Lead Loss - 32ACP

I was recently offered a deal to buy a job lot of 32ACP ammo and components. Amongst it was about 40 boxes of Magtech LRN ammo. I did not expect it to be accurate in a Pardini - tried just 10 rounds - shotgun pattern! But I knew that I could sell it on to a pal locally who does not reload and likes to plink with some old 32ACP pocket pistols. He is happy.

Apart from testing a few rounds of the other JHP target ammo in the deal and the 10 rounds of Magtech, I have not shot the HP32 since a match two weeks ago (and cleaned it thoroughly immediately prior to that match).

Today I was preparing for a coming match, tried my usual Fiocchi XTP60, Hornady XTP60 and my reloaded XTP60/1.8 at 50 yards, could not hold any of them consistently in the black. I had just shot a very nice 900 with my HP22 (including my first ever 100 clean 50 yard SF target), so I could not understand what was going on with the HP32.

Then I happened to notice this:-

[url=https://servimg.com/view/20051226/579][img]https://i.servimg.com/u/f70/20/05/12/26/hp32_l11.jpg[/img][/url]

Looks like someone did a bad soldering job on the muzzle!

Just 10 rounds of crappy Magtech LRN ammo made a big mess of my barrel.

Stopped training, stripped the HP32 and cleaned the barrel. Heavy leading inside and the deposit on the muzzle took a lot of careful effort with Hoppe's and a soft nylon brush to remove.

Lesson learned - no more lead bullets will be shot in my HP32 in the future!

Fortunately, I've accumulated a decent stash of factory JHP ammo and also have a good stock of XTP bullets for reloading. Whew!

In the future, wrap a few strands of “Chore Boy” brand solid copper Cleaning pad around your brush.

Much faster. Make sure it’s not copper coated steel!

Sounds like the bullet was undersize. Couldn't access servimg as l don't have an account.

Cleaning with Kroil aka K&O kroil, does WONDERS on leading. I like it even more than firebrushing because it can reach midlength in rifle barrels when a lube failure orrurs.

Stop shooting lead! Problem solved

You could have it bored out to a more user friendly caliber like a 45! That would also remove all the leading.....

Greetings,

Group using Pardini barrel at 50 yards with Lead bullets...



I agree that the factory ammo was under size. The SAAMI spec for a 32 ACP is 0.311" and smaller. The Pardini barrels are 0.314".

Nothing wrong with Lead bullets. You just need to match the components for best results.

Cheers,

Dave