327 Federal is the best small revolver cartridge for defense

[cal44mag]

I'm coming to the conclusion the above is the true.

Reasons:

o The 327 Federal is a 21st century design and operates at higher pressure than other magnum revolver cartridges (e.g 357, 41, 44 Magnum). About 9000-10000 PSI higher.

o The 327 Federal is new enough that no older, weaker guns need to be considered by ammo manufacturers.

o Being smaller in diameter, most guns can hold an additional round. For example, J frames and LCRs chambered in 327 Fed hold 6 rather than 5 rounds of 38/357.

o Although 38/357 guns shoot a larger diameter bullet, it's not that much larger (.357" vs .31") and, in general 327 Federal's slightly lighter rounds move at a higher velocity and are therefore more likely to expand.

o Although high end 357 Magnum ammo can generate higher muzzle energies, the 327 Federal SD loads, with their higher pressure and higher velocity are equal to most 357 Magnum defense loads from short barrelled guns. I'd give 357 magnum an edge in SD against bears and such due to higher power, but typically reasonable 4 legged defense guns are bigger than what people want to carry concealed in town. Plus few can shoot the high end 357 magnums in a snub well.

o The 327 Federal gun can also shoot 32 H&R Magnum for people who want less recoil and noise in a SD gun, and can shoot 32 Long for practice. The existence of a lower powered option is an important advantage shared with 357 Magnums, but absent in the 9mm world.

o Ammo, at least around here, is becoming more available and I'm finding at least some 327 Federal loads available in most LGS's.

What's really needed to make 327 Fed more popular for SD is more small, light carry guns.

We could use a 6 shot 327 Federal Scandium J frame similar to the M&P 340 and 340PD.

Right now, that market is left to the LCR 327 and the SP101 3" version (just re-introduced).

The cartridge got off to a false start when it first came out mainly for lack of ammo, but it seems to be making a comeback now that both practice and good SD ammo is available.

Plus Ruger in particular has recently released several new 327 Federal models in both double and single action versions.

 

[cp1969]

I guess it's fine for those who can't handle something bigger but that doesn't make it 'the best.'

It shoots a small bullet fast. But not fast enough to enter the realm of 'hydrostatic shock', which is so often equated (not by me) with 'stopping power.'

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I don't carry revolvers much anymore but when I do it's usually a 3 inch SP101 in 357 mag. I have other 357's and 38's as well.
When I want more rounds, which is almost always, I carry a double stack 9.
Not bashing it, I just have no interest in the 327 Fed.

 

[SteadyD]

I guess it's fine for those who can't handle something bigger but that doesn't make it 'the best.'

It shoots a small bullet fast. But not fast enough to enter the realm of 'hydrostatic shock', which is so often equated (not by me) with 'stopping power.'

100 grain 327 recoils considerably more than 38 special. It doesn't seem accurate to say it's for someone "who can't handle something bigger", unless you just mean 357. But honestly, most folks, even avid revolver shooters, can't handle 357 in a 17 oz gun. In fact, quite a few folks say they don't find 38 special tolerable from a 17 oz gun.

I agree in not calling it the best. It's pricey, crazy loud, and not much selection. I do like the cartridge though.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

As an avid 32 fan it’s not the best, but it’s damn good. A 3” SP101 is outstanding in 327.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I agree in not calling it the best. It's pricey, crazy loud, and not much selection. I do like the cartridge though.

Cost is irrelevant if you reload. Pretty much all similar cost the same then.

 

[js8588]

It's not really "pricey". <50 cents a round at Cabela's. I have no idea where the notion comes from that it's super expensive.

 

[SteadyD]

It's not really "pricey". <50 cents a round at Cabela's. I have no idea where the notion comes from that it's super expensive.

I can buy 38 special hollow points for about 50 cents per round online. 327 hollow points tend to be $1.

 

[Hasaf]

The biggest reason that I have held off in the .327 is the cost of the gun when I consider how much use it will get. With only one manufacturer (Ruger), there is just no real price pressure.

I may end up with one anyways, when I went gun comparing, with my daughter, she liked the .327 a lot.

 

[C0untZer0]

I don't see Federal making their HST for the .327 Federal Magnum, and I don't see Winchester making their Ranger "T" Series in that caliber either. Maybe the best self-defense cartridge that is readily available is the Hydra-Shok ? I don't know.

There are lots and lots of gel tests out there that show other calibers, including 9mm, doing better in standard ballistics tests than the current crop of readily available .327 ammo.

 

[mjsdwash]

why not just get 110gr 357? The 357 is so wimped out that recoil is not a real issue with 90% of factory loadings. I guess that 1 extra round is an advantage, but I think I would rather have 5 357's.

 

[cal44mag]

I don't see Federal making their HST for the .327 Federal Magnum, and I don't see Winchester making their Ranger "T" Series in that caliber either. Maybe the best self-defense cartridge that is readily available is the Hydra-Shok ? I don't know.

There are lots and lots of gel tests out there that show other calibers, including 9mm, doing better in standard ballistics tests than the current crop of readily available .327 ammo.

I think the best 327 SD round for 2" snubs like the LCR is the 100 gr Speer Gold Dot. Over 1300 fps from a snub. The ME of this load exceeds many 357 Magnum self defense loads from snubs.

For 4" and above barrels, the American Eagle 100 gr soft point is as good or better. But I'm not sure the AE load will expand from a 2".

BTW, the AE load is under 50 cents per round, and can be mail ordered, and is easy to find around where I live in stores. Sportsman's Warehouse usually has it in stock. So do several LGS.

The Federal Hydra Shok load in 327 Federal is also good, but it's less powerful than the Gold Dot.

IMHO, the 357 Magnum is the best handgun round, but it's really intended for 4" and up barrel guns. At the high end, 357 Magnum exceeds anything you can do with 327 Federal.
Speer used to have a 115 gr Version of the 327 Federal Gold Dot. Tend to like the heavier bullet a bit better, but Speer discontinued the 115 gr and switched to the 100 gr version. Fortunately, I stocked up on the 115 gr Gold Dots when I could and have plenty to use it for a carry load for years to come.

As for availability, many of the better 357 Magnum SD loads are hard to find too. Sometimes years go by between runs of Gold Dots hitting the store shelves.

There are also a few Gel tests for 327 Federal that show great expansion and penetration from Gold Dots, AE soft points, and Hydra Shoks.

 

[ray15]

I can buy 38 special hollow points for about 50 cents per round online. 327 hollow points tend to be $1.

Remington 125gr. SJHP 38 special +P is on the shelf at most Wallyworlds for 31.5 cents/round. Not the best round for snubbies, but great in a 4" barrel.

Looks like the Golden Saber +P 125gr. load is available online starting at .40 cents/round. You can get into something swanky like Gold Dots at just over 50 cents/per. Definitely cheaper across the board than .327.

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/rem...ial-ammo-125-grain-p-bjhp-gs38sbb-p-1413.aspx

https://www.targetsportsusa.com/spe...ecial-ammo-125-grain-p-jhp-53720-p-76786.aspx

 

[C0untZer0]

The Speer 115gr GDHP produced some nice test results:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Ballist...vy Clothing 10 Percent Ballistic Gelatin.html

DoubleTap still loads the 75gr Barns TacXP and that puts in some impressive test results also.

 

[BobWright]

In reading all this palaver, I'll stay with my .45 Colt.



Bob Wright

 

[Panzerschwein]

In reading all this palaver, I'll stay with my .45 Colt.

View attachment 774752

Bob Wright

Acceptable performance perhaps, but I'll stick with my .500 Linebaugh single action.

There's no replacement for displacement.

 

[GBExpat]

327 Federal is the best small revolver cartridge for defense

While I find the thought of a short-barrel .327 SP101 to be very appealing, for now I will be sticking with my .44 CA Bulldogs.

 

[mcb]

Having shot enough 357 Magnum without hearing protection to know it hurts I can't image another another 10,000 psi is going to make 327 Magnum any better on my ears. I can shoot my 38 Special without it leaving my ears ringing, 357 leaves them ringing for hours after, the very few times I have done it. I don't even hunt with 357 Magnum any more as I find 10mm Auto from a revolver much easier on unprotected ears.

I have little doubt 327 Mag is a very capable little cartridge and the extra round in a J-frame size revolver is appealing I will stick with my 38 Special for a pocket revolver.

 

[C0untZer0]

Harumph and bah humbug I say !


I'll stick with my 9mm pocket revolver.

Ppfffttt...

 

[SteadyD]

Cost is irrelevant if you reload. Pretty much all similar cost the same then.

327/32 has me seriously considering getting into reloading. It is definitely a cartridge that favors reloaders currently.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

You should be anyway....

 

[dbmjr1]

I wonder how it compares to my .30 Carbine revolver.

 

[Monac]

Would a special small size revolver with a 5-shot .327 cylinder make sense to anyone but me? It would be flatter than a J-frame, but have more punch than a 5-shot 38 Special revolver. I realize the market for such a thing would be too small to justify the cost of developing and tooling up for it (the length of the cylinder would make it an unattractive choice for any other cartridge beside 22 Magnum), but does the idea seem attractive?

 

[BobWright]

Would a special small size revolver with a 5-shot .327 cylinder make sense to anyone but me? It would be flatter than a J-frame, but have more punch than a 5-shot 38 Special revolver. I realize the market for such a thing would be too small to justify the cost of developing and tooling up for it (the length of the cylinder would make it an unattractive choice for any other cartridge beside 22 Magnum), but does the idea seem attractive?

Sorry, but I'm of the big diameter/heavy bullet school of thought. When even the .38 Special is iffy, can't see going to a smaller bullet.

Bob Wright

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the .327 Magnum would make a much better cartridge for a Levergun and SA revolver than an SD gun. It would make one heck of a field/woods combination much like the .357 Magnum combo I carry now.