Walther GSP loads

Hey all,
Im looking for some info for reloading for my GSP Expert .32 S&W lond 98g FWC. I have the Titegroup info. I was looking for info on using HS-6 and 231 Winchester.

Thanks

In general, target 650fps +/- 25 fps, though some powders do well up to 750fps.
231/HP38: 1.7gn is often accurate. Start loads from various manuals have start loads ranging from 1.4-1.9gn and max loads for HBWCs from 1.9-2.4gn.
AA2: A good Bullseye load is 1.8gn
HS6 is really too slow for this cartridge/use.
Clays: 1.6gn has been used in Bullseye
Red Dot: 1.7gn has done well
TrailBoss: 1.5gn has done well
TiteGroup has been an utter failure for me.
The Hornady 90gn HBWC has done well with 1.4-1.5gn 231/HP38
My findings: only good out to, maybe, 35-40 yds. NOT a 50 yd cartridge.
Finally, it is VERY hard to equal, much less surpass, the accuracy of factory ammo. Federal Classic has been excellent, and Fiocchi 100gn factory rounds has been the next best.

Hey there,
Thanks for the info. Very helpful. We have a problem getting factory ammo for the .32. And for reloading Bullseye is next to impossible to get. Tite Group and HS-6 are available. I am using for .38 4.5g of HS-6 and a 148g HBWC in my model 52 and it is great. I suspect I would than not have the same success in my .32?

Royce

Try to find the HN 98gr hollowbase wadcutter in 0.314. 1,4gr of N310 and seat the bullet flush with case.

Instead of loads, not trying to hijack the topic, I am in need of knowledge of loading procedure. I just acquired a Benelli .32 and it came with a Lee die set. It has with it a .314 expander. I also bought 500 .314 Dardas 98gr wad cutters and Starline brass. My question is what kind of crimp? Taper or roll? How much. As far as seating depth I assume duplicate factory ammo. Any advice would be appreciated.

Bill

Greetings,

You mention having a 0.314" expander. If the expander is machined for full length wadcutter bullets, the StarLine brass will show a noticeable bulge in the middle of the case due to wall thickness taper. If the bulge is great enough, you may have chambering issues. Double check the outside diameter of the loaded case or drop test it in the barrel chamber with the bolt removed.

Lapua, R-P, and Fiocchi brass generally have wall thickness suitable for full length wadcutter bullets.

Regarding crimp. Taper crimp is what I have used for the last 25 years with no issues. The major benefit is that brass will last longer as it is not worked as severely as the roll crimp.

Roll crimp is the go to feature if you have feeding issues. However, continued use of roll crimp will lead to early case mouth cracks.

StarLine is also thicker in wall thickness so check your Carbide sizing die. Measure a cartridge loaded with the 0.314" bullet. For example, if it measures 0.335" outside diameter, you would want your Carbide sizing die to resize the cases to 0.334". If the die is standard dimension, the cases may measure 0.331"-0.332". Over time, your cases will fail sooner as the brass is being overworked.

The 32 WadCutter is great fun; but, a lot more detail is needed for successful reloading.

By the way, all the Benelli barrels I have measured size 0.3135". So a 0.314" bullet is a good choice. Double check me and slug your barrel with a soft piece of Lead and measure the groove diameter.

Cheers,

Dave

Hi Dave,

My expander is .293 long and starts out at .311 and ends at .322. Obviously it is tapered. It doesn't seem to be what I need. I will load a few cases and see what the sizes are. I also have some Fiocchi and some Lellier & Bellot brass from some factory ammo I bought locally. I was told you weren't taking on any additional projects. Do you know of anyone that can make me the right expander? Also, is there a particular brand of dies you recommend? Thanks.

Bill

buffalo arms has good expander plugs under the custom section. I personal use Redding and RCBS dies with good results. 
Regarding the bernelli so it can be troublesome with not perfect loaded ammo. a slight thad of a roller crimp will help the feeding with that gun.

an option is actually to run 95gr Round nose or SWC in the 32 S&W long. You push the bullet deep in the case.
Its good for long range shooting. still 1,3 to 1,5 gr of N310 is the best with winchester WST coming in as second.

I've been trying to workup a load for my .32 Hamerlli 280 at 50 yards without much success.  The idea of using a round nose bullet seated deeply sounds very interesting. Has anyone else had success with this load?  I'd be afraid of over pressure problems.  
Thanks

No problem with pressure, a normal load would be 1,8gr. I run the GPS at 1,4 and find it accurate up to 100m. 

I also use a 32 acp barrel in my GSP with good results.

Where do you get an ACP barrel from?

Steve K wrote:I've been trying to workup a load for my .32 Hamerlli 280 at 50 yards without much success.  The idea of using a round nose bullet seated deeply sounds very interesting. Has anyone else had success with this load?  I'd be afraid of over pressure problems.  
Thanks

This is something I would not recommend.

Should something go wrong, where will you get replacement parts?

The best results with my 280 are with the 100 grains 0.314' HBWC made by H&N. Sadly, they are difficult to locate now due to changes in import/export laws.

The second best load was with the Hensley & Gibbs #66BB bullet sized 0.314" using 1.65 grains of Winchester WST powder.

I load all my Match ammo with Lapua cases.

Cheers,

Dave

Hello,

After much experimentation and guidance from Dave I am having success loading for my Walther GSP with the following:

  1.4 gr of N310
  98 gr .314 dia Magnus projectiles
  Lee oversize sizing die
  Winchester primer
  Fiocchi brass
  Taper die.
  Lee Auto-Drum Powder Measure


My experience is that it is a "fussy" cartridge to load load that requires attention to detail.

I did try an expander plug die (my own manufacture) but I did not find any improvement over using the Lee oversize sizing die.

Hope this helps, Paul

Paul, 

Do you have a part number for your lee oversize sizing die and crimp die?

Bill