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Common uses: Self-Defense, Small Game, Target
| Type | pistol (centerfire) |
| Typical load | 85gr Federal Personal Defense Revolver JHP |
| Muzzle velocity | 1005 fps |
| Muzzle energy | 191 ft-lb |
| Published G1 ballistic coefficient | 0.14 |
| Case length | 27.3 mm |
| Overall length | 34.3 mm |
| Range (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Drop (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1005 | 191 | -1.5 |
| 50 | 938 | 166 | -0.8 |
| 100 | 884 | 148 | -10 |
| 150 | 838 | 133 | -30.3 |
Small-game/varmint context — the deer- and elk-sized energy references aren't applicable to the cartridge's listed uses. When a downrange table is available, its retained-energy column can provide context; verify the exact load and follow local game regulations for legal methods.
Your barrel, ammunition lot, and conditions will differ — always verify against the manufacturer's data and your own firearm.
The .32 H&R Magnum is a rimmed centerfire revolver cartridge valued for its light recoil and good accuracy. Because it shares rim and bullet dimensions with the shorter .32 S&W and .32 S&W Long, revolvers chambered for it can safely fire those milder rounds, giving shooters a practice-to-defense range of loads. It is a capable small-game and pest cartridge and sees use as a low-recoil personal-defense option, though it delivers modest terminal energy and never achieved mainstream popularity. Firearm selection is limited, and it has largely been overshadowed by the more powerful .327 Federal Magnum built on its case. Its enduring appeal lies in comfortable shooting and versatility rather than raw power.
Introduced in 1984 as a joint project between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge, the .32 H&R Magnum was created by lengthening the .32 S&W Long case to build a more powerful small-bore revolver round. The goal was to significantly outperform the older .32 S&W Long while keeping recoil mild in compact revolvers. Its case later served as the basis for the higher-pressure .327 Federal Magnum, introduced in 2008, which extended the .32 H&R's design lineage.
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