American Eagle 327 Fed Mag

[Green Frog]

A few years ago, for some long forgotten reason, I bought a box (50) of AE brand 327s. I must have shot two cylinders full through my Blackhawk as 16 rounds have been expended. Anyway, I’d sorta forgotten about them as I moved on to my various cast bullet reloads, but now I’m curious again. Do any of you have experience with this ammo? I know they aren’t cast bullets, so please don’t flame me. I’m really curious.

I wonder how these 85 gr JSPs at an advertised MV of 1400 fps will do in my Ruger #3 that has a custom Douglas 327 FM barrel. It looks like tomorrow will be another nice day for a trip to the range. Problem is, I don’t know how much significant data I can get from these lightweight jacketed rounds traveling @ supersonic speeds when I plan to shoot much heavier cast bullets at a few hundred fps slower speeds. Oh well, I’ll have a nice day at the range and “harvest” some more once-fired brass.

Froggie

PS One thing for sure, the only bullets I can cast that light would have to come from my old S&W “Peanut” mould. But I can if I must!

[billmc2]

I've only bought one box of each, the 85 gr and the 100 gr. I wanted them as a reference. Since then I've been casting and loading my own.

327-Fed-MagFederal-American-Eagle-100-gr-JSPRuger-SP101.pdf
327-Fed-MagFederal-American-Eagle-85-gr-JSPRuger-SP101.pdf

[Green Frog]

I wonder why Federal was/is loading so many lightweight bullets? Now that I think about it, I don’t remember seeing any factory loads from Federal in the 115-135 gr range that. Many of us are loading. Am I missing something?
Froggie

[Jeff Michel]

If I remember correctly, the spin was the 327 was supposed to be the heir apparent to the 357 mag. The only way they could get velocity up to 357 mag ranges was to utilize light bullets. Looked good on paper but anyone that cast their own or used heavier jacketed bullets discovered that it was pretty much a marketing ploy and I at least decided I would rather give up velocity for momentum made for a much more effective round. FWIW, in my particular case, I used the American Eagle 85 grain bullet on two horses. Other than that, no idea. Still have 48 rounds left that I ought to shoot up.

[P Flados]

For range use, my 4.2" SP-101 does great with a tumble lube custom 85 gr RNFP in a mild 327. It really does not take a heavy to make holes in paper. Since this is really all I use it for, I have not loaded anything heavier in quite a few years. Even my stout loads are now just powder coated versions of the same bullet loaded closer to H&R magnum power. Enough bang to be satisfying with no drama and no pain.

As far as JSPs, the 85 gr would serve as self defense from a snubbie with less recoil than anything heavier in 327.

A lot of short barrel 327s were made early on. The LCR is still selling (this may be the longest continuous production gun for 327). Some of these guns are pretty light. Part of the original 327 marketing angle was to get lower recoil even with self defense ammo. The 32 H&R is an option for even less recoil in a snubbie, but you are getting a good bit less punch.

My 4.2" SP-101 is no lightweight, but I remember it crossing into the no fun range with full power heavies and the original grips.

[contender1]

Some of the early .32 Mag & .327 ammo from Federal,, would split cases upon the first firing. They had an issue with the brass and replaced some stuff from what I recall.
I have a partial box of .32 Mag brass on my desk right now,, all cases split. 32 pieces out of the initial 50 split upon firing.

The ammo itself was fine. But for a reloader,, not a fun thing.

[Green Frog]

Well, I’ll find out this afternoon. I’m set to go out to the range, primarily to shoot up the AE factory stuf and get an idea of my Ruger #3’s target potential @ 100 yds. I wonder though, whether the heavier bullets will carry a little better to that distance. Regardless, I’ll have another box of once fired brass, and so far none have cracked from this batch. More reporting tonight, I hope.
Froggie

[Mk42gunner]

I'd almost bet that the heavier ones will do better at longer ranges, as long as you didn't go for a really slow twist in the barrel.

I'm contemplating a similar conversion for my #3 in .22 Hornet. I have next to no use for a Hornet anymore. Even worse the last time I checked the barrel, the bore was fine; but there was a concerning brownish tinge to the chamber.

I did clean and oil it, but...

Robert

[Green Frog]

Robert,
I can highly recommend John Taylor. A Ruger #3 and the 327 Fed Mag are a match made in firearms Heaven, and if you already have a donor gun in hand… well you’re just good to go! John offers several options, but the octagon barrel he fashioned for mine (from a Douglas premium blank) just finishes the little #3 carbine perfectly. He shortened my fore end back to the barrel band and I still need to do a little shaping and put a new finish on the stock.
Froggie

[wrench man]

I have the 85 and 100grn on hand for my Single Seven and Henry lever gun, never killed anything but pop cans?, the Rifle is VERY accurate with both, the revolver is pop can accurate, I've also experienced several split cases?

[Green Frog]

When I went out yesterday I had one of the American Eagle factory loads split its case so badly I had to extract it using my cleaning rod. One other case split similarly but didn’t lock itself into the chamber. In both of them the split ran from the case mouth longitudinally about 2/3 of the way to the base. Oddly, all cases came out streaked on the outside, indicating underpressure loading as the fouling came back from the case mouth. HMMM.
Froggie

[rintinglen]

My .327's have generally not seen heavy bullet loads. 98-105 grains works great, if I need more, I go with a .357. I did buy an NOE 115 grain Keith type, but it didn't work in my Single Sevens unless I crimped it over the shoulder instead of in the crimp groove. I see the .327 as a super 32-20, not a step down .357, but suitable for smaller guns.
My 327's are all Rugers, 3 Single 7's and 2 SP101's.

[Green Frog]

Well, my initial thought was that if the hi-vel 125 gr 357 mags were such a big deal, why not get the same weight bullet at just as high velocity in a smaller package with more steel around the chamber as well as in the throat of the barrel? Why not indeed? My 616 delivered that to my satisfaction and I really feel like in many ways it does all those 357s promised and more.

Back to the idea of lighter bullets in the long, true magnum case; I see a lot of potential there as well. As I experiment with these jacketed 85 gr bullets and cast lead bullets in the 95-105 gr range, I’m seeing a good level of performance but following a totally different philosophy… very light bullets at very high velocities. One bullet I want to try is the Lyman 313631. My friend beagle had one of these moulds modified by removing the GC ring, and I like that bullet a lot. If one of those moulds were to cross my path I’d be very tempted to snatch it up. I can’t get very worked up about even lighter (ie sub-95 gr) bullets. The factory ones from Federal seem to work OK, but I doubt I’ll start casting anything that light.

Froggie