Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .32 Long Colt with .311 | 71gr | Prvi Partizan JHP-RN bullet and 6 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 60% and propellant combustion ≥ 80%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 3.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant BE-86*² | <<locked>> | 68% | 12,908 psi | 89% | 915 fps | 89.9% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol* | <<locked>> | 80% | 11,603 psi | 80% | 886 fps | 92.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss*ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 8,151 psi | 56% | 738 fps | 91.1% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 72% | 12,488 psi | 86% | 948 fps | 92.4% |
| Maxam CSB 3*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 12,763 psi | 88% | 896 fps | 91.7% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star | <<locked>> | 92% | 12,734 psi | 88% | 899 fps | 99.9% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 3.5"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alliant BE-86*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 10,689 psi | 74% | 846 fps | 86.2% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol*² | <<locked>> | 64% | 7,963 psi | 55% | 751 fps | 85.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss* | <<locked>> | 80% | 6,106 psi | 42% | 646 fps | 85.5% |
| Maxam CSB 2*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 8,833 psi | 61% | 817 fps | 85.3% |
| Maxam CSB 3*² | <<locked>> | 60% | 11,893 psi | 82% | 869 fps | 90.5% |
| Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star*² | 1.9 gr | 60% | 6,164 psi | 43% | 666 fps | 91.6% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
* not dangerous but load has suboptimal powder burnt with possible characteristics such as extensive muzzle flash or inaccurate loads.
² fill rate low - you might want to consider using a filler to ensure proper ignition.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 6 powders for .32 Long Colt loaded with the .311 | 71gr | Prvi Partizan JHP-RN. Maxam CSB 2 delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 948 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 738 fps to 948 fps. Hodgdon TrailBoss gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 3 of the 6 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (100 MPa), the top charges use 56–89 %, leaving at least 11 % headroom. Hodgdon TrailBoss reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Vihtavuori N32C Tin Star rank at the top here: for .32 Long Colt with the .311 | 71gr | Prvi Partizan JHP-RN they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. As outliers, Alliant BE-86, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss burn incompletely and react more sensitively to barrel length and temperature. Alliant BE-86, Baschieri & Pellagri 102 Pistol, Hodgdon TrailBoss stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.