Let's talk about .32 French Long (AKA 7.65x20)

TruthTellers · July 29, 2019, 05:15 AM

Starline is now selling brass for this long underappreciated cartridge. That's great news, the most difficult piece to source for this ammo is now made much easier thanks to Starline, but the difficulties do not end there. Bullets are still a source of difficulty to source and there are no reloading dies made specifically for the cartridge.

Now, .32 ACP dies can be used from what I've seen and that cover resizing and mouth flaring, but crimping is questionable and there are no proper shellholders for the cases.

Bullets originally were steel jacketed and .309 diameter. Not gonna find anything like that, the closest thing is that outside of .30 Carbine Hornady XTP bullets, but since .309 sizing dies are out there, lead .32 S&W bullets could be bought and sized down, but the issue there is that lead would have to be fairly hard given the velocities for .32 French Long is something near 1100 fps.

IDK... what do you guys think? Worth the headache to shoot a forgotten piece of history? The pistols themselves don't go for stupid high prices because ammo has been non existent on the commercial market for decades.

T. O'Heir · July 29, 2019, 11:01 AM

The .32 and 7.65mm part is typical of a lot of French stuff. Nothing whatever to do with the actual dimensions. One thou will not make any difference. However, the 7.65 Parabellum AKA .30 Luger, uses a .309" bullet. Hornady makes a 90 grain JHP bullet. Currently on sale at Midway for $17.99 per 100. Isn't for the Carbine no matter what Hornady thinks.
"...Worth the headache..." That's a question only you can answer. Usually involves one's time and money.
This might be of some use. Bit of load data too.
https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/thr...-needed.67406/

ernie8 · July 30, 2019, 08:55 AM

I have been loading the 32 French for over 20 years with 32 S&W dies , .309 jacketed bullets , correct shell holder [ RCBS used to make over 60 different shell holders that covered everything ] and hand turned cases . I never thought it was any more of a headache than any other round , other than the time spent to first make the cases , and now that part is gone .

Adrian · July 30, 2019, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TruthTellers

...there are no reloading dies made specifically for the cartridge.

Not quite! The good people over at CH4D will make you a set of Longue dies. They're a little spendy but like all CH4D things I've ever dealt with, their quality should back it up.

http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/ca...&filter=french

TruthTellers · August 1, 2019, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernie8

I have been loading the 32 French for over 20 years with 32 S&W dies , .309 jacketed bullets , correct shell holder [ RCBS used to make over 60 different shell holders that covered everything ] and hand turned cases . I never thought it was any more of a headache than any other round , other than the time spent to first make the cases , and now that part is gone .

Have you ever tried lead bullets?

FrankenMauser · August 1, 2019, 01:50 PM

You don't need 'hard' alloy for 1,100 fps.
I run nothing 'harder' than wheel weight alloy, even in rifles. Most handgun loads - including max pressure .44 Mag - rarely see an alloy 'harder' than 'Isotope Cores', roughly 10-11 BHN.

This may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzbHtUwrTvQ

July 29, 2019, 05:15 AM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,954	Let's talk about .32 French Long (AKA 7.65x20) Starline is now selling brass for this long underappreciated cartridge. That's great news, the most difficult piece to source for this ammo is now made much easier thanks to Starline, but the difficulties do not end there. Bullets are still a source of difficulty to source and there are no reloading dies made specifically for the cartridge. Now, .32 ACP dies can be used from what I've seen and that cover resizing and mouth flaring, but crimping is questionable and there are no proper shellholders for the cases. Bullets originally were steel jacketed and .309 diameter. Not gonna find anything like that, the closest thing is that outside of .30 Carbine Hornady XTP bullets, but since .309 sizing dies are out there, lead .32 S&W bullets could be bought and sized down, but the issue there is that lead would have to be fairly hard given the velocities for .32 French Long is something near 1100 fps. IDK... what do you guys think? Worth the headache to shoot a forgotten piece of history? The pistols themselves don't go for stupid high prices because ammo has been non existent on the commercial market for decades. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

August 1, 2019, 01:50 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,766	You don't need 'hard' alloy for 1,100 fps. I run nothing 'harder' than wheel weight alloy, even in rifles. Most handgun loads - including max pressure .44 Mag - rarely see an alloy 'harder' than 'Isotope Cores', roughly 10-11 BHN. This may help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzbHtUwrTvQ __________________ -Unwilling Range Officer -Unwilling Match Designer -NRL22/PRS22/PRO -Something about broccoli and carrots

July 29, 2019, 11:01 AM	#2
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The .32 and 7.65mm part is typical of a lot of French stuff. Nothing whatever to do with the actual dimensions. One thou will not make any difference. However, the 7.65 Parabellum AKA .30 Luger, uses a .309" bullet. Hornady makes a 90 grain JHP bullet. Currently on sale at Midway for $17.99 per 100. Isn't for the Carbine no matter what Hornady thinks. "...Worth the headache..." That's a question only you can answer. Usually involves one's time and money. This might be of some use. Bit of load data too. https://www.thefirearmsforum.com/thr...-needed.67406/

July 30, 2019, 08:55 AM	#3
ernie8 Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2018 Posts: 220	I have been loading the 32 French for over 20 years with 32 S&W dies , .309 jacketed bullets , correct shell holder [ RCBS used to make over 60 different shell holders that covered everything ] and hand turned cases . I never thought it was any more of a headache than any other round , other than the time spent to first make the cases , and now that part is gone .