.32 H&R Magnum is more than THEY are telling you

[pairof44sp]

A search turns up no thread dedicated to this wonderful handloader's round. So here's one, from a member who has just started reloading these little devils.

What I'm finding so far:

.32 H&R Magnum is the most delicate of any brass I've encountered. It's like they're made with brass foil. If you look at a loaded round, you'll see exactly how far down that bullet goes in the case. In good light, you'll see the lube grooves through the case walls.

.32 H&R Magnum published loads are preposterously light. My own loads have been starting out in the mid-3 g's of Titegroup, which is already hotter than just about anything I'm seeing published. Yet I've seen no pressure signs yet, and the shooting is very mellow out of 21-oz Charter Professionals. (For comparison, in .44 Special, I'm using loads below anything published, just to get the recoil down to something tolerable in 18-ounce Charter Boomers.)

32-20 heavy cast bullets seem to work well. 120g cast 32-20 RN bullets from Brazos work beautifully in front of Titegroup. Even though that's a heavier round than anything I'm seeing published for .32 H&R, and even though I'm liberally adding more Titegroup than anything published.

.32 H&R Magnum energy foot-pounds stomps all over .38 Special, and is headed for 9mm territory. Okay, I made this claim up, since I don't have a chronograph. But it feels true to me. Who here thinks you could safely approach 1,000 ft/sec with those 120g cast bullets from a 3-inch barrel?

What have you more experienced reloaders found out about .32 H&R Magnum ?

 

[Charlie98]

32 H&R Magnum is the most delicate of any brass I've encountered.

.32 H&R Magnum published loads are preposterously light.

Those two might be connected in some way. Just saying...

 

[Walkalong]

Great little round, I love mine.

If you feel the need to “hot rod” it, buy a .327 Federal

Y’all be careful out there.

 

[BBarn]

I wouldn't rely on perceived recoil or observable pressure signs to ensure safety with a 21,000 CUP cartridge.

 

[Dunross]

Been plenty of discussion of 32 H&R, 327 Fed Mag, and 32 S&W Long in just the time I've been here. Often all three together

Review your search technique. They will come up.

Most published load data does seem to favor light bullets.

 

[AJC1]

My what's the appeal thread should pop

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

The 32 H&R Magnum is a fine round. It should by all rights be more powerful, but I’ve read that it was hamstrung by SAAMI for weak H&R revolvers. It does have equivalent power to a 38 special, but with much less recoil. On the other hand, they are LOUD from a snub nose revolver.

As to weak brass, some of what I have reloaded is kinda thin, but others are fairly strong. I think maybe it has a lot to do with the brass manufacturer as to whether it is thin or not.

 

[ahutch71]

32 H&R is one of my favorites. Haven't had issues with weak/thin brass - I bought a slew from Starline and it's been reliable and hasn't degraded, although I don't push it too far. I load up some 115 grain cast and chrono'd them at about 975-1000 fps, but that's out of a Ruger Single Six Bisley with a 6-1/2" barrel. If I want to push faster than that, I drop down to 85gr and 95gr. Haven't checked the 115's in my Charter Professional, but I expect they'd hover around 900. Will put that on my to do list.

To me, the greatest thing about this round is how accurate it is, and that a compact wheelgun can carry 7 rounds of 38 special + energy.

If you feel the need to “hot rod” it, buy a .327 Federal

Agree with this wholeheartedly - if you want screamers, Ruger makes an SP101 and a Single Seven in 327 Fed Mag and those can be loaded to incredible pressures. I've looked at both of those models, and they're both on my wishlist. In the meantime, the 32 H&R is a near perfect target/plinking cartridge IMHO.

 

[Walkalong]

Taurus .32 Mags. Approximately J & K Frame in size.

 

[Analogkid]

I run a r73 nef occasionally. I regularly load a 77gr bullet with a max charge of cfe pistol through it. Hits like a hammer on plates.

100gr 700x mouse fart loads make it easy for newbs to run as well and have fun.

I've been looking for a 4" version for a while.

 

[joneb]

I would guess if I had a model 10 S&W chambered in 32 H&R mag with a 2.75" barrel, I could load it on the warm side. And that would cool, even more cool would be 7 rnds in a K frame. Just dreaming.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Taurus .32 Mags. Approximately J & K Frame in size.
View attachment 976884
View attachment 976883

I've been on the lookout for one of these. So far no luck.

At least, opportunity and budget have not yet aligned.

 

[Sistema1927]

Anybody loading the .32 H&R using the Meister 94 gr LRNFP? Most data I look at has loads for 90 grain and 98, but nothing in-between. Not looking for full bore loads, but something more potent than .32 Long.

I have Unique, Titegroup, W296/H110, a W231/HP38 on hand (as well as Trial Boss, but I reserve that for powder puff loads). I also have both regular nd magnum primers.

 

[Zendude]

I haven’t noticed any problems with Starline brass for my 32 H&R. I only load jacketed .312 bullets and there is no hourglass shape.

 

[Bush Pilot]

The 32 H & R magnum is one of my favorite cartridges. A friend of mine turned me on to the cartridge years ago and I've never looked back. I got lucky enough to pu a Marlin in 32 H & R from Gun Broker a while ago (since added 2 Henrys in 327 Fed)

 

[joneb]

The .327 Federal killed the 32 Mag. I wish I had a six round 32 Mag. J frame DA/SA with a 2.75-3" barrel and adjustable sights, that would be nice.

 

[cfullgraf]

I've not found 32 H&R Mag brass being thin and weak. But most of my brass is from Starline.

I have only one 32 H&R mag revolver, an S&W Model 16-4, and tend to load mostly target level loads for the gun.

I have a GP100 and Single Seven chambered in 327 Federal Magnum if I want more zip in a 32 caliber gun.

 

[Riomouse911]

The cases are certainly smaller than all the others I load, but I’ll agree the Starline .32 H&R cases seem to be as robust as other non-magnum caliber brass.

I have only loaded one “hotrodded” .32 load for my Ruger SS Bisley 6.5”, that one has an above recommended max charge of Unique under a Montana Bullet Works 125 gr gas checked LSWC. I’ve shot a bunch of these out of the Bisley and they’re as accurate as I can shoot and have a touch of thump on the hand and the targets.

##The load has been safe to shoot in my Ruger single-six. I would not shoot it at all in a .32 H&R magnum revolver of lesser strength, period. Please drop 10% and work up if you choose to shoot it in your Ruger!##


My standard shootin’ load is a Brazos coated 100 gr RNFP over 4.2 gr. Unique. Our of my gun this is a great load for just about anything I want to do with the little Ruger.



Stay safe.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Anybody loading the .32 H&R using the Meister 94 gr LRNFP? Most data I look at has loads for 90 grain and 98, but nothing in-between. Not looking for full bore loads, but something more potent than .32 Long.

I have Unique, Titegroup, W296/H110, a W231/HP38 on hand (as well as Trial Boss, but I reserve that for powder puff loads). I also have both regular nd magnum primers.

I do have the 94gr. Meister's RFN bullets but I only have loaded them in .32Long to replicate the old Colt's .32 New Police load (2.5gr. Bullseye for ~750fps from a 4" Police Positive). I have pushed the 100gr Meister's DEWC to 3.3gr. Bullseye in .32H&R Magnum without any negative signs of pressure and the velocity is at the predicted 900fps. I think 3.0gr. of Unique would be a good low pressure starting point for the 94gr. and you have room to work up from there. The max for that bullet will be probably be around 5.0gr. if you use the Lyman's cast data.

This is the .32 Long data. Meister bullets are close to the hardness of #2 Alloy.

 

[jski]

I’m glad you brought this up! The 32 H&R Magnum makes for an excellent lite-weight pocket the gun.


The S&W Model 431PD is a lightweight, alloy J-Frame, exposed hammer revolver in .32 Magnum. It accepts 6 rounds of .32 Magnum ammunition as opposed to the .38 Special J-Frames that have a 5-cartridge capacity.

The S&W Model 432PD is perfect for packet carry. The rubber Hogue combat-style grips add a measure of controllability to this lightweight (13.5 oz) revolver.

 

[Dunross]

The .327 Federal killed the 32 Mag. I wish I had a six round 32 Mag. J frame DA/SA with a 2.75-3" barrel and adjustable sights, that would be nice.

I don't think the 327 killed the 32H&R but more like simply incorporated it the way 357 mag incorporates 38 special.

Pretty much every thread about the 327 Federal Magnum also involves discussion of the 32 H&R Magnum and, often enough, 32 S&W Long.

I have a handful of H&R brass, but mostly use 327 since that is what my guns are chambered for, BUT most of what I actually shoot is H&R loads in that 327 brass since it does what I need it to without the full 327 muzzle blast. I do the same thing - usually - with my 357 revolvers and carbines. Unless I need full-house loads mine are usually 38 special charges in mag brass.

I don't think 32 H&R Magnum is going to disappear, but it has always been a niche caliber along with its big brother the 327 so availability is likely always going to be somewhat limited.

 

[jski]

Charter Arms is the only manufacturer still making 32 H&R Magnum revolvers.

 

[Bartojc]

Charter Arms is the only manufacturer still making 32 H&R Magnum revolvers.
View attachment 1002338

Ruger still lists a Lipsey's Model Single Six in 32 H&R.

-Jeff

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Charter Arms is the only manufacturer still making 32 H&R Magnum revolvers.
View attachment 1002338

Any .327Fed is also a .32H&R and a .32S&W/L - just like any .357Max is also a .357Mag, a .38Spl. and a .38 LC.

 

[Sistema1927]

Charter Arms is the only manufacturer still making 32 H&R Magnum revolvers.
View attachment 1002338

And I am really impressed with the quality of this one that I just picked up. DAO hammer coming from CA, will install upon arrival the next day or so.