24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
GunGeek Offline OP
Campfire Ranger
OP Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
All,

At a gun show this weekend, I picked up a little pistol I've always wanted, an Astra 3000 in .32ACP. If you're not familiar with the 3000, it's a slightly updated version of the 300 placing the magazine release in the typical Browning location we're all so familiar with...updated version of the little pistol show in this photo: http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Astra_/Astra013/astra013.html

Most in the US are not real familiar with the Astra's, but they were VERY high quality pistols that functioned very well. The full size is in 9mm Bergman-Bayard Long (Largo), which is essentially a .38 Super, and in fact, they'll feed and function factory .38 Super just fine. They are accurate and reliable, but the one thing that has always struck me about these pistols (other than the very un-conventional and sort of funky look) is the absolute quality of build; they're nearly flawless.

Well, the first time I ever saw an Astra 300 in .380 ACP I just thought it was God awful cool...Like a model 400 that wen't through a Xerox machine on 1/2 size; so cool!

Well, I picked one up this weekend in .32 ACP and O M G is it a hoot to shoot. What's more, the whole family loves it, especially my 11 year old daughter (who wants to paint the grip panels lime green, 'cause lime green and black go together well).

The pistol is a bit smaller and lighter than a Walther PPK and everything (to me at least) just says it's a better all around gun than the PPK. Put 100 rounds through it and she functions flawlessly and I'm just in love with this little relic. I was able to hit clay pigeons on the ground at 50 yards about 30-40% of the time, so she definitely shoots lights out.

So, here's my delima. The only bullet mold I have is a 93 grain RN and I can't find any reloading data for a bullet that heavy in .32 ACP. I could buy another mold because it's very clear to me that this little pistol is SO the keeper, but I'd love to use the bullet mold I have.

Anyone have any data, or any experience loading the little .32 with a bullet this heavy?

BP-B2

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,212
Campfire Ranger
Online Content
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,212
Cartridge : .32 ACP (7.65 Browning)
Bullet : .311, 93, LEE 311-093-1R
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.984 inch or 24.99 mm
Barrel Length : 3.0 inch or 76.2 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 20305 psi, or 140 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
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
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Rottweil P803 93.0 3.1 0.20 911 96.7 20305 5293 0.453 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil P804 82.7 2.9 0.19 904 99.3 20305 5027 0.457 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N330 90.1 2.7 0.17 878 96.3 20305 4592 0.447 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 506 83.2 2.7 0.17 875 91.9 20305 4830 0.462 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant HERCO 108.6 3.1 0.20 875 83.6 20305 4949 0.459 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 90 109.2 3.4 0.22 875 78.7 20305 4922 0.444 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant UNIQUE 95.7 2.8 0.18 874 87.9 20305 4859 0.458 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant POWER PISTOL 94.4 3.4 0.22 871 68.1 20305 4973 0.448 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 3N37 97.2 3.4 0.22 867 78.2 20305 4760 0.447 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 501 80.6 3.2 0.21 866 83.6 20305 4720 0.452 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 70N 79.0 2.5 0.17 865 95.7 20305 4557 0.464 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Universal 87.6 2.5 0.17 865 95.7 20305 4557 0.464 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil P806 110.0 5.0 0.32 863 68.8 17080 5616 0.475
Rottweil P801 77.7 2.5 0.16 862 100.0 20305 4124 0.468 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex-D0051 90.3 3.0 0.20 860 70.3 20305 4762 0.450 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N350 100.0 3.3 0.21 859 78.2 20305 4607 0.446 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.7 93.4 4.6 0.30 857 55.8 20305 4767 0.446 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex-S0202 86.1 2.7 0.18 856 90.4 20305 4420 0.455 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant BULLSEYE 79.2 2.4 0.15 856 88.8 20305 4491 0.451 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem MP200 86.3 2.9 0.19 855 85.9 20305 4530 0.457 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Silhouette 76.7 3.0 0.20 855 84.4 20305 4503 0.452 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WAP 76.9 3.0 0.20 853 83.9 20305 4488 0.452 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S221 83.8 4.0 0.26 853 64.7 20305 4700 0.460 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N320 85.1 2.3 0.15 850 99.7 20305 3980 0.456 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N340 91.9 2.8 0.18 850 87.9 20305 4366 0.454 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 540 70.8 3.3 0.21 848 77.9 20305 4455 0.453 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem MS200 90.3 2.7 0.17 848 89.2 20305 4359 0.459 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot True Blue 71.9 3.3 0.21 848 77.7 20305 4451 0.453 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 504 73.1 3.3 0.21 848 77.7 20305 4451 0.453 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HS-6 76.9 3.4 0.22 847 74.9 20305 4468 0.453 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 509 85.0 2.5 0.16 847 96.4 20305 4156 0.457 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex-D0361 72.3 3.4 0.22 846 67.7 20305 4508 0.452 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.5 69.9 3.6 0.23 843 65.3 20305 4482 0.452 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate Solo 1250 91.7 2.5 0.16 843 94.6 20305 4108 0.454 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 515 87.9 2.6 0.17 842 92.7 20305 4158 0.457 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Zip 64.0 2.5 0.16 838 96.0 20305 4043 0.458 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 231 71.8 2.5 0.16 838 96.0 20305 4043 0.458 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant GREEN DOT 86.6 2.2 0.14 837 99.3 20305 3932 0.466 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HP38 69.8 2.4 0.16 836 96.7 20305 3978 0.458 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AS 50N 82.2 2.2 0.14 834 99.2 20305 3888 0.467 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RED DOT 87.3 2.0 0.13 828 100.0 20305 3631 0.468 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 100 110.0 3.4 0.22 825 68.0 19304 4262 0.462
Accurate No.9 100.4 4.9 0.32 824 48.7 20305 4252 0.451 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate Nitro 100 81.7 1.9 0.13 824 99.1 20305 3719 0.459 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 3N38 110.0 4.1 0.26 820 58.6 18580 4330 0.467
Lovex-S0111 71.6 2.2 0.14 819 96.2 20305 3710 0.457 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon TiteGroup 57.5 2.1 0.14 819 99.9 20305 3543 0.463 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.2 65.7 2.5 0.16 816 83.5 20305 3886 0.456 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex-D0323 57.4 2.2 0.14 814 92.9 20305 3732 0.457 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate Solo 1000 81.2 2.0 0.13 814 99.5 20305 3533 0.461 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AS 30 83.9 2.0 0.13 812 100.0 20305 3382 0.470 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil P805 91.2 2.0 0.13 812 100.0 20305 3316 0.477 ! Near Maximum !
Norma R1 89.1 2.0 0.13 812 100.0 20305 3309 0.477 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil J706 110.0 3.0 0.19 807 87.9 13593 5087 0.561
Vihtavuori N310 67.2 1.8 0.11 797 100.0 20305 3003 0.469 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 514 72.2 1.8 0.12 795 100.0 20305 3125 0.463 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant BLUE DOT 110.0 4.1 0.26 781 52.1 16597 4054 0.498
Alliant 2400 110.0 4.7 0.31 766 42.3 16155 3912 0.500
Hodgdon Clays 72.4 1.6 0.10 756 100.0 20305 2584 0.472 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex-D0631 110.0 5.2 0.34 754 34.9 19661 3207 0.470
Ramshot Enforcer 110.0 5.1 0.33 736 39.2 15756 3642 0.510
Vihtavuori N105 110.0 3.9 0.25 722 49.1 14025 3597 0.535
Lovex-S0401 110.0 4.4 0.29 719 40.2 15383 3256 0.518
Accurate 4100 110.0 5.1 0.33 708 35.7 15437 3217 0.520
PB Clermont PCL 512 110.0 4.8 0.31 675 35.9 12632 3144 0.568
Norma R123 110.0 5.0 0.32 671 37.1 11433 3534 0.589
Accurate 5744 110.0 4.7 0.30 655 29.0 13556 2657 0.561


https://thehandloadinglog.wordpress.com
μολὼν λαβέ

"Weatherby was too long so I nicknamed it "Bee""
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
GunGeek Offline OP
Campfire Ranger
OP Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Thank you sir, that's the exact bullet mold I have and I will give some of those loads a try. Looks like I should be able to load about a billion rounds with a single pound of powder. Now I just need to get out there and cast up some booolits; thanks.

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,237
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,237
Kevin,
Are you sure you can reload .32acp? I mean, how in the world are you gonna pick up those tiny bullets and put them in that tiny casing? I think I'd have to use tweezers.... ;-)

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
GunGeek Offline OP
Campfire Ranger
OP Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Yeah, no kidding, it is tiny. The kids and I just had way too much fun with this little pistol so I'll have to reload to keep her fed...but I'll be shopping for a good pair of tweezers:)

IC B2

Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18,881
E
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
E
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 18,881
I've got an older Lyman book that has data for that round.
They list loads for Bullseye, Red Dot and Unique.
The test gun was a Mauser HSC, 3 inch.
The bullets used were either a 71 gr. jacketed, or a 77 gr. cast, #311252.
Data was the same for both bullets. BE start load was 1.5 grs. and the max was 2.2 grs. RD start load was 1.7 grs. with a max of 2.5 grs. Unique's sart load was 2.0 grs. with a max of 3.1 grs.
Velocities were BE, 603 fps - 825 fps. RD, 705 fps. to 937 fps. Unique was 571-945 fps.
Maximum case lenth was .680 with a tirm to lenth of .672. Maximum loaded OAL was .984". E

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,212
Campfire Ranger
Online Content
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17,212
Enjoy! Been reloading 32 acp on/off since 1994.


https://thehandloadinglog.wordpress.com
μολὼν λαβέ

"Weatherby was too long so I nicknamed it "Bee""
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
S
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
S
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 613
I have had good accuracy in my Rem 51s with the 93 gr and 2.1 to 2.4 of 231. Velocity goes from 835 to 880+-, Depends on the temp and time of year around here as to which I use.
I really like the Gold Dot 60gr over a stiff load, little bugger puts em in a tight group at point of aim at 15yds.


NRA Benefactor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321
B
Campfire Oracle
Offline
Campfire Oracle
B
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 79,321
Ken Waters lists a load for the Lyman 91 grain 313249 with 2.4 grains of HP-38 which delivered excellent accuracy and 875 fps.

I enjoy the .32 auto also.

I've got an old model 1907 Savage that was made in 1917. Yeah,..it's just a .32,...but it'll make somebody look for something to get behind out to 75 yards.

Interesting thing about those old Savage pistols,...back in their heyday, their closest competition was the Colt pocket auto. Even though the Savage sold for more, they outsold the Colts by a significant margin.

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
GunGeek Offline OP
Campfire Ranger
OP Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Well I don't see this as anything other than a fun gun, but we're having a lot of fun with it, that's for sure. Yeah, it COULD be used for defensive purposes, but I have much better options.

Right now, I'm just enjoying watching my 11 year old daughter mow down soda cans with it.

IC B3

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 20,770
2
Campfire Ranger
Online Content
Campfire Ranger
2
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 20,770
Are the grip panels lime green yet? Always like to hear about youngsters enjoying the shooting sports....

BTW, does she know about all the baked on metal finish products on the market now? Maybe something in purplecool


Please don't feed the trolls!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
GunGeek Offline OP
Campfire Ranger
OP Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Yeah, she knows...Her .22 Rifle is orange and has strips and a white under-belly like a tiger. I told her that if we cold find a replacement set of grips for it, I would Duracoat them lime green, but the factory grips are staying the way they are.


Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
653 members (1234, 163bc, 06hunter59, 17Fan, 09wingates, 76 invisible), 2,694 guests, and 1,217 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,605
Posts18,398,367
Members73,817
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.202s Queries: 14 (0.005s) Memory: 0.8529 MB (Peak: 0.9608 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 13:55:28 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS