.327 Federal Magnum

[SwampWolf]

A big part of the "appeal" of the LCR chambered in .327 Magnum is getting six rounds of a potent self-defense cartridge in the size of a revolver that otherwise can carry only five (.38 Special/.357 Magnum). Having 20% more bullets on board in the same size revolver certainly has an attraction for me.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

I'll stick with my five shot Sp101 in .357 magnum as Im used to it (I also abuse myself with an XDs .45 without the extended mag). But I want one of those Sing Sevens as a gun for my potential kid. When the kid hits seven I could start them with weasel fart .32 S&W loads and let them work up to .327 Magnum. Of course daddy will have to master each one of those loads to be a good teacher.

 

[W.E.G.]

A big part of the "appeal" of the LCR chambered in .327 Magnum is getting six rounds of a potent self-defense cartridge in the size of a revolver that otherwise can carry only five (.38 Special/.357 Magnum). Having 20% more bullets on board in the same size revolver certainly has an attraction for me.

OK.

Honesty check now:

All other things being equal (except for the extra .327 round), would you REALLY give up a .357 magnum for CCW for the .327?

 

[W.E.G.]

When the kid hits seven I could start them with weasel fart .32 S&W loads and let them work up to .327 Magnum.

Why not just light charges in the .327 case?

Why build up multiple fouling rings in the cylinders?... especially if the light loads are using wax-lube bullets?

I've already been through that with the .38 Special in .357, and dealt with the very-difficult-to-eject .357 cases. Yeah, I know you can "clean it real good" and knock down the fouling rings, but that is little solace when you are shooting the short loads and the long loads on the same range trip. I really don't care for cleaning revolvers at the range.

 

[ditmo]

Muzzle blast is there, but recoil is a lot less. I won't shoot .357 out of a lightweight snubby. Been there done that. The LCR in .327 is easy to control. It's still snappy out of such a light weight and is a lot of fun in the SP101. Plus you get the extra round.

 

[Hunter2011]

I still think it is the best option for old or recoil shy people. We all are getting older. oneday I myself won't be able to handle the recoil of my pocket 9mm anymore. Then a caliber like this will be worth its weight in gold. You can even shoot S&W shorts out of this, that is about as low as recoil can go. The moment that gets too much for you, you must live with relatives to take care of you and protect yourself.
i would love to own one and shoot with the most powerfull cartridge I can manage as I grow older. I think it is just a great cartridge.

 

[RJM]

Honesty check now:

All other things being equal (except for the extra .327 round), would you REALLY give up a .357 magnum for CCW for the .327?

I did. I carried an SP101 in .357 and replaced it with the SP101 in .327 fed mag...same basic package with the 3" barrel on both guns.

I find the .327 to be much more manageable when shooting two or three shots in a row and the gun gets back on target quicker. Really, the .327 fed mag fits the SP platform much better than the .357 ever did IMHO. Plus, you get an extra shot.

Now, the .327 fed mag makes an excellent handgun hunting cartridge too, at least for critters up to coyote size. My blackhawk is almost the perfect coyote hunting handgun. (A Freedom Arms 1997 in .327 would best it, but I'm not made of money)

 

[C0untZer0]

Has anybody tested these loads by shooting through 4 layers of denim (the "standard" intermediary medium for defensive ammo testing)?

Brass Fetcher's 4x denim tests:

Out of a 3" barrel the 327 Magnum Speer 115gr Gold Dot JHP had a muzzle velocity > 1345 fps, (he measured impact velocity 10 feet from the muzzle), penetrated 17.5 inches through 4 layers of denim with a recovered diameter of .436

The bullets didn't expand as much and penetrated deeper


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4839174&highlight=.327#post4839174

 

[SwampWolf]

Quote:
A big part of the "appeal" of the LCR chambered in .327 Magnum is getting six rounds of a potent self-defense cartridge in the size of a revolver that otherwise can carry only five (.38 Special/.357 Magnum). Having 20% more bullets on board in the same size revolver certainly has an attraction for me.
OK.

Honesty check now:

All other things being equal (except for the extra .327 round), would you REALLY give up a .357 magnum for CCW for the .327?

Yep, in a heartbeat. In your example, all other things aren't equal (no getting past having 20% more ammunition on board when comparing the two configurations. If it was as simple as comparing the .357 Magnum and the .327 Magnum, both in 5 shot revolvers, I might lean toward the .357-but that's not what's in play here) and that's what the difference is. I think the plus of having an extra shot far surpasses any supposed advantage the .357 Magnum has over the .327 Magnum-and less recoil has its advantage when controlling repeat shots. Honestly...

 

[redbullitt]

Id love to have either one in 327 mag. I say go for it!

 

[TruthTellers]

Would I trade in a .357 for a .327 for concealed carry? Honestly, I wouldn't ever have gotten a .357 for CONCEALED carry. That would mean it be a relatively short barrel and lighter, thus greater felt recoil and reduced velocity.

IMO, .327 for small LCR or SP101 type revolvers, .357 for GP100, N-Frame, or single action revolvers with 4"-6" barrels.