327 Federal?

KevK. · June 18, 2012, 04:17 PM

I was just browsing through some online autions and came across several revolvers chambered for .327 Federal. I've not heard of this cailber before. Obviously it looks like it has been around for a while.

I'm assuming it's smaller than .357 and .38 spl. Can anyone tell me some more about this round?

Don't worry, I don't care that much for oddball calibers, just curious about this one.

Olympus · June 18, 2012, 04:22 PM

Just Google .327 Federal and read until your hearts content.

CWKahrFan · June 18, 2012, 04:37 PM

Here's the numbers for .327m & .357m for comparison:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/327mag.html

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

KevK. · June 18, 2012, 06:08 PM

Olympus, I sit here feeling a bit sheepish. lol

CWKahrFan, thanks for the info.

gak · June 18, 2012, 07:17 PM

Do a search of this TFL forum. Most recently (this past spring) there was a megathread--20+ pager or so-- or two on the .327. Pros, cons, anything and everything. No time now but if I or someone else finds it before the OP does, we'll post the link.

CWKahrFan · June 18, 2012, 07:35 PM

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...&highlight=327

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...&highlight=327

Kreyzhorse · June 18, 2012, 07:38 PM

.327 Federal? Never heard of it......

jmortimer · June 18, 2012, 10:13 PM

Would not mind an 8 round Blackhawk in .327

FrankenMauser · June 19, 2012, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Would not mind an 8 round Blackhawk in .327

I really like my wife's .327 Blackhawk (5.5" barrel), but I have found the 7-shot .327 GP100 (4" barrel) to be more fun and more utilitarian.

jimkimmons · June 19, 2012, 07:48 AM

Once I had one I had to have two. I carry a Taurus M327 in town and a 3" barrel S&W 632 in the woods. Reloading for them as well. Excellent caliber, depending on round expands to 0.4 to 0.6 inch, and FBI penetration tests show better than 38 or 9 +P

testuser · June 19, 2012, 08:08 PM

I considered it, but to me, even as a reloader, I went with a .38.

Problems I had with it...

- I can't share brass and projectiles with my .357 magnum.

- Required a steel frame gun that weighs 23 ounces or one made from exotic materials (too expensive!). For comparison, my M&Pc carries 13 rounds of 9mm and weighs 21 or 22 ounces.

- For me, a pocket gun (what I wanted) needs to weigh no more than a .38 Bodyguard, about 15 ounces.

- For large framed guns, the L-frame S&W has been available in a 7 shot .357 model for years and the N-frame Model 27 can hold as many 8 shots of .357 magnum.

- Even if I saved enough for a lighter .327...the .38 Special +P at a power factor of 103 is already a handful, the .327 would have a power factor of at least 115, maybe more depending on the load. That's more than 10% more recoil, as well as more muzzle blast and flash.

If download the .327 to .38 Special +P power factor then I'm not gaining much, maybe one more round at the expense of a smaller diameter/lighter bullet.

After all that, I just went with a j-frame .38...

stevelyn · June 19, 2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Would not mind an 8 round Blackhawk in .327

Yup. It's on "the list". I think it would make for a perfect, fur-friendly trapline gun with cast boolits and capable of whacking everything from rats to wolves.

Onward Allusion · June 19, 2012, 11:12 PM

One of the most under appreciated cartridges. I have 2 snubs chambered in 'em and would love to see a S&W TRR10.

FrankenMauser · June 20, 2012, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Even if I saved enough for a lighter .327...the .38 Special +P at a power factor of 103 is already a handful, the .327 would have a power factor of at least 115, maybe more depending on the load. That's more than 10% more recoil, as well as more muzzle blast and flash.

That's subjective. Different people interpret recoil, blast, and flash very differently. Assuming recoil, muzzle blast, and muzzle flash will be of a certain type by looking at power factor figures, is like assuming a Porsche Boxter 3.5L will be faster and accelerate quicker than the 3.2L version. ...Yet, in reality, the opposite is true.

Don't assume. Try it.

Sevens · June 20, 2012, 01:50 PM

Trying to find something to say that grabs some points from the MEGA-thread, without getting in to the same arguments that .327 Federal always brings up -- all the while dropping some thoughts for someone who has never heard of the round.

What you've got is a .32 cal handgun round...and in the grand tradition of handgun rounds, they took what was already out there and made it longer -- made it hotter -- made it louder -- and made it meaner.

The .32 S&W, the .32 S&W Long, the .32 H&R Magnum...all are ".32 cal" handguns. (actually, the bullet diameter is .312", but these "misnomers" are common in guns.) The .327 Federal Magnum isn't a ".327", it's also a .312" -- or as we call it, a hot-loaded .32.

Factory ammo is offered in 85, 100 and 115 grain bullet weights. A factory ammo was from Federal/American Eagle/Speer until Buffalo Bore recently offered two different rounds. They upped the ante on bullet weight, bringing out a 130-grain hard cast lead bullet.

The .327 Federal run a VERY high pressure for a handgun round at 45,000 PSI. For reference:
.38 Special runs 17,000 PSI
.45 Auto runs 21,000 PSI
9mm and .40 S&W run 35,000 PSI

What's interesting is that the .32 H&R Magnum really never had any business being named a "magnum" in keeping with other handgun cartridges. At best, it was a "Special" and the gap between the .32 H&R Mag and the .327 Federal Mag is canyon-like.

One thing that we've come to know is that it takes some barrel length to make this cartridge work. While every round benefits from a longer barrel, testing has shown that going under 3-inches in barrel length for the .327 Federal really neuters it's performance. It's my personal opinion that if you buy or own one of these snubby .327's, you haven't experienced the the .327 Federal properly at all.

In a proper barrel, expect velocities beyond 1,400 FPS with a 100-grain bullet. With the light 85-grain slug, higher.

As for launch platforms -- not as many as we'd like to see. Ruger is the flagship and they make three different revolvers that chamber it. Others have dabbled in it.

testuser · June 20, 2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

That's subjective. Different people interpret recoil, blast, and flash very differently. Assuming recoil, muzzle blast, and muzzle flash will be of a certain type by looking at power factor figures, is like assuming a Porsche Boxter 3.5L will be faster and accelerate quicker than the 3.2L version. ...Yet, in reality, the opposite is true.

Still, you can't get more performance for nothing. The .327 is exactly between the .38 special +P and the .357 magnum in terms of performance.

If two weapons have an identical bore axis, identical weight (scandium .327 vs. aluminum .38 Special +P), identical grip, identical barrels, with the .327 having a greater powder charge (more recoil) and a higher power factor (momentum), then the .327 is going to have more recoil than the .38 special +P.

Now, if you're comparing a 28 ounce SP 101 to a 15 ounce j-frame, then you're not comparing like to like, since two j-frames weight almost the same as one SP 101.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of nich cartridges...my favorite is probably the 10mm Auto. I just think the negatives of this cartridges out weigh the pros. I think idea behind this one is to split the ballistics of the .38 and .357 while giving +1 round.

FrankenMauser · June 21, 2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

If two weapons have an identical bore axis, identical weight (scandium .327 vs. aluminum .38 Special +P), identical grip, identical barrels, with the .327 having a greater powder charge (more recoil) and a higher power factor (momentum), then the .327 is going to have more recoil than the .38 special +P.

Recoil is not really dependent on powder charge.
It is more dependent on bullet weight and rate of acceleration of that bullet (powder-charge related, but a change in powder burn rate with a lighter powder charge can achieve the same result).

I can tell you, definitively, that no one that has ever shot my 4" GP100 with full-power .327 loads side-by-side with my brother's .357 GP100 4" with .38 +P loads has said the .327 has more recoil. Their responses are always in favor of .327 Federal being more tame, and (much) more fun to shoot.

(Plus, you get an extra round in the cylinder.)

If you don't like it, you don't like it. That's perfectly acceptable, but quit looking at the figures on paper. This is one of those cases, where ballistic figures don't relate well to the real-world experience. Go out and shoot one, or forget about it.

mike7.62 · June 21, 2012, 08:11 AM

How do ya'll think the .327 would work in a win. 92 action carbine.

carguychris · June 21, 2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

How do ya'll think the .327 would work in a win. 92 action carbine.

Fantastic; same with a 5" S&W K frame.

Myself and several other regulars on this forum have been patiently waiting for both of the above, ever since the round was announced.

mpd61 · June 21, 2012, 10:09 AM

Probably as well as the 32-20 did!

gak · June 21, 2012, 10:40 AM

A ++1 for the 92 Win/clone idea. However, it's been speculated that the .327 is too small for the standard 92 loading gate. While it could be tube fed like the Marlin .32 H&R or yore, it'd be a shame if it had to be. Hope Rossi or somebody can work that part out. Also, pressure has been discussed (ditto relative to a new chambering for Marlins or re-chambering .32 H&R Marlins). while the 92 is a very strong action, if IIRC the .327 exceeds all or most of the current chamberings.* The 92 has been chambered in .454 but I don't know those pressures, though Rossi did beef up the action for it. One would think, if an issue, the same could be done for the .327.

Redhawk5.5+P+ · June 21, 2012, 12:21 PM

Not much in my place, but it was or is gone before if ever started. Good concecpt though.

Rampant_Colt · June 21, 2012, 12:51 PM

I would like to see Ruger chamber .327 Mag in their Single-Six

http://www.gunblast.com/Bowen-327s.htm

gak · June 21, 2012, 07:58 PM

Rampant_Colt said:
" I would like to see Ruger chamber .327 Mag in their Single-Six http://www.gunblast.com/Bowen-327s.htm "

Another +1 - sure has seemed like a natural pairing to me--perfect actually! At least one of my Vaquerito .32s has been "planned" for a Bowen (Clements, Harton etc) conversion for quite some time.

**Tom Servo** · June 21, 2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

I would like to see Ruger chamber .327 Mag in their Single-Six

I'd do unwholesome things for an 8-shot S&W L-Frame in the cartridge.

June 18, 2012, 04:17 PM	#1
KevK. Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2012 Posts: 137	327 Federal? I was just browsing through some online autions and came across several revolvers chambered for .327 Federal. I've not heard of this cailber before. Obviously it looks like it has been around for a while. I'm assuming it's smaller than .357 and .38 spl. Can anyone tell me some more about this round? Don't worry, I don't care that much for oddball calibers, just curious about this one. __________________ CZ82, S&W Mod. 65 .357, Marlin 22mn (22WMR), Mossberg 500.

June 18, 2012, 04:37 PM	#3
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	Here's the numbers for .327m & .357m for comparison: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/327mag.html http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

June 18, 2012, 06:08 PM	#4
KevK. Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2012 Posts: 137	Olympus, I sit here feeling a bit sheepish. lol CWKahrFan, thanks for the info. __________________ CZ82, S&W Mod. 65 .357, Marlin 22mn (22WMR), Mossberg 500.

June 18, 2012, 07:35 PM	#6
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...&highlight=327 http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...&highlight=327 __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

June 18, 2012, 07:38 PM	#7
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	.327 Federal? Never heard of it...... __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

June 18, 2012, 04:22 PM	#2
Olympus Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2008 Posts: 770	Just Google .327 Federal and read until your hearts content.

June 18, 2012, 07:17 PM	#5
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	Do a search of this TFL forum. Most recently (this past spring) there was a megathread--20+ pager or so-- or two on the .327. Pros, cons, anything and everything. No time now but if I or someone else finds it before the OP does, we'll post the link.

June 18, 2012, 10:13 PM	#8
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Would not mind an 8 round Blackhawk in .327

June 19, 2012, 07:48 AM	#10
jimkimmons Member Join Date: May 3, 2011 Posts: 29	327 Federal Magnum Once I had one I had to have two. I carry a Taurus M327 in town and a 3" barrel S&W 632 in the woods. Reloading for them as well. Excellent caliber, depending on round expands to 0.4 to 0.6 inch, and FBI penetration tests show better than 38 or 9 +P __________________ Jim Kimmons [email protected] High Desert Firearms Forum.

June 19, 2012, 08:08 PM	#11
testuser Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2010 Posts: 495	I considered it, but to me, even as a reloader, I went with a .38. Problems I had with it... - I can't share brass and projectiles with my .357 magnum. - Required a steel frame gun that weighs 23 ounces or one made from exotic materials (too expensive!). For comparison, my M&Pc carries 13 rounds of 9mm and weighs 21 or 22 ounces. - For me, a pocket gun (what I wanted) needs to weigh no more than a .38 Bodyguard, about 15 ounces. - For large framed guns, the L-frame S&W has been available in a 7 shot .357 model for years and the N-frame Model 27 can hold as many 8 shots of .357 magnum. - Even if I saved enough for a lighter .327...the .38 Special +P at a power factor of 103 is already a handful, the .327 would have a power factor of at least 115, maybe more depending on the load. That's more than 10% more recoil, as well as more muzzle blast and flash. If download the .327 to .38 Special +P power factor then I'm not gaining much, maybe one more round at the expense of a smaller diameter/lighter bullet. After all that, I just went with a j-frame .38...

June 19, 2012, 11:12 PM	#13
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	One of the most under appreciated cartridges. I have 2 snubs chambered in 'em and would love to see a S&W TRR10. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

June 20, 2012, 01:50 PM	#15
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Trying to find something to say that grabs some points from the MEGA-thread, without getting in to the same arguments that .327 Federal always brings up -- all the while dropping some thoughts for someone who has never heard of the round. What you've got is a .32 cal handgun round...and in the grand tradition of handgun rounds, they took what was already out there and made it longer -- made it hotter -- made it louder -- and made it meaner. The .32 S&W, the .32 S&W Long, the .32 H&R Magnum...all are ".32 cal" handguns. (actually, the bullet diameter is .312", but these "misnomers" are common in guns.) The .327 Federal Magnum isn't a ".327", it's also a .312" -- or as we call it, a hot-loaded .32. Factory ammo is offered in 85, 100 and 115 grain bullet weights. A factory ammo was from Federal/American Eagle/Speer until Buffalo Bore recently offered two different rounds. They upped the ante on bullet weight, bringing out a 130-grain hard cast lead bullet. The .327 Federal run a VERY high pressure for a handgun round at 45,000 PSI. For reference: .38 Special runs 17,000 PSI .45 Auto runs 21,000 PSI 9mm and .40 S&W run 35,000 PSI What's interesting is that the .32 H&R Magnum really never had any business being named a "magnum" in keeping with other handgun cartridges. At best, it was a "Special" and the gap between the .32 H&R Mag and the .327 Federal Mag is canyon-like. One thing that we've come to know is that it takes some barrel length to make this cartridge work. While every round benefits from a longer barrel, testing has shown that going under 3-inches in barrel length for the .327 Federal really neuters it's performance. It's my personal opinion that if you buy or own one of these snubby .327's, you haven't experienced the the .327 Federal properly at all. In a proper barrel, expect velocities beyond 1,400 FPS with a 100-grain bullet. With the light 85-grain slug, higher. As for launch platforms -- not as many as we'd like to see. Ruger is the flagship and they make three different revolvers that chamber it. Others have dabbled in it. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

June 21, 2012, 08:11 AM	#18
mike7.62 Member Join Date: May 25, 2012 Location: Down South Posts: 95	How do ya'll think the .327 would work in a win. 92 action carbine.

June 21, 2012, 10:09 AM	#20
mpd61 Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Central Mass Posts: 352	Probably as well as the 32-20 did!

June 21, 2012, 10:40 AM	#21
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	A ++1 for the 92 Win/clone idea. However, it's been speculated that the .327 is too small for the standard 92 loading gate. While it could be tube fed like the Marlin .32 H&R or yore, it'd be a shame if it had to be. Hope Rossi or somebody can work that part out. Also, pressure has been discussed (ditto relative to a new chambering for Marlins or re-chambering .32 H&R Marlins). while the 92 is a very strong action, if IIRC the .327 exceeds all or most of the current chamberings.* The 92 has been chambered in .454 but I don't know those pressures, though Rossi did beef up the action for it. One would think, if an issue, the same could be done for the .327.

June 21, 2012, 12:21 PM	#22
Redhawk5.5+P+ Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2012 Location: NV Posts: 743	Not much in my place, but it was or is gone before if ever started. Good concecpt though.

June 21, 2012, 12:51 PM	#23
Rampant_Colt Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,478	I would like to see Ruger chamber .327 Mag in their Single-Six http://www.gunblast.com/Bowen-327s.htm __________________ member of an elite paramilitary organization: Eagle Scouts

June 21, 2012, 07:58 PM	#24
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	Rampant_Colt said: " I would like to see Ruger chamber .327 Mag in their Single-Six http://www.gunblast.com/Bowen-327s.htm " Another +1 - sure has seemed like a natural pairing to me--perfect actually! At least one of my Vaquerito .32s has been "planned" for a Bowen (Clements, Harton etc) conversion for quite some time. Last edited by gak; June 21, 2012 at 08:20 PM.