Ideas for a single-shot .327 Federal?

[Captain Wheelgun]

A while back, I picked up a S&W 632 in .327 Federal Magnum. After shooting it, I really fell in love with that round. So much so that I would like to buy or build a rifle that will shoot it. A lever gun would be ideal, but that will probably never happen. So I am wondering about the best way to do this. So far, I haven't found anyone who makes a rifle already chambered for .327 Fed.

I've thought about finding a bubba special milsurp, like an Enfield, Argentine Mauser, or 7.7 Jap Arisaka and having the barrel set back & rechambered, since those rifles already have the right bore size. After reading some of the threads here about customizing the H&R single-shot rifles, this may be another possibility.

Have any of you done this? What other options should I look at?

[BCRider]

A single shot conversion would certainly be the cheapest option.

I was just working on my Rossi 92 this evening so my first thought was how to convert that gun to .327. I think it's doable but it would require a fair bit of work. Much of it on the bolt which would need to have the face welded up and recut for the smaller rim. The tilting carrier would also need to be padded to sit the round up a little higher and possibly a bushing collar for the magazine to let the rounds slide out a little higher where they enter onto the carrier.

There's no lack of .312 size rifle barrels that could be donors for the cause but finding one with a twist rate that would work well with the small bullets might be tough.

And in fact you're facing the same issue for a barrel stub job to adapt an H&R over to this round as well.

[Good Cheer]

I've had the same thoughts about the 1892 French 8mm pistol cartridge (it's a .33 Special for lack of better description) that is made from 32-20 cases but so far... eh. Best wishes on getting yours together!

[Outpost75]

A BSA Cadet Martini would be a suitably strong and elegant rifle to reline to .327 Federal.

The stub shotgun conversion would work if you bushed the firing pin. You could also use a normal. 30 cal. barrel blank. I did this for an H&R barrel John Taylor did for me in. 32 S&W Long.

I prefer the quiet, subsonic, bunny poppers myself, but a .327 chamber with a gradual forcing cone of 3degrees included angle, taken directly from the .335" diameter case mouth, with no cylindrical ball seat, following the form if the .38AMU match chamber, will provide excellent accuracy with H&R Magnum or. 32 S&W Long brass in the longer. 327 chamber.

This concept is already well proven in my .357 Mag. Martini, which shoots .38 Special wadcutter into 1-1/2" groups at 50 yards over long series of 20 or more 5-shot groups.

[swamp]

+1 on the Cadet. I have thought about turning one of my Cadets into a 32 H&R mag. Just can't bring myself to do it. Both shoot too well with the 310 Cadet round.

swamp

[Outpost75]

The heeled Cadet bullet also works splendidly in. 32 S&W Long with the 3-degree throat.

[uscra112]

If you are wanting a cheap rifle to convert, maybe a 340 Savage? Easy to rebarrel, but the bolt face might be an issue. How close is the .327 base to .222/223 ?

[FLHTC]

I wish H&R would just chamber their Handi in 327 and be done with it. Thirty Two Twenty and 25-20 are two more that would move quick

[Captain Wheelgun]

If you are wanting a cheap rifle to convert, maybe a 340 Savage? Easy to rebarrel, but the bolt face might be an issue. How close is the .327 base to .222/223 ?
.327 Federal is .375 at the rim, .223 is .378, so a rifle with a .223 bolt face could be a good starting point. I know they both use the same shell holder on my reloading press.

[Captain Wheelgun]

I wish H&R would just chamber their Handi in 327 and be done with it. Thirty Two Twenty and 25-20 are two more that would move quick
H&R or Rossi, I would take either one.

[TCFAN]

If I wanted a 327 in a single shot I would look at the T/C Contender or Encore. Then contact MGM and have a barrel made to order........Terry

[Dark Helmet]

MGM for a 'Tender barrel would be the fast and easy route.

[enfield]

Lee Enfield is the way to go, also very easy to feed in the short cases like 327 or 32-20 because the chamber is right there, not like a mauser type action.

[JHeath]

A recent thread featured a guy who converted a Rossi 92 to 7.62x25 Tokarev, so conversions can be done. The .327 being rimmed should simplify it. But you're still paying for a barrel AND a lot of smithing on the action. Apparently it is not a painless process, and no off the shelf parts.

Single shot . . . a Baby Rolling Block?

[MT Gianni]

Has anyone tried a cartridge adapter for 32 H&R in 30-30 or 308? I don't know if the extra length will clear or how the throat is finished.

[Captain Wheelgun]

Has anyone tried a cartridge adapter for 32 H&R in 30-30 or 308? I don't know if the extra length will clear or how the throat is finished.

I've got an adapter for shooting .32 ACP in a .303 British chamber that I have been thinking about having rechambered to .327 Federal. Maybe this would be a good way to try it out before dropping a lot of money on an entire rifle?

[unclebill]

MGM for a 'Tender barrel would be the fast and easy route.

yep
no gunsmithing plug an play

[Jack Stanley]

To bad you couldn't talk CZ into testing the market with a 527 bolt action or even that neat little .410 double frame they have . The last time I talked to Savage on the phone they thought I was nuts for wanting a 219 built right and returned to the market place . Of course he was polite and didn't say I was nuts while I was on the phone with him .

Jack

[Janoosh]

Isn't the cadet action a bit small for the 327 Fed?. I'm not worried about pressure, I'm asking about case length. I have a problem with extraction with my cadet in 357 mag.

[Old Dawg]

I have an H&R single-shot that I had rebored to .32 H&R Magnum when it first came out. I prefer single shots for this kind of thing as there is no hassle with magazine compatibility, COL, bullet shape, etc. I thought about rechambering it to .327 but passed as I use it mostly for small game and the 32 H&R has plenty of power and range without tearing everything up. Sometimes enough is enough.

[Zim]

Old Dawg,
What barrel length do you shoot? How quiet & how hard do you push your loads? I'm wanting a 32 Long or Mag contender barrel. What bore diameter? Looks like this will be a custom job for me. Wanting this for subsonic loads to match the Ruger Six with the Saeco 98 gr SWC.

Contenders are lighter than Encores & for this cartridge it's all that is needed.

[Old School Big Bore]

Where'd you guys find all the blasted Cadets?
I'd try an aux chamber in a .30-30...I have a Savage 340 that's about to get some aux chambers in .32 ACP and .30 Carbine. With a Handi- or the like and several loaded aux adapters you could have a walkin-around poofer without having to poke the subcal out every shot...recharge them on your sandwich break.

[dtknowles]

I had borrowed my friends mini lathe so I made a chamber adapter for my 30-30 Topper to use with 30 carbine. After testing it I put the adapter away and have not used it again. It worked fine but was pointless I could just load down the 30-30 and get the same ballistics and better accuracy. I guess if I had a pistol in 30 carbine I might use it for the convenience of carrying just one kind of ammo but for what I do, it don't matter but it was a fun project not a complete waste. I could see the point of matching pistol and carbine ammo for a Cowboy but most of us would be better served by a higher powered rifle. I now have pistol in 32-20 that tempts me to make another insert for that but really it is just an excuse to borrow the lathe again.

Tim

[Old Dawg]

My gun started as a .22 Hornet and I kept the original 22 inch barrel. Bore is .313.

I also had a Ruger Single Six in .32 H&R Magnum at the time and I use the SAECO 98 grain SWC mould. WW weigh 104 grains as cast from my mould. I sold the Ruger as I found out I don't care for single action revolvers even though I almost always fire revolvers SA when hunting or plinking. I don't like the SA loading/ejection process. Too much trouble and after firing off a couple cylinders fairly fast the gun became too hot to hold with bare hands. If it had a double action style swing out cylinder with star ejector I would have kept it as it was otherwise a nice gun. I like the long barrels not because of any added velocity, there really isn't much difference with such a small case, but because they are so much quitter. I don't like louder than necessary guns. Heh? What's that you're saying?

3 grains of Red Dot produces about 1200 fps and is very quiet. The muzzle noise is a good impersonation of some air rifles. If there is a sonic crack from the bullet back off until you are satisfied.

[Zim]

Old Dawg,
Thanks for the information. May I ask if you are satisfied with the rebore (sounds like you are) and who did it? I hadn't considered this option, but I also don't have a donor.
Just picked up a 32 Long 10" for the Contender, but it is 0.308". It is on the project list now.
I've been shooting bullseye for nice plinking loads. Accurate enough in the Ruger for minute of soda can.

Now the cat's meow would be an Enfield or Greener action. BIL has a Greener custom .357 Mag that hits everything you point it at. I have not shot many guns that hung that nicely on target. This one reason I am pursuing the Contender platform - very light and easy to carry.

[windy]

i'd think the martini cadet would be your best platform. as to length, mine's rechambered to 32 special, and it extracts/ejects them adequately. probably make the local deer population nervous. it's a re-barrel job, or reline at least; the 310 cadet bullet is only 310 at the heel; the working caliber is .323. keep us posted; this sounds like a worthwhile project!
mind yer topknot!
windy

[slumlord44]

CPA Stevens 44 1/2 would be my vote or an original Stevens 44 1/2.

[Old Dawg]

My rebore was done several years ago by Richard Nickel who did several wildcats for me. His work was as good as other reborers I had used and better priced. Unfortunately Nickel has passed on.

I am very pleased with my barrel. I remember Nickel saying the H&R barrel was very easy machining so much so that he discouraged me from having it lapped as it did not need it. Fun gun for squirrels, bunnies, armadillos and such.

[Hickory]

For you Contender fans E. Arthur Brown has both 32 magnum and 32-20 barrels.

http://eabco.com/cntndr01.html

[MT Gianni]

MCA says 327 Fed is too hot for an adaptor, I may get one for 32 H&R.

[pietro]

Isn't the cadet action a bit small for the 327 Fed?. I'm not worried about pressure, I'm asking about case length. I have a problem with extraction with my cadet in 357 mag.

FWIW, there's plenty of Cadets, that have been chambered to .32 Winchester Special (twice as long as a .357Mag), most w/o issue, but some needing only a bit of trench digging in the breechblock top surface.


.

[BAGTIC]

I wish Rossi would bring back pistol caliber rifles on their original small (.410) action. I only managed to get one before they were discontinued. It would be perfect for small cartridgs such as the .22 Hornet, .327, etc. A light and very handy walking around gun.

[leftiye]

I'm quite impressed with the idea of reboring a Contender (or encore or H&R) barrel to .327 (or to .25 for a 25 Hornet). I'm going to call JES up about it.

I picked up a .22 wmr barrel recently that fit a Topper frame that I have perfectly = .22ccm with a slight touch from a reamer. Alternatively, I turn my .22 CCM brass down a bit and just use the wrm chamber.

[trapper9260]

If you are wanting a cheap rifle to convert, maybe a 340 Savage? Easy to rebarrel, but the bolt face might be an issue. How close is the .327 base to .222/223 ?

I am haven one made with that same gun and got a barrel for it the gunsmith needed to work on the bolt face like you stated.it will shoot all that I am able to shoot in my Blackhawk 327.

[RJM52]

What about having a Ruger #3 or H&R Handy Rifle in .22 Hornet rebored. Delta Dunsmithing in Washington could probably do it.

Bob

[Hooker53]

Anyone made any progress on this? I'm thinking about converting an old Martini 303 Brit to a 327 Fed. Just can't make up my mind on which liner to use. Any thoughts??

Roy
Hooker53

[MT Gianni]

45,000 psi is the first thing that comes to mind.

[Tackleberry41]

Yea 327 is way to hot for a chamber adapter, they generally only make them for the lower pressure rounds. I have 2 for using 7.62x25 in a mosin, couple shots and the pressure bulged them where you have to pound the brass out and the wide spot in the middle is pretty obvious.

H&Rs have jumped in price pretty quick where they are no longer cheap conversions. Last look on ebay and they were getting more for barrels than I can just walk into a pawn shop and buy a whole rifle for. But it would be an easy conversion.

[Hooker53]

Who makes and or sells a good 30 Luger barrel liner? I saw a listing for a man that has them at one time but can't find him in any of my Info.

Roy
Hooker53

[4060MAY]

TJ'S
3652 Neltner Rd.
Alexandria, KY 41001
859-635-5360
Mike Sayers

I have used his liners with god results
I would post his price sheet but mine is too old..call and he will send one

[williamwaco]

If I wanted a 327 in a single shot I would look at the T/C Contender or Encore. Then contact MGM and have a barrel made to order........Terry

I would use the Contender. It is slimmer. Get a 18 to 20 inch bbl. You will love it.

There are several sources for custom barrels.

[Hooker53]

Thanks 4060. I will give him a call.

Roy
Hooker53

[kopperl]

I have a Contender 7.62x25 from PacNor. Highly recommend them.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Lee Enfield is the way to go, also very easy to feed in the short cases like 327 or 32-20 because the chamber is right there, not like a mauser type action.

When they built the de Lisle .45 ACP conversion in wartime, with a barrel of about twelve inches inside a full length suppressor, they also had a shortened bolt and the barrel extended into the bolt way, which I believe was enlarged. The magazine, probably a standard 1911 one, came at the rear of the normal magazine well.

[leadman]

The max. mean allowable pressure for the 327 is 48,500 psi. With the small case head it should be ok in a Contender.
I would look for something other than and Arg. Mauser or a 7.7 Arisaka. My experience with these, along with the Mosin Nagant is the majority of the bores are .314" or so.

I have an almost new small ring Mauser 7.62 X 39 barrel that is .310" that I am not using. Might make a good project to install it on an old single shot shotgun like and H&R.

[JohnSmiles]

Well that's just great...
Now I am looking at savage 340's as an option.
After nosing around here and on a couple other sites, seems there are a lot of options to creating a 327 rifle.
I am doomed....
Or at least my pocket book is in danger.
But someone is going to make me a 327 rifle in the near future.
:bigsmyl2:

[BK7saum]

I considered rebarreling a cz 527 in 223 or 204 to 327. Luckily I got out of the 327/32 game when I sold my S7 and Marlin 1894 cowboy 32. Wheh!!!! Dodged that bullet.

[Chev. William]

I've got an adapter for shooting .32 ACP in a .303 British chamber that I have been thinking about having rechambered to .327 Federal. Maybe this would be a good way to try it out before dropping a lot of money on an entire rifle?

You might consider using the .303/.32 adapter as a model and machine a new .303/.327 adapter. save your present adapter and I don't think the machin shop time would be too bad.

Chev. William

[Green Frog]

Henry Rifles makes a nice lever gun in 327. If you want a single shot, I’m thinking a high wall, custom barreled and chambered, would be my suggestion, or to go really cool and if money were no object I’d have a Ruger #3 Carbine custom barreled and chambered... that would make Bill Ruger proud!

Froggie

[Outpost75]

You might consider using the .303/.32 adapter as a model and machine a new .303/.327 adapter. save your present adapter and I don't think the machin shop time would be too bad.

Chev. William

I don't think this would play well in the. .327 with full-charge loads. The. .32 H&R Mag. Works fine, but 7.62x25 bulges the adapter r and seizes it in the chamber.

[uscra112]

1 vote for a nice Stevens 44 1/2. Easy to rebarrel because it is a takedown design which doesn't need special tools to remove the barrel.

[Chev. William]

CPA does make modern reproductions of the 44-1/2 action and rifle.

Chev. William

[Captain Wheelgun]

Wow, I’m surprised to see this thread pop up again. I love all the ideas that have come up here.

I never did get to build my .327 rifle, had a bad case of ‘Real Life’ interfere with my plans.

I did recently acquire a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39, partially with the intention of trying some .327 fed or .32 H&R equivalent loads in it, since it is a much smaller case than my .303 British rifles. Any load suggestions to start with?

I’m also working on an idea to put iron sights on that rifle without having to have a gunsmith drill & tap the barrel. I’ll post about that when I have something going on it.

[MT Gianni]

Wow, I’m surprised to see this thread pop up again. I love all the ideas that have come up here.

I never did get to build my .327 rifle, had a bad case of ‘Real Life’ interfere with my plans.

I did recently acquire a Ruger American Ranch in 7.62x39, partially with the intention of trying some .327 fed or .32 H&R equivalent loads in it, since it is a much smaller case than my .303 British rifles. Any load suggestions to start with?

I’m also working on an idea to put iron sights on that rifle without having to have a gunsmith drill & tap the barrel. I’ll post about that when I have something going on it.

Good luck, I believe the only compelling reason for a 327 rifle is as a companion gun to a revolver. Far too many cartridges can be downloaded to match it.

[Captain Wheelgun]

Good luck, I believe the only compelling reason for a 327 rifle is as a companion gun to a revolver. Far too many cartridges can be downloaded to match it.

That’s exactly why I originally started this thread, because I wanted a companion to my revolver. I may still do this, as I now have two revolvers in that chambering.

As I stated previously, I bought the Ruger in 7.62x39 in part to try downloading to .32 H&R or .327 FM equivalent loads..

[dtknowles]

Good luck, I believe the only compelling reason for a 327 rifle is as a companion gun to a revolver. Far too many cartridges can be downloaded to match it.

I am not sure compelling is the right word but a light handy carbine in something with more punch than .22 lr or even .22 mag is attractive. A Uberti Baby Rolling block in .357 Mag. would answer the mail for me but I don't own any .327 guns. I have a Ruger#3 in .22 Hornet but it is a much bigger action than is needed.

Tim