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November 19, 2006
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I had a small batch of .32 special fired cases to load up this morning. I have a jug of H-380 and hadn’t recalled using that in the .32 special before. So, I grabbed my Hornady manual (circa 1982) and observed that for the 170 grain jackets bullet, 30.7 grains was the starting load with a max load listed of 36.2 grains. Ok, good to go, I’ll start on the low side. I will note here, I could have just as easily grabbed by Lyman manual (also circa, 1982). And in fact, I did as I realized the Hornady manual didn’t provide a trim-to-length and I knew the Lyman manual did. I grabbed the Lyman manual, found the needed trim length and, glanced at the powder charge. For H-380 with a 170 grain jacketed bullet, the suggested starting grains was 36.0 with a max charge of 39 grains. So Hornady’s max charge is 0.2 grains smaller than Lyman’s starting charge. Had I just grabbed the Lyman manual, I probably would have went with the 36 grains (suggested starting). By the way, I settled on 31 grains (and didn’t use a magnum primer). Oh, and once I got loading, the second bullet (Federal brand) I pulled out of the box, almost fell into the case. I mic’d it. Sure enough, it was .308. 
The rest were fine.
September 22, 2011
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Lyman loads tend to be fairly good, Hornady loads are on the light side. I loaded a suggested load for .44 Special for a Smith & Wesson with a 4″ barrel once using the suggested starting loads, and the rounds that actually made it through the end of the barrel, without hanging up partially hanging out the end of the barrel, would bounce off the target and back at you. Velocity so slow if they hit you they would have just bounced off.
December 27, 2007
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What’s a fellow to do!!?
Seems you keep your wits about you.
Our family has a .32 WS tradition…which prompted me to load just over 200 cartridges last week.
29.8 gr H4895
170 gr. FN GC …from The Bull Shop, Montana.
CCI Large Rifle
Happy Shooting!
November 7, 2015
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Not familiar with H380 but I’ve found that with medium powders it likes the 32 Special is happier towards the upper end of the recommended charges. If you’re looking for a plinking load take a look at 2400.
Great bullets, From The Woods. Dan (Bullshop) makes a great bullet.
Mike
March 31, 2009
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TXGunNut said
Not familiar with H380 but I’ve found that with medium powders it likes the 32 Special is happier towards the upper end of the recommended charges. If you’re looking for a plinking load take a look at 2400.Great bullets, From The Woods. Dan (Bullshop) makes a great bullet.
Mike
I use this shop for bullets too. Recently had to figure out how to load the 22 WCF.
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