327 Federal

[RangerDan]

Any suggestions on cast bullet loads for this baby? The gun is a Ruger 101 with 4.5 inch barrel.

[TCFAN]

In my SP101 4 inch I found that it liked the NOE 102 SWC mold the best for 50 yard target shooting. http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=31_272&products_id=2622&osCsid=hpj4gjthrngf06gj21qs8ip6o5

I size my boolits at .314 and cast with ACWW. loaded in 327 starline brass using Fed. small pistol match primers.I use Bullseye powder for a velocity of 1050 fps.I don't need magnum velocity from this gun. I got it for target shooting and small game hunting.

[9.3X62AL]

"Ditto" to TC FAN's text. I use the RCBS #32-98-SWC and enough WW-231 to prompt 950-1000 FPS in most of my shooting in 327 Federal. I have tried the full-tilt loadings with jacketed bullets and AA-9 or Alliant 2400 powders, and the muzzle reports rival those of my 30 Carbine Blackhawk. Gotta watch that kind of activity around here, what with the San Andreas Fault so close at hand and other faults nearby. You could set off an earthquake doing stunts like that.

[Guesser]

I use A#9 and 2400 with bullets of 100 grains and heavier in Ruger Single 7, Ruger SP-101 4.2" and Taurus Model 327B2. They all perform better with slower powder and heavier bullets. I tried fast and medium burn rate powders and lighter bullets with poor service. Either accuracy wasn't there or with the medium rate powders; A#7, True Blue, HS-6, Power Pistol, pressure spiked so fast that I never got the accuracy or velocity advertised; as well as drastic extreme spreads. I don't shoot the older low pressure cartridges in 327 guns. I do use 32 H&R Magnum with heavy bullets and 2400. Good guns and a great cartridge.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I have a mold from NOE that drops bullets at 119gns. I use these with 4.6gns of unique, and get good accuracy at about 1,000fps.

[Green Frog]

Any suggestions on cast bullet loads for this baby? The gun is a Ruger 101 with 4.5 inch barrel.

Before I make any recommendations, I'd like to hear a little about what you want to do with your new baby, and what kind of reloading you are already doing.

Like when the 44 Mag was all the rage (at the time the first Dirty Harry movies were coming out) and people were buying "the most powerful handgun in the world," then downloading it to 44 Spl levels, your end use of the ammo is important. Just because you CAN load hot doesn't mean you MUST.

Personally, I load moderate to hot loads of my batch of non-canister equivalent to Accurate #9 behind 125 grain bullets for "performance" loads then back off to more moderate loads with 115 grain bullets in 32 H&R brass if I want to be kind to surrounding shooters and save on wear and tear to self and gun. Lately I've been loading target loads for my 32 S&W L (K-32) and I use these in my 327s as well. The reality is, your 327 gives you the opportunity to shoot a wide variety of ammo through a spectrum of strengths and purposes. Only you can decide what you want to shoot out of it.

Froggie

[Thundarstick]

I personally run all my 327 guns WOT! MO bullet Co. 98gr cowboy bullet with all the H110 I can stuff under it and a CCI small rifle primer. Yes, it's loud, but I have a 22lr for small game, although the raccoons and possums around my place don't like the 327 one bit!

[MT Gianni]

I personally run all my 327 guns WOT! MO bullet Co. 98gr cowboy bullet with all the H110 I can stuff under it and a CCI small rifle primer. Yes, it's loud, but I have a 22lr for small game, although the raccoons and possums around my place don't like the 327 one bit!

If it isn't used for small game are you just running wide open for paper or what else do you use it for? Defense? Deer? Curious as I sold mine and kept the 32 H&R.

[Thundarstick]

Self defense and practice for self defense. Let's hope I never have to use one for self, but I practice on card board and steel. We aren't allowed to use a center fire for small game hunting, but can use them for varmint control, so small game hunting is ruled out. I'll be the first to admit that 32 S&W long velocity is plenty for small game, and much easier on the ears. I dispatched a possum one night with out my ears covered. Before pulling the trigger, I remember thinking, "this is going to hurt me almost as bad as you"!:holysheep they are loud!

[RangerDan]

Froggie I want what I can get out of a gun. I have 32 S&W long in a Smith for plinking I had a 32 mag and traded it so when I saw the 327 and read up on it I had to have one, so like you I like most loads loaded moderate to hot. It was bought for hunting, shooting and personal defense if needed. I have a Lee TL 90 grain and a Lyman 100 grain semi wadcutter with GC molds and have tried ACC-9 and Power Pistol Powders.

[Green Frog]

That said RangerDan, I would suggest looking for some cast bullets in the 115-130 grain range. I personally think that a lot of folks get hung up on the lighter bullets because that's what the lesser versions of the 32 use. Gotta "put on your big boy pants" if you want to get the most out of your 327 because it really is a MAGNUM!! Not much good loading data out there yet, but Brian Pearce has had a couple of articles and I've gotten away with using Accurate #7 and #9 in starter loads for 115 grain bullets behind my 125s and working up cautiously from there. You're on your own when you go there though. :brokenima

OTOH, I like the versatility of being able to shoot anything from 32 S&W and 32 acp up to the 327 in the same chamber, so I don't feel the need to rupture ear drums and set off earthquakes with every shot, hence the use of "lesser" ammo in my 327 Blackhawk and custom Model 616. Until I recently got my K-32 built, I really enjoyed shooting 32 S&W Long in my custom S&W. That's the joy of the 32 family of revolver cartridges... mild to wild there's something there for every body for every use! :mrgreen:

Froggie

[megasupermagnum]

My advice, start with a 115-120 grain bullet. Plenty of load data out there for that weight range, and performs quite well. I've been nothing short of impressed with what you can do with bullets up to 150 grains either. Target loads work just fine in 327 brass.

[dougader]

I have an extra Mihec GC mould that casts 123 grain large HP, 126 cup hp, and 130 FN bullets if you're interested.

https://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/21680/molds-327-single-mjolnir-group

[megasupermagnum]

I have an extra Mihec GC mould that casts 123 grain large HP, 126 cup hp, and 130 FN bullets if you're interested.

https://singleactions.proboards.com/thread/21680/molds-327-single-mjolnir-group

You guys already ran that mold? I was on the list on this site for a while, but they really drag their feet. Looking now, both Singleactions and Castboolits were at the same time. Why wouldn't Mihec make them all at once?

[Slim Chance]

Is the SP101 cylinder longer than the one for the Single Seven? The Seven is picky about bullets due to the cylinder length.

[megasupermagnum]

The SP101 cylinder is quite long. Mine will chamber bullets with a .400" nose.

[Gus Youmans]

If I had to choose just one mold it would be the RCBS 32-98-SWC. I got tired of casting with two of the RCBS molds and bought a five cavity mold of its twin, the NOE 315-102, when it came out. I have not cast with the NOE mold yet but expect the bullets will be just as good as those cast in the RCBS molds. I have not shot the bullet faster than .32 H&R speeds and do not know how it will shoot if you try to shoot it faster.

Gus Youmans

[pakmc]

I have both the SP101 and the GP100 in 327, both have the 4.2 inch barrels. Meister has a 115 gr, SWC that he powder coats. its quite accurate in either gun. I use 231 and trail boss with 327 federal mag. cases. 4 gr's of either is a good load close to the 32 H&R mag. load; but 2400 and H110 work well too. I shoot mostly steel plates (8 inch dia made out of about 3/4 in plate. these loads work just great on these plates. if any one has a 5 inch barreled 327 federal mag. caliber pistol to want to trade I'll like to talk to you. the GP100 is the seven shot model and it's a real sweetheart(and accurate).
I have used 32 H&R brass and it works ok too.

[308w]

Green frog would that powder you are using be h108?

[Green Frog]

Green frog would that powder you are using be h108?

That would be a definite yes. I've still got close to 20 lb of it from when I was seriously shooting 32/357 (Dell) in a Peregrine at schuetzen bench matches. Works great in that size cartridge case with lead bullets. :mrgreen:

Froggie

[rintinglen]

I have had my best results with a midget 358-477 looking boolit from an old LBT mold. IIRC, it is marked 315-100 SWC. Sized .313 over 11.8 grains of H-110, and a CCI 500 primer, it shoots great. I have managed several 1" groups with it in my 7.5" Single Seven, though it averages more like 1 1/2." In my SP 101, it does well also, but I can't shoot the shorter barrel as well. In the boolit line up, the two on the right-RCBS 32-98 SWC, Lyman 311-008--were too long if crimped in the crimp groove to use in my Single 7's, but do work in the SP 101. The stubby SWC in the middle is the best performer.
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[308w]

Green frog, I too have a jug of it, h108.
I figured it would go well with a fed 327
I have a single 7 with a 7.5" tube
I would like to know what recipes shot well in yours w 108
Thanks

[Green Frog]

I still haven't taken the time to settle on a "standard" or even "favorite" H-108 load for my 327s. I started with the minimum (starting) load for a 115 gr LSWC and Accurate #9 and put it behind my NOE 125 gr LSWC bullet. It seemed OK in my guns, but YMMV, so I can't guarantee it will work in anyone else's, and I won't post anything publicly any more specific than that.

Froggie

[dougader]

I've been working with H108 and the ~120 grain FPGC bullets from Todd's mold. I haven't really settled on a favorite load, either. I will say my loads went from ok pressure-wise to pierced primers quicker than I expected.