.32 H&R Magnum
{{Short description|US rimmed revolver cartridge}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox firearm cartridge
| name = .32 H&R Magnum
| image = 32handrmagand38special.png | image_size = 300px
| caption = .32 H&R Magnum (left) with a .38 Special (right)
| origin = USA
| type = Revolver
| service =
| used_by =
| wars =
| designer = Harrington & Richardson
Federal Premium Ammunition
| design_date = 1984
| manufacturer = Federal
| production_date = 1984–present
| number =
| variants =
| is_SI_specs =
| parent = .32 S&W Long
| case_type = Rimmed, straight
| bullet = .312
| neck = .337
| shoulder =
| base = .337
| rim_dia = .375
| rim_thick = .055
| case_length = 1.075
| length = 1.350
| rifling =
| primer= Small pistol
| max_pressure= 21000
| max_cup= 21,000Saami pressures. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
| is_SI_ballistics =
| bw1 = 77
| btype1 = Cast LFP
| vel1 = 998
| en1 = 170
| bw2 = 85
| btype2 = HP
| vel2 = 1263
| en2 = 301
| bw3 = 90
| btype3 = LSWC
| vel3 = 963
| en3 = 185
| bw4 = 90
| btype4 = JHP
| vel4 = 1227
| en4 = 301
| bw5 = 100
| btype5 = JHP
| vel5 = 1208
| en5 = 324
| test_barrel_length =
}}
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 be 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.{{cite web | url=https://gunnewsdaily.com/327-federal-magnum/ | title=327 Federal Magnum: A Good .357 Magnum Alternative? | date=31 December 2022 }}
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. When loaded to potential, the cartridge can provide similar performance from a handgun to the traditional .32-20 from a rifle. Though not always considered normative according to modern considerations, historically, this range of performance between the light and heavier expanding loads has proved efficient and versatile for many people, some of whom were evidently more than satisfied with relying on one rifle for both small game and medium-sized deer within reasonable range. Its higher velocity{{Cite web|url=http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/32hr.html|title=BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .32 H&R Results|website=www.ballisticsbytheinch.com}} 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080227195809/http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Handgun/Standarddata/32Cal(7.65mm)/32%20H_R%20Magnum%20page%2086.pdf .32 H&R Magnum data from Accurate Powder]
Use
In 2013, Hornady introduced a .32 H&R Magnum "Critical Defense" cartridge designed for self-defense. It propels an {{convert|80|gr|abbr=on}} grain FTX (flex tip), bullet at {{convert|1,150|ft/s|abbr=on}} muzzle velocity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WBOiDKviCQ|title=Critical Defense® 32 H&R Magnum from Hornady®|date=7 November 2012|via=YouTube}} Buffalo Bore offers +P rated cartridges with either {{convert|100|gr|abbr=on}} JHP or {{convert|130|gr|abbr=on}} Keith hard cast SWC bullets."[https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=90 Buffalo Bore .32 H&R Magnum]"
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.Treakle, John W. American Rifleman (May 2011) p. 42
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.
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 seven 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 {{convert|20|in|mm||abbr=on}} tapered octagonal barrel, an overall length of {{convert|37.5|in|mm||abbr=on}}, and weighs {{convert|6.5|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/Cowboy/1894_32Magnum.asp |title=Marlin Firearms – Model 1894CB |accessdate=2013-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027084647/http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/cowboy/1894_32magnum.asp |archive-date=27 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}
Gallery
File:76238comparison.jpg|.32 H&R Magnum (center) in comparison with .32 Smith & Wesson Long and 7.62×38mmR Nagant
File:32caliberhandguncartridgecomparison.png|From left to right: .32 Short, .32 ACP, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://archive.today/20130203012838/http://www.stevespages.com/jpg/cd32handrmagnum.jpg Cartridge Dimensions at Steves Pages]
- [http://www.chuckhawks.com/32HR_mag.htm Chuck Hawks .32 H&R Magnum page]
- [http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/32hr.html Ballistics By The Inch .32H&R results.]
{{Federal Premium Ammunition}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:32 HandR Magnum}}