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3/1/2017 9:41:04 PM EDT
Hello reloaders. I'm in need of some help. I want a compact, simple, cheap (as far as reloading equipment goes, anyway) setup for reloading .32 caliber rimmed cartridges, specifically .327 Federal Magnum and .32 H&R Magnum. The reason for this is I will very likely be acquiring a Ruger LCR .327 and would like to be able to roll my own ammo for it due to the scarcity of .327 and .32 H&R. 

I want this so my ammunition supply for the gun will be more secure, seeing as .327 is an oddball caliber and is hard to find even online. This is not intended as a cost saving measure and I'm not trying to make boutique loadings or anything like that, I just want to be my own mini ammo factory for this one particular firearm. 

I have ZERO experience loading/reloading, everything else I have is common/cheap enough to not justify it. All I'm looking to get out of this is a simple kit that will allow me to not worry about .32 ammunition shortages. I don't want or need a bunch of huge contraptions that are going to take up an entire bench, just something I can put away on a shelf somewhere and pull out when I need to load up a few .32 cartridges. That said, the "kit" doesn't even have to allow for reloading of spent casings, I want only one thing from this and that is the ability to create new .327 Fed Mag and .32 H&R Mag ammunition. 

Please ask for clarification if needed, as I said I have absolutely no experiance with loading my own ammunition so please forgive any ignorance on my part of the process/tools involved. Thanks in advance.
3/1/2017 10:02:28 PM EDT
[#1]
For your needs, this kit and a book, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee.

You can find reloading data on powder mfg sites ans well as others.

DO NOT trust data from any other source, including this one.
3/1/2017 10:03:15 PM EDT
[#2]
Quote History
Quoted:
For your needs, this kit and a book, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee.

You can find reloading data on powder mfg sites ans well as others.

DO NOT trust data from any other source, including this one.
View Quote
came to post this.

except get it from here, http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-classic-cast-turret-press-kit
3/1/2017 10:05:41 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
For your needs, this kit and a book, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee.

You can find reloading data on powder mfg sites as well as bullet mfg sites.

DO NOT trust data from any other source, including this one.
View Quote


+1..  I started with that turret press. Fast enough to churn out enough ammo for a good fun day. Slow enough for beginners... and cheap enough for everyone.
3/1/2017 10:09:23 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
came to post this.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
For your needs, this kit and a book, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee.

You can find reloading data on powder mfg sites ans well as others.

DO NOT trust data from any other source, including this one.
came to post this.


I need to add that this site does have a scad of experienced loaders and most often, the advice provided is solid; sometimes we screw it up and are always called to task on it (I know- it's happened to me )

The caveat about data is in reference to charge data, or the amount of powder to put in the case. In this instance, trust only the data that is provided by a mfg source (bullet, powder or established loading manual site).
3/1/2017 10:33:10 PM EDT
[#5]
Thanks for the responses guys. 

So what die or die set would I need? I'm assuming if I only load new cartridges (so no resizing of spent casings) I'll only need this bullet seating die in .327 caliber, but like I said I'm not sure of what all I need. Would the one die do .32 H&R and .327 Fed or do I need a die specific to each cartridge? 
3/1/2017 10:48:32 PM EDT
[#6]
Press


Dies


Powder Measure


Manual

and Brass, bullets, primers and powder
3/1/2017 11:15:58 PM EDT
[#7]
rcbs makes great dies for this caliber. So does Dillon...


I load .32 wadcutters on my Dillon so I have few thousand rounds experience...

If I were starting from zero. I would search ebay and various forums  for a set of carbide dies. Seat and crimp in separate steps..  Powder charges are very small and slight variances can make a difference in pressure. you will either need a very accurate powder measure or trickle each charge. I would order shooting star brass and keep detailed records of each loading. There are some excellent coated bullets now available in .32 caliber. WST and 231 are both excellent powders.

If you live in AL and are Crimson Tide fan send me a PM.

Hope this helps
3/1/2017 11:25:51 PM EDT
[#8]


What do you mean odd ball caliber?  Sizing 32 Mag here.





Some of the bullets I load. I use separate dies for each caliber.

A 327 SP-101 is on my want list.
3/1/2017 11:33:19 PM EDT
[#9]
Don't assume you will only load new cases. It is not much work at all to resize the spent casings and reload them, the cost savings per round will pay for the extra dies and time in very few rounds.

Start with a cheap turret press mounted to a board that you can mount to the bench quickly and securely. Set the dies up properly.

You will need to adjust the dies for the different length cartridges. 327 mag will be longer than 32 S&W. Do some reading. They will also require adjustment for different bullets.

If you are not serious about doing the reloading properly, it would be safer for you in the long run to just buy factory ammo.
3/1/2017 11:45:36 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
Don't assume you will only load new cases. It is not much work at all to resize the spent casings and reload them, the cost savings per round will pay for the extra dies and time in very few rounds.

Start with a cheap turret press mounted to a board that you can mount to the bench quickly and securely. Set the dies up properly.

You will need to adjust the dies for the different length cartridges. 327 mag will be longer than 32 S&W. Do some reading. They will also require adjustment for different bullets.

If you are not serious about doing the reloading properly, it would be safer for you in the long run to just buy factory ammo.
View Quote

Yeah, I didn't realize how cheap dies were. I really thought this stuff was far more expensive to set up than it is. Though as I said this isn't really a cost saving measure for me, its mostly going to be used to load self defense rounds and fmj for practice if it becomes scarce.

Sounds like I need to buy a manual first and read through it before doing anything else.
3/2/2017 12:50:44 AM EDT
[#11]
I suggest Lyman 50.
3/2/2017 8:03:33 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote History
Quoted:
Thanks for the responses guys. 

So what die or die set would I need? I'm assuming if I only load new cartridges (so no resizing of spent casings) I'll only need this bullet seating die in .327 caliber, but like I said I'm not sure of what all I need. Would the one die do .32 H&R and .327 Fed or do I need a die specific to each cartridge? 
View Quote
you will still need to size new brass, and once you get into this project you will see how easy it is to clean up your old brass and use it again.

I'm a huge fan of the Lee cast turret press.  But a single stage press would be a fine choice for your needs.
3/2/2017 9:32:30 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote History
Quoted:
For your needs, this kit and a book, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee.

You can find reloading data on powder mfg sites ans well as others.

DO NOT trust data from any other source, including this one.
View Quote


This is EXACTLY what I would recommend as well. It's also how I, myself, got started.
3/2/2017 9:34:56 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
That said, the "kit" doesn't even have to allow for reloading of spent casings, I want only one thing from this and that is the ability to create new .327 Fed Mag and .32 H&R Mag ammunition. 
View Quote


A. There's no such thing, the procedure is the same for fired casings as it is for brand new brass.

B. It makes NO sense NOT to reuse your casings! You could load this cartridge for half or LESS the cost of factory steel cased 9mm ammo. Think about that.
3/2/2017 1:56:10 PM EDT
[#15]
Reloading spent cases is the heart of reloading. especially for less common calibers as you are after OP.

Yes loading new gleaming brass is great but if you are concerned about availability what makes you think you will always have a fresh supply of brand new brass? If your primary concern for availability in the future I would at a minimum hold on to every piece of spent brass for the day you can't find new brass or you realize you have a bucket full of perfectly usable once fired brass.
3/2/2017 2:24:36 PM EDT
[#16]
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A. There's no such thing, the procedure is the same for fired casings as it is for brand new brass.

B. It makes NO sense NOT to reuse your casings! You could load this cartridge for half or LESS the cost of factory steel cased 9mm ammo. Think about that.
View Quote

Understood. 

I said that stuff while under the impression that reloading was a very pricey thing to set up and that there was a significant amount of extra equipment needed to reload fired cases, but I see thats not quite the case now. Like I said in a another reply I'll buy a manual first and read through it to get a handle on the reloading process and then go from there. 

Thanks to everyone for the replies so far.
3/2/2017 4:56:29 PM EDT
[#17]
No worries, everyone starts out clueless until they aren't any more. You'll read through the manual, you'll have questions, and you'll get them answered. You'll find that saving and reusing your brass is where the real savings is in reloading, since brass tends to be one of the most expensive components. Good luck.
3/2/2017 6:48:34 PM EDT
[#18]
An RCBS rockchucker kit is cheap enough.  

RCBS has the finest customer service I've ever had to deal with.
3/2/2017 6:53:41 PM EDT
[#19]
I also recommend the Lee Classic Cast Turret press kit. Good,sturdy, reliable press that will last you years. Get a 4 die set of Lee dies. You don't have to have the 4th die but it is recommended to seat then crimp in separate steps. The press has 4 holes for the dies so use that advantage with the 4th die in it.
That set doesn't cost much more than a 3 die set, well worth it.

You don't have to buy a manual right now. Go to the local library, they most likely will have several to choose from. Read them, scan and print pages that interest you and if you decide reloading is really not for you, nothing spent/lost. And you can choose which brand you like more then buy the newest version of it.
My library has a whole section of gun related books, they'll take almost anything donated. I've checked out a few, scanned and printed data, added them to my notebook.

You say you are only going to load 2 cartridges. I think once you get started and find out how easy and rewarding it is you'll be loading others too. I reload for everything I shoot now, except shot shells and .22LR, even though I thought the same thing you are. I only intended to load 45 Colt because even the cheapest lead bullet ammo was $25 a box. I started making my own for $5. You become proud of your work and it gets addicting.
3/3/2017 1:14:26 AM EDT
[#20]
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Quoted:
An RCBS rockchucker kit is cheap enough.  

RCBS has the finest customer service I've ever had to deal with.
View Quote
Indeed. They've sent me parts that I broke through my own negligence, free of charge. Can't recommend them enough.
3/3/2017 8:55:30 AM EDT
[#21]
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This is EXACTLY what I would recommend as well. It's also how I, myself, got started.
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
For your needs, this kit and a book, Modern Reloading by Richard Lee.

You can find reloading data on powder mfg sites ans well as others.

DO NOT trust data from any other source, including this one.


This is EXACTLY what I would recommend as well. It's also how I, myself, got started.


+1.  Looked it up on Ebay.  $210 delivered.  Dies run around $30 to $35 so you are around $250

If you just got the aluminum turret. $92 delivered
Auto disc $28
Dies $33
Auto disc riser $12
$175 total delivered

The auto disc comes with a chart showing the grains of powder for each hole.  I found them to be very close.

The Lee powder scale runs $28.  So $203 if you add that.

You can also bump up to the cast iron Classic Turret for $18 more. $193.  That would be my choice

A single stage would be much cheaper  Lee single stage aluminum $43. $132 all delivered

I personally would go with the $175 option
3/3/2017 1:29:13 PM EDT
[#22]
I bought that turrent kit when i wanted to move up from a single stage press.   I would plan on buying a real scale, a RCBS 505 is what i would reccomend.   I really didnt care for the lee scale.  I already had a rcbs scale and could never really use the lee, it was really hard to read.
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