.32 H&R Magnum
.32 H&R Magnum (left) with a .38 Special (right)
TypeRevolver
Place of originUSA
Production history
DesignerHarrington & Richardson
Federal Premium Ammunition
Designed1984
ManufacturerFederal
Produced1984–present
Specifications
Parent case.32 S&W Long
Case typeRimmed, straight
Bullet diameter.312 in (7.9 mm)
Neck diameter.337 in (8.6 mm)
Base diameter.337 in (8.6 mm)
Rim diameter.375 in (9.5 mm)
Rim thickness.055 in (1.4 mm)
Case length1.075 in (27.3 mm)
Overall length1.350 in (34.3 mm)
Primer typeSmall pistol
Maximum pressure21,000 psi (140 MPa)
Maximum CUP21,000[1] CUP
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
77 gr (5 g) Cast LFP 998 ft/s (304 m/s) 170 ft⋅lbf (230 J)
85 gr (6 g) HP 1,263 ft/s (385 m/s) 301 ft⋅lbf (408 J)
90 gr (6 g) LSWC 963 ft/s (294 m/s) 185 ft⋅lbf (251 J)
90 gr (6 g) JHP 1,227 ft/s (374 m/s) 301 ft⋅lbf (408 J)
100 gr (6 g) JHP 1,208 ft/s (368 m/s) 324 ft⋅lbf (439 J)
Source(s): Hodgdon[2]

The .32 H&R Magnum, also known as the .32 Magnum, is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers. It was developed and introduced in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Premium Ammunition.

The .32 Magnum was designed to more than double the speed and energy of the less powerful .32 Smith & Wesson Long cartridge, on which it is based. Loadings for the .32 H&R Magnum even typically exceed hot .38 Special +P loads in terms of both speed and energy. The .32 Magnum also has a higher maximum pressure than the .38 Special.[3]

Performance

The .32 H&R Magnum offers substantially more performance than most other .32 caliber handgun cartridges, such as the .32 ACP, and is considered an effective small-game hunting cartridge. Its higher velocity[4] offers a flat trajectory, while the light weight of the bullet results in low recoil.

Maximum pressure for the .32 H&R Magnum is set at 21,000 CUP by SAAMI.[5]

Use

In 2013, Hornady introduced a .32 H&R Magnum "Critical Defense" cartridge designed for self-defense. It propels an 80 grain FTX (flex tip), bullet at 1,150 fps muzzle velocity.[6] Buffalo Bore offers +P rated cartridges with either a 100 gr. JHP or a 130 gr. Keith hard cast SWC bullets.[7]

Since the .32 H&R Magnum headspaces on the rim and shares the rim dimensions and case and bullet diameters of the shorter .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long cartridges, these shorter cartridges may be safely fired in arms chambered for the .32 H&R Magnum. However, the longer, more powerful .32 H&R Magnum cartridges cannot be safely fired in arms designed for the .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long.[8]

In 2007, the .32 H&R Magnum was the basis for a "super magnum", the .327 Federal Magnum. The .32 H&R can safely be fired out of any firearm chambered for .327 Federal.[9]

Firearms chambered for the .32 H&R Magnum

Handguns

In addition to Harrington & Richardson, other manufacturers who have offered revolvers in .32 H&R Magnum include Dan Wesson Firearms, Charter Arms (professional 7 round revolver), Freedom Arms, Smith & Wesson (J and K frames), Ruger (Blackhawk, Single-Six, GP100, SP101, Ruger LCR and LCRx), Taurus, and New England Firearms (NEF). In addition, any gun chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge can fire the .32 H&R Magnum safely.

American Derringer, Bond Arms, and Cobra Firearms offer derringers in .32 H&R Magnum, while Thompson Center Arms offered their Contender pistol in it.

Rifles

Marlin offered the Model 1894CB lever-action rifle in .32 H&R Magnum. Unlike other Marlin 1894s, the 1894CB loads from the front of the tubular 10-shot magazine, like their Model 39A rimfire rifle, and has a faster, 10% shorter throw, lever action. It has a 20" tapered octagonal barrel, an overall length of 37.5" and weighs 6.5 lbs.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Saami pressures. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
  2. ↑ .32 H&R Mag data at Hodgdon Archived 11 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ "327 Federal Magnum: A Good .357 Magnum Alternative?". 31 December 2022.
  4. ↑ Ballistics By The Inch .32H&R results.
  5. ↑ .32 H&R Magnum data from Accurate Powder
  6. ↑ Hornady .32 H&R Magnum 80gr FTX Critical Defense
  7. ↑ "Buffalo Bore .32 H&R Magnum"
  8. ↑ Treakle, John W. American Rifleman (May 2011) p. 42
  9. ↑ "327 Federal Magnum: A Good .357 Magnum Alternative?". 31 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "Marlin Firearms – Model 1894CB". Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
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