use is the Speer 98 grain swaged HBWC. I acquired a couple of thousand of these so long ago I don't remember the cost, but it was quite low, and the HBWCs are extremely accurate. In both cases, a mild charge of Unique and Starline brass.

April 25, 2017, 10:04 AM	#4
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,659	Midway has a couple of different styles of lead bullets in the 75 to 100 grain weights.

April 25, 2017, 10:49 AM	#5
tranders Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 233	Acme Bullets out of Wisconsin have bullets for the 32 S&W Long. I have used their 100 grain powder coated bullets in my S&W model 30.

April 25, 2017, 11:00 AM	#6
NINEX19 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 470	I had the same question a while back. I did some testing, with not the best results. I intended to get back to experimenting, and still will. Just need the summer back. Anyway, there is a good thread here on it. https://thefiringline.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=577928

April 25, 2017, 12:54 PM	#9
reddog81 Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,659	Any idea what the throat diameter is on the gun? I'd try to match the bullet diameter to the throat diameter. I believe the the groove diameter is supposed to be .312 so I'd try and find a bullet with a .312 or .313 diameter. Missouri Bullet Co has a couple of powder coated options that would surely work well.

April 25, 2017, 03:26 PM	#10
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	I don't shoot my 32 S&W but do my 32 long. all I shoot are cast bullet from a lee die. I think I have a die for the 70 something gr bullet but I don't have case's for the 32 S&W and probably wouldn't shoot it even if I did, it's an auto loader.

April 25, 2017, 06:23 PM	#12
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	Yes it can be done. I have done so out of my SSM. I used 88 gr. lead max loads of Red Dot and Green Dot as my starting point and found myself worried I might squib one. Even in what should be safe for S&W Long territory I wasn't pleased with the results. I had to step up the pressure before they behaved and I got consistent performance. If you REALLY want to go this route I can offer advice on how to do this but will take ZERO responsibility for your results since I have no control over your practices.

April 26, 2017, 01:20 PM	#14
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	.32 S&W and H&R Mag bullets are supposed to be .314" diameter. ACP's are .312". Won't matter with a cast bullet, but it might with jacketed.