PURPOSE: To obtain a magnetic recording medium contg. well dispersed magnetic powder and having superior surface smoothness, durability and heat resistance by forming a magnetic layer contg. a specified coupling agent, ferromagnetic powder and a binder contg. an ester compd. having (meth)acrylate type double bonds and by irradiating the magnetic layer.

CONSTITUTION: A magnetic layer contg. ferromagnetic powder dispersed in a binder is formed on a nonmagnetic supporting body. The binder contains polyurethane resin having (meth)acrylic double bonds at the terminals of the molecule, 5,000W40,000 number average mol.wt. and specified physical property values, a copolymer resin contg. vinyl chloride units and an ester compd. having (meth)acrylate type double bonds represented by formula I. The ferromagnetic powder has been surface-treated with one or more kinds of specified coupling agents and one or more kinds of specified phosphoric esters. The magnetic layer is then irradiated to obtain a magnetic recording medium contg. well dispersed magnetic powder and having satisfactory surface smoothness and durability.