rodspade
Member
I bought a 4" SP101 because I can barely reach the trigger on the GP100. It has quite mild recoil with .38 special ammo, but with magnum stuff it's rather snappy.
Your 327 experience Please
- Thread starter cowboy77845
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I am here to sing the praises of the .327 Federal and the .32 H&R . The .327 is a potent SD load with 'power down' ammo options. I've shot deer, coyote and hog with the .327 and found it more than adequate. In fact, it's really too much on coyote and .32 H&R is more than sufficient for coyotes and even larger animals.
All the complaints / criticism about not being able to easily find .327 and .32 Mag ammo by folks posting online make little sense to me. I either reload or order from online and it's plentiful. I've never run out.
All the complaints / criticism about not being able to easily find .327 and .32 Mag ammo by folks posting online make little sense to me. I either reload or order from online and it's plentiful. I've never run out.
I agree completely. No issues finding ammo online.
It's more accurate, has less recoil and gives up little in ballistics.
FIL owned a Ruger SP101 in .327FedMag.
.327FedMag
Just plain too much muzzle blast for him. He used it as a snake & feral dog protection and when he used it out & about without ear pro, he found it objectionable.(1) I bought him some .32 cal target wadcutters online and those worked for him--and on snakes & feral dogs.
Ruger SP101
My FIL's SP101 had most gawdawful trigger. The return was the worst part. I respect Ruger quality and own other Rugers, but would not buy a SP101. I would prefer a S&W K-frame, as it is not much bigger and can be had with a good trigger. And even the .38spl variants can manage mild target wadcutters up to hairy-chested "outdoorsman" type .38spl 158gr LSWC loads.
(1) Most folk don't tote ear pro and would not take the time to install earpro in the face of a feral dog or venomous snake in the yard.
.327FedMag
Just plain too much muzzle blast for him. He used it as a snake & feral dog protection and when he used it out & about without ear pro, he found it objectionable.(1) I bought him some .32 cal target wadcutters online and those worked for him--and on snakes & feral dogs.
Ruger SP101
My FIL's SP101 had most gawdawful trigger. The return was the worst part. I respect Ruger quality and own other Rugers, but would not buy a SP101. I would prefer a S&W K-frame, as it is not much bigger and can be had with a good trigger. And even the .38spl variants can manage mild target wadcutters up to hairy-chested "outdoorsman" type .38spl 158gr LSWC loads.
(1) Most folk don't tote ear pro and would not take the time to install earpro in the face of a feral dog or venomous snake in the yard.
Most people would probably be more concerned about taking out a feral dog or venomous snake vs. muzzle blast. No?
Besides, I think the "main competition" for the .327 is .38/.357 or centerfire automatics in the 9mm or larger range. I doubt any of them would qualify as "no hearing protection needed" if someone knew he was going to discharge the gun. For that matter, hearing protection is recommended when shooting any firearm in any caliber.
As you said, the .327 can always be down-powered with .32 S&W long and .32 H&R. I've fired both of those out of my .327's with 4" and 5&1/2" barrels and found them to be no worse than .38 special out of comparable frames.
It is part of the equation, as there are lots of both.
My FIL was already deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other and he thought the .327FM was painfully loud when shot outdoors. He was anot a "gun guy" and I wished he had consulted me before he bought it. I would have suggested a .38spl, K or J frame.
Nowadays, no firearm without a suppressor qualifies as "no hearing protection needed" if you are shooting for pleasure. But he was not shooting for pleasure, he was shooting venomous snakes near his and neighbors houses and feral dogs in his neighborhood. Kids nearby out & about. Running back inside for a set of muffs not a viable course of action, the varmint needs killing RFN. The 80YO man was already toting the SP101 on his belt with some cartridges in his pocket, a wallet, cell phone, keys, etc.
SAAMI max (except .38spl tgt HBWC from reloading manuals)
Code:
- CARTRIDGE - SAAMI MAX -
.38 Short Colt 07,500 CUP
.38 Long Colt 12,000 CUP
.38 S&W 14,500 PSI
.38 S&W Special 17,000 PSI
.38 Special +P 20,000 PSI
.380 ACP 21,500 PSI
9×19mm Parabellum 39,200 PSI
9×18mm Makarov 23,206 PSI
.38 Super 36,500 PSI
.357 Magnum 35,000 PSI
.357 SIG 40,000 PSI
.327 Federal Magnum 45,000 PSI
.454 Casull 65,000 PSI
.38 S&W Special TGT HBWC 11-14,000 PSIAfter my FIL complained, I looked up the .327FM and figured he was likely right in that its muzzle blast was exceptionally loud. More than 3x the PSI of .38spl tgt HBWC, More than 2x .38spl and .38spl +P. 1.3x .357mag.
And it exceeds .357Sig in max PSI. .357Sig--the cartridge that folks at the IDPA club I shoot warn everyone to double-check their earpro before the .357Sig shooter starts his stage.
He also had to take into account his "snake alarm" dog, who considered it her sworn duty to find snakes in the vicinity and bark up a storm until they were attended to. She was nearby and dogs don;t do earpro.
That is what kept my FIL from selling it off. I ordered and had sent to him three different boxes of .32 Long and suggested he start with the 100gr HBWC. Those did the trick. Killed rattlers, cottonmouths, and feral dogs well enough. (Non-venomous snakes got a pass and nice strays got adopted.)
=======================
I don't dislike the .32FM, I just think that it takes a whole lot more pressure & blast to do what .38spl and .357mag already do. I think .32FM's biggest selling point is making available a platform in which to shoot .32Long 100gr HBWC, for a package that recoils even less than .38spl 148gr HBWC.
I guess I'm not seeing how the auditory limitations of one person -whose concerns, as you said, can easily be addressed by down-powering the ammo- are a legitimate strike against the cartridge.
"I just think that it takes a whole lot more pressure & blast to do what .38spl and .357mag already do."
If you're claiming that .327 has 'more blast' than .357 (when fired from comparable barrels), I suggest you spend some range time for side by side comparison. I'm not even sure .327 is 'more blast' than .38 Special, especially in .38 +P. In short, more PSI does not necessarily = 'more blast'.
As far as advantages (of .327 vs .357 and .32 Magnum vs. .38 Special) I could repeat the previous observations about cylinder capacity of .327 vs .357 (in comparable frame sizes) but it's obvious you're not not going to be sold on the .327. I just think your rationale on the basis of your nearly deaf FIL's impressions of muzzle blast is non sequitor.
On another note, I revisited a 2008 thread about the .327 on this same site. It was full of dire predictions about the imminent demise of the caliber complete with snorts about "no ammo anywhere!".
There are also the "The .357 does EVERYTHING!" whoops and hollers...which begs the question:
"So; is it time to get rid of all those unnecessary .44 Magnums, .44 Specials, .45 Colts, .45 Long Colts, etc. since the .357 does it all. -?"
And there are the 'experts' swimming in the gory claims of "Permanent wound cavity vs. temporary wound cavity means bigger is always better!" ...which begs the question:
"So; is it time to get rid of all those inadequate .357's and .38's and everyone carry a .44 Mag or a .45 LC since bigger is better?"
Meanwhile, there's all those .Gov't .45acp gunmen sitting on the sidelines, chomping at the bit to jump into the wheelgun fray and tell EVERYONE:
"Y'all are ALL wrong! 'Cause y'all all carrying antique style revolvers! Theah's a reason the words 'revolver' and 'revolting' start off being spelt the same way! This heah gubmint Colt .45 is the KING of ALL handguns! Colonel Colt's inventions can NOT be surpassed by mere mortals, 'specially them what shooting revolvers! Doncha know revolvers FAILED to stop them 'lil drugged up Moozlins over theah in the Fillypeens? It took a REAL gun to put the whoop on them!"
LOL
"I just think that it takes a whole lot more pressure & blast to do what .38spl and .357mag already do."
If you're claiming that .327 has 'more blast' than .357 (when fired from comparable barrels), I suggest you spend some range time for side by side comparison. I'm not even sure .327 is 'more blast' than .38 Special, especially in .38 +P. In short, more PSI does not necessarily = 'more blast'.
As far as advantages (of .327 vs .357 and .32 Magnum vs. .38 Special) I could repeat the previous observations about cylinder capacity of .327 vs .357 (in comparable frame sizes) but it's obvious you're not not going to be sold on the .327. I just think your rationale on the basis of your nearly deaf FIL's impressions of muzzle blast is non sequitor.
On another note, I revisited a 2008 thread about the .327 on this same site. It was full of dire predictions about the imminent demise of the caliber complete with snorts about "no ammo anywhere!".
There are also the "The .357 does EVERYTHING!" whoops and hollers...which begs the question:
"So; is it time to get rid of all those unnecessary .44 Magnums, .44 Specials, .45 Colts, .45 Long Colts, etc. since the .357 does it all. -?"
And there are the 'experts' swimming in the gory claims of "Permanent wound cavity vs. temporary wound cavity means bigger is always better!" ...which begs the question:
"So; is it time to get rid of all those inadequate .357's and .38's and everyone carry a .44 Mag or a .45 LC since bigger is better?"
Meanwhile, there's all those .Gov't .45acp gunmen sitting on the sidelines, chomping at the bit to jump into the wheelgun fray and tell EVERYONE:
"Y'all are ALL wrong! 'Cause y'all all carrying antique style revolvers! Theah's a reason the words 'revolver' and 'revolting' start off being spelt the same way! This heah gubmint Colt .45 is the KING of ALL handguns! Colonel Colt's inventions can NOT be surpassed by mere mortals, 'specially them what shooting revolvers! Doncha know revolvers FAILED to stop them 'lil drugged up Moozlins over theah in the Fillypeens? It took a REAL gun to put the whoop on them!"
LOL
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What barrel length are you shooting?
SteadyD
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I shoot the LCR in 327 and a j frame or K6S with 38s. The 327 is off the charts louder than 38.
Hmmm....But even if that's true, I don't know if that's an equitable comparison. What about comparing .357 Magnum to .327 Magnum...or .38 Special to .32 H&R Magnum?
In all sincerity, the old canard about how ".357 Magnum can be loaded up or down (from 'hot' .357 Mag down to 'feeble' .38 Spec) to do everything a .327 can do." incites me to reply that "And a .44 Magnum can be loaded up or down (from 'hot' .44 Mag down to 'tame' .44 Special) to do everything a .357 can do."
Someone once posted that if he could have only one handgun, it would be .44 Magnum because he could load it up or down to kill everything from the largest land carnivore (Alaskan Kodiak Bear) to the smallest land carnivore (Shrew)...the latter through the use of .44 shotshells.
The .45acp guys were livid!
LOL
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From another website:
With all of the negative comments early on from folks who have never fired the cartridge, there was a few things that I particularly wanted to test; those being muzzle blast, recoil, and penetration. I compared the muzzle blast of the .327 Federal Magnum to the .357 Magnum fired from guns with equal length barrels. I used for this test two Ruger SP101 revolvers, identical except for the cartridge. Holding the decibel meter beside the shooter’s head, the readings seem close, with the .327 registering 120db and the .357 reading 124db. However, decibel readings are logarithmic instead of linear, and 124db is noticeably louder than a reading of 120db. The .327 Federal Magnum does indeed have less muzzle blast than does the .357 Magnum, at least using factory loads with the same bullets weights.
Measuring recoil was more subjective, meaning I did not have any instrument to measure the recoil. However, recoil has to abide by the laws of physics, and can be calculated. Both guns having equal barrel lengths and almost identical weights, the .357 Magnum has more recoil using equal bullet weights because it will fire a 100 grain bullet about 200 fps faster than the .327 Federal Magnum. The difference in felt recoil to the hand is also noticeable. The fly in this ointment is that the .357 Magnum is hardly ever used with the light-for-caliber 100 grain bullet. To get better penetration, most shooters use at least a 125 grain bullet in the .357 Magnum, and recoil with that bullet is heavier than the recoil of the .327 Federal Magnum using the 100 grain bullet by a considerable margin. Keep in mind here that in all these tests, I am using factory ammunition. I will get into the handloading portion a bit later. To keep things fair and in perspective, only factory loads were used in the recoil and muzzle blast tests.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SP101-327.htm
The findings of their technical tests mirror my subjective impressions. That's not to say other people's impressions are necessarily wrong; but I do wonder if sometimes people perceive what they've been told they'll experience.
With all of the negative comments early on from folks who have never fired the cartridge, there was a few things that I particularly wanted to test; those being muzzle blast, recoil, and penetration. I compared the muzzle blast of the .327 Federal Magnum to the .357 Magnum fired from guns with equal length barrels. I used for this test two Ruger SP101 revolvers, identical except for the cartridge. Holding the decibel meter beside the shooter’s head, the readings seem close, with the .327 registering 120db and the .357 reading 124db. However, decibel readings are logarithmic instead of linear, and 124db is noticeably louder than a reading of 120db. The .327 Federal Magnum does indeed have less muzzle blast than does the .357 Magnum, at least using factory loads with the same bullets weights.
Measuring recoil was more subjective, meaning I did not have any instrument to measure the recoil. However, recoil has to abide by the laws of physics, and can be calculated. Both guns having equal barrel lengths and almost identical weights, the .357 Magnum has more recoil using equal bullet weights because it will fire a 100 grain bullet about 200 fps faster than the .327 Federal Magnum. The difference in felt recoil to the hand is also noticeable. The fly in this ointment is that the .357 Magnum is hardly ever used with the light-for-caliber 100 grain bullet. To get better penetration, most shooters use at least a 125 grain bullet in the .357 Magnum, and recoil with that bullet is heavier than the recoil of the .327 Federal Magnum using the 100 grain bullet by a considerable margin. Keep in mind here that in all these tests, I am using factory ammunition. I will get into the handloading portion a bit later. To keep things fair and in perspective, only factory loads were used in the recoil and muzzle blast tests.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-SP101-327.htm
The findings of their technical tests mirror my subjective impressions. That's not to say other people's impressions are necessarily wrong; but I do wonder if sometimes people perceive what they've been told they'll experience.
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TTv2
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Between .327 and .357 in a snub, I doubt there is any descernible difference in blast or decibels. Once it hits that "holy BLEEP" level, it's loud. It's like the Seinfeld pilot in the laundry room "You can't over dry, just like you can't over wet. Once something is wet, it's wet." Same principle with firearm noise/blast.
Between .38 and .327, I have no doubts that .327 is louder as even from a snub the .327 is supersonic while .38 is not.
The .327 debate revolves around one thing and that's .357 and when does one caliber beat the other. IMO, the snub nose and the small frame revolvers like the SP101 are where .327 shines, but once you go into larger frame sizes, i.e. Ruger Blackhawk, GP100, that's where .357 is more appropriate. If you're carrying a little gun, you're planning to only use it up close, but for larger guns, you're looking at more combat oriented situation where you may have to shoot through a car door or windshield or a barrier of some sort. The larger/heavier .357 is better for that than the .32 caliber is.
People hate buying new calibers and will defend to the death their belief that some things are pointless. I've heard the argument that .22 is better than .327 for various and sundry uses and the same thing for .357/.38 too. It's a persons opinion, they're entitled to it, but to bash something that they've never tried tells me they need to get more experience before they form an opinion that one thing is better than the other.
IMO, the .327 has its place in certain guns, the .357 in others, and they all beat a .30 Carbine in the same guns.
Between .38 and .327, I have no doubts that .327 is louder as even from a snub the .327 is supersonic while .38 is not.
The .327 debate revolves around one thing and that's .357 and when does one caliber beat the other. IMO, the snub nose and the small frame revolvers like the SP101 are where .327 shines, but once you go into larger frame sizes, i.e. Ruger Blackhawk, GP100, that's where .357 is more appropriate. If you're carrying a little gun, you're planning to only use it up close, but for larger guns, you're looking at more combat oriented situation where you may have to shoot through a car door or windshield or a barrier of some sort. The larger/heavier .357 is better for that than the .32 caliber is.
People hate buying new calibers and will defend to the death their belief that some things are pointless. I've heard the argument that .22 is better than .327 for various and sundry uses and the same thing for .357/.38 too. It's a persons opinion, they're entitled to it, but to bash something that they've never tried tells me they need to get more experience before they form an opinion that one thing is better than the other.
IMO, the .327 has its place in certain guns, the .357 in others, and they all beat a .30 Carbine in the same guns.
Jeb Stuart
member
As far as the LCR, I have shot all the calibers and there is no choice for me but to stick with the 9mm. I Can shoot it all day long, love the ballistics, the moon clips, and plenty of inexpensive and available ammo to run the gun often in Practice. Recoil and muzzle flash are not even something I have to be concerned with. Even the SP101 is now available in 9mm. I think folks are starting to appreciate the 9mm in a revolver more and more.
Armybrat
Member
Well, I just ordered a new Ruger Single Seven .327 birdshead to compliment my new 3” SP101 .327.
Already have an SP101 in .357. Both SP’s are excellent guns, but a tad bit heavy in the triggers.
I like the idea of 6 or 7 shots better than 5. Just my opinion.
Already have an SP101 in .357. Both SP’s are excellent guns, but a tad bit heavy in the triggers.
I like the idea of 6 or 7 shots better than 5. Just my opinion.
somethingbenign
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This thread is dangerous. I was all set to get a rifle next but the more I read about the .327 the more I want a wheelgun next.
Jeb Stuart
member
Know the feeling. Read the threads and just got back from the Range a few minutes ago. Shot 200 rds through my LCR9mm could have gone on for hours if I had the ammo. Spent a little time shooting the Kahr and the Pico. Tomorrow the Nano.
Life is good!
Ps The LCR is such a fun gun to shoot. Thinking about getting a LCRX to compliment it. If Karh ever does one like the K6 but in 9mm, I will go ahead and pay for the high cost. Thinking about a SP101, in 9mm but hate to give up that smooth LCR trigger.
Henry makes a .327 rifle.
It goes good with a single seven.
I have two 327 revolvers now I just need to save up for the rifle.
somethingbenign
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This thread is REALLY dangerous. I'm going to crawl into a hole until this urge passes.
SteadyD
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My wife and I each have the LCR in 327 and we both really like them. We both particularly enjoy shooting 32 H&R Magnum, though the low recoil Hydra Shok in 327 FM is very doable with the standard LCR grip. I should think that a SP101 would help even further to tame the 327 recoil, but as Jeb noted, the trigger isn’t nearly as nice as the LCR.
With 32 Magnum and the hogue bantam boot grip, it’s a light recoiling, fast shooting, accurate gun. The sixth round is icing on the cake.
I agree. 6 rounds of good-shooting .32 H&R magnum in the LCR is a nice pocket carry piece.
Recently, I have been interested in 32 caliber guns, primarily 32 S&WL (2 guns), 32 H&R (1 gun) and 327 Fed Magnum (2 guns) shot in the appropriate chambers.
Most of what I shoot has been target/plinking style loads with 98 grain wadcutters and I find them accurate and pleasant to shoot. I've shot some 327 Fed Mag in an SP101 but really do not remember if it was objectionable or not.
I've even dabbled with some 327 Fed Mag shot shell loads in a Bond Arms derringer with a 327 Fed Mag barrel. Interesting at best but I'm not sure it would work a rat load for on the bush hog tractor. Even at the short ranges from the tractor seat with shot loads, the Bond Arms derringer is difficult to shoot accurately enough.
I recently got a Henry 327 Federal mag rifle but I have not yet had time to put any rounds through it yet. Too many "irons" in the fire at the present so to speak.
Bottom line, I would not feel under gunned with an SP101 or J-frame with 327 Fed Mag ammunition.
Most of what I shoot has been target/plinking style loads with 98 grain wadcutters and I find them accurate and pleasant to shoot. I've shot some 327 Fed Mag in an SP101 but really do not remember if it was objectionable or not.
I've even dabbled with some 327 Fed Mag shot shell loads in a Bond Arms derringer with a 327 Fed Mag barrel. Interesting at best but I'm not sure it would work a rat load for on the bush hog tractor. Even at the short ranges from the tractor seat with shot loads, the Bond Arms derringer is difficult to shoot accurately enough.
I recently got a Henry 327 Federal mag rifle but I have not yet had time to put any rounds through it yet. Too many "irons" in the fire at the present so to speak.
Bottom line, I would not feel under gunned with an SP101 or J-frame with 327 Fed Mag ammunition.
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