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August 22, 2026
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Hi everyone.
I have been exploring the possibilities of loading for the Model 1905 in .32 WSL.
Published load data is quite scarce, with most online references (in the form of various online forum discussions) referring to Cartridges of the World editions listing the following loads:
- 165 grain bullet, 12 grains of 2400 for 1,450 fps (“2400” referring to Alliant 2400?)
- 165 grain bullet, 12.5 grains of 4227 for 1,440 fps (“4227” referring to IMR4227?)
Some other online sources also indicate similar loads with IMR4227.
Plugging these numbers into Gordon’s Reloading Tool, the result is that the rifle will go kaboom:
.
Yet still, many online references indicate these loads are fine. What am I missing here?
April 15, 2005
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Both the loads you listed are just a bit hotter than the original factory load (which was listed @1,392 fps). However, I doubt that either load would cause any catastrophic issues in a sound condition rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 22, 2026
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Thank you for your response, Bert.
I am inclined to agree with you, as all of the available load data (either published or community-shared) is consistent. I just don’t understand why Gordon’s Reloading Tool is predicting such overpressure conditions with the loads. Maybe some of my parameters for GRT are wrong?
April 15, 2005
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wave.jaco said
Thank you for your response, Bert.
I am inclined to agree with you, as all of the available load data (either published or community-shared) is consistent. I just don’t understand why Gordon’s Reloading Tool is predicting such overpressure conditions with the loads. Maybe some of my parameters for GRT are wrong?
If I were to undertake loading for the 32 WSL, I would start with the A2400 powder and reduce the starting load by 10% (10.8 grains). If the rifle properly cycles (ejects the empty and picks up the next round), I would then begin accuracy testing in .1 grain increments. For the SLR rifles, the less powder you can use and still get it to cycle rounds the better, but that old style balanced block (blow-back) action is a bit finicky.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 22, 2026
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Thank you for the guidance, Bert. I agree, it’s good and safe practice to start with a reduced start load and work up from there and chronograph. “To measure is to know”.
I would still like to know what I got wrong in Gordons Reloading Tool, since its output now seems to be questionable at best, which defeats its purpose.
April 15, 2005
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wave.jaco said
Thank you for the guidance, Bert. I agree, it’s good and safe practice to start with a reduced start load and work up from there and chronograph. “To measure is to know”.
I would still like to know what I got wrong in Gordons Reloading Tool, since its output now seems to be questionable at best, which defeats its purpose.
I cannot help you with the Gordons Reloading Tool as I have never used it. I am relatively certain that 12 grains of 2400 is not an over pressure load for the 32 WSL. I have loaded a lot of 22 Hornet and 38 WCF with it. For the 22 Hornet, I load 10.5 grains of A2400 under a 40-gr V-Max. For the 38 WCF, I load 22.0 grains under a 180-gr XTP. Neither load is high pressure. I am curious what your Gordons program has to say about my loads.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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