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Thread: 327 Federal

  1. #1
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
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    327 Federal

    Is anyone shooting this? It was the buzz word about two years ago but you hardly hear it mentioned any more. I looked for brass and it's not even being produced however, Lipsey's is introducing a Single Seven chambered in the cartridge. I wonder how anyone plans on shooting it?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    I liked the idea but there were so few bullet choices, it just didn't seem useful for too many things.
    Warning: I know Judo. If you force me to prove it I'll shoot you.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
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    If you're talking about cast, the right alloy can make any 311 compatible. As long as there is a 32 H&R, there will be bullets and boolits a plenty.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    If you are shooting cast, I see little or no advantage to the .327 over the H&R Mag.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
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    The 327 Fed Mag is a handloader's dream, but don't look for a lot of variety in factory ammo... to the industry it is the proverbial red-headed stepchild. I understand that Ruger is about to release a seven shot revolver on their Single Six platform as one of the Lipsey Special series of guns. They formerly made a relative few 8-shot stainless Blackhawks and some double actions as well. S&W is releasing a fairly small number of j-frame target versions of the 327, but they are harder to find than a Democrat at a pro-gun rally.

    As for the ammo, after I got my Blackhawk 8-shooter and got going on my custom K-frame stainless ("Project 616") I ordered some Federal primed brass from Freedom Arms (who also makes/made 327 FMs as does/did Taurus) and directly from Starline when they had a batch coming out. Bullets? I've got moulds from 90-125 grains in WC & SWC configurations and even got a 110 grain HPSWC from MP recently. I can shoot anything from cat sneeze target loads to combat/hunting loads that equal the performance of the small, fast 38+P rounds that proved so effective.

    In short, it's a specialist's caliber and only a limited market exists for it. In this days of plastic wonder-nines, the pool of potential customers is pretty small. More's the pity because it is a great cartridge with about unlimited potential.

    Froggie
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  6. #6
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    If you are shooting cast, I see little or no advantage to the .327 over the H&R Mag.
    Do you own it, or are you simply giving your opinion based on not wanting to own it?

  7. #7
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Green Frog View Post
    The 327 Fed Mag is a handloader's dream, but don't look for a lot of variety in factory ammo... to the industry it is the proverbial red-headed stepchild. I understand that Ruger is about to release a seven shot revolver on their Single Six platform as one of the Lipsey Special series of guns. They formerly made a relative few 8-shot stainless Blackhawks and some double actions as well. S&W is releasing a fairly small number of j-frame target versions of the 327, but they are harder to find than a Democrat at a pro-gun rally.

    As for the ammo, after I got my Blackhawk 8-shooter and got going on my custom K-frame stainless ("Project 616") I ordered some Federal primed brass from Freedom Arms (who also makes/made 327 FMs as does/did Taurus) and directly from Starline when they had a batch coming out. Bullets? I've got moulds from 90-125 grains in WC & SWC configurations and even got a 110 grain HPSWC from MP recently. I can shoot anything from cat sneeze target loads to combat/hunting loads that equal the performance of the small, fast 38+P rounds that proved so effective.

    In short, it's a specialist's caliber and only a limited market exists for it. In this days of plastic wonder-nines, the pool of potential customers is pretty small. More's the pity because it is a great cartridge with about unlimited potential.

    Froggie
    My Blackhawk loves 123 grain Hornady V-Max and Speer Hot-Cor. You are right about it's potential

  8. #8
    Boolit Master Guesser's Avatar
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    I'm with Greenfrog on the 327. It is a wonder to work with. I had a Lyman 311316 that cast big, I size to .313 and GC. Load it and shoot it, mild, mid, or hot! It is a dream, accurate and hard hitting. jack rabbits at 150 yards are not safe. I've owned 3 revolvers chambered for 327, sold one so now only 2. I got my first one in 2009.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by FLHTC View Post
    Do you own it, or are you simply giving your opinion based on not wanting to own it?
    I use the .32H&R Mag extensively in the Ruger Single Six, a Marlin 1894CB and a 4 lb. single-shot rook rifle and there is no better small game and trail gun round. It does everything that the .32-20 does, but more accurately, with an efficient, well designed, modern case. Higher velocity is OK for varmint shooting, but is not wanted for edible game due to excessive meat destruction. I don't load jacketed bullets, but only flatnosed, cast lead from 115-130 grains. No gascheck needed. My loads do about 1200 fps, and I find them entirely adequate.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    I have a buckeye in 32-20/32 mag. It is over kill for the cartridge for sure. Everyone talks about the 38 in place of the .22rf. The 32's make more sense to me. I also have molds from 85-140 grains for the 32's. I have read enough a out the 327 as of late that I have one of the 7 shots on order.
    The 32-20 is a pet of mine. In modern guns it doesn't know how old it is. As mentioned above the 327 is a dang good mid range cartridge that takes the place of the 32-20 to a point. Now, if we could get them to make a lever gun in 327 that would feed a 130 grain range cast bullet that would make a nice rig.
    I have plans on using my blackhawk 32-20 and the 140 for a white tail this fall. If there are any stupid ones left that get to 100 yards or inside that, there will be meat hanging on the pole.
    Jeff

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy Rusty W's Avatar
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    I have a Blackhawk and am in line for a Single Seven when they hit the market, around Oct. I've heard. At the time I purchased the Blackhawk factory ammo was all that was available. I shot it for the brass and started loading for it. Used 85gr xtp & 100gr xtp as that's all that was local on the shelf for reloading. Seen over 1600fps over the chrono w/the 85gr & a little over 1500 w/the 100gr. I run about 1400 for accuracy w/the cast boolets from the 313640 from NOE, gas checks hold a little edge in accuracy over plain base for me. Haven't had a chance to run the swc through it's paces yet, maybe this fall when it coos off some, around October. I have found brass from Freedom Arms & got a few when Starline made a run, I'm set for awhile. Some day I'll upgrade to a actual camera instead of a cheap cell phone for pics.



  12. #12
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
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    I wouldn't hesitate to take my 327 deer hunting either. I have a Buckeye as well and the cylinder length started me shooting rifle bullets loaded in the 32-20's. I shoot the 311316, 313445, 311359 and am looking for a nice 130-140 grain gas check design. Was this 313640 a Ranch dog mold and who hollow pointed it?

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy stu1ritter's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    If you are shooting cast, I see little or no advantage to the .327 over the H&R Mag.
    Interesting. The H&R runs a max SAAMI pressure of right at 22,000 psi and the 327 Federal around 44,000 psi WITH THE SAME WEIGHT BULLETS.
    Perhaps some ballistics study might point out the advantage of doubling the chamber pressure. When you are casting your own, BHN of 10-14 on
    the H&R and gas check the 327 for max loads. The 327 offers ultimate flexibility and as others have mentioned, up to .38 Special +P power levels.

    Stu
    Last edited by stu1ritter; 07-28-2014 at 08:22 AM. Reason: added material

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    It is a great cartridge for bullet casters and reloaders that has been orphaned by the ammo manufacturers due to the crazy demand for ammo and components the last few years. I have developed accurate loads for the .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum, which gives guns that chamber the .327 a great deal of versatility. The shorter cartridges seem to be at no accuracy disadvantage in the longer cylinders, as one of the most accurate loads in three .327s is a 98 grain RCBS loaded in .32 S&W Long brass over 2.6 grains of Bullseye. On the other end of the spectrum, a 100 grain Hornady JHP pushed by a max charge of H110 will shoot honest one inch groups at 25 yards from my Ransom rest. Brass is occasionally available from Starline in .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal and factory ammo can be had in my local gun store in all three cartridges.

    I have had good luck with the 98 grain RCBS SWC mold and an Accurate 105 grains SWC mold . I have also cast some bullets from the 90 grain Lee tumble lube mold but found that the other two molds cast easier, so do not use it anymore.

    My first .327 purchase was a SP101 for my younger daughter who is very recoil-shy. We developed light .32 S&W Long loads for her to practice with and develop sound fundamentals. For serious ammo she uses the Federal 115 grains JHP. I became such fan of the cartridge that a month later I bought a GP100 and later found another used SP101 for myself. I have one of the new Ruger Single Sevens on order through my local gun store and have an option to purchase a second in a different barrel length if my dealer can get it. I think it will be a great walking-around gun.

    Gus Youmans

  15. #15
    Boolit Master FLHTC's Avatar
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    You're right Stu. The math can only be interpreted one way but many folks don't delve into ballistics when it comes to handgun rounds. I was a fan of the 32 H&R since it first appeared and the 327 is simply an extension, but a much more powerful one.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    To those who do not own or have tried a 327,,, they will not understand it. But those of us who do shoot them, load for them, and have spent time with them,,, we'll gleefully embrace more of them!

  17. #17
    Boolit Bub
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    Quote Originally Posted by contender1 View Post
    To those who do not own or have tried a 327,,, they will not understand it. But those of us who do shoot them, load for them, and have spent time with them,,, we'll gleefully embrace more of them!
    Yessir, for a fact.......

  18. #18
    Boolit Buddy stu1ritter's Avatar
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    I wish I could buy a few more tomorrow.
    Stu

  19. #19
    Boolit Grand Master
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    I am greatly enamored of the 32 H&R Magnum, and have had at least one example of this caliber on board since about 1985. I think highly of the idea/concept of the 327 Federal, but given its lukewarm support by the ammo and components industry I have hesitated to get involved with the caliber. Why Ruger limited the GP-100 barrel length to 4.25" is a shame--a 6" barreled variant would have been ordered immediately. The gunmakers seem confused about the caliber's place......S&W relegates it to belly-gun status, Ruger's offerings to date seem half-hearted. The Single-Seven is a step in the right direction, but given a 44K PSI SAAMI rating I see a pressure revision coming much like that given the 357/41/44 Magnums in the 1990s......down to 36K PSI to make the lawyers happy.

    Having 32 S&W Long--32 H&R Mag--32/20 WCF--and a 30 Carbine Blackhawk on staff presently, I don't see a "need" for the 327 Federal to stoke my mid-caliber passions given the platforms it has been offered in to date. A K- or L-frame S&W or GP-100 Ruger with 6" barrel......that will prompt a purchase and a hunt for casings. Until then, I'm good.
    I don't paint bullets. I like Black Rifle Coffee. Sacred cows are always fair game. California is to the United States what Syria is to Russia and North Korea is to China/South Korea/Japan--a Hermit Kingdom detached from the real world and led by delusional maniacs, an economic and social basket case sustained by "foreign" aid so as to not lose military bases.

  20. #20
    Boolit Buddy stu1ritter's Avatar
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    9.3X62AL, I agree with you. I now have two and am reloading for the caliber with great enjoyment. I haven't broached the upper limits yet, but I'm sure I'll get there fast enough. Actually, I haven't reloaded any 32 S&W Long since I received my first 32 H&R. I'm also on the lookout for a 32-20 and have thought of a 32-20 cylinder for my 16-4 (if that is feasible). Oh well, this day dreaming just continues.
    Stu
    Last edited by stu1ritter; 07-28-2014 at 05:35 PM. Reason: wrong number

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check