Is .327 Federal Mag Still Viable?

[C0untZer0]

I found an article on Grant Cunningham's blog by Ed Harris that talks about the .32 ACP:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/ed_harris_32ACP.html

Wikipedia lists the bullet diameter of .32 ACP as .3125 but a lot of bullet manufacturers make the .32 ACP bullets smaller - .311" down to .307"

 

[C0untZer0]

My local Walmart does not carry .327 Federal Magnum.

That is a bummer because I've been able to pick up 9mm and .22LR at Walmart for decent prices. Granted I had to know when the trucks arrived and I had to wait at Walmart while they unloaded the truck, but I was able to get 9mm and .22LR at a reasonable cost.

I would need to purchase .327 at local gun stores and during the "ammo crisis" my LGS really jacked up prices on everything.

 

[RealGun]

I would need to purchase .327 at local gun stores and during the "ammo crisis" my LGS really jacked up prices on everything.

Is that an Illinois issue, or do you mean to imply that you can only buy with cash. 327 Federal Magnum is pretty much a mail order caliber in my experience

This afternoon I ordered 400 more gas checked Rimrock bullets. They offer only 115 gr. My intention is to shoot pretty much full power 327 exclusively. This caliber then requires that I use premium bullets to handle the velocity and barrel heat (friction). SD ammo is strictly Speer Gold Dot.

 

[JSH1]

My local Walmart does not carry .327 Federal Magnum.

That is a bummer because I've been able to pick up 9mm and .22LR at Walmart for decent prices. Granted I had to know when the trucks arrived and I had to wait at Walmart while they unloaded the truck, but I was able to get 9mm and .22LR at a reasonable cost.

I would need to purchase .327 at local gun stores and during the "ammo crisis" my LGS really jacked up prices on everything.

During the most recent ammo run, .327 was pretty easy to find online. Buying 5-10 boxes at a time pretty much negates the shipping cost or you can wait for online retailers to have free shipping specials to pick up a box or two.

 

[gun_with_a_view]

327 MAG is still a viable rounds for self defense. It's got it all
over a 38 Special snub and rubs elbows with the venerated 115 grain Illinois State Police 9mm load. Check this out:

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-384513.html

I need not go into the ramifications of six versus five rounds. That is a no brainer if there ever was one unless one owns a Colt or Amscor six shot snub.

 

[C0untZer0]

327 Federal Magnum is pretty much a mail order caliber in my experience

During the most recent ammo run, .327 was pretty easy to find online

OK, thanks for that.

I don't have a problem ordering online - I get all my HST and Ranger "T" Series that way anyway. A little bit of sticker shock though - I'm used to paying 12 bucks per 50 round box of 9mm practice ammo and this .327 stuff doesn't go for less than $20.00 / box.

 

[RealGun]

used to paying 12 bucks per 50 round box of 9mm practice ammo and this .327 stuff doesn't go for less than $20.00 / box.

That quandary is what leads so many toward reloading.

 

[JSH1]

OK, thanks for that.

I don't have a problem ordering online - I get all my HST and Ranger "T" Series that way anyway. A little bit of sticker shock though - I'm used to paying 12 bucks per 50 round box of 9mm practice ammo and this .327 stuff doesn't go for less than $20.00 / box.

Yes, 327 Federal Magnum ammo is expensive. However, .327 can shoot .327, 32 H&R Mag, 32 S&W Long, and 32 S&W. 32 S&W Long target loads are about $16 for a 50 round box.

If you reload the same die set can be used for all 4 calibers and 32s use a tiny amount of powder.

 

[RealGun]

If you reload the same die set can be used for all 4 calibers and 32s use a tiny amount of powder.

You may need a spacer washer set for 327. I got a Lyman set specific to 327.

 

[JustsayMo]

I'm loading 32 S&W short through 327 Fed Mag on a set of 32 S&W Long dies.