Reloading 327 Federal Magnum

[RealGun]

I hope this will become a touchstone thread for the challenges of reloading this unique caliber and its little brothers.

I had major heartaches at the range yesterday after I must have forgotten previous lesson learned and changed my seating depth to allow some visibility of the crimp groove. Turns out the bullets (100 gr MO LRNFP) would not clear the forcing cone of the Ruger Single Seven but did run in the SP101. The Single Seven cylinder jammed up. Back home, after working with it a bit and doing some measurements I found that this Missouri bullet in RNFP .313 was just even with the cylinder face when seated up tight against the crimp collar. Once adjusted back to maximum crimp groove engagement, the COL was still well over the 1.475 spec., but I know these cleared and fired well before, so we're good. COL is 1.510.

I also have some .313 RNFP by Silver State, and they measured .010 shorter while, near as I could tell, the same offset of the crimp groove from the base, meaning this bullet would yield a shorter COL. I will try those with 327 and maybe use the longer MO for 32 H&R.

Problem is, the Silver States don't appear to be or feel like they are lubed. I don't like the goo of Lee alox and do have the gear for lubing these, so will have to figure what lube to get, preferably colored.

 

[ljnowell]

Following along to see if we get some load data and chrono numbers.

 

[Havok7416]

RealGun, you can always pick up some powder coat or Hi-Tek and coat your bullets with it - there are plenty of threads on how to do that here. The coating acts as a lube in addition to other beneficial properties.

Missouri Bullet also offers coated bullets for your .327 if you're interested.

 

[TfflHndn]

SNS Casting also has coated .32s. Their 100 grainers work very well in my Single Seven. I seat them to crimp over the front driving band shoulder, not the crimp groove.

 

[Walkalong]

I picked up a sample pack of the SNS Casting 100 Gr RNFP and they shot well to very well in my initial testing in .32 Mag and .32-20. Showed good potential. Not running very hot though.

I logged them as 3135 to .314 in diameter and .570 +/- long.

I just measured one and they stick out of the case about .337 when crimped into the crimp groove.

TfflHndn, do you crimp them over the driving band to fit the cylinder in the Single Seven?

 

[RealGun]

The lube question is a nonrecurring problem for 327, because I have already transitioned to Missouri coated bullets in 100 grain. The 78 grain LRN for 32 S&W Long is also coated. I just have these 500 Silver States in 100 grain, too heavy for anything but the 327 in my estimation, which seem to be bare lead. I will check out what is involved with coating my own.

Now I find I am low on AA#9 and couldn't find anything but two notify-me lists for 8 pounders. I have at least one pound of all the powders except Longshot that are listed in Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook for 327, 100 gr. So my next candidates are SR-7625, True Blue, and 800-x.

 

[RealGun]

SNS Casting also has coated .32s. Their 100 grainers work very well in my Single Seven. I seat them to crimp over the front driving band shoulder, not the crimp groove.

I didn't want to go that route, because I don't know the resulting pressure.

 

[TfflHndn]

Walkalong, yes I am trying to avoid cylinder lock-up in the Single Seven and a Smith 632. My Hornady 9th edition shows max COAL at 1.475. I was over 1.510 crimping in the crimp groove. Crimping over the shoulder of the driving band puts me at 1.460. Min load of AutoComp is 4.5 with an XTP at 1.450; I found that 4.6 grains works very nicely with this bullet and crimp. Very accurate and the recoil feels lighter than factory loads. No high pressure signs that I can see. Have to break out the chrony and see what the velocity is.

 

[Walkalong]

I didn't want to go that route, because I don't know the resulting pressure.

Part of the challenge of reloading sometimes. I would not be concerned about trying it, and just stop a bit short of max, or when the recoil and accuracy are what you want, short of max of course.

Thanks TfflHndn

 

[RealGun]

I found my AA#9 8-pounder at reloadingunlimited.com. Grabbed a couple pounds of AA#5 with it.

On the coating question, I followed the suggestion to check out Bayou Bullets for the Hi-Tek coating supplies. I talked to them and was convinced to buy just the powder that ships without HAZMAT rather than the liquid and catalyst. I have to supply acetone to make it work.

 

[TfflHndn]

Wow, $30/lb plus haz-mat. Pretty steep. I've got enough other powders that I'll wait to restock my AA #5 and AA#9 powders until the price comes down.

 

[horsemen61]

Tagg

 

[RealGun]

$30 or thereabouts is retail for one pounders I have seen in stores and at gun shows. This source mainly does the gunshow circuit, I think. I have happily dealt with them before. Note that my 8-pounder of AA#9 was $25 per pound before shipping and HAZMAT.

This is the same reaction I have seen before on this subject. If you wait for prices you like, you have no powder.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Unfortunately for me till I can secure more 327 brass than me ballistic fingerprinting casing supplied with the gun my single seven is relegated to a 32long/h&r

 

[GBExpat]

Unfortunately for me till I can secure more 327 brass than me ballistic fingerprinting casing supplied with the gun my single seven is relegated to a 32long/h&r

So order some.

https://www.starlinebrass.com/order-online/all-cases.cfm

 

[R.W.Dale]

I don't need nearly those quantities otherwise I would.

I'll just wait patiently for 100 rd bags to come in stock.

 

[RealGun]

100 pcs on auction right now.