9mm+p in a rifle, 327 Federal in a handgun, about the same

[nonseven]

My current CCW is a Ruger SP101 in 327 Federal. My favorite home defense/SHTF rifle is a Colt AR-15 9mm carbine.

Recently I chronographed both:

Remington 9mm +p 115 JHP in the Colt (16" barrel) = 1400fps.

Speer 115g gold dot JHP in the SP101 (3" barrel) = 1400fps.

I was kind of surprised about the performance of the 327 Federal in a short barrel. Anyway, don't really think there is much significance. But I thought it was interesting, and you would think similar terminal performance.

 

[Radagast]

that is interesting. It certainly beats the five millionth re-hash of 9mm vs .45.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[NG VI]

Neat!

 

[harvester]

Are you sure?

 

[nonseven]

Sure that's what my chrono read.

For the 9mm, that seems about right.

The 327 Federal seems a little hot, maybe 75 fps higher than the published specs.

This is the chrono readings from 5 consecutive shots for the .327 in the SP101:

1387
1450
1424
1446
1463

I am impressed, and have become a fan of the .327. It does very well in a short barrel.

I got similar reaadings with a S&W 632 pro comp in 327 that I sold. It averaged about 1350-1375 fps, but it had a 3" barrel that was ported with an expansion chamber so it was more like 2 5/8" long.

I figure if a .357 mag with a 125g at 1400 fps is the all-time best manstopper from a handgun, maybe the 327 isn't so bad. And I love the Sp101, I've got 6 shots, and I shoot it more accurately than most other revolvers I've had. The joint in my right thumb gets irritated by recoil, and the 327 beats it up a little less than a 357. The 85 grain Federals I could shoot all day. The 115 grain Speers are hot, knocking on the door of a 357 with 125 grains.

 

[8830]

Dang it I'm may have to get a 327. That's about the 10th time someone has reported chrono readings like that. I really don't need another caliber to reload but that kind of speed out of a short barrel sure is tempting.

 

[kgpcr]

Why would anyone buy a 9mm AR for anything but plinking? I see no reason for one to exist. Why have a 50yrd weapon at most when you can have a 5.56?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Why 9mm rifle? Fun.

Thank you nonseven for sharing your findings. While the .327 is smaller in diameter, who'd suspect it carried so much wallop as a 9mm +p?

 

[gordy]

I am not to familial with the 327, So I need to ask.
Out of you ruger how is it to shoot? Lots of recoil? large blast of flame?
How do you think this round would do out of a carbine barrel?( as in your ar?)
A 3inch barrel and a hot load can have lots of unburned powder, How does this 327 do in this aspect?

 

[nonseven]

Ballistics by the inch has a 327 Federal section.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/327mag.html

The recoil seems to be about 1/3rd less than the 357. Not a lot of unburned powder in the factory loads I've tried. Perfect match in the SP 101.

 

[DanTheFarmer]

Thanks for the information. It is a good reminder that all a bullet really cares about is how fast it is going and in which direction.

I'm having fun learning lots of intricate details about this hobby but it is good to remain grounded in the basics! 115 grains at 1400 fps = 115 grain at 1400 fps, platform be damned. There can be stabilization issues, bullet construction issues, and a zillion other things but you've laid out the heart of the matter pretty clearly.

I know the 327 Federal Magnum is on some peoples "next cartridge to die" list but I hope it sticks around. It does seem like a good idea.

Thanks again.

Dan

 

[ugaarguy]

I'd never thought to compare the two, but the results are very interesting. BBTI's test data mirrors yours:
327 Fed Mag - http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/327mag.html
9mm Luger - http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/9mmluger.html

 

[nonseven]

For me, the 1400fps is the magic number. We're basically getting 4" barrel 357 mag performance (with a 125g bullet) out of a 3" barrel with the 327 (115g bullet). I encourage you SP101 fans to at least take a look at the cartridge. You're also adding an extra shot per cylinder. I carry an HKS 32-J speedloader for a reload.

 

[RX-178]

I'd have a .327 Fed by now if someone would come out with a long gun in the cartridge. A pump action would be nice, although I'd certainly settle for a levergun.

 

[Crazy Carl]

If Marlin came out with a 1894 in .327, the Marlin, a Ruger .327 Blackhawk & a set of dies would be on its way to me immediately.

 

[PR-NJ]

Try the .327 in a GP100 frame!

It's my wife's bedside gun and her favorite at the range.

I can't speak for how the SP101 feels, but there's very little felt recoil with the GP100. Of course, it's a significantly heavier frame, 40 oz. vs. 28 oz. for the SP101, and it has a 4" vs. 3" barrel. (The GP100 also holds an extra round, 7 vs. 6 for the SP101.)

The downside is that the extra weight and longer barrel make the GP100 a less attractive choice for CCW.

Both revolvers accept .32 S&W long (as well as .32 H&R Magnum and .32 S&W short) cartridges, so range practice is cheap.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Don't forget, that .327 will penetrate deeper than the 9mm will, too, due to the higher sectional density. The .327 is an awesome little cartridge. If I could afford to shoot it, I'd have one in a heartbeat.

 

[Owen Sparks]

With equal bullet weights the .327 might penitrate a little deeper but the 9MM will make a larger diamiter hole.

 

[antiquus]

632 on layaway, should be out around Christmas. Reloading is as easy as it gets - straight pistol cartridge.

 

[nonseven]

With equal bullet weights the .327 might penitrate a little deeper but the 9MM will make a larger diamiter hole.

I plan to test that soon in ballistic gel. The 9mm is larger to start with, but the 327 is going faster and may expand more depending on bullet construction.

 

[451 Detonics]

For long range with the 9mm in my MP-5 I would load a .380 90 grain JHP to about 1750 fps...was great fro 200-300 yards work. I know a lot of folks poo-poo the idea of hydrostatic damage but when you see a block of gello swell to double it's size when hit and see the temp cavity it make yo have to remember there are a lot of thing inside you that don't have very much stretch and will tear. High velocity with lighter bullets isn't necessarily a bad thing at time.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Some people evidently "poo-poo" the science of ballistics also. A 90 grain .380 bullet has such poor sectional density and ballistic coefficient that at 200-300 yards the velocity drops off dramatically no matter how fast they are started.