Author Topic: 32 H&R Magnum (Read 864 times)

jar-wv · « **on:** September 28, 2004, 03:22:15 PM »

I have an Encore and am looking for a squirrel barrel. Does anybody here have any experience with the 32 H&R magnum in rifle barrel lengths. I have an older model Ruger Single Six with adjustable sights chambered in this round, and am thinking it would serve my purposes in a rifle. I am aware that the rifle barrel is .308 diameter, and think I can deal with that by ordering correct dies. Will the 32, being a handgun cartridge, lose velocity at some point because of the longer barrel. I did a search here but really couldn't find much info. Any input would be appreciated.

jar

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2004, 08:45:58 PM »

Jar;

i liked both the .32 H&hr and .32-20 well enough to have carbine barrels made up in both chamberings for my TC.. barrel length was 16.5" on the .32 mag, 18" on the .32-20... i later sold them during a fit of stupidity, then about a year later ordered a 20" .32-20..its here for keeps this time...

the .32 mag was a great carbine, and shot really low-powered loads better than the .32-20 did... i used to shoot some 98 gr SWC loads at about 850 fps that were about as loud as a .22 to squirrel hunt. also found that the hornady 110 gar .308 rnsp (30 carbine bullet) shoots through a coyote from about any angle in max loads from the .32 H&R over a max load of AA#7.. there was an article years back (skeeter skelton maybe?) when the Single six first came out, he hot-loaded the .32 H&R quite a bit over factory specs, which if i remember were held to about 20,000 CUP pressure in factory ammo; which is MUCH less other max loads in straight wall mags like the .357/.41/.44... there was also a later article about the .32 mag in the S&W 16 in shooting times with some good data.. i have all of it if you are interested. drop me a line at fyrepowrx@aol.com with your info, i can mail it out, i have never scanned it in. you wont be disappointed with this one in a carbine, its nice to shoot something that doesnt beat you to death or leave you shell-shocked.

i eventually ordered a 25/20 to do my squirrel hunting with, so never did get another .32 mag to go with my .32/20 carbine, but i am still thinkin about it... you cant have too many barrels...

jar-wv · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2004, 05:22:17 AM »

Thanks for the info.
fyrepowrx. Were the cast bullets you used in 32 sized down to .308, or can .312 cast or swaged bullets be shot in the encore barrel?

cknight98. I considered the 357 loaded light with swaged bullets. May still go that route. I never though about calling Ed's about the custom barrel, but may give that a try.

jar

jar-wv · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2004, 12:45:55 PM »

cknight98,

Ya know after giving it some thought I think thats the route I'll go. As you say I could load it down to match 38 special loads and still be able to load it hot if I preferred. Thanks for the insight.

jar

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2004, 07:10:10 PM »

Jar;

sorry for the delay in the reply; havent been online much the last 2 weeks; trying to get the schedule cleared since its almost time to go sit in trees & chase deer..

I tried several different sizes and had best luck with .308/.309 diameters by a slim margin. .311/312 shot fairly well but i seemed to get an occasional wandering shot that would open up an otherwise decent string.

best accuracy was with bullets under 125 grains, at least in my barrels. also noticed the same thing in my 32/20...not sure how TC twists the small 308-bore 32/20 & 32 H&R barrels, but neither barrel shot bullets in the 150 gr weight class very well.