Do you reload 32 rimfire?

jethunter

jethunter

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I'm interested to hear from anyone who is reloading .32 rimfire. I'm just getting started with .32 rimfire and rather than reinventing the wheel I'll draw on the vast experiences of the fine people here first. :)

What worked for you, and more importantly - what didn't?

Are you using the reloadable brass from C-H and Dixie Gun Gun Works, or do you use modified 32 colt centerfire brass? What weight bullets and where did you get them? Is anyone using smokeless powder or black powder only? Thanks in advance.
 
im using .32 short colt drilled out for .27 ramset blanks that I uncrimp dump the powder and cut the crimps off then load with 3f bp a thin card wad then a lubed felt wad and a .311 round ball
 
This thread is very useful and probably the best on this site, to date (read the WHOLE thread through):

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/427850-32-rimfire-question

Also check out:

http://32rimfire.########.ca/

I am also using .32 SC brass drilled out in the way the 32rimfire.######## guy shows, also with a roundball. But no powder, just a brown ramset (very hard to find, at least up here). Any chance you have a mould for a heeled .32...?? Thinning the rim to get the correct thickness with the Ramset installed takes a bit of patience of course but not a big deal in the long run.

Dumping the powder from the Ramset & loading with BP as antiqueguy suggests is the best bet, guarantees you're staying within factory pressures. Personally though, having loaded many .45 Colt roundball loads, I would just use a few grains of BP & fill up the space with cornmeal or corn starch (they both work) and press ball (or bullet..??) on top, I have dies to add a light crimp (makes sure the ball doesn't creep forward - I set & crimp THEN add the Ramset after, obviously) and lube the outside of the ball. You can even throw some on the chambers. Works great & much faster than using cards & wads underneath, especially for this purpose. YMMV

Good luck
 
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North Coast Big Bore - I've been studying the .32 rimfire blog you linked too and it seems like a good idea. The reason for posting here was to see if anyone is having decent luck with that technique, and apparently they are. I do have a mold for a heeled .32 colt bullet that should work but I haven't tried the bullets in 32 rimfire. If you like I'll send you some for testing.

antiqueguy - what power of ramset are you using with your setup?

Where did you guys find .32 Colt brass? I've been looking but haven't found any.
 
I found some .32 SC brass on the EE from Gutinater (check with him first he may have some); check Rustywoods but finding a Canadian supplier has been tough. Higginson's powder listed some but I found the EE before I checked.

There is a company I found in the US that claims to be able to export once-fired brass & lists .32 SC, I'll see if I can find that link again. EDIT: Here it is, I have not dealt with them (yet) nor know anyone who has: h ttp://www.kensbrass.com/

NCBB
 
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jethunter said:
North Coast Big Bore - I've been studying the .32 rimfire blog you linked too and it seems like a good idea. The reason for posting here was to see if anyone is having decent luck with that technique, and apparently they are. I do have a mold for a heeled .32 colt bullet that should work but I haven't tried the bullets in 32 rimfire. If you like I'll send you some for testing.

antiqueguy - what power of ramset are you using with your setup?

Where did you guys find .32 Colt brass? I've been looking but haven't found any.
Click to expand...

I cant get the brown blanks that's why I uncramp them as I said about and use BP ive found a .22lr case full of 3f and a round ball works well
 
I had pics in this thread, until my ISP went bye-bye and I haven't yet got a replacement:

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/427850-32-rimfire-question

If someone wants to PM me their emal address I'll send the pics along for them to post.

Here's my revised process:

Making 32 Rimfire

You’ll need:


  • 27 Cal Ramset Powder Charge - "Green" has about 2.3 grs of powder, "Brown" has about 1.7 grs
  • Winchester 32 Short Colt Brass. It's a bit shorter than 32 Long Colt, but easy to find (you have to make 32 Long Colt from 32 S&W)
  • a 0.311-0.314" Round Ball (“0” Buck sized down works well) – will weigh about 48 grs
  • a 17/64" and a 21/64” drill. A lathe is the best way to drill the holes.

To apply this to a larger round like the 38 RF, you have to offset the holes so the the rim of the Ramset is against the edge of the brass. I'd make a jig to hold the brass off centre and use a 17/64" end mill to make the cut. (my next project).

The beauty of this setup is that the Ramset is both the primer and the powder charge, and you don't have to line up the round to align with the firing pin. The powder seems to be like Bullseye in Burn Rate (fast) and for my Remington #4 Rolling Block, "Green" contains a suitably mild charge for a 48 gr Round Ball. Brown 27 Cal charges are very difficult to find, and are required IMO if you go heavier than the 48 gr Round Ball. Firearms not as strong as the #4 would require caution using the Ramset charge - you might want to empty the powder and replace it will blackpowder, or a suitable smokeless charge.

I press the Ramset into place by squeezing it in using a vise - once in place, I do the same with the Round Ball, then put a dab of Alox on it. Notice below how the firing pin nicely strikes the edge of the Ramset (at 10 o'clock). There's no need to "index" the round like the "HC" method requires.

To deprime, drill a two step hole into the base of the 32 Short Colt Brass - a 17/64" all the way through the web, then a shallow 0.328" (21/64" drill), deep enough that the Ramset charge sits flush.
See below a shot of the two-step hole, and a fired Ramset Charge. The Aluminum Block has a 21/64" drill sized hole - I have since drilled a shallow hole the diameter of the rim, (to centre the cartridge over the hole). I use it to deprime using a metal rod and a small hammer.
 
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Pictures for Andy's post:

Hilti_Power_Range.jpg


Hilti_Deprimed.jpg


Hilt_Before_and_After.jpg
 
Bought brass and bullets from hc. Use brown "blanks". It fires , but haven't had they chance to really test it. The one thing is that you have to line it up to shoot it because it is off set. Doeas anyone know of a local supplier for bullets or brass?
 
I use the white .27 hilti blanks You can get them cheap on ebay because nobody wants them i got a box of 750 for $15.00. i just did a
quick search now and there's a seller with 1000 round lots for $40.00 plus $30.00 shipping
 
Mr_jonny said:
Bought brass and bullets from hc. Use brown "blanks". It fires , but haven't had they chance to really test it. The one thing is that you have to line it up to shoot it because it is off set. Doeas anyone know of a local supplier for bullets or brass?
Click to expand...

I have some 32 colt bullets which are supposed to be the same dimensions as 32 rimfire. I don't know if it would work with the HC brass. If you want I'll send a few for you to try. PM with your address if you want them.
 
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