.32 h&r magnum absence

I'm not sure, but I have been planning on buying a 32 H&R Single Six for a couple of years. I lucked into 500 new pieces of Starline brass, 500 bullets, and a set of Hornady dies about a year ago.
I bought the whole lot knowing that some day I would use them.
Last week I finally scored the gun to go with them! I hope to see it here this week.
I hate waiting but I had to go through GB to find it. Ruger SS 32 Mag 5.5 inch barrel.
Can't wait!

The factory ammo availability with .32 H&R mag is precisely why I'll only own the one .32 mag revolver I have and no more.

My first batch of Black Hills 85 gn JHP ammo was $1.00 per round. My second batch of 100 gn JHP from Ventura Munitions was $1.20 per round, and Ventura just dumps it into a box like bulk ammo.

I’m a big fan of the various 32 caliber rounds and especially the 32 H&R magnum. It has been rather scarce at times but I used to be able to find it from Palmetto State Armory for around $30 for a box of quality hollow point ammo made by HSM. As others sold their guns and got away from that round I bought over a thousand rounds from various sellers. Also bought Starline brass, bullets, primers and powder for Hillary Clinton’s first term. Since that didn’t happen I’ve not started reloading any……..yet. Reloading is the best option followed by shooting 32 Longs for practice and buying defense ammo in the magnum case from Buffalo Bore, Federal, or Hornady.

Its been scarce as far back as I can remember, and since .327 has supplanted it in new production, I dont see it getting any better going forward.

I've got two Ruger .32 H&R marked revolvers (a total of five, if you count my Single Six and a couple Soviet Nagant revolvers with conversion cylinders), plus a whole bushel basket of centerfire rifle adapters.

I think I've only bought 3 boxes of .32 H&R factory ammo, two of those boxes being a fluke pandemic opportunity for some Hornady Critical Defense. I've seen more boxes of .32 S&W Long on the shelves over the years, but haven't been tempted to buy. More .32 H&R ammo will eventually turn up in batches, but the way things are going the supply may never meet demand.

I treat the H&R as a reload-only cartridge. I've got a bunch of others, mostly obsolete milsurp cartridges like 7.5 Swiss Ordnance and even harder to find stuff like .45 Auto Rim.

I started with the .32’s last year. A S&W I frame in .32 Long and a Charter Arms Professional. Ammo wise I picked up the last two Federal 85 XTP boxes when I picked up the Charger Arms. A gun show pick up for me 4 boxes of Federal H&R both 85 XTP and 90 SWC (2 boxes of each) for $40 total. I then went on a LGS mission and found numerous boxes of both Remington and Fiocchi .32 Long RNL boxes for pre pandemic prices. I think $23 was the highest price Inpaid for one of the boxes of Remington, the Fiocchi was $18 a box but during the shortage it was two boxes per trip. A few weeks later I had a good supply. Picked up a few hundred pieces of brass from Starline of both the long and H&R. Bullets are easy to come by, except HBWC’s for some reason they seem to still elude me but both the XTPs, DEWC and SWC lead are on my shelf.

I have not seen new ammo online or on the shelf since except for .32 Long Wadcutters. If I pick up another gun at this point It will be something with adjustable sights and be considered a .32 Long target gun as I won’t carry reloads. It’s a shame really as much as I really like the caliber but a carry gun has to have a ready supply of quality self defense loads on the shelf for me to even consider it.

That ammo is seasonal run. It will show up at a certain time of year and as long as no one buys it it will stay around.

Kind of the same way with a lot of different non-high volume cartridges. 35 Remington is a bit like that too.

So far I haven’t bought one factory round for the .32 Single Six I bought two years ago or the .327 SP100 I bought last summer.

Not because I reload, which I do, but because I haven’t seen one box of either on my LGS shelves since I bought them.

If you are going to buy carry ammo, which I also do, for practice ammo I think its best to gear up and reload the .32’s. Cheaper in the long run and much less hassle finding affordable ammo to practice with.

Stay safe.

I also have one 32 H&R Mag revolver but only two 32 S&WL revolvers and four 327 Fed Mag if you include a Henry rifle.

When I got the 32 H&R, factory ammunition was not easy to find. Since I reload, I bought a bunch of Starline brass and problem solved.

My 32 H&R Mag pistol is a S&W Model 16-4. I load wadcutters in 32 H&R Mag cases and plink with the gun.

Fore more serious 32 caliber work, I use one of my 327 Fed Mag guns. I have an SP101, GP100, Single Seven and the Henry lever action rifle.

The Model16-4 is an expensive gun but not like the 32S&WL K-frame versions. I like shooting it but do not want to over stress it when I have other options.

Edit, I forgot about the 327 Fed Mag barrel I have for my Bond Arms derringer. I’ve been dabbling with shot loads on 327 Fed Mag cases.

In my mid-sized town in the intermountain west .32H&R Mag has always been sparse on the shelves...even when there was no craziness going on in the world.

I'm my own ammo plant so cost of ammo or availability doesn't impact me for the .32 Calibers. When I decided to get into the .327FM I made the commitment to reload for the .32 H&R at the same time. Really wasn't much more of an expense.
In fact, I just ordered some more .32 H&R brass from Starline a week or so ago...its backordered but they were accepting orders so its inbound eventually.

If you don't already do it...the .32 H&R is dead simple to reload...in fact probably one of the best to learn on as it's a straight walled pistol case.

For those still on the fence about the 32 H & R and .327 Federal, DO IT! Both cartridges are flat out fun to shoot and very easy to reload.

You can, or should be able to reload 32H&R Mag with 327 Fed Mag dies. The case mouth expander and seater dies need to be re-adjusted.

EDIT: Upon reflection, the crimp ring on a 327 Fed Mag seater die crimp ring may not adjust down to reach the 32 H&R Mag case. You may need a separate seat or crimp die. Lee makes a taper crimp die for 32 H&R Mag for $14.00. There are other options to explore. END EDIT

Since I reload many of my handgun cartridges on a progressive, I’ve elected to set up dies for each cartridge. Therefore, I eliminate the time to reset the dies.

Don't know about commercial ammunition, but reloading components are available without much trouble. Starline has the brass, and it's really good brass too, not like the early Federal cases that split on the first reload, and sometimes on the first firing of the factory load. Bullets too are available from Missouri Bullet Co. et.al., and Hornady (both their 85 & 100 gr XTP's are outstanding, though only the 85's will expand at the velocities I've loaded).

As a carry gun for varmints and such it's great....my Ruger Single Sixes are regular companions on dog walks through the meadows and along our farm lane. As a defense cartridge for two-legged predators, there are far better options in larger calibers IMHO. It's a really comfortable caliber to shoot as recoil is light, and with muzzle blast that's similar to a .38 Special. Accuracy wise, my 2 Rugers and one S&W M-16 are tack drivers with either Hornady's JHPs or my own cast LSWC's.

It's a great caliber and I'd not be hesitant to recommend it, but strongly suggest that reloading is the way to go....Here's a pair of mine that I've posted before...Best Regards, Rod

If you reload, you might think about using hard-cast semi-wadcutters or full wadcutters. If the lead isn't hard enough, you could use gas checks to prevent leading. Too, you could just mold your own bullets. With bullets weighing-in at only 100 grain or so, 5lb of lead goes a long way. Choosing powders to match your revolver's barrel length would get you the most bang for your buck. For some fun plinking, you could go very cheap.

Expensive but ...

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/32hr-mag

https://www.guncritic.com/ammo/32-hr-magnum/

As I remember, 32 H&R Magnum is a small step up from 32S&WL while the step up to 327 Fed Mag is fairly substantial.

We have some issues with ground hogs on our hobby horse farm. The last ground hog I dispatched was done with w 22RF and was not as quick as I thought it should have been. As a result, I’ve loaded some hot 32 H&R Mag loads in 327 Mag cases. I’m hoping some ground hogs will be as stupid as the last one and sit around or slowly stroll along. I hope the larger round will do better.

" Bullets are easy to come by, except HBWC’s for some reason they seem to still elude me but both the XTPs, DEWC and SWC lead are on my shelf."

For the fellas that can't find .32 Wadcutter bullets, I've been using the below...the 98 gr. LWC are hollow base and accurate...in my guns.
https://www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com

airfoil said:

" Bullets are easy to come by, except HBWC’s for some reason they seem to still elude me but both the XTPs, DEWC and SWC lead are on my shelf."

For the fellas that can't find .32 Wadcutter bullets, I've been using the below...the 98 gr. LWC are hollow base and accurate...in my guns.
https://www.bearcreeksupplybullets.com

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link! What are they running you? I have seen the Lapuas available. Didn’t want to want to shoot gold nuggets.

Ammo retail shortages tend to run in cycles. 32H&R is particularly scarce during the retail shortages. Otherwise, I had been able to find 32 H&R online. The problem is that the shortages can last years.

I have several 32 H&R revolvers. It's a caliber that "should" be more popular, IMHO, being reasonably effective with very little recoil.

I don't reload at this time. I always keep a box or two of defensive 32 H&R ammo on hand, but I do all of my practicing with 32 S&W long, which is cheaper and easier to find.

Reloaded to potential, the .32H&Rmag is a substantial jump over .32S&WL.
750fps to 1,100 for factory loads, 850 to 1,300fps with reloads. (100gr bullets)

My .327Federal loads are running.1,500fps but require Small Rifle Primers to avoid flattened and pierced primers.

I find lately, I’m shooting more .32’s (to include.30SC) than any thing else...

Finally, the primer situation is starting to ease up...

Old Hobo said:

If you reload, you might think about using hard-cast semi-wadcutters or full wadcutters. If the lead isn't hard enough, you could use gas checks to prevent leading. Too, you could just mold your own bullets. With bullets weighing-in at only 100 grain or so, 5lb of lead goes a long way. Choosing powders to match your revolver's barrel length would get you the most bang for your buck. For some fun plinking, you could go very cheap.

Expensive but ...

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/32hr-mag

https://www.guncritic.com/ammo/32-hr-magnum/

Click to expand...

Let me add to this thought. Before you go to the time and expense of casting, buy 500 or 1000 bullets from a commercial casting company {there are tons of suppliers) Work up a load (s) and see if you really want to get into casting. I have the molds and pots but I find it more convenient just to buy pre-made for these purposes.

I’ve wondered that as well. Charter still makes revolvers but there’s seemingly no ammo for them.

The idea of six rounds vs five in a pocket revolver makes a degree of sense to me.

I bought my one and only .32 H & R magnum revolver in the late 1980's. I quickly found out that in my rural area, the ammo was hard to find and was costly. The first few years I had it, I shot it sparingly.
It was the first cartridge I started reloading for. Reloading made the ammo cheap and plentiful, and my shooting picked up big time!