Can I use .32 S&W dies on .32 ACP?

geeguy

January 10, 2014 11:19

I have a 3 die RCBS set for .32 S&W long/H&R Mag.
Can I use these dies for.32 ACP? Dia. of the case appears the same, FMJ bullet is .311 same on both, and the only difference I see is the length and the extraction lip. Not sure my crimp would work on that short of a case, but if all else is the same I could just buy a Lee final crimp die.

(Yes I could "buy" a .32 ACP die set, but what fun would that be)

Anyone ever tried this?

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  jonk

  January 10, 2014 15:08

  I've gone the other way and used the ACP dies for .32 smith and wesson.
  
  IIRC, the .32 is a 'semi rimmed' round, and so indexes for headspace on the small rim, not on the case neck. That would be the only danger I'd see in doing what you propose. Which isn't a danger here because of what I just said. However, the .32 acp does have some mild taper to it as well.
  
  Load up a few dummies, see if they chamber freely.

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  SoreShoulder

  January 19, 2014 17:16

  I would definitely look up what the outside diameter of the cases ought to be.
  
  Some rounds from the blackpowder era have really thin walls. A round designed for blowback autos will have thick walls.
  
  It could be that using 32S&W dies on 32ACP cases will size the brass too much and make it crack sooner.
  
  Brass is pricey these days. Replacing your brass sooner will wipe out the economy of not buying 32ACP dies.

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  243winxb

  January 20, 2014 04:37

  Lee not the same, but this might help?? quote:Knowledgebase
  
  Interchangeable dies
  Posted by on 19 October 2011 02:01 PM
  Frequently, dies from one caliber may be used to load other calibers. Due to the locations of crimping shoulders, the operation may only work for dies of the shorter caliber to the longer. You may notice a label depicting the shorter die in your set for the longer version of the cartridge, we do this to reduce costs.
  
  Even though some dies are interchangable, in many cases, different shellholders are necessary. You can see a complete list of shellholders under "Case Preparation" then "Shellholders and Calibers".
  
  
  
  32 H&R Mag - 327 Federal Mag
  45 Colt - 454 Casull *
  44 Special - 44 Magnum
  38 Special - 357 Magnum
  30-30 Winchester - 30 Remington
  357 Magnum - 357 Maximum
  38 Super - 9mm Largo
  44 Russian - 44 Special
  40 Smith & Wesson - 10mm - 41 Action Express
  32 Smith & Wesson - 32 S&W Long - 32 H&R Magnum **
  
  *The 45 Colt expander die will also work for the 454 Casull by backing the die out approximately two turns to compensate for the difference in case length.
  
  **Our dies allow the use of .308 bullets in the 32 H&R Magnum. The other bullet diameter commonly used is .311 and that is the expander that comes with the set. To use .308 bullets, it is necessary to purchase an additional expander and turn it down to .308. This can be done using a drill press and emery cloth or if you buy the additional expander from the factory, we will do it for $10.00.

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