No .32 Win Special factory load we have sourced carries 1,200 ft·lb for black bear past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady LEVERevolution 165 gr FTX | 165 | wrong bullet | 2,410 | 594 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington Core-Lokt Tipped Lever Gun 170 gr | 170 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 426 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 170 gr Power-Shok JSP | 170 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 406 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 170 gr Core-Lokt Soft Point | 170 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 404 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 170 gr Power-Point | 170 | wrong bullet | 2,250 | 349 | behind the shoulder only |
Fat and hair hide the vitals: aim 4–5″ behind the shoulder and a touch high. Partition / bonded / monolithic. Floor used: 1,200 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.themeateater.com, www.oneoutdoors.org.