327 federal mag....again

No experience with the .327 yet but with heavy .32-20 loads in the same range, recoil is negligible.

Let me tell you, SP101 in 327 is the way to go...

I chrono'd 115 gold dots at 1430 fps out of the SP101 3" barrel! That's over 500 ft lbs of KE. Blows away any 38 special +p load, and beats .357 out of a 2" barrel. I'd say the recoil is like a light 357. With the 85 grain bullet at 1400 fps, like a 38 special.

And you can shoot 32 H&R, 32 long S&W, and 32 S&W. Very versatile.

There is no reason to believe that the 115 grain gold dot at over 1400fps wont perform similarly to a 125g 357 bullet at 1400 fps, which is a proven manstopper. With the SP101, a great combo. You won't regret it.

I was in the Gun Store yesterday and I ran into a guy who said he has two guns chambered for .327 magnum (I did not ask if it was the SP-101). He is impressed by its stopping power, but he mentioned that he is having trouble finding ammo. Has anyone else had a similar experience.

Finding ammo has not been a problem for me on the Internet. You may have to talk your local shop into carrying it though.

I'm seriously considering a 5 shot as a CCW.

AFS

I really enjoy my SP in 327. It's a quality revolver in a versatile caliber. So far as recoil, it's there but nothing outrageous. I initially ran the gun with Hogue hardwood grips, but found that the combination of the grip shape and snappy recoil from full loads uncompatible with the shape of my hands. The gun now wears Pachmayr Compacs and fits me perfectly.
Ammunition is around. Federal and Speer have added several more loadings over the past year. The problem for me has been finding handloading components. Bulk brass is hard to obtain, but it is out there at a few suppliers. Almost as hard to find are 32 caliber pistol bullets. Hornady, Sierra and Speer jacketed bullets have been out of stock for a LONG time. I snapped up some Rainier's awhile ago from Midway, which had likewise been out of stock. I run these with full loads, and use Hornady 90g LSWC's for my light loads.

In terms of performance, the .327 Magnum is almost identical to the U.S. M-1 Carbine, so think of it as a rimmed version of that round.

Many people think of any .32 as being a weak sister, but that is not an apt description of the .327.

I would much prefer a revolver with a longer barrel, rather then a snubby, and I'd have no interest in any lightweight snubby.

Freedom Arms has .327 brass.

I have SP101's in both calibers. I don't understand all the talk that this thing is light in recoil. I shot both of these side by side, both revolvers equipped with Hogue Monogrips, and the .327 is just shy of the .357 in recoil. I heard all of the great stuff about this bullet and light recoil, so either it is BS or my gun is screwed up, because it was very unpleasant to shoot with the factory grips, and I am not sensitive to recoil. If you can rent or borrow one first and try it out, then I would sincerely recommend it. That has been my experience, and ammo was impossible to get 2 months ago, but has gotten much better.

CraigC said:

Freedom Arms has .327 brass.

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I would stack up on brass. Remember 9mm Luger with a RIM a la Federal?

For the recoil sensitive, use the Federal 85g hydra-shok "reduced recoil" round. 85g @ 1400fps. Ballistically about identical to the American Eagle 85g JSP. The 115g gold dot takes a pretty good step up in recoil.

nonseven said:

Finding ammo has not been a problem for me on the Internet. You may have to talk your local shop into carrying it though.

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Where is anyone finding it on the internet?

Just checked Midwayusa.com. 3 out of the 4 loads they carry are in stock.

I think it looks like a perfectly viable round, but just reading the banter above about availability only 2 years after its inception doesn't cast a good future outlook in my mind. The launch craze is pretty much over, so you're probably looking at peak popularity or right after, and it isn't likely to be picked up by any major agencies to ensure its future. I could see it taking the path of the .480 Ruger or .45 GAP within a few years. .38 Special and .357 Magnum will be around as long as handguns and metallic smokeless cartridges are still the dominant tecnology (or allowed).

I have SP101's in both calibers. I don't understand all the talk that this thing is light in recoil. I shot both of these side by side, both revolvers equipped with Hogue Monogrips, and the .327 is just shy of the .357 in recoil.

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I'm interested to hear that. I've never shot the .327 Magnum, but I'd always wondered how it was supposed to recoil more gently when a 115-gr bullet at 1350fps seems to be a duplicate of what a 110-gr .357 would do out of a 3" gun.

purchased ten boxes of federal 100 grain AE 327 federal magnum ammo, Gunbroker.com. After i shot six rounds of Gold Dot 115 grain 327 federal mags in my Taurus 327 six shooter. 2 inch barrel, knew to much recoil which was on par with my SP 101 full load 357 mag shell.

Like the little gun so much, it will replace my Sp101 for carry. Taurus does not show the model 327, only the model 731 in 32 H&R mag. As best as I can dertermine Elliot Brothers had a specal run of Model 85 made into 327 Federal Magnum. In the 2008 Gun show Elliot Brothers were listed as the exclusive distributer.

If any one, knows information about why no longer carried by Taurus, please post.

If anyone is interested CDNN Sports (www.cdnnsports.com) is offering Taurus Model 327 small-size snubies (similar to S&W J-frames) on sale for prices running from $240 to $300. All are chambered in .327 Federal Magnum. This represents a super buy if they have what you want. Sale subject to stock on hand.

2" Blue DAO #TAU2327121 - $239.99
2" Blue DA/SA #TAU2327021 - $269.99
2" Tu-Tone DA/SA #TAU2327021DT - $279.99
3" Ported Blue Pink Grips #TAU2327031CP - $289.99
2" Stainless DAO #TAU2327129 - $249.99
2" Stainless DA/SA #TAU2327029 - $279.99
3" Ported Stainless Pink Grips #TAU2327039CP - $299.99

the weight of the 327 could be the reason being replaced by the model 731

the weight of the 327 could be the reason being replaced by the model 731

I have the 327 2 inch, and it weighs 27.6 oz fully loaded The model 731 is listed as 17 oz empty. don't thing six rounds of 32 H&R Mag will will 10 OZ. The 731 sounds more appealing to me for a front pocket carry. Would guess a total weight of about 20 OZ.

i may sell my 327 Jan at the Fort Worth gun show and the case of ammo i have on order. Dont think i can take ammo inside. Will have to list on the stuff for sell section.

I find it an appealing round - and our tests shooting it weren't brutal at all. I've held onto the brass from our tests, and if/when I get a revolver in that cartridge, I'll be set.

That said, I think this cartridge would *really* shine in a lever gun.

Jim D.

Just got back from the range, ran a couple hundred rounds thru the SP101 today. What a fun gun. I was running two "heavy loads". Both were using a Rainier 100g FP. One load with 105.g of 2400, the other with 10g of surplus WC820. Both were accurate, but that 2400 is awesome. Holy fireball!

Shadan7 said:

I find it an appealing round - and our tests shooting it weren't brutal at all. I've held onto the brass from our tests, and if/when I get a revolver in that cartridge, I'll be set.

That said, I think this cartridge would *really* shine in a lever gun.

Jim D.

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Shadan: what brand and model of 327 were you using for the test?

I have a Blackhawk, GP100, and a SP101 in .327FM and several other .32H&R handguns. I have nothing but good things to say about the round. I have used the GP100 to take three whitetail deer (100-140# does) at ranges to 55 yrds. I handload the 115gr GDHP to the upper end of the published data. One of the does I shot broadside at about 40 yards. Both shoulders were smashed, the lungs and heart were gone, and the exit wound was 1 1/2". Another was a neck shot at 30 yards. Never even twitched. The most recent was a larger doe at 55 long paces. The shot was quartering to me in brush. I found the right shoulder at the joint of the neck and squeezed. The Gold Dot impacted alittle low of POA, took out the lower part of the left lung before making an abrupt upward turn and hitting the spine. The bullet traveled atleast 12" through tissue before hitting bone. None of the three went more than 10ft from where they stood. With well constructed, rapidly expanding bullets the .327 is a serious contender in my book. I doubt I would push it beyond 50-60 yards for eastern whitetails, but it will certainly get the job done in self defense situations. Recoil is about like +P .38spl loads with LOTS more noise and flash. Infact, my hot W296 .357mag 158gr handloads do not have the flash and noise the .327 factory stuff does.

On a side note, I have had better accuracy out of STD primers in the .327, even with powders like W296. Also, I've never been able to buy ammo locally and few places will order it.

t2e