Shotgun · Proprietary
32 Gauge
Rare shotgun gauge between 28 gauge and .410; still manufactured by European makers including Fiocchi; popular historically in light game guns for upland birds..
- Caliber
- 0.526″ · 13.36 mm
- Introduced
- 1870
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting, Sport shooting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1870
- Type
- Shotgun
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Inventor
- Various
- Manufacturer
- Various
- Standard
- Proprietary
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 123.1 gr H₂O
- Primer
- Shotgun
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 135 yd
- Recoil
- 12–19 ft·lb
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 32 Gauge, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 13.36 | 0.526 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 14.50 | 0.571 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 14.50 | 0.571 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.59 | 0.653 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.33 | 0.052 | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 63.50 | 2.500 | ~ |
| Overall length | 57.44 | 2.261 | |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 32 Gauge is highlighted below.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Connected reference
History
The 32 gauge sits between the 28 gauge and .410 bore in the shotgun gauge hierarchy and is one of the rarest gauges still in commercial production. It was historically popular for lightweight game guns in Europe and remains available from Fiocchi and a few Italian makers for owners of antique or fine European game guns.
FAQs
- What bullet diameter is 32 Gauge?
- 32 Gauge uses a 0.526″ (13.36 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 32 Gauge still in production?
- 32 Gauge is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is 32 Gauge used for?
- 32 Gauge is primarily used for hunting, sport shooting.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
