Which Laupa Bullet (83 or 98 gr) for the 32 S&W Long

I just started reloading the 32  S&W Long cartridge and need some advise. 

Which Lapua hbwc bullet 83 gr or 98 gr would you recommend for shooting 25 yard bullseye?

All suggestions will be appreciated.

Thank you, Jim

I didn't have any luck with the either Lapua bullet. My results were horrible. I had better luck with cast Magnus and Dardus 100gr. You will have great results with the H&N HBWC if you can find them. Dave Wilson has come up with a system of bumping up the Speer .312 diameter HBWC to a .314 diameter. I hear it's a good replacement for the H&N. I have had great results with the Hornady 90gr LSWC. Just have to load it with 1.60 N310 with a .960 coal.

Edit: I just now noticed you asked for 25 yard rounds. Most any .314 diameter bullet will work. My original response was for 50yds.  

Bill

You didn’t mention what you are shooting, so I will assume a Euro gun with a .314 barrel?

For 25 yard, I had decent results with the 98 grain Lapua. A little better than the Magnus and Daria’s bullets I tried.  Have not tried the 83’s. 

I had similar results to the Lapua with the standard Speer Plinker, which was much cheaper .  I get the best results with Speer Plinkers “bumped” to .3145. 

I have found these results to be directionally similar  in several different guns.

Neither.. speer swaged

Chris Miceli wrote:Neither.. speer swaged

 +1

I am shooting a Benelli 90.

Thank you, Jim

What brass are you using?

Greetings,

The last Benelli barrel I measured was 0.3120". A reasonably good fit for the Speer 98 HBWC "Plinkers" that actually gauge out to .0.313", or smaller.

If your barrel is larger, 0.313"-0.314", cast bullets may be your only choice. Although, 0.313" may offer good results with the "Plinkers".

You will have to sort out the Speers with the fewest nicks and dings on the bases for 50 yard shooting. Use the rejects for practice.

Loading them is fussy; but, doable.

I use Federal cases sized to 0.335". I then prime and flare the case (NO EXPANDER), charge with powder, then seat the bullet flush to the case mouth. A taper crimp is then applied to ensure positive functioning.

1.6 grains of Bullseye is a good starting point. Be sure to chronograph your reloads and keep the velocities under 725FPS to avoid beating up the pistol.

Be aware that Federal and StarLine cases have thick walls at the midsection of the case. The last 1/8" of the Speer HBWC will compress into that cavity.

If you use a full length expander, it will bulge the brass at the mid-section and either cause chambering issues, early case failures, or both.

Lapua and Remington brass often have wall thickness suitable to HBWC bullets without squishing the bases when seated. Here, you need to pre-size your cases to 0.333".

The Speer lube on the "Plinkers" actually keeps the barrel quite free of Lead fouling, unlike cast bullets.

Enjoy! Shooting the 32 is one of my favorites.

Cheers,

Dave

I have a few Lapua brass and majority are Fiocchi 

Jim

If all you plan to do is shoot the 25 yard short course, try the Speer, you may like them. Best part, the Speer are half the price of the Lapua. I just got a box of the Speer, slightly better results than either of the Lapua at 25 yards. Haven't tried 50 yards, yet. This is in a Benelli MP95.

What supplier is stocking the speer 98 gr .314 plinker

Jim

xxper wrote:What supplier is stocking the speer 98 gr .314 plinker

Jim

http://lg-outdoors.com/ Says 10 boxes in stock. $71 per 1000 pcs.

They list as .314, but actually measure .313 to .3135. That's why some guys "bump" them up to .314 to .3145.

I measure the Speer bullets. Use the .313 at 25 yards, and plan to use the .3135 at 50 yards. No, not as good as the ones that are bumped up, but not terrible either.

Greetings,

Fiocchi brass varies with the lot number regarding wall thickness.

I have 1000+ pieces saved from test commercial ammo and the wall thickness is 0.010".

The last batch of Fiocchi ammo I bought for testing has case wall thickness of 0.011".

The above makes it difficult to maintain consistency when reloading.

Even Lapua varies. I have some Lapua brass that is thick in the middle like Federal and StarLine. I spent quite a while sorting them out with a tubing micrometer.

I am beginning to envy those who shoot nothing but commercial....

Cheers,

Dave

fc60 wrote:Greetings,

Fiocchi brass varies with the lot number regarding wall thickness.

I have 1000+ pieces saved from test commercial ammo and the wall thickness is 0.010".

The last batch of Fiocchi ammo I bought for testing has case wall thickness of 0.011".

The above makes it difficult to maintain consistency when reloading.

Even Lapua varies. I have some Lapua brass that is thick in the middle like Federal and StarLine. I spent quite a while sorting them out with a tubing micrometer.

I am beginning to envy those who shoot nothing but commercial....

Cheers,

Dave

Next time I shoot in Washington I’m gonna brass rat all your stray cases and sell them for a premium

Thanks to all that replied.

I will try the Speer 98 gr hbwc.

Thank you,
Jim