.327 Federal vs .38 Special in a snub nose revolver

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If that Taurus 85 is a 1990s model, or later, it should be rated for +P ammo.
All of mine have been 1991 and later models, and all were ok with +Ps.
 
Factory +P 38 Special ain't what it used to be. This question gets asked about S&W revolvers all the time, and the answer usually is that you can shoot it in your gun without worries. I don't know the specifics of your Taurus, but I would guess that a modern revolver would have no problem with todays factory +P rounds.
As someone else said, Id stick with your super accurate Taurus 38. Get yourself some Buffalo Bore wadcutters and lead semi wadcutter hollow points; you'll be well armed for self defense situations. Especially with a gun that you can put the bullets where you want like this particular Taurus. Take it from someone who has traded off revolvers which he now kicks himself for losing.
 
I have no personal experience with the caliber, but notice as a technical matter that the velocity dropoff with barrels shorter than 3" is significant. The caliber was designed around the SP101 with a 3" barrel. The high sectional density of the round means it should penetrate like crazy regardless, but you will probably see relatively low expansion out of a 2" barrel.
 
The 100gr American SPJHP and the 115gr CCI GDJHP out of the 2 1/8" S&W 632 Pro, released 8/11 and already gone from S&W's lineup, don't lose much velocity vs from their 3" offerings. The 3"-incher 632's are comped, making their rifled barrel just over 2 1/8" anyway. And - if you think that 115gr Gold Dot .327 Federal Magnum isn't a true 'Magnum', try launching them from a 632 Pro - with 60 Pro grips:

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I've not seen much in the way of .327 brass - loaded or not. One thing to remember re the S&W .327's - the ejector star will catch the vestigial rim on a .32 ACP round, making it a viable alternative ammo. Add that to .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&RM, and .327 Federal Magnum, and you've got a pretty useful firearm, in poor ammo availability days. For example, I recently saw one box of .327's at a local gun show - and many places had the other rounds.

All this said, guess what replaces my 642 and it's five +P 158gr LHPSWC rounds? For EDC - nothing! That 642 is still my favorite, with a 351PD one day a week at most - the 632 Pro gets carried maybe once a month. I reload - you bet I've got .38's!

Stainz
 
No wonder my 5.5" Blackhawk .44 Spl Flattop rolls up so much when I shoot Cor Bon 165. They're moving out at over 1100 fps. Not exactly a weak load.
 
Snappy from a snub, but still more manageable than 357. I like 'em because they give you 1 add'l round. SD ammo is still available in 327 but it'll cost ya about $1.25 to $1.50 a round. I like revolvers chambered in 327 because of the wide variety of cartridges (32S&W 32S&W L, 32 H&R Mag, 32 Fed Mag, & even 32 ACP) it can shoot.
 
Just got home and ran the serial number on that Taurus 85 in 38spl this thread has been partially about. Turns out it was made in 2001.
 
rcmodel said:
You might be able to buy .38 Special ammo some time again, some day.

You couldn't find .327 Federal ammo before the current crazy ammo shortage started.

And you won't find it again in the future, until long after the .38 Special ammo shortage is well in hand again I betcha.

Unless you already have lots of empty brass, and reload it?
The ammo shortage going on now is the straw that broke the camels back for the .327 Federal cartridge.

It was already almost a dying caliber before when you couldn't get ammo for it for two years after it came out.

Now??
Who knows when it will be widely available, as if it ever was?

rc

They just opened a brand new Cabela's here in Ohio.
One week after the opening- I was there twice, during the pre-opening and on opening day- they were out of nearly everything but had a shelf full of 327 Mag Federal American Eagle in 85-gr JHP and 100-gr JSP. The employee in the area warned me that it was 327 ammo not 357 ammo...said a lot of it gets put back at the register because people don't know the difference. So I picked up 4 boxes of 100-gr JSPs for $24.99 a box, so I would have the brass and to have some target ammo. There's still a large shelf full of it as of last week, easily fifty boxes.

That was my complaint with 327- no brass. Now, Starline has started making it, which might save the cartridge. However I don't see it as being any more popular than it was.

I just load a hot 32 H&R Mag for my 327.
 
Great discussion folks. Now I am trying to figger out when the made in Spain guns made the leap over into the respectable category? Back in the old wheel gun days Smiths opened and close the dialog box. Somebody show up with a Taurus..Llama..Astra..Star etc. was generally regarded as suspicious..lol.
 
Taurus is a Brazilian company and isn't in the same category as the Spanish Llama, Star, or Astra companies because the preceding 3 are defunct organizations and for good reason. Taurus on the other hand, manufacturers affordable fair quality firearms that have been gaining in quality and popularity. Let's put it this way - S&W's quality dropped a bit over the years, while Taurus' has improved in recent years. Hence, they are now mentioned in the same sentence, much to the chagrin of die-hard S&W fans.
 
Speer short barrel 38+p or short barrel 357 depending on your snub.

That or FBI load Buffalo bore should do the trick!

I only have experience with the speer, and the 38+p Gold Dots and 9mm+p gold dots are some of the best ammo i've ever used. So thats what I stick with!
 
Have you considered the Taurus 856? 6 shots, +P for the steel ones. The HyLite magnesium is not +P rated but also extremely lightweight.

I have enough 38 Special brass that I'll never need to purchase again in my lifetime. So 38 Special is ALWAYS around. I loathe factory ammo...
 
Ok..thanks for the Taurus lesson. Seems like I once knowed they was from Brazil but had forgot..kick kick. Glad to hear they have been improving. Last good advice I got was they made good throw downs. Its been a while back apparently..lol.
 
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