Should I get a .32 Magnum?

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epijunkie67

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I've been considering getting another lever gun recently and am trying to decide on the caliber. I'm looking for a light, light recoiling, caliber. I already have levers in .357, .22 mag, .45 colt, and 30-30. I want a flat shooting round thats good for plinking or maybe light hunting duty (rabbit and such). Accurate (without excessive bullet drop) out to 100-150 yards at least, 200-250 would be better.

I've looked at the ballistics for some of the smaller rounds but thought I'd ask about a few options. I'd considered .32 mag but haven't even shot a revolver in it much less a rifle. What's performance like for this round out of a rifle? For that matter whats it like in a revolver? I've got matching revos for three of my levers so that'd be a bonus but not a requirement.

So. Suggestions?
 
well my little bro just got a henry yellow boy in 22 mag. but if you want a little round that will get the rabbits id personally go for the 17. thats a hot little bugger. anyway thats my two cents, since i have no idea what a 32 is like, personally i dont do levers with pistol ammo. only rifle. later.
 
.32 mag would be a beautiful small game rifle IMO. Expensive to plink though. Of course you could shoot 32 S&W shorts outta it
 
epijunkie67

While I think the .32 H&R Magnum is a fun plinking and small game round out of a revolver, I doubt a person would gain much, performance wise, by launching it out of the longer barrel of a rifle. For sure, it wouldn't have much recoil, but you might be disappointed with it's rainbow trajectory at anything over about 100 yards. You wrote you were looking for something flat shooting for at least 100 - 150 yards and better yet, 200 - 250 yards. I have really enjoyed my little .32 H&R Magnum revolvers, both those I've had in the past and the one I have now, but they're not exactly what I'd call "flat shooting." And they would be expensive to feed if I didn't reload. If you're set on a .32 caliber rifle with light recoil and fairly flat trajectory out to 125 yards or so, I'd look at a .32-20. Then again, a .32-20 would be a rather expensive plinker if you don't reload.

Personally, I think the .17HMR is the best bet for a fun plinking and small game rifle. It's very flat shooting out to at least 100 yards, recoil is negligible, it doesn't make a lot of noise, and it doesn't cost a fortune to feed. Stepping up from there is the .22 Hornet - almost no recoil, not much more noise, and pretty flat shooting to 225 yards or so. Of course, the Hornet is another one I'd have to load for in order to be able to afford to shoot it much. :)
 
I've considered the .25 chambering also like 25-20 or 25-35. I like the 86 grain round of the 25-20 but wish the case was a bit longer to get better performance. The 117 grain round is heavier than I would want. I wish I could get something like the 86 grain round of the 25-20 in something like a 25-30. You should be able to push the muzzle velocity up over 2000 fps. That'd be a great round.
 
Epijunkie67;

I'm presuming that you've found a rifle in .32 H&R magnum. Who makes it & what's the model?

900F
 
The mighty .32 mag is my personal favorite, and I reload it for two revo's, a S&W M16 and a Ruger Single Six SSM w/adjustable sights. Both of mine will shoot reasonabye straight out to 75 yards or so, from 4" and 4 5/8" barrels.

The nice thing about a longer rifle barrel is that you should be effectively utilize slower burning powders such as 2400 and the like. I'm loading up 95 grain cast bullets with a slightly below maximum load of Unique, and clocking around 1075 fps. I won't make any predictions, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't work up a decent load that would serve you well with the .32 H&R Magnum.

All that is said, assuming you're willing to reload it, which is the only way to go with this caliber......
 
CB900F Epijunkie67;

I'm presuming that you've found a rifle in .32 H&R magnum. Who makes it & what's the model?
Click to expand...
Well, Taurus is coming out with the M32C and M32C-SS. It's a lever with a 16" barrel, 4.5 pounds, 10 round capacity, MSRP <$350. It's in their new catalog. Download the PDF off their web site.
 
Taurus Rifle

I got to pick up and hold the Taurus .32H&R lever action rifle at the NRA show. It is SOOOOO cool. Tiny, light and i bet the recoil is minimal. I told my wife about it and she said, "i might like that one". Cool, now I can go buy it when it is available for my wife, yeah, thats the trick, for my wife :evil:

..wiley
Racing Miatas; Good Cigars; Big Guns
Houston, TX
 
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