And the Latest and Greatest is...

[Jim Watson]

The .327 Federal Magnum.

ANOKA, Minn. – November 7, 2007 – Federal Premium® has partnered with Ruger® to introduce a new personal defense revolver cartridge designed to deliver 357 Magnum ballistics out of a 32-caliber diameter platform—and with 20-percent less recoil. The 327 Federal Magnum is designed for use in lightweight, small frame revolvers like the proven Ruger SP101 platform. The gun and ammunition will be available on shelf by January 2008.

The ammunition will be available in three loads:
• PD327HS1 H: Federal Premium 85-gr Hydra-Shok™ JHP
(1330 fps muzzle velocity in 3-1/16” barrel)
• AE327: American Eagle® 100-gr SP
(1400 fps muzzle velocity in 3-1/16” barrel)
• 23914 : Speer 115-gr Gold Dot® HP
(1300 fps muzzle velocity in 3-1/16” barrel

More at
http://www.federalcartridge.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=6&id=171&brand=5&year=2007

Aren't you excited?

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, yeah, I think I'll sell all four of my .357 magnum revolvers for this one. It might be an option for 12 ounce titanium/scandium guns, though, for self defense, but that's okay. I sorta like .38 special in ultralite guns. I can't imagine that a 500+ ft lb gun pushing a 85 grain .32 bullet would work any better than a 270 ft lb gun pushing a 158 grain .357" hollowpoint. But, who knows? More bang, more flash, maybe the fireball will scare the BG to death?

Yeah, and I didn't sell my .308 when I read about the .30TC, either.

 

[peyton]

Great, Federal charges me plenty for 32 H&R already. Wonder if S&W will jump on board??

 

[MCgunner]

Actually, I come up with something over 400 ft lbs for the best of those loads. It's no .357 on energy, let alone bullet weight. I have a buddy with a Ruger SSM in .32 mag that gets these sorts of numbers reloading. Now, if they chambered this round in the SSM (a very strong little revolver), maybe you could squeeze a little more out of it, but I'll still pass. I don't think it could do anything he can't do with his .32 mag already and I never went for the .32 mag, myself. He carries the thing when he's hunting, but I don't find a K frame .357 that hard to tote out west in the mountains. He hunts up around Silverton/Durango area most years off horses and likes to tote a sidearm. He likes the little SSM. He hunts with a Browning A bolt in 7-08 or his .270 Reminton 700, but it's always nice to have a side arm along for small game and such and the thing is very accurate for small game and has a little more range than a .38 on rabbits and mountain grouse I suppose.

 

[prisoner6]

Maybe Ruger will be introducing a new "lightweight defensive revolver" to go with it? I like the SP-101, but by comparison with others in it's class it is hardly lightweight.

 

[DawgFvr]

Perhaps something in Total Titanium...Ruger needs to go after the S&W 642.

 

[Brian Williams]

I would rather have them develop a true 38 caliber round. A 32 is great for squirrels and other small game.

 

[prisoner6]

You don't want the .32 Magnum Magnum?

Is it just a lengthened .32 Magnum, or is it actually a different sized projectile?

If it's all new, maybe we can get the .33 Special as a sub load?

 

[DawgFvr]

We might not be...but Ruger and Federal are serious. Hey...I'll wait for the stats before I look down my nose. Shoot...the Army was experimenting with a small plastic projectile that, when fired from an electromagnetic rail gun, went so fast that it could penetrate aerial aircraft with such force that all on board munitions blew the aircraft to smithereens! If it goes fast enough...a piece of straw will kill you.

 

[jfh]

Well, there goes MY resolve--

I'll simply have to get the S&W Scandium J-frame in this caliber.

Do you think Ruger will finally enter the Small, Light, and Strong market?

Jim H.

 

[Timthinker]

Earlier today I read a posting about the old 5mm Remington rimfire cartridge which became a "white elephant". I wonder if this is the fate for the new .327 Magnum. Whenever I read about most new cartridges, I wonder if they are answers searching for questions. Only time will tell.


Timthinker

 

[Halo is for Kids]

Sounds like a good option for a low recoil SP101 revolver, perfect for my grandmother. I would like to see something in a 10-13oz, 6 shot.

I had been looking at a used 32 H&R pre lock aluminum alloy j-frame. I decided to pass on it because it was priced more than a new 642/442 and the variety of 32 H&R is limited. There was only one type of 32 H&R that I could find locally and it was fairly expensive. Although a 6 shot j frame sounded nice, I went ahead and gave up on the cartridge all together.

Looks like I've got something new to watch.

 

[GaryP]

Well it might go the path of the .480 Ruger or it might catch on who knows but you have got to give Ruger credit for innovation. I will take a look, wifey needs something bigger than a .22, but less recoil than a .357 and the SP101 frame would work for her! She has her own SP101 .22 4" and does quite well with it but it is not a purse gun.

Another thought: Anyone remember the Charter Arms revolvers in 9mm Federal. The guns are near collector status or kinda -- Most are in NIB or near NIB condition but no ammo is available!

 

[461]

Well I for one am very excited. The .32mag happens to be one of my favorite rounds. Anything that will promote the .32 is all right with me and I'll definitely buy one. I've got 4 .32 H&R's and one .32Long, this will be a fun new addition to the group.

Do I think it'll be a great defense round? Not really.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Iiiin-teresting.

So, basically the 7.62 Tokarev recast as a straight-walled revolver cartridge. Tok ballistics from a 3" sixgun!

C'mon, that's kind of cool. I have no idea whether it will sell, but it's kind of cool. Notice that there's no FMJ round. Wonder if somebody will make one? And if they do, wonder how it'll do against soft armor? Back in the day, vests used to be advertised as "Tokarev proofed."

I bet the report is loud as all get out.

 

[salthouse]

I think that's exactly the combination I've been looking for. IF the Ruger is lightweight enough and small enough.

 

[Old Fuff]

Federal Premium® has partnered with Ruger® to introduce a new personal defense revolver cartridge designed to deliver 357 Magnum ballistics out of a 32-caliber diameter platform—and with 20-percent less recoil.

The Old Fuff for one won’t be turning his nose up and arching an eyebrow over this announcement. Of course he realizes that most Internet Commandos wouldn’t touch anything less then a .357 Magnum in a 10 oz. Revolver, and instead relegate it to someone’s grandma – or maybe an old fuff...

Of course a substantial percentage of these gents can’t pass the “test of fives.” Which consists of 5 shots, in 5 seconds, at 5 yards, with a group inside 5 inches.

Raw power is one thing. Using it effectively is another. If a lightweight snubby can be charged with six (not five) rounds that offers a 20% reduction in recoil, the package might have some merit.

I once knew a Major in her Britannic Majesty’s SAS. Hopefully that organization needs no further introduction. He was one of the finest and most accomplished combat shots I ever had the pleasure of meeting, a consummate professional who hadn't learn his considerable skills playing games.

He also didn’t sneer at either the .32 ACP or .32 S&W Long, saying that marksmanship and correct bullet placement could, and had, carried the day, and both had their place...

And I suspect he would have been very interested in this Federal/Ruger development.

 

[19-3Ben]

meh.

 

[GTSteve03]

That's all well and good, but will these light-weight and high-speed projectiles penetrate at least 12"? Generally, at least from experience with 9mm, that's a bad combination for penetration.

Inquiring minds would like to know. Otherwise, I'll stick with a low-velocity 158gr semi-wadcutter. Not a lot of kick and plenty of penetration. And a .38 won't ever shrink.

 

[Maddock]

It sounds like a straight-wall replacement for the 32-20.
I think it has a lot of potential as a trail or kit gun. More power than any rimfire, and a lot flatter trajectory than comparable .38 Specials with the same recoil.

 

[DWARREN123]

I have a Ruger SP-101 in 32 H&R magnum that will do the same with hand loads. I doubt I replace it with a 327 mag!

 

[EddieCoyle]

I doubt that Ruger can easily make a small and light revolver. Ruger casts their frames, whereas S&W forges and machines theirs. Forging and machining is a lot more adaptable to different materials, and makes a stronger frame in a thinner and lighter package. Rugers have the appearance of being "built like tanks" because the cast frames must be thicker to be as strong as forged.

 

[GTSteve03]

Rugers have the appearance of being "built like tanks" because the cast frames must be thicker to be as strong as forged.

So how come "Ruger-only" loads exist if their frames are only as strong as S&W ones? Wouldn't that mean those same loads would be safe in a S&W frame?

Granted, an SP101 is a whole 5 oz heavier than a S&W 60, then again, I prefer my revolvers to be a little overbuilt since I want them to last a lifetime.

 

[Halo is for Kids]

That's all well and good, but will these light-weight and high-speed projectiles penetrate at least 12"?

The 100grn American Eagle soft point at 1400 certainly should.

The .327 Mag 115grn SGDHP at 1300 fps should penetrate at least as much as the 115grn 9mm +P GDHP. I would expect deeper penetration from the .327 Mag. I would suppose the smaller diameter GDHP would not be able to expand to the same degree as the 9mm, resulting in less surface area to contact materials of resistance (clothes, organic tissue, etc).

Check out the data on the similarly weighted 32NAA: http://www.brassfetcher.com/32NAA.html

 

[454c]

I've been itchin' to get a little 32 and this one looks interesting. There'll be what, 3 or 4 cartridges to fire out of it? Ever looked at how far a pound of powder will go when reloading for a 32?