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BillCA · February 11, 2012, 04:14 AM

There are a lot of folks who bash the .327 as a solution in search of a problem. Another group of folks turn up their noses and say that the .327 doesn't do anything as well as the .38/.357. The cost-benefit types claim that the 6th shot in a J-frame doesn't make up for the round's power.

So here are two charts for you to look at, comparing the .327 Federal Magnum to the .357 Magnum, using various barrel lengths[¹]. One chart compares muzzle velocities[²] and the other compares muzzle energies.

In the graph above, the dotted lines represent the velocities of two selected .357 Magnum loads by barrel length. It shows the 100gr American Eagle .327 has a velocity slightly better than the 125gr .357 Magnum (CorBon). It also shows that the .327's velocities track well alongside the .357. We can safely say that the velocities are very similar to the two most popular .357 loads. In a short barrel, the .327 Federal Magnum has more velocity out of short barrels than the .357 Magnum.

In this graph, the dotted lines represent the muzzle energy of two selected .357 Magnum loads by barrel length. In barrels under 4-inches, the .327 Magnum produces as much or more power than the .357 Magnum. The the 4-inch level, the .357 has ~50 ft-lbs more power than the .327. The .357 does generate more power at the 6-inch length by about 60-90 ft-lbs.[³]

The downsides to the .327 Magnum are that it doesn't produce quite the energy of the .357 Magnum in longer barrels and that the ammo is initially more costly. Ammo costs may decrease if the round becomes more popular. The upsides, however are significant. The .327 Magnum is superior in a short barrel and nearly the same up to a 4-inch barrel. In addition to better than .357 performance you get reduced recoil and flash from the shorter barrels. Plus you have that 6th round (an extra 7th or 8th round in some guns).

So, I can get "better than" .357 Magnum performance plus a 6th shot in a J-Frame with less recoil and flash. Seems like a good choice for a carry gun to me.

Reloading the .327 should be quite economical. The bullets weigh between 1-3 lbs less per 500 (reduced shipping costs) and it uses less powder too.

What's not to like?

¹ Velocity information from http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com
² The BBTI website was missing data for the 85gr Hydrashok in odd barrel lengths from 7 to 17 inches. To obtain the trend line for the 85gr load, missing data was filled by adding half the difference between listed velocities to the previous velocity. This is why the plot is much smoother than for other loads.
³ The .357 does generate more power, but the differences are not hugely significant until we get to 6-inch and longer barrels. In short barrels, the .327 is marginally better by about 20 ft-lbs. This may not seem significant until you consider that with any short-barreled handgun at close range you need all the advantage you can get.

February 11, 2012, 04:14 AM	#650
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	There are a lot of folks who bash the .327 as a solution in search of a problem. Another group of folks turn up their noses and say that the .327 doesn't do anything as well as the .38/.357. The cost-benefit types claim that the 6th shot in a J-frame doesn't make up for the round's power. So here are two charts for you to look at, comparing the .327 Federal Magnum to the .357 Magnum, using various barrel lengths[¹]. One chart compares muzzle velocities[²] and the other compares muzzle energies. In the graph above, the dotted lines represent the velocities of two selected .357 Magnum loads by barrel length. It shows the 100gr American Eagle .327 has a velocity slightly better than the 125gr .357 Magnum (CorBon). It also shows that the .327's velocities track well alongside the .357. We can safely say that the velocities are very similar to the two most popular .357 loads. In a short barrel, the .327 Federal Magnum has more velocity out of short barrels than the .357 Magnum. In this graph, the dotted lines represent the muzzle energy of two selected .357 Magnum loads by barrel length. In barrels under 4-inches, the .327 Magnum produces as much or more power than the .357 Magnum. The the 4-inch level, the .357 has ~50 ft-lbs more power than the .327. The .357 does generate more power at the 6-inch length by about 60-90 ft-lbs.[³] The downsides to the .327 Magnum are that it doesn't produce quite the energy of the .357 Magnum in longer barrels and that the ammo is initially more costly. Ammo costs may decrease if the round becomes more popular. The upsides, however are significant. The .327 Magnum is superior in a short barrel and nearly the same up to a 4-inch barrel. In addition to better than .357 performance you get reduced recoil and flash from the shorter barrels. Plus you have that 6th round (an extra 7th or 8th round in some guns). So, I can get "better than" .357 Magnum performance plus a 6th shot in a J-Frame with less recoil and flash. Seems like a good choice for a carry gun to me. Reloading the .327 should be quite economical. The bullets weigh between 1-3 lbs less per 500 (reduced shipping costs) and it uses less powder too. What's not to like? ¹ Velocity information from http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com ² The BBTI website was missing data for the 85gr Hydrashok in odd barrel lengths from 7 to 17 inches. To obtain the trend line for the 85gr load, missing data was filled by adding half the difference between listed velocities to the previous velocity. This is why the plot is much smoother than for other loads. ³ The .357 does generate more power, but the differences are not hugely significant until we get to 6-inch and longer barrels. In short barrels, the .327 is marginally better by about 20 ft-lbs. This may not seem significant until you consider that with any short-barreled handgun at close range you need all the advantage you can get. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)