What Is a 32 Gauge Shotgun Cartridge?

A 32 gauge shotgun cartridge has a bore diameter of approximately 8 mm and is commonly used in lightweight hunting shotguns and sport shooting. It suits both small game and target shooting, and is known for its low recoil and high accuracy. This guide covers its technical characteristics, typical uses and safe-handling guidance.

The 32 Gauge in the Shotshell Gauge System

In smoothbore shotguns, gauge is a traditional unit of measurement that indicates bore diameter: the smaller the number, the larger the bore. The 32 gauge has a smaller bore (approximately 8 mm) than 12 gauge and 20 gauge, making it a lighter, lower-recoil ammunition class. These characteristics make it a preferred choice for lightweight shotguns and sport shooting.

Key Characteristics

• Calibre: approximately 8 mm bore diameter, giving a light and portable cartridge.
• Recoil: low recoil, allowing more controlled shooting.
• Accuracy: known for high accuracy and consistent shot placement.
• Load types: available as shot, slug (single projectile) and other specialised loads.
• Applications: hunting, sport shooting, target shooting and training.

Typical Uses

• Hunting: an effective option for small game, particularly birds and rabbits.
• Sport shooting: widely used in target and sport shooting disciplines, where low recoil and high accuracy support better performance.
• Training: frequently used in firearm safety and marksmanship training.

Safe and Responsible Use

Shotgun cartridges must be used safely and with appropriate training. Key points to observe include:

• Firearm compatibility: use only shotguns suited to the 32 gauge cartridge.
• Safety rules: follow all firearm safety rules strictly.
• Protective equipment: wear appropriate eye and hearing protection while shooting.
• Training: adequate firearm training helps prevent accidents and improves shooting proficiency.

Related Smoothbore Gauges

For Ozkursan's current smoothbore cartridge range, review the catalog specifications on the 12 gauge, 20 gauge and 36 gauge shotgun cartridge pages, or browse the full catalog for all product groups.