32 H&R experience?

[mdi]

Well, as I age and to satisfy my curiosity I ordered a Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R Magnum. (My research for 327 Magnum DA revolvers with barrels over 2" mostly came up "Out of Stock").I have been going down on caliber sizes for the last 10-12 years as I shot nuttin' smaller than a 357 Magnum for many years, with 44 Magnum being my favorite.

The 32 H&R seems like a decent caliber out of a 3" revolver. Unfortunately brass and factory ammo seems to be less available than I would like. In no hurry as Oregon background/NICS are running about two weeks, 3,200+ applications behind and I got plenty of time for lookin'.

So, any experience with 32 H&R Mag, ammo and revolvers?

 

[Frulk]

What do you have for powder and bullets?

Also, I just checked Starline. .32 H&R is on back order but they’re taking orders so they must be getting ready to do a run shortly.

 

[wcwhitey]

I ordered 400 pieces from Starline, it took 2 weeks. Midway did have it along with Long brass but that was last week. At that time I ordered and received a few boxes of .32 85 Grain Hornady XTP to try. Plenty of data in that bullet with both the Long and Magnum on the Winchester/Hogdon website. So far I have loaded 100 Grain DEWC’s using Win244 and Unique. 100 Gain SWC’s using Win244, 231 and Unique in both Long and Magnum. The gun likes them all. 76/77 grain RN were the only bullets so far that the gun doesn’t like.
https://www.handloadermagazine.com/32-h-r-magnum-pet-loads

https://reloadammo.com/32-h-r-magnum-reloading-data/

A few articles with plenty of data. They are fun to shoot, easy to load for but they really are a reloaders proposition with the exception of some .32 Long Ammo around. All the brass I have was picked up in the last year as loaded .32 Long at pre pandemic prices as there did not seem to be a rush on the caliber.


As far as the revolver I like it. Full disclosure it went back to Charter after about a month 300/400 rounds give or take as it was binding up. Came back very nice, everything good to go and improved. Sights are on and the gun is accurate. It will take a bit to get used to the fiber optic, just remember that it is the sight and align it at top not the remaining blade. Trigger is very nice. Grips have a nice contour but any Charter grips will work.

 

[Zendude]

My Starline 32 H&R brass has lasted a long time. One thing I’ve learned with 32 is to use a powder that meters well. The relatively small diameter of the brass and small powder charges can make it difficult to make consistent powder throws.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Brownells and Midway have both been sitting on 32 H&R starline brass for months... Looks lile midway currently only has nickel casings. Brownells has brass currently.

Mine is a ruger single six bisley and i absolutely love it.

 

[mdi]

What do you have for powder and bullets?

Also, I just checked Starline. .32 H&R is on back order but they’re taking orders so they must be getting ready to do a run shortly.

I have some Hornady 85 gr. XTPs I used in my 32 ACP. I also checked my manuals and found 4 or 5 suitable powders on hand. Enough to get me started if I can find some brass; factory ammo, new or once fired brass. Checked this morning and found one vendor that had nickel plated cases, but the 8 or 10 others had zip in stock and Starline was "backordered". I may have to pick up 500 cases but I'd rather just start with 100 or 200 for now.

 

[Frulk]

Pm me your address and I’ll send you 100 new star line nickel plated to get you going. No charge.

 

[Riomouse911]

The brass is out there, it is just takes a bit of time to fill an order on occasion. Bullets are easier to find. Primer numbers are improving, but still can be a hassle at times.

I have loaded lots of Bayou Bullets 100 gr RNFP and DEWC, Hornady 100 gr XTP and other coated bullets as heavy as 120 grains (These are usually marketed as .32/20 bullets.)

I like Unique, AA# 5 and HP-38. Here are a ton of load suggestions.

https://reloadammo.com/32-h-r-magnum-reloading-data/

My only issue involves the firing pin on my Bisley Single six having a tendency to pierce softer primers. I now load all if my .32 H&R and .327 Federal cases with small rifle primers and that issue is now moot.

Nice round and gun, I think you’ll like them both.

Stay safe.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Well, as I age and to satisfy my curiosity I ordered a Charter Arms Professional in 32 H&R Magnum. (My research for 327 Magnum DA revolvers with barrels over 2" mostly came up "Out of Stock").I have been going down on caliber sizes for the last 10-12 years as I shot nuttin' smaller than a 357 Magnum for many years, with 44 Magnum being my favorite.

The 32 H&R seems like a decent caliber out of a 3" revolver. Unfortunately brass and factory ammo seems to be less available than I would like. In no hurry as Oregon background/NICS are running about two weeks, 3,200+ applications behind and I got plenty of time for lookin'.

So, any experience with 32 H&R Mag, ammo and revolvers?

Midway has free shipping again and bullets are included.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2046216411?pid=643330

115gr is a heavy hitter in the .32Mag world. I try to keep velocities under 900fps for 25yds and less. Otherwise might as well be shooting a .38Spl.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

.32 H&R Magnum is never going to be a powerhouse, but is roughly the equivalent of .38 Special from a revolver. I've posted before about how the 32 H&R has been hamstrung by being developed for weaker revolvers. It should by all rights be much more powerful, but it is what it is. You're going to get decent performance from a 3 inch revolver, but to get the most from the cartridge you need to be at about a 5 inch barrel. Personally, I have an Undercoverette with a 2" barrel, and I find that I wind up shooting more .32 S&W Long because of the greater availability of load data.

 

[mdi]

Pm me your address and I’ll send you 100 new star line nickel plated to get you going. No charge.

Man! I really appreciate the offer. Best offer I've had in years! But, right after I finished my last post I tried MidWay one more time, saw some nickel plated brass and ordered 100.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[Shivahasagun]

I've wanted to load some moderate .327 Mag for my 2 in LCR but there are no cases available.

This makes me want get all I can from .32 magnum. I have loaded for it (and .32 Long) and like 100 gr FN bullets at about 950 fps but that's just going to give .380 performance.

To get a bullet to expand and penetrate well will take more gusto.

I'd like to know if Enforcer powder would work in .32 magnum.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

The problem with most .32 caliber handguns (with the exception of .327 Fed Magnum) is the questionable expansion of most bullets. .32 SWL and .32 H&R Mag might be best loaded with wadcutters or semi-wadcutters to facilitate penetration. That's just an opinion though.

 

[wcwhitey]

The problem with most .32 caliber handguns (with the exception of .327 Fed Magnum) is the questionable expansion of most bullets. .32 SWL and .32 H&R Mag might be best loaded with wadcutters or semi-wadcutters to facilitate penetration. That's just an opinion though.

Valid Point! If we are talking about self defense the .32 Long is a choice mostly for recoil challenged shooters. In that realm you get a bullet two and a half times heavier than the .22 LR in the 750 fps range (maybe more maybe less depending on factory load) that gives twice the foot pounds of energy. adequate penetration and virtually no recoil. It that realm its an option lack of expansion aside. It might just be the one round you don’t want expansion. RNL and Wadcutters are available on the shelf. Boutique ammo can be had. I do not see the reason anyone would arm themselves with a .22 when the .32 Long exists. Personal defense wise.

The .32 H&R will give you expansion with 85 grain bullets at over 1000 fps. Light .38 Special/.380 territory but with again less recoil. In my opinion the .32 H&R is not a bad option if you can get past the lack of availability of factory ammo. Has anyone offered a new loading in the .32 H&R in the last decade, I have not seen one. Not on the shelf but again boutique ammo can be had.

.327 Magnum is a great round, very versatile. Recoil is sharp though and I don’t know what it replaces. It’s good but I think it’s niche is the fact that you can now load all these calibers mentioned and have one gun that covers a very wide spectrum of uses.

As a handloader I see the beauty of .32 in its versatility, ease of loading and accuracy. It’s a great family of cartridges. I really do not get the lack of factory support. They are just fun!

 

[25-20 WCF]

The problem with most .32 caliber handguns (with the exception of .327 Fed Magnum) is the questionable expansion of most bullets. .32 SWL and .32 H&R Mag might be best loaded with wadcutters or semi-wadcutters to facilitate penetration. That's just an opinion though.

Actually, top .32 H&R loads will expand XTP bullets at least. I’ve loaded my 4” SP-101 with 85 XTPs to 1400 fps and 100 XTPs to 1300 fps, both bullets expand in wet newsprint, the 100 giving deeper penetration. No reason cast bullets won’t work, but in this small caliber I’d prefer some expansion. I don’t know the strength of the OP’s Charter revolver, but .327 revolvers can easily achieve the above performance using .32 H&R brass.

https://loaddata.com/Article/BenchTopics/The-32-HR-Magnum/92

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/32-h-r-magnum-pet-loads

 

[Bush Pilot]

If can get 500 32 H & R cases DO IT. My guess is this won't be your last 32 H & R.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Actually, top .32 H&R loads will expand XTP bullets at least. I’ve loaded my 4” SP-101 with 85 XTPs to 1400 fps and 100 XTPs to 1300 fps, both bullets expand in wet newsprint, the 100 giving deeper penetration. No reason cast bullets won’t work, but in this small caliber I’d prefer some expansion. I don’t know the strength of the OP’s Charter revolver, but .327 revolvers can easily achieve the above performance using .32 H&R brass.

https://loaddata.com/Article/BenchTopics/The-32-HR-Magnum/92

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/32-h-r-magnum-pet-loads

View attachment 1110898

Whew, those are some hot loads, but from a SP-101 they're probably just fine. More like a .32 H&R Magnum (+P) if there is such a creature. I'm not sure I would attempt those in a Charter. I'm not saying they couldn't handle them, but I'm not saying they would either.

At standard load pressure, you'd probably looking at about 950-1000 fps from the 85 gr bullets, and about 900 fps from the 100 gr bullets with a 4" barrel. From the Charter Professional with its 3" barrel, you'd get more like 850fps for the 85 gr bullets and 800 fps for the 100 gr bullets. You might get over 1000 fps using 60 gr .32 ACP bullets if you can find load data. Less than that from a 2" barrel.

 

[mdi]

Don't know about the last decade, but Buffalo Bore has some very good SD ammo and Hornady offers some 80 gr. FTX that show good expansion and penetration from both 2" and 4" revolvers... https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32HRMag

 

[wcwhitey]

Don't know about the last decade, but Buffalo Bore has some very good SD ammo and Hornady offers some 80 gr. FTX that show good expansion and penetration from both 2" and 4" revolvers... https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#32HRMag

Buffalo Bore offers a good range of .32/.327 ammo. It’s what I have often heard called boutique. It’s an option. I would just like to see some options on the shelf. Any .32 H&R I have found have been Gun Show and Dusty Shelf LGS finds. Nothing being currently produced as far as I know by the major commercial firms. .32 Long seems to be the exception. Aguila, Fiocci and MagTech seem to be pumping that out. MagTech does make a 98 Semi Jacketed Hollow point that I have seen a Gun Sam video on and it seems to actually expand reliably. That was the only place I have seen this however. I have seen this ammo available. Will look for a link. It’s based on the super soft point and short jacket. The Bonded Hollow Points seem to need the higher velocities of the .32 H&R and .327 to work well.

https://www.outdoorlimited.com/hand...8-grain-semi-jacketed-hollow-point-50-rounds/

It is 98 Grain I was wrong for your viewing pleasure

 

[Shivahasagun]

It needs to be a heavier bullet to penetrate deep. Or a faster bullet that doesn't expand much.

The 100 gr XTP will work loaded to 1100-1200 fps IIRC but I don't think that can happen with .32 magnum cases in a sub-2 inch .327.

The next approach would be a slower, heavier bullet like a lead 115 gr HP.