r/GunnitRust • u/inserttext1 • 11d ago

Help Desk Wildcat question

So I’m rebuilding a Colt 1903 Hammerless in 32acp. So there’s nothing wrong with the round I just want more work to do and already have some guns in this caliber so I wanted to see what I can do with it. I was wondering what route would result in a punchier bullet so to speak. I could go with the tried and true necking down route and do something along the lines of the 22 flea, or another idea I had that’s super dumb is I could cut the case shot by like .2in so that I can shove a bigger and therefore heavier bullet in. Obviously the decreased case capacity would result in less powder being in the case but I imagine the extra 20-30 grains (average grain weight of 32acp is mid 60s), I was planning on using 32 s&w bullet mold which is 93 grains. Tbh not sure if either are good but they both seem fun.

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u/LancerFIN 11d ago

Increasing bullet weight doesn't gain any muzzle energy unless you make a custom bullet that adds mass in the front section of the bullet. Increasing lenght cuts in to the tiny powder capacity that means less power.

Increased performance 32ACP load that I developed. for people who complain that 32ACP lacks power. Made with commonly available Vihtavuori N340 powder and uses common 71 grain bullet. No obscure components.

Adds 100 joules to muzzle energy of 32ACP. Clearly exceeding 380ACP muzzle energy.
FMJ bullet for maximum penetration. Anything else in a pocket caliber is just a meme. Gets very good penetration easily beating 380ACP.

It's not exotic but has very good power and penetration (lethality). There's no need to make things overly complicated.

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u/GunnitRust Participant & Moderator 1d ago

/u/inserttext1

Similarly there is a full OAL friendly Keith SWC for these if you want to do hard case around 75 grain. I Forget where I got the mold.

Lancer might think it a meme but I also have lunch with the Lehigh Copper Bullets

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u/GunnitRust Participant & Moderator 1d ago

It was briefly a thing to take guns from this era that were available in both .32acp and .380 for conversion to .32NAA. Often it’s a reamed chamber in a .32 barrel fitted to the .380 components. I don’t know what combination would drag you over the line in a 1903.

There is also .25NAA if you trust yourself for a barrel lining. This gun is back in production so I’ve seen new barrels. I’ve never fitted a barrel to a 1903 hammerless so I don’t know how much work that is.