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Reloading The .32 H&R Magnum



photos © MDS - 2009

(show above is .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, .327 Federal Magnum)
(bullets: 100 gr plated, 100 gr RNFP, 115 gr RNFP & 113 gr CPB with Gas Check, Berry's HBWC 83gr(copper plated)


Loads for the .32 H&R Magnum:
(Note: Most ARE MAXIMUM loads, you may want to use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
You can shoot the .32 S&W and the .32 S&W Long in the .32 H&R Magnum since all are shorter cartridges than the .32 H&R mag. but the same bullet diameter. The .32 H&R case is quite strong and some shooters are using this case in their .327 Fed. Magnum guns and pushing the max loads. You are on your own if you do this.
Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.

Bullet size is .314" (lead)(some .313") and Jacketed is usually .312" in diameter. 


(Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231)

(IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia)
----------------------------------------
60 Grain Hornady Jacketed (.312")(these light bullets 
will not stabilize well at high speeds and usually used in .32 auto)
    Bullseye   use 3.8 to 4.3 grains
    HP38       use 3.0 to 4.2 grains
    Unique     use 4.5 to 5.0 grains
    W231       use 4.4 to 4.8 grains
    TrueBlue   use 6.5 to 7.5 grains
  Ramshot Competition use 3.8 to 4.5 grains
----------------------------------------
77-78 Grain LEAD FP (.314")
    Trail Boss  2.3 gr. (low velocity) (start)
    Trail Boss  2.6 gr.  (max)
    HP-38 & W-231  2.4 gr. 797 (start)
    HP-38 & W-231  3.4 gr. 998 (max)
    Titegroup   2.0 gr. 745 (start) 
    Titegroup   3.0 gr. 993 (max)
    Clays       2.5 gr. 848 (max)
    ZIP         3.3 gr. 845   Hi=920, Lo=808, ES=111 (Lead RN bullet-.313")
----------------------------------------
83 Grain Berry's plated HBWC (photo) 
         (Hollow Base Wad Cutter)(neat bullet)
    W296/H110   9.5 gr. 972   Hi=979, Lo=964, ES=15 (VERY good load)
    W296/H110  10.3 gr. 1,055 Hi=1104 Lo=1028 ES=76
----------------------------------------
85 Grain Jacketed Hornady HP (.312")
    Universal   4.0 gr. 1,090 (start)
    Universal   4.3 gr. 1,123 (max)
    HP-38 & W-231 3.2 gr. 785 (start)
    HP-38 & W-231 3.8 gr. 1,003 (max)
    HS-6        5.2 gr. 902 (start)
    HS-6        5.6 gr. 1,146 (max)
    Titegroup   3.0 gr. 929 (start)
    Titegroup   3.7 gr. 1,110 (max)
    Lil'Gun    10.5 gr. 1,163 (start)
    Lil'Gun    12.0 gr. 1,263 (max)
    W-AutoComp  4.2 gr. 1,037 (start)
    W-AutoComp  4.6 gr. 1,114 (max)
    Bullseye    3.1 gr.   986 (start)
    Bullseye    3.4 gr. 1,020
    Bullseye    3.9 gr. 1,162 (MAX)
    Unique      3.9 gr.   994 (start)
    Unique      4.1 gr. 1,050
    Unique      4.7 gr. 1,240 (MAX)
    2400        8.4 gr. 1,118 (max)
    AA #2       4.0 gr. 1,262 (max)
    AA #5       5.2 gr. 1,296 (max)
    H4227       8.5 gr.   989
    H4227       9.5 gr. 1,151 Max
    H110 & W296 11.0 gr. 1,288
----------------------------------------
90 Grain LEAD SWC(.314")
    W-AutoComp  3.4 gr. 874 (start)
    W-AutoComp  3.9 gr. 997 (max)
    Universal   3.0 gr. 819 (start)
    Universal   3.2 gr. 908 (max)
    HP-38 & W-231 2.8 gr. 828 (start) 
    HP-38 & W-231 3.2 gr. 919 (max)
    Trail Boss  2.4 gr.   751 (start)
    Trail Boss  2.8 gr.   785 (max) very nice cowboy load
    Titegroup   2.4 gr.   819 (start)
    Titegroup   2.8 gr.   911 (max)
    Bullseye    2.2 gr.   808 
    Bullseye    2.8 gr.   959
    2400        5.6 gr.   968 (start)
    2400        6.1 gr.   1,108 (max)
    Unique      2.5 gr.   808  (start)
    Unique      3.6 gr.   1,005 (max)
    2400        6.2 gr.   1,117
    HS-6        4.6 gr.   845
    HS-6        5.0 gr.   963 max
    Red Dot     3.3 gr.   998 max
    WSF         3.2 gr.   821
    WSF         3.8 gr.   967 max
    AA #9       7.5 gr.   1,048 (max)
    H4227       9.5 gr.   1,042
    H4227      10.0 gr.   1,079 max
    Black Hills Factory Cowboy Load  658   Hi=685, Lo=614, ES=71 (for reference only)
----------------------------------------
90 Grain Jacketed HP(.312")
    Lil'Gun     10.0 gr. 1,156 (start)
    Lil'Gun     11.5 gr. 1,227 (max)
    W-AutoComp  4.0 gr. 957 (start)
    W-AutoComp  4.5 gr. 1,082 (max)
    Universal   3.7 gr. 1,008 (start)
    Universal   4.0 gr. 1,072 (max)
    HP-38 & W-231 3.5 gr. 930 (start) 
    HP-38 & W-231 4.0 gr. 1,033 (max)
    Titegroup   3.1 gr. 932 (start)
    Titegroup   3.6 gr. 1,060 (max)
    Lil'Gun     10.4 gr. 1,088 (start)
    Lil'Gun     11.5 gr. 1,227 (max)
    Bullseye     2.2 gr.  805 (start)
    Bullseye     3.3 gr. 1,049 (max)
    2400         8.4 gr. 1,028 (max)
    H4227        9.5 gr. 1,042
    H4227       10.0 gr. 1,079 max
    HS-6         5.4 gr. 1,026
    HS-6         6.0 gr. 1,140 max
----------------------------------------
98 Grain HBWC lead (.314")
    Bullseye   2.3 gr. 810 (max)
    Unique     4.0 gr. 998  (max)
----------------------------------------
98 Grain Round Nose lead (.314")
    Unique     4.3 gr. 833  Hi=848, Lo=814, ES 34  (2" bbl)
    Unique     4.3 gr. 913  Hi=995  Lo=862  ES=133 (4" bbl)
----------------------------------------
100 Grain SWC or RN lead (.314")
    AA #2      3.6 gr. 1,152 (max)
    AA #5      4.7 gr. 1,255 (max)
    AA #7      7.0 gr. 1,082
    AA #9      9.9 gr. 1,185
    W-296       10.1 gr. 1,051 Personal load in 4" bbl revolver
    H110 & W296 10.4 gr. 1,262
    H110 & W296 10.9 gr. 1,302 max
    Bullseye   3.1 gr.   968
    Bullseye   3.4 gr.  1,022 max
    Unique     3.6 gr.   957
    Unique     4.0 gr.   998 max
    ZIP(Ramshot)2.7 gr.  665   Hi=684   Lo=610  ES=74
    ZIP        3.0 gr.   744   Hi=786   Lo=691  ES=44.6
    ZIP        3.2 gr.   846   Hi=876   Lo=800  ES=76
    TrueBlue  *6.5 gr.  1,157  Hi=1175  Lo=1144 ES=31 (LRN bullet)
    Silhouette 5.6 gr.  1,031  Hi=1080  Lo=993  ES=87.5 (Max)(SWC bullet)
    Trail Boss 1.7 gr.    563  Hi=580   Lo=544  ES=36 (very mild for Pink Lady shooter in 2" bbl)
    Trail Boss 1.7 gr.    612  Hi=647   Lo=582  ES=65 (very mild Ladies Load in 5.5" Ruger)
    Trail Boss 2.3 gr.    679  Avg fps. Personal load - nice load 4" bbl
    Trail Boss 2.3 gr.    682  Hi=692   Lo=668  ES=24 
    Trail Boss 3.0 gr.    830  Hi=841  Lo=816  ES=25 (excellent load)
        * These loads shot in a .327 revolver, may be too hot for a .32 H&R
----------------------------------------
100 Grain Plated FP (.312")
    Unique     4.3 gr.   863   Hi=877, Lo=844, ES=33
    Unique     4.3 gr.   892   Hi=910  Lo=874  ES=36 (second test)
----------------------------------------
100 Grain Hornady or Speer JHP (.312")
    W-AutoComp  3.7 gr. 867 (start)
    W-AutoComp  4.2 gr. 964 (max)
    Universal  3.3 gr. 847 (start)
    Universal  3.7 gr. 973 (max)
    HP-38 & W231 gr. 3.3 gr. 860 (start)
    HP-38 & W231 gr. 3.7 gr. 947 (max)
    Lil'Gun     10.0 gr. 1,151 (start)
    Lil'Gun     11.0 gr. 1,208 (max)
    Titegroup   3.1 gr. 932 (start)
    Titegroup   3.3 gr. 956 (max)
    H4227       9.0 gr. 980
    H4227      10.0 gr. 1,060 max
    HS-6       4.8 gr. 885
    HS-6       5.4 gr. 1,023 max
    Bullseye   3.6 gr. 1,000 (MAX)
    Unique     4.4 gr. 1,047 (Max)
    2400       7.7 gr. 1,091 (Max)
    AA #2      3.7 gr. 1,139 (max)
    AA #5      4.9 gr. 1,185 (max)
    AA #7      6.4 gr.   968
    AA #9      9.4 gr. 1,275 (max)
  Master commercial JHP  1,245 fps
-----------------------------------------
113 Grain Cast Performance LEAD RNFP + Gas Check (.313")
    Until I get some testing done with this bullet(photo)
      I suggest you use loads below for the 115 gr.
-----------------------------------------
115 Grain LEAD Round Nose Flat Point, 4" bbl revolver on Ramshot
        (Note Ramshot "Enforcer" is not ideal, but "Competition" was great.)
    Titegroup  2.5 gr. 907
    H110       8.6 gr. 882
    H110       9.6 gr. 1,043 
    H110      10.8 gr. 1,134 max
    AA #9      6.7 gr. 858
    AA #9      7.7 gr. 1,041 max
    (I have seen loads up to 10.0 with #9, but can
     not verify safety or max. Used in a .327 mag gun)
    HP-38 & W231 3.2 gr. 844
    HP-38 & W231 3.7 gr. 933 max
    W231       3.2 gr. 838  Hi=859, Lo=823, ES=36  (personal)
    W231       3.5 gr. 912  Hi=927, Lo=900, ES=28
    W231       3.8 gr. 962  Hi=966, Lo=959, ES= 6.8 (GREAT)
    W231 +P   *4.1 gr. 1,017   Hi=1034, Lo=989, ES=45 (HOT, +P load shot in a .327 revolver)
    W296/H110  9.5 gr. 933  Hi=933, Lo=906, ES=46.6   Good Load
    Unique     4.0 gr. 880
    Unique     3.0 gr. 792  Hi=815, Lo=778, ES=37 (Near Max for standard H&R Mag)
    Unique     3.0 gr. 791  Hi=797  Lo=786  ES=10.3 (better second test)
    Unique +P *4.3 gr. 1,012  Hi=1040, Lo=994, ES=46 (Hot shot in 4" bbl .327 revolver)
    Unique     4.3 gr. 1,144  Hi=1179  Lo=1097 ES=82  in a 5.5" bbl Ruger SA
    Unique     4.3 gr. 996   Hi=1033, Lo=974, ES=59 with 2" bbl revolver
    HS-6       4.8 gr. 914
    HS-6       5.5 gr. 1,015 max
  Ramshot Enforcer 6.0 gr.  650  Hi=671, Lo=609, ES=62 (not a good load)
  Ramshot Enforcer 6.5 gr.  736  Hi=745, Lo=721, ES=25 (good)
  Ramshot Enforcer 7.0 gr.  838  Hi=859, Lo=827, ES=31 (good)
  Ramshot Enforcer 7.5 gr.  887  Hi=901, Lo=864, ES=37
  Ramshot Enforcer 8.0 gr.  948  Hi=969, Lo=936, ES=33 (fills case to base of bullet)
  Ramshot Competition 2.5 gr. 803 (light load)
  Ramshot Competition 3.0 gr. 907  Hi=931, Lo=874, ES=58
  Ramshot Competition 3.5 gr. 980  Hi=992, Lo=961, ES=37 (best)
  Ramshot Competition*4.0 gr. 1,004  Hi=1069, Lo=968, ES=101 (hot-MAX)
  True Blue(Ramshot) *6.0 gr. 1,116  Hi=1124  Lo=1109 ES=15 (Wow, very hot-MAX)
     * These loads shot in a .327 revolver, may be too hot for a .32 H&R.
 ----------------------------------------

Discussion: All the powders listed are fast to medium burning powders in small quantities for these lighter bullets. The JHP would be the defense bullet to use.

A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air.

*
Power Pistol, Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders.
Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders.
No. 2, No. 5, No. 7, No. 9, #2230, and #2460 are products of Accurate Arms Company
WAP (Winchester Action Pistol), WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div.
Ramshot powders are from Western Powder Company. Products used here are "Competition" (ideal for .32) and "Enforcer" (usually used for large magnum loads) www.ramshot.com Also loads of "True Blue" , "Zip", "Silhouette"

References: - - Alliant - - Hodgdon's web site 2009 - - Hodgdon now owns Winchester and IMR powders (2009) - - Numerous magazine articles on reloading special calibers and personal loads where noted. Ramshot on line .pdf loading guide 2010

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This page created 4-18-09 by M.D. Smith and last modified on Sept. 10, 2011 ©