327 Federal Magnum

[cwlongshot]

Im ordering a Lipseys special Ruger Single seven Bisley in 327 mag this week.

I have been reading and asking questions. Looking for any experiences and advice.

I have had two Single Six in 32 H&R and this 327 aint that!! I liked it but didnt feel it had the steam for PP worked real well on Bunnies and Snow shoes.

I have confirmed my 32H&R mag dies will work fine on the 327. I also have a few Molds for my 32/20’s so these should be fine.

So you have one? Whats your use and feelings about it?

CW

[Guesser]

The 2 most apparent draw backs of the S7 are: Indexing of the cylinder must be done by hand, it does not index to exact loading position and the loading gate channel is very narrow, barely wide enough to allow passage of the case head in and out and accomplished only by judiciously indexing by hand and holding the cylinder precisely in place or turning it around again.
And the cylinder is shorter than any other 327 revolver, even shorter than the other Rugers in 327.
All that said, put a set of checkered Hogue Pau Ferro grips on it and you are good to go, I really like my 5.5". And yes, 32-20 castings work well. I use 311316 in mine and it is good with A#9 powder.

[contender1]

I own one,, and have for a few years. I also have a few 32 Mags.

As noted above,, due to the size of the frame, the 7 holes, and all,, alignment for loading & unloading is a bit more precise than others. It takes a little getting used to. BUT IT'S NOT A DEAL BREAKER!!!!!!!! I got comfortable with mine pretty quickly.

For a small to medium game fun gun,, it's the ticket.
And the fact you can easily use 32 mag & other lesser powered ammo w/o issues makes it very versatile. I cast a couple of different slugs from my Miha molds for mine. I use a GC bullet,, a bit heavier,,, (135 grn,) for the more serious medium game,, or for faster speeds when I desire them.
I also have one of the Blackhawks in 327,, and it's a pussycat to shoot,, even with the hottest loads you'd want.

All the above is "after the fact" so to speak. I was a slow starter with the 32 cals. I got one as a gift (32 mag) way back in the 80's,, and even a companion shooter. (The first one was a rarer variation for my collection.) Yet,, I never got into shooting it much until many years later. Boy,, did I figure out how much fun I was missing. So, when the 327 came along,, I jumped like a dog hit with a cattle prod. NEVER have regretted it,, EXCEPT for the time I wasted NOT playing with one.

[Green Frog]

What kind of killer rabbits are you hunting? The 327 should kill them and fricassee them with a single shot! :bigsmyl2:

As guesser mentioned, any of the bigger 32-20 designs should work fine... if they are large enough diameter. Also, I’m using a non-canister surplus version of Accurate #9 with good success. A #7 is also a good choice. If your cylinder is long enough to take it, you might look at the NOE 313008, their version of the old Ideal bullet. Only their version runs about 125 gr. In case two of those monster jacks attack you at once. ;)

Froggie

[megasupermagnum]

I've got to spend a bit of time with the 5.5" stainless version, not sure if it was a special or not. My advice is to not get it. It is the one and only gun chambered in 327 federal to avoid. Some early models had a problem where the gate opening was too small to load them. This should be a non-issue by now. The one I shot is tight, but loaded fine. There is one crippling problem with the single seven, and that is that it is simply too small for the 327 federal. This is entirely opinion based, but it will only fit a bullet with a .290" long nose. A 100 grain XTP crimped in the canelure is pushing the envelope for size. To top off the tight frame window, the gun I had weighed 38 ounces on my scale. It's a heffer, not a small handy gun like many want it to be. For comparison a 4 5/8" 357 mag Blackhawk weighs 44 ounces on that scale.

My advice, if you want a single action in 327 federal, buy the Blackhawk. They still come up frequently online on sites like gun broker for $750-$800. They are an all around better gun than the single seven.

[rintinglen]

I have 3; 2 Single sevens and an Sp101. I like the accuracy, the versatility, and the power. My favorite is the 7 1/2inch version, but all are neat guns. I had considerable difficulty with mine at first, in fact the 7 1/2 inch made a trip back to the factory, while I had to sand the loading gate deeper to get the 5.5" gun to feed 327 ammo. They are not speed loader friendly, but they are very, very accurate. I have found best accuracy occurs with H-110 and A 357-477 midget clone that was made by LBT. But other boolits work well. However, neither the 311008 nor the RCBS 32-98 SWC will let you load them in the crimp groove without protruding from the cylinder of the Single Seven. The 311-316, the MP 314-100 HP, the afore mentioned LBT 100 grainer, and the RCBS WC all work well.

Ps. The black hawks are too heavy for the cartridge. I had one which my brother bought from me, but it weighed something like 48 ounces and did not shoot nor balance as well as the Single Sevens do. YMMV, but I haven't seen a Blackhawk 327 for sale at less than $900 lately.
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[Green Frog]

rintinglen, I'm a little surprised to hear about your negative experiences with the Blackhawk. While it is admittedly bigger and heavier than the Single Seven, I find that it balances well and points naturally for me... and I'm not really even a single action kind of guy! It's big enough to have a full length cylinder so it will readily chamber the longest cartridges I've tried in it. If your brother still has your old one, you might want to go back and give it another chance... except then you'd probably want to get one again!

By the way, which of the bullets in your picture is the LBT design that does so well for you? I'm assuming it is the first one on the left with the shortest nose(??) The 125 grain NOE (copy of an Ideal 3118, but longer and heavier) is my best heavy bullet so far. The biggest drawback is its long nose that makes it too long for the Single Seven and fills up every bit of the available length of my custom cut K-frame S&W cylinder; in fact, if I knew then what I know now I would probably have bought one of Hamilton Bowen's custom made cylinders for their extra length then shortened the amount of barrel tenon extending through.

Froggie

[cwlongshot]

Thank you guys!

MSM, I do value your opinion here. I have read and seen the load/unload issues. Reminiscent of 1974 When the “new model came out & the cyl didn’t line up anymore. But slightly more so cause these loading gates where designed for small RF cartridge s. I don’t see it as a deal breaker, if a SS gun one could likely polish or open things up a touch...

The fact that the cyl wasn’t lengthened more is troublesome... I was looking at a couple of my Single Sixes and a 327 cartridge thinking that Ruger probably shortens the barrel extension and lengthens the cyl... Yes/No?

I’ll hopefully order next week.

CW

[Wheelguns 1961]

The mp-molds mjolnir mold is perfect for the single sevens. These loaded measure 1.497” and just fit in the cylinder. With my alloy, the solid weighs 127gns. I also have the mp sledgehammer lfn that I use in my gp100. The mjolnir is a good bullet with a large meplat, and they shoot accurately in both of my S7’s.

[cwlongshot]

Ill have to check measurements on what I have.

Anyone know max OAL for the S7?

CW

[Wheelguns 1961]

I keep mine below 1.500”

[megasupermagnum]

1.500" was just barely below flush in the one I had. Maybe .005" below. 1.490" is the absolute longest I would feel comfortable using.

[rintinglen]

I should have been more precise in my labeling. The LBT is the third from the left, in the picture above. If you hold one up alongside a 358-477, you can easily see the design similarity. The folks up above who said that the max COAL is 1.50" are dead on. In my two examples, a 1.53 inch long cartridge protrudes out of the cylinder. I have an 115 NOE that resembles a shrunken 358-429 that can not be used if crimped in the crimp groove for that reason. I plan on loading some in 32 H&R brass, but I haven't got around to it. The longest nosed boolit in the picture that remains in the cylinder is the MP 314-100 HP, just to the left of the LBT, which, IIRC is the 315-100. These both have shot very well for me. The 311-316 (far left) and the 311-419 (not shown) also have shown promise, but I am too lazy to bother with gas checks if I don't need them.

It had been quite a while since I had shot an honest 1 inch 25 yard group, but I forgave my Single Sevens all the aggravation I had initially been given when I had them out last fall and managed to shoot two 1" groups out of 10, with none of the others larger than 2 1/4' and the average about 1 5/8". That was with the LBT boolit and 12.2 grains of 296/H110. I can not shoot any better than that, and usually can't do as well.



The extra 10 ounces of the Black hawk is a deal breaker for me, especially given that it shoots no better for me. If I am going to carry a heavier gun, I want a bigger caliber, like my 44 flat top that weighs less loaded than the Blackhawk 327 starts at. Different strokes for different folks. Now I just saw that Lipseys has an aluminum frame Single Seven that runs 32 ounces. I think I'm in want.

[wdr2]

I installed a modified free spin pawl from Power Custom in my 7.5in Single Seven and now its very easy to load and unload. I am using the 115gr Miha HP in my Single Seven 7.5in with OAL of 1.480in in Starline brass at 1425fps using 296. Just crimp over the bullet ogive. Hard on squirrels and very accurate.

[RJM52]

CW.. I am using the Accurate 31-120S and have shot the load in Chet's S-S 7.5" gun... Next time down I'll give you the mold to try if you want...

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Bob

[RJM52]

Good articles on the .327...

https://gunblast.com/Freedom-Harton327.htm

https://gunblast.com/Ruger-Single7.htm

[onelight]

Cwlongshot I'm glad you started this thread I'm learning a lot about boolits for my single seven.:popcorn:

[Thundarstick]

My arms in 327FM, Henry carbine, Taurus stubby, SP101 3 inch, SP101 4.5 inch, GP100 6 inch, GP100 4.5 inch, The big ol Black Hawk 8 shooter, 3 Single 7s 5,7.5, and the Bisley, last but not least, my EDC, a S&W 627. I have probably gotten the bbl lengths off a little, and could have left one out, but I like the 327! The only disadvantage? It's loud!

[megasupermagnum]

My arms in 327FM, Henry carbine, Taurus stubby, SP101 3 inch, SP101 4.5 inch, GP100 6 inch, GP100 4.5 inch, The big ol Black Hawk 8 shooter, 3 Single 7s 5,7.5, and the Bisley, last but not least, my EDC, a S&W 627. I have probably gotten the bbl lengths off a little, and could have left one out, but I like the 327! The only disadvantage? It's loud!

I assume you mean the S&W 632, the ported 3" barrel? I'm sure that barks pretty good. My EDC is a Ruger SP101, originally a 4.2" barrel with adjustable sights, now a 3" with fully adjustable sights. The 3" barrel is about the most perfect belt concealed carry gun as you can get.

The best thing for Ruger to do now (besides offer a 3" SP101 with fully adjustable sights), is drop the single seven, and bring back the Blackhawk, but in the blued with aluminum grip frames. The aluminum grip frame blackhawks weigh about what the stainless single sevens do.

[onelight]

My single seven seems to shoot just fine with long bullets crimped over the front shoulder if the bullet is to long to use the crimp groove you just need to work up the load for the shorter OAL.
Not as pretty but shoot just fine.

[megasupermagnum]

My single seven seems to shoot just fine with long bullets crimped over the front shoulder if the bullet is to long to use the crimp groove you just need to work up the load for the shorter OAL.
Not as pretty but shoot just fine.

That is true, you can work up loads for deep seated bullets. I hate it because then I either have to load different ammo for the single seven, or shoot every gun with deep seated bullets. The OAL limit is not a big deal with the light 100 and 115 grain bullets. It's when you get to the 125 grain and heavier it becomes a problem. I've been trying to get a good load for a 148 grain bullet seated to 1.490" OAL, but it's not that great. In the crimp groove I was easily able to shoot 10.5 grains H110 safely, and it was accurate. Deep seated I'm seeing pressure signs at 9 grains, and they are not shooting great. Bluedot is working better, but I'm loosing a lot of velocity. I'm seeing about 1100 fps with 6.2 grains of bluedot deep seated, verses 1310 with 10.5 grains H110 crimped in the groove.

The best tool I made was to take a 32-20 Lee collet FCD (rifle style) and shorten it in a lathe to work with 327. This allows me to make my own crimp grooves.

[onelight]

1310 FPS with a 148 is cookin that's impressive.

[Green Frog]

Looks like we’re off to the races with yet another thread on the joys of the 327! S&W, are you listening? (Probably not!)

I would be curious about the demographics of participants in this and similar 327-themed threads. I’m going to guess the average age to be somewhere in their mid sixties and financial status well established enough to have some disposable income. Others are probably going to be dreaming about them, but not as likely to make the commitment to buy. Some variance, of course, but that would be average.

Froggie

[Guesser]

Demographics.......I ain't no demographic, I'm a Montanan!!!

[trapper9260]

I have a SP101 with the 4" on order with my gunsmith. he said the one he normal get his guns from is on back order. He is looking some of his other suppliers for to see he can find what I want. I have the BH in the 327 and hand the same gunsmith make the Handi Rifle in 327 for me. at 50 yards on a rest I get 3/4" groups with the 115 gr mold I got. it shoot the same ammo I load for in my BH. Will see how the SP 101 will shoot with the same ammo.After I get it .

[Thundarstick]

I don't try and make my 327 into a 30-30! I shoot 98 gr cast mostly, and love the Sierra 90 gr hp, I'm looking at a 30US carbine you wear on your hip. I keep the Black Hawk for the novelty, but think the Single Seven Bisley, and the J frame S&W are the cats pajamas! Now if S&W would make a K frame 7 shooter with a 4 inch tube I'd be all over that!

[wdr2]

Another great bullet for both the 32H&R and 327 is the Accurate 31-105C. The nose is just the right length for the Single 7 with 327 brass. I use this bullet for moderate loads, 900-1100 fps. Above 1100 fps, I use a GC bullet, primarily Miha's 100HPGC and 115HPGC. I do have the new MP 327 Single Seven Mjolnir mold but have not shot any yet.

[Wheelguns 1961]

Another good bullet that shoots real good in my 32hrm and my 327’s is the noe 314-319 this comes in at 119gns and is short enough for the 327’s in 327 brass
Edit: in noe’s catalog I think this is called 314-316

[rintinglen]

^^^^ @ Thundarstick, Me too. Though My brother states that there are some GP 100's out now. I have seen one, but never held one. I suspect they are heavy.
BTW Green Frog, I just want you to know I resemble that remark.

[cwlongshot]

LOADS OF GREAT INFORMATION GUYS!!

Thank you!

CW

[megasupermagnum]

^^^^ @ Thundarstick, Me too. Though My brother states that there are some GP 100's out now. I have seen one, but never held one. I suspect they are heavy.
BTW Green Frog, I just want you to know I resemble that remark.

Ruger makes 3 variations of the GP100 in 327 federal. I own the 5" Lipsey's special, it weighs 39 ounces... almost identical to the 5.5" single seven. You get 7 shots and a full length cylinder too.

[Wheelguns 1961]

My 5” half lug 327 gp100 is easily my favorite 32.

[rintinglen]

It looks like they made another run of GP 100's in 6 inch as well as 4.2", for several years they were unavailable, I'm guessing it's a "get-em-while they're-hot" deal. That half lug Lipsey's model tickles my fancy. Lipsey's, Ruger, and Federal are conspiring to obtain my kids inheritance--or I should say, they are conspiring to make sure my kids inherit a bunch of Ruger .327's. ;)

[Wheelguns 1961]

My 5” half lug came from the factory with a .003 b/c gap uniform throats at .314 tight chambers and a nice short smooth forcing cone. It is one of my better factory rugers. I was thinking about getting a 4.2” ss model, but I just couldn’t justify another one. If someone could think of a reason for me to need one, I would be greatly appreciative.

[Wheelguns 1961]

The only thing about the 5” half lug gp100’s is the wood grips have a little back and forth movement. I also have a 357 half lug, and the grips do the same thing. I temporarily placed a shim in between the grip stub and the grips and that helped, but I need to make a more permanent epoxy fix.

[Green Frog]

BTW Green Frog, I just want you to know I resemble that remark.

Which remark? The one about demographics? How about if we add in republgraphics to balance things out? Or was it talking down the significance of that extra 10 ounces of the Blackhawk being
all that important? :coffee:

That’s OK, please know that I still respect you, sir. :drinks:

Regards,
Froggie

[Thumbcocker]

There is a GP100 .327 for sale on the Ruger forum. the seller has posted targets shot out to 100 yards. No dog in the fight just passing it along.

[scotth]

i am hoping they bring back the black hawk 327 with some long barrel options

[Old School Big Bore]

I wish there were some way to get Ruger/Lipseys to make a 4 5/8" Blackhawk - maybe a flattop - .327 with a spare cylinder in .32-20.
That's the only way I can see myself getting into the .327.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I wish there were some way to get Ruger/Lipseys to make a 4 5/8" Blackhawk - maybe a flattop - .327 with a spare cylinder in .32-20.
That's the only way I can see myself getting into the .327.
They had a limited run of blackhawks with a .32-20 cylinder and a .32hrm cylinder. I think they were called the buckeye special.

[scotth]

yep find your self a buckeye special and have the 32 h&r reamed to 327 and you will have what you are looking for.

[rintinglen]

247663
My want greatly exceeded my need, so I ordered one of these. Aluminum frame, 31 oz, 4 5/8" if it shoots as well as my others, I'll be a very happy camper.

[Wheelguns 1961]

247663
My want greatly exceeded my need, so I ordered one of these. Aluminum frame, 31 oz, 4 5/8" if it shoots as well as my others, I'll be a very happy camper.

I think these are on sale through Lipseys right now. $546 out the door at my lgs. Let us know how you like it

[hendere]

I bought the first 5-1/2” Single Seven I saw. I was afraid of all the reports of difficulty loading, but mine indexes the hole perfectly at the gate with no problems whatsoever. It’s always shot well with heavy loads but I wasn’t able to shoot plain base boolits without problems. I’ve recently started playing with powder coating and it seems to be solving those issues. The arsenal 98 grain Keith bullet works in the crimp groove (veeeeery close) and is working well with 10.3 grains of 2400. Fun gun.

[NorthMoccasin]

My 7.5" single seven is the most fun revolver I own. Narrow loading gates, short cylinders are only minor issues, easily overcome to enjoy the accuracy these guns offer! I load the Accurate 105pb and 115gc that crimp in the crimp groove for single sevens. I also use the RCBS 100 SWC pb and the 118gr Lyman 311008 pb crimped over the 1st driving band with great accuracy and no problems. I don't load to super max levels since mid range loads provide all the performance I require, and are easier on the ears! Have found n need for gc's. The Accurate 115gc is quite accurate, but no more so than the 311008. All bullets are sized .312 or .313, with .312 appearing slightly more accurate.

[GooseGestapo]

My S7 is like hendere’s. My favorite load is the Lee 113gr FNGC “beagled” to throw oversized. I size to .314” w/gc and SPG lube over 10.0gr of #2400. Not particularly fast, but accurate and fast enough. Small pistol primer ok.
I also use the Hornady 100gr XTP over 13.2gr ov Acc#9 but use small rifle primer. Near factory duplicate.

But, mostly I shoot 2.2gr of Bullseye or TiteGroup under the Lee 93gr RN from a 6-cavity mold in a .32SW-L case. But, prefer 90gr SWC-TL, but 2-cavities is tedious!!!!

[megasupermagnum]

My S7 is like hendere’s. My favorite load is the Lee 113gr FNGC “beagled” to throw oversized. I size to .314” w/gc and SPG lube over 10.0gr of #2400. Not particularly fast, but accurate and fast enough. Small pistol primer ok.
I also use the Hornady 100gr XTP over 13.2gr ov Acc#9 but use small rifle primer. Near factory duplicate.

But, mostly I shoot 2.2gr of Bullseye or TiteGroup under the Lee 93gr RN from a 6-cavity mold in a .32SW-L case. But, prefer 90gr SWC-TL, but 2-cavities is tedious!!!!

If you are looking for a tack driver for the 100 grain XTP, try either 13.2 grains H110, or 8 grains of bluedot. The bluedot load has a lot less muzzle blast, and is more enjoyable. The H110 load... is H110. It won't match the Federal AE load for speed, but is WAY more consistent. I believe I clocked H110 at 1550 fps, and the Federal load at 1650 fps (with ES in the 150+ fps area).

[psweigle]

Green Frog, I am 48, and a lowly dock worker who lives paycheck to paycheck. It took me close to a year to save the money for my sp101. I was able to buy 2 boxes of factory ammo, a lee 100gr rn mold, and 100 starline brass. I have h110 on hand and small rifle primers. It's going to take me a little time until I can afford the mold I REALLY want.

[Green Frog]

Green Frog, I am 48, and a lowly dock worker who lives paycheck to paycheck. It took me close to a year to save the money for my sp101. I was able to buy 2 boxes of factory ammo, a lee 100gr rn mold, and 100 starline brass. I have h110 on hand and small rifle primers. It's going to take me a little time until I can afford the mold I REALLY want.

I hear ya, brother! I taught public school for 30 years, so I know about the paycheck to paycheck thing... I often had too much month left at the end of the paycheck. I just tried to keep my eyes open for bargains and swap toward what I wanted (or thought I needed) at the time. I also had to swap off one project in order to start another (more times than I care to recall.) BTW, what is the mould you are most seeking for the 327 FM if money were no barrier? Perhaps somebody here has something that would work for you.

Froggie