32 ACP Cast is BETTER

[KCSO]

I shoot a little Beretta 1935 and a Mauser 1934 and cast bullets are BETTER than jacketed. The 60 grain HP bullets for the 32 acp are not much for expanding anyway and the extra velocity of the 71 grain FMJ provides no benefit, but a Lee 90 grain RN bullet at 800 fps cast from wheel weights and a little tin is just dandy. They hit as hard as a fmj but do have at least a little expansion. And with factory 32's running 27.00 a box you can actually afford to shoot the little buggers. For years my Father in Law kept the Beretta loaded on his dresser for the coons and possums that use to come into the garage and pester the cats. On Coons and Possums the 32 acp is 95% effective as he shot over 30 critters and when I got the gun back he still had 9 rounds left in the box, and he shot it twice to sight it in!

[anachronism]

LBT makes a neat little bullet for the 32 ACP too. It's almost enough to make me want to buy a mouse gun.

[Jal5]

How does the Mauser do with the 90 gr boolit? I may be tempted to try that in mine too.

Joe

[45 2.1]

NEI's #73A at 77 gr. is an outstanding boolit in the 32 ACP also.
http://www.neihandtools.com/catpages/mold_pg5.htm

[9.3X62AL]

45-2.1--

That is a NICE design. Any feeding problems, once OAL is massaged a bit?

I recently was given a Lyman #311252 to try out in 32 ACP, and have yet to assemble any rounds with the castings. I've had VERY GOOD results for many years with the 85 grain RN #313249 at about 800-825 FPS from a raft-load of 32 ACPs. I use enough Bullseye, WW-231, or Unique to prompt the velocity--not real imaginative, but it works. The small sharp shoulder on #313249 acts a lot like a SWC in small game and varmints. The load is every bit as good as the 32 S&W Long/RCBS 98 SWC combo, and almost as accurate. #311252 has a similar sharp shoulder, and I expect it will behave in like fashion on small critters.

I've played around with the Mountain Molds software to develop a truncated cone or ogival flat-nose like that mentioned by 45-2.1, weighing 75-80 grains and purpose-built for the 32 ACP. I'm not willing to "roll the bones" on NEI currently. This isn't a reigning passion, kind of an "on-again/off-again" question for me. Just too many irons in the fire. How on earth did I get ANYTHING done while working?

[45 2.1]

That is a NICE design. Any feeding problems, once OAL is massaged a bit? Actually, I crimp them in the CG that is on the boolit. It LOOKS short, but feeds in numerous models of 32 ACP without a problem. I use this with a top end charge of RedDot and it works quite well in Walther PPs and heavier made autos, but has a little to snappy recoil in a Keltec.

[GBertolet]

I use the 77gr Lyman 311252 also, in my HSC and 1934 Mausers, sized to .310. They shoot great using Titegroup powder. Be sure you seat them at, or very near max OAL, as if they are shorter, you will have big time feeding problems. This cartridge is very sensitive on length as previously mentioned on this topic.

[9.3X62AL]

45--I wondered if that was a crimp groove or just a straight contour. Izzat about a 70% meplat?

Bertolet, thanks for the OAL heads-up on #311252.

[scrapcan]

An uncle has a new beretta to play with in 32 acp. This is very fitting thread as it just arrived last saturday. It should be fun to work with. And thank you for ideas and information.

[gray wolf]

I use the 77gr Lyman 311252 also, in my HSC and 1934 Mausers, sized to .310. They shoot great using Titegroup powder. Be sure you seat them at, or very near max OAL, as if they are shorter, you will have big time feeding problems. This cartridge is very sensitive on length as previously mentioned on this topic.


Well men I shoot a tom cat and have a ? about overall length. Many loads call for .984
My load with tite group ( 2 grains ) calls for .978. If I try for the recommended O A L,
I wind up showing the top lube groove on the Lyman bullet talked about in the above quote.
I have been seating just to the top band and that gets me to about .945 that is almost .040
short. The rounds all feed fine and the round does not seem hot. Some even have a flat nose
from sizing with a flat nose top punch, and they feed fine also.
Am I doing something wrong? I don't know any other way. If I seat them out they just look weird with the top grease groove and lube showing. Or is that a large crimp groove?
What do you guys think?

[exile]

I have a question about cast and the .32 ACP as well. I have the Lee 90 grain semi-wadcutter mold for the .32 H & R magnum and a NAA Guardian. Has anyone ever tried to use that boolit in the .32 ACP? Seems like it would be too long, but other boolits seem like they would be too heavy as well. Anyway. Thanks.

exile:brokenima

[exile]

Sorry, different diameter boolit. I guess you could try running it through a .311 sizer, but I don't have one.

exile

[scrapcan]

If I remember correctly the 311252 has two grease grooves, listed at 75 gr by ideal/lyman. The 313249 has one grease groove and a crimp groove, also listed at 85 gr by ideal/lyman.

I have gotten in the habit of crimping the 311252 at midpoint on the top drive band. It seems to do well in the 32 acp, 32 S&W, 32 S&W long, and a friends 32-20 when loads are worked up.

Gray Wolf,

Sorry about the flat nose on those samples. They do make a neat little rnfp when using the the top punch for a 31141.

[gray wolf]

Sorry about the flat nose on those samples. They do make a neat little rnfp when using the the top punch for a 31141.

My goodness please don't be sorry, I love it. It should hit a little harder. So no problem, and they feed fine in the tom cat.
I also found that a slight crimp in the middle of the top band to be fine. Just below the top band and the bullet can move in the grease groove. Sides I like the way it looks about midway on the top band. I got a little backward on myself about the overall length. I couldn't understand how they could put that bullet out that far. But they work fine. and cycle fine.
I like them and I don't think I will mess with any more bullet weight. 75 to 80 grains should be fine. I want the wife to enjoy and shoot all she wants--and me to if-in she ain't look in.

[9.3X62AL]

Thanks a bunch for the further commentary on #311252, folks. Now, to empty out some 32 ACP tomorrow or Saturday, to make room for the new castings.