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Old June 27, 2011, 08:18 AM   #326
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I apologise in advance, but I don't have time to read the whole thread to see if anyone has posted the ballistic differences between the .32 federal and the .32 H&R mag? Is it similar to the 38/357, simply a slightly longer case?

Either way, I've had a couple of the single sixes in .32 H&R, and liked them at the time. The only thing negative I could find about them is the same "problem" with the .30 carbine.... they are LOUD!

They were a blast to shoot, however. (ok, pun intended) It wouldn't hurt my feelings to have a nice little SP101 in .327 Fed, if they make it that way. The 6 shots and a 3 or 4" barrel would be nice.. a great little walking around gun.. cast boolits at about 850fps would be great for defense against the occasional rampaging beer can or horse apple.
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Old June 27, 2011, 08:37 AM   #327
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Quote:
-Reloader
-Caster
-Not recoil sensitive, but I get my hoots from hitting what I'm aiming at, not making my hand go numb
-I like unique stuff :]
-Looking at the taurus 327, 2"
I cannot, in good faith, recommend the Taurus 2-inch for this round. The chrono results are unbelievable when you chop it down to 2 inches.

Go for the Ruger SP-101 with the 3.06" barrel and you'll get what the cartridge has to offer.
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Old June 27, 2011, 08:43 AM   #328
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+1! %'s and numbers don't mean much to me in this case. I have all three. SP-101 .357, Taurus .327 Mag and the SP-101 .327 Mag, and of the three the Taurus has the most severe felt recoil.

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Old June 27, 2011, 09:32 AM   #329
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Well, the numbers don't have to mean much... until you ask yourself WHY you want the .327 Federal and what you are asking it to do for you. And if part of the reason you want it is because it eclipses .38 Spl +P and maybe even 9mm +P in performance...

...than you simply can't stuff it in to a 2-incher, lop 200 ft/sec off your bullet speed and expect it to eclipse .38 Spl +P and 9mm+P because it won't anymore.

But keep it in the SP-101, and the numbers are better.
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Old June 27, 2011, 10:59 AM   #330
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I'm going to chronograph both of them with full charges tomorrow.

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Old June 27, 2011, 02:09 PM   #331
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you simply can't stuff it in to a 2-incher, lop 200 ft/sec off your bullet speed and expect it to eclipse .38 Spl +P and 9mm+P because it won't anymore.
Yes, you can and it will, at least in 38 Special. The setup you have above calculates to 308 ft-lbs ME, whereas the 135 grain Speer designed for two inch barrels come in at a puny 222 ft-lbs.
I think the problem comes with firing the little monster with all the flash and blast it must perpetrate.
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Old June 27, 2011, 02:17 PM   #332
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^^Please do!

A post back would be HUGELY appreciated
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Old June 28, 2011, 12:11 PM   #333
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hornetguy
I apologise in advance, but I don't have time to read the whole thread to see if anyone has posted the ballistic differences between the .32 federal and the .32 H&R mag? Is it similar to the 38/357, simply a slightly longer case?
Here's a chart to show you the energy levels of the respective cartridges.
Each bar represents the typical energy ranges for each cartridge, using factory load data. Obviously handloading can tweak these bars somewhat.



As you can see, the .327 FM produces similar energy to the .40 S&W and .45 ACP and part of the .357 Magnum's spectrum. It is important to note that these ballistics are out of a 3" barrel while the other cartridges show ballistics from a 4" barrel. That means to make apples to apples comparison, we can slide the .327 FM to the right a bit. (I haven't calculated it yet).

You can see there is a gap between the .32 H&R and the .327 FM. A sizeable gap. The .32 H&R is loud because most of the guns chambered for it have short barrels. I'm told it's only slightly quieter from a 4" barrel.

Recoil Performance.
I'll stick with J-frames for comparison purposes.
I'm neither recoil shy, nor a recoil junkie.

My S&W 649 .357 Magnum weighs in at 23oz.
Federal AE .357 Magnum 158gr @1240fps produces 13 ft-lbs of not-so-fun wrist-wrenching recoil. That's my limit.

Using the .327 FM, 100gr American Eagle @1400 fps (435 ft-lbs) compared to a .38+P 135gr Speer Gold Dot (@860fps) we get:
12 oz ultra lightweight: 14.79 ft-lbs vs. 11.25 (Speer .38+P)
16 oz alloy lightweight: 11.09 ft-lbs vs. 8.44
18 oz alloy lightweight: 9.86 ft-lbs vs. 7.50
23 oz Stainless J-Frame: 7.72 ft-lbs vs. 5.87
28 oz Ruger 3" SP-101:.. 6.34 ft-lbs vs. 4.82
31 oz S&W K-Frame M10 5.72 ft-lbs
36 oz S&W K-Frame M15 4.93 ft-lbs

The Speer Gold Dot 135gr .38 +P load was chosen because it represents a fairly well known load for many people. The Speer 125gr GDHP is "close enough" in recoil energy, adding only about 1/2 ft-lb.
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Old June 28, 2011, 01:55 PM   #334
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You can see there is a gap between the .32 H&R and the .327 FM. A sizeable gap. The .32 H&R is loud because most of the guns chambered for it have short barrels. I'm told it's only slightly quieter from a 4" barrel.
My single sixes had barrels that were in the 6" range, whatever strange length Ruger calls it... 5 7/8? 6 1/2"? Whatever. They were still WAY too sharp/loud for walking around shooting without ear protection. I vividly remember the first (and only) time I shot a Blackhawk in .30 carbine without protection... it felt like someone had eased up behind me and jammed 16 penny nails in each of my ears. They rang for a couple of hours afterward. I imagine that was most of the cause of my low-frequency hearing loss and tinnitus.

I probably should have been more clear on my statement about the 38/357... I was wondering if the difference in the .32 HR and the .32 Fed was similar to the difference between the 38/357. It appears from the chart that this is probably fairly accurate.
Does anyone have the cartridge dimension comparison handy? I'd look it up, but I can't access anything "gun" related here at work. Somehow, our online nanny has missed this site.... thank goodness..
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Old June 28, 2011, 04:06 PM   #335
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I appreciate the time you put into your post, but I'm not sure what you're referring to here:

Quote:
Using the 100gr American Eagle @1400 fps (435 ft-lbs) compared to a 135gr Speer Gold Dot we get:
12 oz ultra lightweight: 14.79 ft-lbs vs. 11.25 (Speer)
16 oz alloy lightweight: 11.09 ft-lbs vs. 8.44
.....
With the, "100gr American Eagle ...", I'm assuming you're referring to the .327 Federal load. However, it is almost universally reported within (+/-) 30 fps of factory claims of 1,500 fps out of the SP101's 3" barrel.

With the "(Speer)" reference in the first comparison, are you referring to one of the Speer .327 Federal loadings, or back to the 135 gr .357 load?
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Old June 28, 2011, 05:50 PM   #336
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So what all guns are available to me in this caliber?

Smith 632 carry comp pro (3", adjustable sights)
Taurus 327 (2", fixed sights)
SP101 (3", fixed sights)
Charter Patriot (4", ? sights)


What other guns/configurations are available for .327? What about .32 mag?
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Old June 28, 2011, 08:32 PM   #337
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Freedom Arms makes a pretty snazzy single action, but it's not cheap.
USFA makes or made a single action also.

Bond Arms has a 3-inch double derringer.
Ruger has the 5.5" 8-shot Blackhawk and the 6-inch 7-shot .327 GP-100.

Hammer It has a Hamilton Bowen converted S&W Model 16-4 that all of us .327 guys just love.
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Old June 28, 2011, 11:14 PM   #338
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FrankenMauser,

Thanks for the feedback. I was less than crystal clear.

Yes, comparing the recoil of the 100gr Federal AE to the Speer .38 +P 135gr Gold Dot.

The last I read up on the cartridge ballistics, there were 3 published factory loads for the .327 FM. From a 3-inch barrel they were described as:
- 85gr JHP @ 1330 fps
- 100gr JSP @ 1400 fps
- 115gr JHP @ 1330 fps.

These may have changed, of course, but those where the numbers I started with from several publications.

I've edited my previous post, so now it should be clear what I was rambling about.
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Old June 28, 2011, 11:32 PM   #339
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Quote:
Does anyone have the cartridge dimension comparison handy? I'd look it up, but I can't access anything "gun" related here at work. Somehow, our online nanny has missed this site.... thank goodness..
Dimension ......... .32 H&R ..... .32 FM ..... .38 Spec
Ctg Case Length: 1.075 in ..... 1.20 in ..... 1.155 in
Ctg Overall Len.: 1.350 in ..... 1.47 in ..... 1.55 in
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Old June 29, 2011, 12:59 AM   #340
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Thanks for the reply Bill.
I still don't like those figures (not your fault). I have all of those loads available, and will have to toss some across a chronograph with Crankylove's SP101, next time I'm out. Every report I've seen is pretty much on the money for the factory claims. So, I guess it's time I verify, for myself.

Now I just have to talk my father into letting me borrow his chronograph....
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Old June 29, 2011, 05:35 AM   #341
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Now I just have to talk my father into letting me borrow his chronograph....

Hello FrankenMauser
I have the F-1 Chrony. It is the base model but I find no need for paying any more for features of Print outs and such as mine shows and stores the load information. I bought it un-used for $50.00 off a guy in a gun forum, but this model is still availalable for Less than a Hundred Bucks New ! see the link below No need to Borrow one at this Price... Hammer It






http://www.shootingchrony.com/products_SCMMCM.htm
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Old June 29, 2011, 06:30 AM   #342
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Quick question, how is the 100gr jsp load for defense? It looks nearly as hot as the full power 115 gr GD load, but the sp might promote slower expansion and more penetration, no? The fact that they are half the price of the other loadings doesn't hurt either.
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Old June 29, 2011, 06:51 AM   #343
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Quick question, how is the 100gr jsp load for defense? It looks nearly as hot as the full power 115 gr GD load, but the sp might promote slower expansion and more penetration, no? The fact that they are half the price of the other loadings doesn't hurt either.

Hello Catzor
I see no reason to use the 115 Grain Gold Dot bullets in this cartridge and have found that hand loads using the 90 Grain Sierra Sport's Master Hollow Point bullets are far More accurate on Target than any other bullet weights in this round. I felt confident enough with the 90 Grain Sierra bullet that I loaded it and Killed my Large Bobcat with it using one shot to do so.... Hammer It
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Old June 29, 2011, 07:29 AM   #344
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Either way, I've had a couple of the single sixes in .32 H&R, and liked them at the time. The only thing negative I could find about them is the same "problem" with the .30 carbine.... they are LOUD!
I can't even begin to imagine where calling the .32 H&R loud comes from. Not in the realm of centerfire pistols at least. My 4 5/8" Single Six is no louder than any .38s I've shot and compared to a stout .357 load it's nothing. And that's with my fairly stiff handloads. Heck, I don't find it much if any louder than a .22 in comparable barrel lengths. I'm sure the .327 has a good crack to it but the .32 H&R? Please...........

Not to diminish your bobcat kill for that's a great shot and I can only dream of getting one someday with mine but............ I don't know of a .32 bullet made that won't DRT a bobcat (or coyote and more than likely bigger cats) in it's tracks with a fair shot or better to the chest. That includes hardcast. Heck, I wouldn't be all that afraid to shoot a small deer with the .32 H&R within MY limits. Not sure killin a bobcat is a good test for center handgun bullets.

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Old June 29, 2011, 10:54 AM   #345
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I can't even begin to imagine where calling the .32 H&R loud comes from.
Perhaps I'm overly sensitive?

To me, it has a much sharper, intense blast than most pistol cartridges, with the exception of the 125gr .357 in a 4" or shorter barrel. YMMV, of course.

To me, it was comparable to the .30 carbine, and the 7.62 Mauser out of those surplus CZ pistols that were so prevalent about 18-20yrs ago.

No big deal, though. It's all subjective. You say tomato....
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Old June 29, 2011, 11:30 AM   #346
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... and I say LOUD! Firing a full boat cartridge from a Taurus .327 Mag is an experience.

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Old June 29, 2011, 12:14 PM   #347
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no reason to use the 115 Grain Gold Dot bullets in this cartridge
A 327 MAG 115 grain bullet moving at 1300 fps nearly duplicates the much venerated 115 grain 9mm BPLE Illinois State Police round. And has greater sectional density. That's not a bad standard for a compact six-shot revolver aimed squarely at the self defense market to aspire to. And I suspect in a larger revolver chambered for seven or eight rounds, it might make a good LE handgun round. Which brings up the next prospect: a 327 MAGNUM manually operated patrol rifle.

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Old June 29, 2011, 01:13 PM   #348
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The 9mm 115gr BPLE was OK in it's time but is no big deal in comparison to today's 124gr., 127gr. and 147gr. 9mm loads.
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Old June 29, 2011, 03:16 PM   #349
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This is the first time I've seen the American Eagle 85 gr JSP load available (haven't really been looking, though). At 1,400 fps (3" bbl), it shouldn't be too bad. I had been hoping for a bit more velocity, though.

And, I'm with everyone else... To me, .32 H&R loads aren't loud, at all. Some of my .32 H&R hand loads are quieter than a .22 Hornet in a rifle (known for its mild report, and operating at the same pressure as .327 FM).

.327 Federal is a different story. It is loud, and "full house" loads do have some muzzle blast (though, it's much more tame in the Blackhawk). I find factory load sound/blast levels in the SP101 to be roughly equivalent to .38 Spcl +P out of a 1 7/8" J-frame; but nowhere near as bad as "full house" .357 Mag loads.
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Old July 4, 2011, 09:16 PM   #350
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327 Madness

Here's a shameless display of 327 magnum hording. A Blackhawk, GP100, SP101, and a Charter Arms Target Patriot.

I bought the SP101 and CA Target first. I wanted a small frame 6+ capacity powerhouse, but couldn't decide on barrel length. The charter is noticeably lighter than the the SP101 but felt recoil seems about the same. Once I shot the two I was hooked. Nice compact chambering with peak pressures approaching a rifle cartridge. Later I decided that these might not be ideal for hand load development, so the Blackhawk joined the fold. The SP100 just seemed too cool to not have one. I'm using borderline logic here.

I'm guessing the Blackhawk is about the toughest 327 available. At ~48oz it does noticeably deaden the recoil compared to the two small revos. I'm planing on starting with 100gr XTPs and H110. Not sure what primers to use, will probably default to small rifle. Have read about potential squib issues with H110/W296, so I'll be careful with starting loads.

Anyway I'm on a bit of a 327 bender here.



Attached Images
File Type: jpg 327 revos 1.jpg (71.9 KB, 431 views)
File Type: jpg 327 revos 2.jpg (67.3 KB, 441 views)

Last edited by Low Friction; July 5, 2011 at 11:07 AM.
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