.380awsome
Member
just curious about the new .327 magnum ,is it powerfuler than a .38 special?,what everyones thoughts?
Questions about the new .327 magnum
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MedWheeler
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So far, I think only one gun is slated to come out for this promising new round. That would be the Ruger SP-101. My guess, based on a review I read on the three-inch barrelled revolver, is that this could be a piece quite worthy of considering. I don't remember offhand the bullet weights from the review, but it is a little lighter than the typical .38/.357 projectile. My guess is that it probably equals or surpasses a .38 standard load, but might not offer much advantage over a +P .38 load, and .38 ammo is, for the time being, much more readily available (and cheaper) than the new load.
I like the .357 Magnum, and I think I'd like the new .327 Magnum, too. But, given the choice between .38 Special and the new round, I stick with the .38 Special, especially considering the +P option.
If you're considering a revolver in .327 or in .38, I'd suggest you add the .357 Magnum to the list of possibilities. If it were me, I'd then have a good, capable round (.38) that also can double as a Magnum for hotter loads when I want them. Of course, the .327 can handle other, more readily available rounds like the .32 H&R Magnum, and the .32 Long Colt. So, at the end of the day, I guess it comes down to personal preference.
I like the .357 Magnum, and I think I'd like the new .327 Magnum, too. But, given the choice between .38 Special and the new round, I stick with the .38 Special, especially considering the +P option.
If you're considering a revolver in .327 or in .38, I'd suggest you add the .357 Magnum to the list of possibilities. If it were me, I'd then have a good, capable round (.38) that also can double as a Magnum for hotter loads when I want them. Of course, the .327 can handle other, more readily available rounds like the .32 H&R Magnum, and the .32 Long Colt. So, at the end of the day, I guess it comes down to personal preference.
Dan-O
Member
Charter is making two .327 models. One is a 4 inch, and one in a 2.2 inch. Unless you reload, I think they are going to be expensive to shoot. Not only is it powerfuler, it also has lower recoil, so you will be able to get more shots on target quicker.
I am going to wait and see if it takes off. I don't think it is going to, but who knows.
I am going to wait and see if it takes off. I don't think it is going to, but who knows.
Mickstix
Member
hehehe..
The .32 Magnum has about the same energy as a standard .38Spl loading, and the .327 will have a significant boost from that. Something over 300fp's I think.
My concern is muzzle blast ,and the possibility of top strap errosion. I have a .32 mag. and have no plans on trying to get more out of the .32 caliber chambering by going to the .327 mag.
My concern is muzzle blast ,and the possibility of top strap errosion. I have a .32 mag. and have no plans on trying to get more out of the .32 caliber chambering by going to the .327 mag.
I was a few lanes over when one of these .327's (Ruger) was shot some. LOUD in an annoying .22 magnum sort of way. More like a sharp crack that seemed to bore right through my muffs than a boom, if that makes any sense.
Also the 3 1/16" SP101 is not a light gun at all. Yes, it's more ft/lbs than a .38 spl +P and can fit 6 versus 5 in the cylinder. Would be expensive to shoot much if not reloading.
Also the 3 1/16" SP101 is not a light gun at all. Yes, it's more ft/lbs than a .38 spl +P and can fit 6 versus 5 in the cylinder. Would be expensive to shoot much if not reloading.
Pistol Toter
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Solution to a non-existant problem, if you ask me. IMHO.
Quoheleth
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From the 2008 Ruger Catalog/magazine
p. 93:
"The new .327 Federal Magnum offers muzzle energy twice that of a .38 Special+P loads and velocities comparable to a 125 grain .357 Magnum with 20% less recoil...
"...available in three in three versions: a Federal Premium 85 grain Hydra-Shok Low Recoil Personal Defense loading, an Americna Eagle 100-grain Jacketed Soft Point and a Speer 115 grain Gold Dot.
"From a 3 1/16 inch revolver, the 100 grain SP develops more velocity than a 125 grain .357 Magnum from a 4" revolver and delivers only 35ft-lbs less energy. The recoil of the .327 Personal Defense load is less than half the recoil of the 125 grain .357 Magnum. Subjected to the standard FBI protocol tests for effectiveness through barriers, the 115 grain .327 Magnum load reaches 15 inches in bare gelatin, 16 inches through heavy clothing, 16 inches through plywood, 14 1/2 inches through wallboard, 13 inches through auto glass and 20 inches through single-layer vehicle-body steel - all with substantial bullet upset ranging from .40 caliber (steel) to .60 caliber (auto glass)."
To me, on paper, that looks like a pretty salty round. Had I not bought a 3" SP101, I would be slobbering pretty hard to find one of these. In fact, I might some day trade for a .327, just for the purpose of SD. But - like many others - I want to make sure it catches on before I jump on the bandwagon.
I would say the "problem" is that folks want the power of the .357 without the punishment of the Magnum. Not everyone is a recoil fanatic. Good grief - I don't even really enjoy shooting hot 125grain Magnum loads out of my 6" GP100, and I'm a 6'4" 290 pound man! Some people - for whatever reason - can't shoot the .357 Magnum. Others have bad feelings toward a .38 Special. It's a market niche gun - self-defense - to be sure, but it looks like it might fill that need nicely. Especially if S&W and Taurus get on the wagon and get some of their light-weight j-frames chambered for this round, I could see it as an excellent SD weapon.
Q
p. 93:
"The new .327 Federal Magnum offers muzzle energy twice that of a .38 Special+P loads and velocities comparable to a 125 grain .357 Magnum with 20% less recoil...
"...available in three in three versions: a Federal Premium 85 grain Hydra-Shok Low Recoil Personal Defense loading, an Americna Eagle 100-grain Jacketed Soft Point and a Speer 115 grain Gold Dot.
"From a 3 1/16 inch revolver, the 100 grain SP develops more velocity than a 125 grain .357 Magnum from a 4" revolver and delivers only 35ft-lbs less energy. The recoil of the .327 Personal Defense load is less than half the recoil of the 125 grain .357 Magnum. Subjected to the standard FBI protocol tests for effectiveness through barriers, the 115 grain .327 Magnum load reaches 15 inches in bare gelatin, 16 inches through heavy clothing, 16 inches through plywood, 14 1/2 inches through wallboard, 13 inches through auto glass and 20 inches through single-layer vehicle-body steel - all with substantial bullet upset ranging from .40 caliber (steel) to .60 caliber (auto glass)."
To me, on paper, that looks like a pretty salty round. Had I not bought a 3" SP101, I would be slobbering pretty hard to find one of these. In fact, I might some day trade for a .327, just for the purpose of SD. But - like many others - I want to make sure it catches on before I jump on the bandwagon.
I would say the "problem" is that folks want the power of the .357 without the punishment of the Magnum. Not everyone is a recoil fanatic. Good grief - I don't even really enjoy shooting hot 125grain Magnum loads out of my 6" GP100, and I'm a 6'4" 290 pound man! Some people - for whatever reason - can't shoot the .357 Magnum. Others have bad feelings toward a .38 Special. It's a market niche gun - self-defense - to be sure, but it looks like it might fill that need nicely. Especially if S&W and Taurus get on the wagon and get some of their light-weight j-frames chambered for this round, I could see it as an excellent SD weapon.
Q
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Fishman777
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I like it...
I agree that shooting .357 magnum out of a light revolver isn't pleasant.
Having access to six rounds of .327 magnum in a compact, relatively "light" revolver sounds very attractive to me. The .327 magnum, ballistically speaking, is superior to .38 special and is slightly inferior to light .357 magnum rounds. I guess that would make certain .327 magnum loads at least on par with hot 9 mm rounds. All of this performance from a revolver round that has slightly more recoil than .38 special. How is this a bad thing? Heck, I'd be interested in that kind of performance out of a medium or large framed revolver. If they could find a way to fit in 9 or 10 rounds of .327 magnum into a larger revolver, I'd certainly be interested in it, as well.
For those that question whether this round was really necessary, I'd argue that you could probably make a similar arguments for almost every round made in the last 40 years. If this ammo was esay to find, and relatively inexpensive, I'd already own a .327 magnum sp101.
I agree that shooting .357 magnum out of a light revolver isn't pleasant.
Having access to six rounds of .327 magnum in a compact, relatively "light" revolver sounds very attractive to me. The .327 magnum, ballistically speaking, is superior to .38 special and is slightly inferior to light .357 magnum rounds. I guess that would make certain .327 magnum loads at least on par with hot 9 mm rounds. All of this performance from a revolver round that has slightly more recoil than .38 special. How is this a bad thing? Heck, I'd be interested in that kind of performance out of a medium or large framed revolver. If they could find a way to fit in 9 or 10 rounds of .327 magnum into a larger revolver, I'd certainly be interested in it, as well.
For those that question whether this round was really necessary, I'd argue that you could probably make a similar arguments for almost every round made in the last 40 years. If this ammo was esay to find, and relatively inexpensive, I'd already own a .327 magnum sp101.
Cosmoline
Member
I hear this but never much to support it. The .327 is what the .32 H&R Mag ought to have been. In many ways it is a modernized .32-20 and I think it would really sing out of a Marlin levergun.
.32 caliber revolver rounds used to be very popular. Back in the old days the .38 Special was paired with the .32-20 in all the classic wheelguns. Somewhere along the line the .32 got left behind, even though it has much to recommend it.
its a case of numbers. Federal offers an 85 gr bullet and a 100 grain bullet. Both suitable for SD.
Both beat regular regular 38 special on power factor(weight x speed). On the 100gr bullet it can beat most 38+p bullets but not all.
The question is whats it really worth? Even 32 colt short will kill a person. Does the 327 have a place? I guess. They could make 7 and 8 shot revolvers with it that will roughly be the same size as a 6 shooter.
Both beat regular regular 38 special on power factor(weight x speed). On the 100gr bullet it can beat most 38+p bullets but not all.
The question is whats it really worth? Even 32 colt short will kill a person. Does the 327 have a place? I guess. They could make 7 and 8 shot revolvers with it that will roughly be the same size as a 6 shooter.
Claude Clay
Member
more powerfuler than a locomotive....
i've loaded 100 gr up to 1350 fps out of my single-six. 32 H&R case is shorter but i got the same loa by adjusting my dies. no problem mechanically but accuracy suffered. still good enough for SD work though. and i do not intend to feed this to my ruger regularly
i've loaded 100 gr up to 1350 fps out of my single-six. 32 H&R case is shorter but i got the same loa by adjusting my dies. no problem mechanically but accuracy suffered. still good enough for SD work though. and i do not intend to feed this to my ruger regularly
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Wow 3000 fps ^^^^^. Things just got much more interesting. I would like to read more about that. +1 on the Marlin.
I would like to see the return of the .32 Caliber K frame, In the M-66 type platform it would have a touch more steel in all the right places for the .327 mag. Does anyone know the OAL of the 327?
I also feel we should not have to defend a new cartridge. If it does not fit your needs, don't buy it. The market will take care of itself.
I would like to see the return of the .32 Caliber K frame, In the M-66 type platform it would have a touch more steel in all the right places for the .327 mag. Does anyone know the OAL of the 327?
I also feel we should not have to defend a new cartridge. If it does not fit your needs, don't buy it. The market will take care of itself.
Vern Humphrey
Member
The .327 Magnum is ballistically identical to the old .32-20 Winchester, which will drive a 110 grain bullet to over 1500 fps/
ok, I fudged about the 3,000. It was 2010. Sorry guys. here's the link: http://www.chuckhawks.com/327_federal.htm
jameslovesjammie
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If S&W would put 10 of them in an N frame with a 5" barrel...I'd SOOOOO be there.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Except for the creaky, old .32-20, which is just as powerfulerest.
I also like the idea of ten rounds in a S&W Nframe revolver. I don't know if it's possible though. Might only be able to fit 9 in there. But even 9 sounds pretty cool.
S&W are you paying attention? I think you've just been givin your next assignment. Get to work.
S&W are you paying attention? I think you've just been givin your next assignment. Get to work.
tinygnat219
Member
You know, I think this round has some promise. I was on the "non-existent" problem-solution bandwagon not too long ago myself.
I am going to withdraw that opinion and see how it plays out. I must admit I am intrigued by the pistol.
I am going to withdraw that opinion and see how it plays out. I must admit I am intrigued by the pistol.
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