A magnetic powder is provided composed of particles that, even when the particle size is refined, exhibits excellent magnetic properties, in particular, a high coercive force, for use in a high-density recording medium. The invention also provides a magnetic recording medium using the powder. The powder is an iron system magnetic powder containing, as an atomic ratio of Fe, a total of 0.01 to 10 atom% of one or more selected from W and Mo, particularly a magnetic powder comprised mainly of Fe16N2. The magnetic powder is able to exhibit a high coercive force of 238 kA / m (3000 Oe) or more. In addition to the W and Mo, the magnetic powder may contain, as an atomic ratio of Fe, a total of up to 25 atom% of one or more selected from Al and a rare earth element (defined as including Y).