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Posted: 5/16/2016 12:39:41 PM EDT
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.32 ACP is both one of my favorite cartridges to load and one of the most challenging. It’s really not difficult once you figure it out, but the .32 ACP has a quirk not many people know about.
There are for all practical purposes two different cartridges that are sold as .32 ACP. The “European” type and the “American” type. Both cartridges have the same external, loaded dimensions and both can be fired in any .32 ACP pistol. However, the components for both cannot be mixed. The difference is the bullet diameter. European ammo (basically all .32 ACP made in Europe, including S&B, Pvri Partizan, Fiocchi, and Geco) is loaded with .309” bullets. The American ammo (Winchester, Remington, Aguila as well as other non-European brands like PMC) is loaded with .312” bullets. As stated, however, the outside loaded dimensions for each type are the same! This means that the case walls of the American ammo is thinner than European. Where the problem comes in is trying to mix components. If you try and load the American .312” bullets into the thick-walled European brass, the loaded ammo won’t chamber. If you try and load the .309” European bullets in the thin-walled American brass, the bullet won’t stay put (I couldn’t even get enough neck tension to allow me to crimp them in place). One option I tried was using the .312” bullets in everything and using a Lee factory crimp die to size the European cased ammo back down. This didn’t work at all for me. My solution for the mean time has been to buy the .312” (or actually .313” lead) bullets and load them into American cases as-is. I separate out the European brass (the majority of my .32 ACP brass is European) and then size the appropriate number of .312” bullets down to .309” for the European brass. This solution works fine and either loaded cartridge can be fired in any of my .32 ACP pistols. I still run the loaded rounds through a Lee factory crimp die as I still had some that didn’t want to chamber. I'm about ready to start another batch of .32 ACP ammo. Right now a couple of online vendors have pulled, plated .32 ACP bullets in stock. I've never loaded these. Has anyone here done so? I'm curious if anyone can confirm the actual bullet diameter or if anyone who has loaded them can tell me if they seem to work okay in ALL of your brass on only one type. Has anyone sized down plated bullets in a Lee sizing die? Does it work? Thanks! |
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I have never reloaded for my .32acp, but saved close to 1k of South African 7.65mm brass for that very purpose. I'll check the diameters the next time I mess with it.
I do know this, the SA ammo is much hotter than anything I purchase made in the USA. Chronograph readings are close to 1050 fps with 71 grain fmj's. |
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I own 4 WW2 or earlier Pistols in 32acp. I finally got around to reloading for them last month.
71gr Berry's 32 cal bullets over 2.5gr Unique. I used unique because it fills better. I am only 90% sure of charge so check lyman 49th. You do need to flare a bit and crimping and seating depth were very important. Use barrel as case gauge. I went through a bunch of dummies to make sure I got it right. You are over thinking bullet diameter imo. If concerned, get a Lee FCD (special order). It may actually swage bullet down while in case. ;) You should have no problem using lee bullet sizing die going to 309 if that is really what you want to do. use lube. |
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Quoted:
You are over thinking bullet diameter imo. If concerned, get a Lee FCD (special order). It may actually swage bullet down while in case. ;) No, my post is based on my actual experience loading .32 ACP. The problems I detail with incompatibility between Euro cases and bullets and American cases and bullets are based on experience learning to load them. I have an FCD and it did not help (this is also in my post). I am loading for a Colt 1903, Savage 1907, CZ-27, CZ-50, and Walther PP. The CZ-50 has the tightest chamber / throat and as such it is my "case gauge". Also, interesting note...all the books say ".32 ACP headspaces on the rim. (semi-rim)"....Not so! In ALL of the pistols I've listed above, it headspaces on the case mouth EXCEPT for the Colt 1903. This has been tested with Fiocchi and Pvri Partisan factory ammo as well as resized empty cases. The Colt does in fact headspace on the rim. Unsurprisingly, it also has the loosest chamber / throat. |
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Semi-rimmed cases were popular early in the 20th Century, in part I think because of concern over manufacturing tolerances. Your Colt was made when manufacturers still worried about that semi-rim. Modern pistols ignore the tiny rim and just headspace on the case mouth.
My Colt 1903 is 100 years old this year (I've decided its birthday is July 4). I won't be firing anything "hot" in it, of course, but I'm planning to load for it with Berry's 71 grain bullets. I slugged the barrel and it's definitely NOT .309"! I've been considering buying a modern gun in .32 ACP, but it will be a US made gun. As for whether European ammo will work, GECO hits where I point it out of my 1903, so I'm not concerned about issues with "mismatch" of bullet to barrel. |
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Quoted:
No, my post is based on my actual experience loading .32 ACP. The problems I detail with incompatibility between Euro cases and bullets and American cases and bullets are based on experience learning to load them. I have an FCD and it did not help (this is also in my post). I am loading for a Colt 1903, Savage 1907, CZ-27, CZ-50, and Walther PP. The CZ-50 has the tightest chamber / throat and as such it is my "case gauge". Also, interesting note...all the books say ".32 ACP headspaces on the rim. (semi-rim)"....Not so! In ALL of the pistols I've listed above, it headspaces on the case mouth EXCEPT for the Colt 1903. This has been tested with Fiocchi and Pvri Partisan factory ammo as well as resized empty cases. The Colt does in fact headspace on the rim. Unsurprisingly, it also has the loosest chamber / throat. Quoted:
Quoted:
You are over thinking bullet diameter imo. If concerned, get a Lee FCD (special order). It may actually swage bullet down while in case. ;) No, my post is based on my actual experience loading .32 ACP. The problems I detail with incompatibility between Euro cases and bullets and American cases and bullets are based on experience learning to load them. I have an FCD and it did not help (this is also in my post). I am loading for a Colt 1903, Savage 1907, CZ-27, CZ-50, and Walther PP. The CZ-50 has the tightest chamber / throat and as such it is my "case gauge". Also, interesting note...all the books say ".32 ACP headspaces on the rim. (semi-rim)"....Not so! In ALL of the pistols I've listed above, it headspaces on the case mouth EXCEPT for the Colt 1903. This has been tested with Fiocchi and Pvri Partisan factory ammo as well as resized empty cases. The Colt does in fact headspace on the rim. Unsurprisingly, it also has the loosest chamber / throat. Interesting, I havent noticed a problem. I have 1903 (favorite), a german, italian, and french gun (cant recall names). All ran the Berry's fine. I dont run them a ton and have debated buying a modern gun to use up the ammo.. of course, 1000 rnds of 32 fit in a very small box so I guess I am not overly concerned about storing it. ;) |
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Got my pulled Speer TMJs in today. They mic right around .311".
They load just fine in both Euro and American brass but the "tighter" European brass pushes OAL .010" longer, which doesn't hurt a thing. i guess it's due to having more tension on the press. I am still running them through the Lee FCD but I don't have to resize the bullets! |
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Quoted:
Got my pulled Speer TMJs in today. They mic right around .311". They load just fine in both Euro and American brass but the "tighter" European brass pushes OAL .010" longer, which doesn't hurt a thing. i guess it's due to having more tension on the press. I am still running them through the Lee FCD but I don't have to resize the bullets! Great to hear! |
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There is no "official" differentiation. I think it's just a case of European standards or tradition versus American.
Most .32 ammo sold in the USA is marked .32 ACP but might also say 7.65 on the box. Euro ammo is probably more likely to have the 7.65 nomenclature on the box or have a 7.65 headstamp. Also keep in mind there are other 7.65mm cartridges that are unrelated like 7.65 Luger or 7.65 Longue. |
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