cast bullets in the 32?
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cast bullets in the 32?
I’m looking to buying a 32 Walther. Does anyone have any experience with cast bullets in the 32? What is the weight range that works well? Do the WC bullets need to be hollow based or will flat base work? Does anyone make a 32 WC mold that would work? If all else fails who makes the best bullets? Oh and load info would help to. I prefer Bullseye but could be talked into something else.
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JamesHx
Cast bullets would work fine. Two things to think about:
-Alloy is critical. I think 1:16 tin to lead would be ideal. Mix it yourself from pure metals (one pound of 50/50 solder to eight pounds lead) or buy from a reputable dealer. There is no room in small bores for weight variation from slug to slug because of unknown or questionable alloy. You don't need linotype, it's too hard and costly. Forget wheelweights. The alloy composition varies too much.
-Consider getting a wc mold made that drops a slug at bore diameter or perhaps .001" oversize using the alloy of your choice! Sizing is best avoided with any smaller caliber slug. A hollow base is just a nuisance and another potential source of slug variation. If your alloy is anything much harder than pure lead, the hollow base probably won't obturate at 32 S&W pressures anyways. Bullet weight of the mold should be predetermined by experimenting with commercial bullet weights.
Best Wishes,
Jim
-Alloy is critical. I think 1:16 tin to lead would be ideal. Mix it yourself from pure metals (one pound of 50/50 solder to eight pounds lead) or buy from a reputable dealer. There is no room in small bores for weight variation from slug to slug because of unknown or questionable alloy. You don't need linotype, it's too hard and costly. Forget wheelweights. The alloy composition varies too much.
-Consider getting a wc mold made that drops a slug at bore diameter or perhaps .001" oversize using the alloy of your choice! Sizing is best avoided with any smaller caliber slug. A hollow base is just a nuisance and another potential source of slug variation. If your alloy is anything much harder than pure lead, the hollow base probably won't obturate at 32 S&W pressures anyways. Bullet weight of the mold should be predetermined by experimenting with commercial bullet weights.
Best Wishes,
Jim
.32's can be a funny beast. Most .32's will fit into the .311 to .314 range, but I have seen .308 and .316.
The soft hollow base wad cutter will mostly fit all, some better than others.
Cast bullets are difficult, you have to do your homework. Idealy, slug your barrel to find the exact size. Cast and lube size to be .001 to .0015 oversize.
Measure the neck sizing die and set it up to size .002 to .003 over size (brass springs back about .003 to .004). This ensures that when seating you do not swage size the bullet into too tight a case.
Seat to between flush and .005 exposed and light taper crimp.
The real test is after you have loaded some rounds, pull a few bullets and re measure the diameter to make sure that the seating/crimping has not made the under size.
The soft hollow base wad cutter will mostly fit all, some better than others.
Cast bullets are difficult, you have to do your homework. Idealy, slug your barrel to find the exact size. Cast and lube size to be .001 to .0015 oversize.
Measure the neck sizing die and set it up to size .002 to .003 over size (brass springs back about .003 to .004). This ensures that when seating you do not swage size the bullet into too tight a case.
Seat to between flush and .005 exposed and light taper crimp.
The real test is after you have loaded some rounds, pull a few bullets and re measure the diameter to make sure that the seating/crimping has not made the under size.
Since we're talking about bullet diameter, consider how that matches with your loading dies. The range of bullet diameters, from .308" to .316", means that case neck tension can be a big problem. You don't want a loose fit that lets you just push a bullet in with your thumb, and you don't want a fit so tight that the cases bulge and bullet bases deform....
Measure sized cases and measure cases after neck flaring to be sure which die might be a problem.
This is a big enough problem with 38 but is more so with 32! I suspect the translation of the old 32 S&W to metric is partly to blame.
Ask your die maker what they can offer. Redding is very good about this.
Best,
Jim
Measure sized cases and measure cases after neck flaring to be sure which die might be a problem.
This is a big enough problem with 38 but is more so with 32! I suspect the translation of the old 32 S&W to metric is partly to blame.
Ask your die maker what they can offer. Redding is very good about this.
Best,
Jim
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Mark Briggs
- Posts: 583
- Joined: Mon Mar 01, 2004 8:35 am
- Location: The Frigid North - Ottawa, Canada
At one time I had two .32 pistols, a GSP and a Pardini HPE. Both are fine pistols and both are very capable when it comes to accuracy. In fact, both shot cast 100gr wadcutters sized 0.313" very well.
But... I slugged the barrels and had some interesting results. The Pardini measured .312", so nothing strange there. However the Walther produced two measurements, .311 and .314. In essence, its bore was not round but rather was somewhat oval!
Now for the real kicker... That Walther would shoot the X-ring out of the target with whatever load you put in it. From 1.1gr of W231 right up to 2.2 grains. It just didn't seem to matter. Crimp used was always a light taper crimp, but other than that detail, nothing else seemed to matter. As long as the overall length was short enough to fit in the magazine the pistol functioned well and shot very accurately. Now I'm wondering why I sold it!
But... I slugged the barrels and had some interesting results. The Pardini measured .312", so nothing strange there. However the Walther produced two measurements, .311 and .314. In essence, its bore was not round but rather was somewhat oval!
Now for the real kicker... That Walther would shoot the X-ring out of the target with whatever load you put in it. From 1.1gr of W231 right up to 2.2 grains. It just didn't seem to matter. Crimp used was always a light taper crimp, but other than that detail, nothing else seemed to matter. As long as the overall length was short enough to fit in the magazine the pistol functioned well and shot very accurately. Now I'm wondering why I sold it!