32 special cast loads

[zoner]

i have a 1942 vintage M94 Winchester 32 special that i want to shoot with cast bullet loads...am going to buy bullets, so far i have only been able to locate 170 gr FP bullets. I would like to try 150 gr FP(cast)..if anyone knows where i can buy them.I'd like to be in the 1600-1800 fps range( a easy shootin load for the range) and am not sure which powder to use...the data i found(Hodgdon) shows 4895 @ 1600fps for a cast bullet and also same powder @ 2200fps with a jacketed bullet....so i am assuming i can start at about 1600fps and work up in 1/2 gr increases till i find an accurate load....is this a good powder for this purpose or would you recommend something else...i just don't have any experience loading less than full power loads and am looking for help with powder selection...also this data is for 30-30win

[Bob A]

I have never seen anyone selling cast bullets for the 32 special other than 170s, but I've never really searched for them.
If you are looking for a good powder for both cast and full power jacketed loads, H4895 is probably a good choice. Others will have their favorites. IMR 3031 is very popular and has been for a long time.
If you want a powder specifically for the lighter cast load, you can use a slightly faster powder. H4198 or Reloader 7 come to mind. There are 2 powders that were invented for lighter loads: SR4759 and 5744. They both use lots of case capacity per grain, which is a plus when downloading.
I use Reloader 7 and SR4759 everywhere they fit. There are lots of options and I am sure you will find something that works for you.

Enjoy,

Bob A

[zoner]

thank you...i will look for some load data for 4198 and reloader 7   Mike

[Bob A]

Zoner,

I would highly recommend the Lyman Reloading Handbook if you don't have it. Any of the manuals is worth having but for someone wanting to load both cast and jacketed, Lyman is a wealth of information.

Bob A

[blpenn66502]

Surprisingly, the Lyman 49th edition doesn't show any cast bullet data for the 32 Win, just 170 gr JFP.

Using 30-30 data isn't going to provide reliable data.  Lacking anything else, jacketed 32 special data is a better reference point and Hodgdon has loads for a 170 gr JFP on their website.

As for cast 150 gr for the 32 Win special, try http://www.westernbullet.com/cbip/cbip.html

Here is a link so someone who did some cast bullet testing in their 32:  http://www.castpics.net/memberarticles/Cast%20in%20the%20.32%20Special.htm - standard disclaimer and cautions about using someone elses data applies.

Brian

[JustaShooter]

Lyman 48th Edition also only shows 170gr JFP data.  However, the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 (1986) shows the following for a 177gr. cast flat nose (32-170-FN) in Federal cases with CCI 200 primers (except the BLC2 loads, which use CCI 250 primers):

IMR 4895 Start 28.0gr. vel. 1832fps Max 30.0gr. vel. 1956fps
BLC2 Start 26.0gr. vel. 1858 Max 28.0gr. vel. 2008
SR4759 Start 16.0gr. vel. 1519 Max 18.0gr. vel. 1721
Unique Start 8.5gr. vel. 1191 Max 10.5gr. vel. 1468
Red Dot Start 8.0gr. vel. 1168 Max 10.0gr. vel. 1452
SR 7625 Start 8.5gr. vel. 1187 Max 9.5gr. vel. 1331

Hope this helps!

Just a Shooter

[zoner]

thanks guys..based on your input i'm gonna shoot factory when i need full power loads and a good cast load for target shooting and practice... be safe

[Larry Gibson]

Lyman's Cast Bullet Handbook has multiple loads for 3 different weight cast bullets (137, 164 and 184 gr).  Also 30-30 loading data for any cast bullet is good and safe to use for the same bullet weight in the .32 Special. Velocity and pressure will be a tudge lower is all.

Larry Gibson