Fiocchi .32 S&W long wadcutter

Is the Fiocchi .32 wadcutter ammo a good "starting point" for someone new to this caliber? 100 grain WC bullets at 730fps seems kind of fast to me, but like I said, I'm new to this round. I'm thinking about buying 500 pcs to start off, then have cases to reload when I get to that point. I searched the internet, and the opinions are all over the place on this round.

The answer will, I think, depend somewhat on what you are shooting, but yes, probably a good starting point. 

I have tried Fiocchi, Lapua, and Federal factory ammo, and at 50 yards in my Ransom rest (Walther GSP) the Lapua was the best (though not great), followed closely by the Fiocchi, with the Federal a somewhat distant 3rd. 

I have been told, and am experiencing myself, that Lapua brass is more consistent, and more reliable for reloading, versus Fiochhi.

The average velocity of the Fiochhi was 640fps, The Lapua 725 and the federal 763.

I have not chronied the Fiocchi but it shot ~3 inches at 50 from a sandbag with a Wilson barrel. Out of my hand they shot a 90 and a 92. 

I am also waiting on dies. But from measuring Fiocchi, Lapua and RP brass shot from the same gun. The wall thickness was within .001. The overall diameter (same chamber) was the same.

The only reloads I have tried are Speer 98's loaded in mixed (Lapua and RP Brass). I did not bench these loads and they shot a 93 at 50. That is right around what I shoot with the 45. 

At 25 yards, the Fiocchi shot two cleans and one 99 in Timed fire an one 97 and two 96 in Rapid. There were flyers (two 7's) which I did not call. But the net was ok.

Fiocchi shoots great at 25 yards from my Benelli. However, if you don't have a custom barrel, don't expect much at 50. In fact it shoots downright awful from my gun at 50. 

Jim

Mike, do you plan to reload for the long line?  If you do, I would recommend the Lapua 98 gr cartridges over the Fiocchi because of the brass. Not much difference at 25 yards.  Midway has them. 

The Lapua cases are thinner and more consistent.  Not a big issue at 25 yards, primarily 50.  Also, .314 cast bullets occasionally bulge the Fiocchi cases such that they won't feed in my 32s.  This never happens with Lapua brass.  For me, its only an issue with the cast bullets since they don't compress themselves and bulge the case instead.

I am far from an expert, but 730 fps seems fine for long line shooting.  I load lighter for the short line (1.3 WST v 1.6). Hopefully Dave Wilson will add some comments, he is the "high master" of 32 longs.

My barrel is .311. So I will be reloading Speer swaged and possibly soft .312 cast. Thanks for the info.

jmdavis wrote:My barrel is .311. So I will be reloading Speer swaged and possibly soft .312 cast. Thanks for the info.

I like the Speer swaged 32,  plus, at around 7c, they are so reasonably priced. I am in process of purchasing a GSP with a .308 12 twist barrel and plan to Ransom it with the Speer as soon as I get it.

What is a "soft cast bullet"?  

Might I ask what gun?  Custom barrel?

Thx

greg

Dave Wilson .311 barrel in a Benelli MP95. 

Soft cast is 20:1 or softer allow (ie. 20 parts lead to 1 part tin or 19 lead to 1 tin). The BHN of such loads will be <10. These are the type of alloys used in Black Powder Cartridge Rifle loads. 

I always thought that the GSP was a larger barrel. 

Mike

Most of the matches that I attend are "Short Course" all 25 yard. So at this point I think the Fiocchi will at least get me going. I'm at the point where if I can put all shots in the black, I'm very happy. Later in the year of 2018 I will attend a couple matches that have 50 yard slowfire, but will be reloading by then. Hopefully I can work up a load that is accurate at 50 yards. Pistol is a Benelli MP95.

Greetings,

I have at least five different lot numbers of Fiocchi ammo, 100 grain WadCutter.

Via the chronograph, they vary from 590 FPS to 730 FPS. (Different lots, not all the same box/lot)

Buying commercial ammo is a "Chefs Surprise". Some lots shoot X-ring and others nine-ring.

Cheers,

Dave

jmdavis wrote:Dave Wilson .311 barrel in a Benelli MP95. 

Soft cast is 20:1 or softer allow (ie. 20 parts lead to 1 part tin or 19 lead to 1 tin). The BHN of such loads will be <10. These are the type of alloys used in Black Powder Cartridge Rifle loads. 

I always thought that the GSP was a larger barrel. 

Mike

MY GSP is larger. As I recall .3135 or so.  Definitely larger than the David Wilson  barrel.

Sounds like the barrel you have is the same as the one I am acquiring.  The gentleman I am purchasing it from was getting outstanding results with the speer bullets:cheers:

This past weekend I shot the North Carolina State match with Fiocchi for Centerfire in the Wilson Barrel. I shot it better than I shot the 22 or the 45. All of my scores were  below my normal averages. 

I saw no tipping at 50 yards with the Fiocchi. I recall only a couple of shots that were off call. It worked as well for me as Federal Auto Match in the 45, did. 

At 25, my scores were better with the 32 than the 22. I am not sure of the Lot number I was shooting but it was a recent purchase from Midway.

Is anyone casting 32 bullets?  If so what mold are you using.  I have done some looking but have not found a mold.

Toz35m wrote:Is anyone casting 32 bullets?  If so what mold are you using.  I have done some looking but have not found a mold.

One for sale in commercial row.

A HM North Dakota shooter is casting with an Accurate 31-88W. They drop at .315 with Lyman #2 alloy and he's shooting them unsized, tumble lubed with LLA. He's shooting an unmodified GSP and doing very well with it. I've tested them in my Benelli and they show some promise but so far I'm still having better results with H&N's. 

As an aside, I've had the opportunity to test a few Speer 100's that were bumped up to .3145" in a swaging die that Dave Wilson made. I believe them to be equal to or better than H&N's.

Jim

Well I bought 250 rounds of Magtec .32 long wadcutter. Velocity listed of 680fps seemed a bit more in line of what I was looking for. Fiocchi listed velocity is 730fps. Then I'll probably try the Fiocchi just for the heck of it. If nothing else, I'll have some empty brass to load after I buy some dies.