572, 800x or BE-86 in .32ACP

[kgb]

Anybody tried any of those powders in the .32 ACP? Just got some dies and have a box of 71gr FMJ to start, first loadings are BE-86 at 1.5gr and 1.7gr to try on the next range trip. Have those 3 powders in greatest amount, can always use Titegroup, and may wind up following in the footsteps of those using heavier cast from Accurate Molds.

Just don't see any data with those 3 powders listed, have any of you tried them?

[P Flados]

I load 32 ACP for a 8" stub tube TC Contender I really like shooting.

I use Titegroup mostly because I like how it meters. However, this is for Mouse fart loads with a custom 55 gr NLG and tumble lube.

When wondering about the relative performance that can be had from various powders, I find Quickload to be a great tool. However, I do not have the latest version and it looks like my version does not have any of the powders the OP asked about. Well, I will throw what I got down at the bottom of this post anyhow.

Given the QL results and looking a burn rate tables, the 800x and 572 look a little on the slow side, but the BE-86 should be pretty good.

Cartridge          : .32 ACP (7.65 Browning)
Bullet             : .311, 71, Hornady FMJ-RN 3200
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.984 inch = 24.99 mm
Barrel Length      : 3.0 inch = 76.2 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 22305 psi, or 153 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon Universal                   98.2      2.9     0.19    1019    92.3    22305    4922   0.393  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant POWER PISTOL               104.5      3.8     0.24    1010    62.9    22305    5019   0.380  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant BULLSEYE                    89.0      2.7     0.17    1008    84.5    22305    4787   0.381  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant UNIQUE                     105.0      3.1     0.20    1006    82.4    21321    4989   0.396  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant GREEN DOT                   97.5      2.5     0.16     993    97.5    22305    4369   0.396  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Longshot                    81.6      3.7     0.24     990    72.4    22305    4627   0.383  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RED DOT                     98.4      2.2     0.14     989    99.9    22305    4118   0.396  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HP38                        71.1      2.7     0.17     988    93.7    22305    4315   0.387  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HS-6                        84.9      3.8     0.25     982    69.6    22305    4528   0.384  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon TiteGroup                   64.6      2.4     0.15     974    98.9    22305    3961   0.391  ! Near Maximum !

[kgb]

Thank you, does that program list 2400 powder? It's been found to be a solid performer with heavy cast bullets, to the surprise of some including me as it's another slow burner.

[rintinglen]

None of the powders you reference would make my top 5 for 32 ACP. They are all slower than Unique.

Usually, the absence of published data means that a powder cartridge combination is not suitable. And I don't see 572, 800X or BE-86 data in any manual I have to hand. But, when you make dinner, you cook with the ingredients at hand. In these days of paucity, you may have to improvise. That understood, lets look at your suggested loads.

Just a guess, but I am pretty sure that you'll find 1.7 grains BE-96 pretty anemic. I use 2.0 grains of a faster powder, ww-231, and it is not excessive. BE-86 is supposed to be between Unique and Power Pistol in burn rate. Lyman's 50th shows 2.0 grains Unique to start for a 71 grain FMJ and goes up from there, to 3.1 grains. That is where I'd go, starting at 2.0 and working up to a max of 3.0 grains, .2 grains at a time, stopping when I got positive function and ejection similar to factory. Alliant shows no data for a 71 grain bullet in their current data, but they showed 2.5 grains of Unique with 11,200 CUP in their 2004 Guide. (which strikes me as pretty low, given that the SAAMI MAP is 20,500 psi.) Lyman does not list pressure for the Unique data I use as a reference, but the highest listed pressures they published ran 15,000 psi.

Outlook 75 has done extensive testing with the heavier weight 32 boolits and 2400 and Autocomp powders. He may chime in with additional info that may be of value.

[Outpost75]

PM me with an email address which can receive about 5MB of .pdf attachments and I can send the data dump on .32 ACP. But easy answer is that 2 grains of TiteGroup or 3 grains of Autocomp works well with any bullet from 71-90 grains.

Accurate 31-081H fits in short throats, feeds in everything and is a good choice if your pistol is not a reliable feeder with JHP or flat noses.

The 31-077B, 31-084H and 32-090B all resemble the Buffalo Bore shape, but with a longer .26" nose length to prevent to prevent rimlock.

[kgb]

Thanks, the PM is on the way!

I've got Titegroup, plan on that being the primary powder, but always like having options especially those that have proven themselves in the cartridges I've loaded a lot.

Took the 1.5gr and 1.7gr BE-86 charged cases to the range and......left the chronograph at home. First round of the 1.5's stovepiped on ejection from a PP, the rest cycled the PP and a Cheetah M81 except two which would not allow either slide to close. They will chamber in my Single Six .32 H&R, I'll take some measurements to see how they're different, then load more of the same plus two more .2gr increase versions and take the chronograph along.

Have been reading advice on threads here about OAL requirements, avoiding rimlock, etc., didn't go so far as to drop test each round, only a couple at first once the dies were set. Using Lee carbide dies, do not yet have a factory crimp die.

Really like the look of the 31-087B, maybe 090B, as useful in the H&R as well. Have to slug the pistol barrels before getting a lubrisizer die.

[P Flados]

Actually, I only included the "best powders". Here are some more results.

Alliant HERCO                      105.0      3.0     0.19     885    71.4    15986    4140   0.453
Alliant BLUE DOT                   105.0      3.9     0.25     768    41.3    12784    3060   0.493
Alliant 2400                       105.0      4.5     0.29     745    32.2    12341    2812   0.498

[kgb]

Good information in the files from Outpost, one article mentions case dimensions and I've found the rounds that didn't chamber are PPU. Some of them fed, fired and ejected fine along with others, measuring and segregating brass is on the agenda. Have been lucky with 9mm and .45ACP brass running brand-agnostic through my dies and pistols, will have to sort the Herters, PPU, Winchester, Remington, Fiocchi and any others I've picked up along the way.

[kgb]

Low charges have given low speeds, 1.5gr BE-86 475fps, 1.7gr 580fps, 1.9gr 600fps in the M81 and they all ejected fine. I'll be buying a new recoil spring for that gun. 5 shots with each charge, velocity spreads ran 135fps, 56fps, 50fps as charge increased.

Ran the finished shells into a carbide .32 S&W Long sizing die minus the decapping pin, all shells fed through the Beretta. Prior to using that sizing die some would not drop fully into the gun's chamber

[kgb]

Finished up at 2.9gr and 920fps, extreme spread over 6 shots was 83fps. At 2.7gr I got 884fps and a spread of 29fps over 6 shots, these all through a Beretta Model 81.

Low on those bulk 71gr FMJ bullets, I'm going to work with WW572 until they're gone. It flows well through the measure at heavier charges up to 5.0gr in the .32 H&R Magnum as does BE-86, and has been pretty well available as anything else lately.

[kgb]

WW572, again with 71gr FMJ bullets and Remington 5.5 primers through the Beretta 81, only 3 shots each, avg fps/ES/# of shots registered.
2.3gr 692/30/3
2.5gr 771/45/3
2.7gr 848/2/2
2.9gr 925/34/3

Only two shots registered with the 2.7gr loading, none of these were shot for POI or accuracy. I finally took chamber castings from the barrels of the 2 guns, Beretta's is .001" greater than the Walther, bore is .001" larger as well at .311" vs. .310" and rifling starts at around .100" from the chamber end for each. The Walther chamber might be a slight amount longer, I cannot be that precise from my castings.

A friend has given me a bag of PPU 71gr HP jacketed bullets, they're listed as .308" so I wonder how they will load and cycle.
https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/29124

[BadgerShooter]

Ken Warners "Pet Loads" article on the 32 came up with 700X as the best combination at the time. I tried it recently in a variety of quality 32's from Seecamps to Webleys and it turned in some solid performance. Worth a look.