.327 Federal Magnum options?

zachomega · #1 12-27-2011, 05:40 PM

I like the sound of the .327 Federal Magnum cartridge, but from what i can see, they are all on small frames with 3" barrels or less.

Is that all Smith and Wesson is offering this on?

I'd ideally like a K or L frame with at least a 4" barrel.

-Zach

mag318 · #2 12-27-2011, 06:15 PM

Ruger has wisely expanded their 327 Magnum chambered offerings to include the Blackhawk and their SP100 midsize framed revolver. S&W would wise to offer a mid framed option. Since I've started shooting my Model 632 I have really grown fond of this caliber. This is a true magnum cartridge and a great performer. It's been a long time since S&W built ther K-32 revolvers and this cartridge would be perfect for a K frame. The big advantage with their J frame offerings is obviously that 6'th shot. Perhaps S&W will surprise us at next months Shot Show.
Here's what a 115 grn Speer Gold Dot looked like after penetrating 4 one gallon water jugs coming to rest in the 5'th.

ogilvyspecial · #3 12-27-2011, 07:05 PM

I picked up a .327 back in '08 (Ruger SP101) and since that time have had 4 different revolvers chambered for that round, which should say something about how much I like it. I did sell my Charter Arms "Patriot" so now only have the SP101 & both Smith 632's.

Currently I'm holding off on any more hoping against hope that S&W will indeed offer a larger frame .327 Fed Mag.

A K-Frame would be sweet but I would be happy with an L that has maybe, 8 rounds.?.?

zachomega · #4 12-27-2011, 08:44 PM

I'm just glad to see I am not alone in wanting something larger in .327 Federal Magnum.

I just took a look and Ruger has a .327 Fed Magnum on their SP101 and their GP100. The GP100 has 7 shots and a 4.2" barrel. That is almost appealing. Now if Ruger could make their gun look like a Smith and Wesson.

-Zach

CALREB · #5 12-28-2011, 07:55 PM

Check out Hamilton Bowen's website, I think he has a 16-4 ,32 mag ,converted to 327 looks nice.Bob

snubbiefan · #6 12-28-2011, 08:49 PM

The 327 guns are indeed one of the most versatile revolvers out there. I reload for mine at around 6 to 7-cents a pop (cast my own slugs). The thing will shoot it all from the 32S&W right on up to the full-blown 327FEDMAG and will even shoot the 32ACP if that's all you can find. Just keep a dowel handy, or break a branch off a nearby tree to punch-out the empties if the star doesn't catch the semi-rim.

AKMac · #7 12-28-2011, 11:49 PM

I wonder if S&W could fit 10 cartridges into a N frame à la 627?

That would peak my interest.

snubbiefan · #8 12-29-2011, 08:32 AM

327MAG pressures are pretty high up the chart. That might be a serious challenge. Maybe only 8 or 9.

PMRet · #9 12-29-2011, 08:56 AM

If memory serves, a couple of forum members have had 16-4's converted to .327 Federal, maybe they will chime in with the resullts.

Dixiejack · #10 12-29-2011, 09:04 AM

I just sent the cylinder out of my 16-4 to Hamilton Bowen to have the chambers rebored so the longer .327 Mag. will chamber.

snubbiefan · #11 12-29-2011, 11:22 AM

Now that would be the way to go. If I had a good gun that was already chambered for the 32H&R MAG (or 32-Long if strong enough)...I'd have it punched out. You can still shoot any of the 32 straight walls in there as well. That family shoots the slugs from .312 up to .314 and even the .311 in the 32ACP IF you had to. Obviously, the people that punch those out have determined they can take the 31,000-or-so pressures generated by the 327FED MAG.

williamlayton · #12 12-29-2011, 11:48 AM

Dang it all--just when I get settled down after thinking about my 16-4 at Pinnacle since July--for the conversion--some knuckle head ( just jabbin, not name callin=

) brings up the sore point again.
To be fair with Pinnacle, his father died during this period and it dug him in a hole, work wise.
It will get here and it will be good work.
I shall report with loud words when it comes back.

Blessings

snubbiefan · #13 12-29-2011, 12:09 PM

That must be the reason I can't seem to get an answer on an e-mail I sent them about having a cylinder re-chambered. I understand now and won't be bugging Pinnacle about it anymore for a while.

samwood · #14 12-31-2011, 12:05 AM

Hamilton Bowen rechambered my 16-4 cylinder to 327 federal in Oct. 2010; at that time he charged $95 and turnaround time was 3 weeks. He also reamed out the undersized cylinder throats (0.311) of my model 632; this increased accuracy and decreased leading from my cast handloads significantly. I believe he charged $75 for this service.

Mr. Bowen also built me a Kframe 327 utilizing a model 15 frame, a model 48 cylinder and 6" bbl from two well used revolvers I shipped to him. I believe turnaround time was about 2 months in early 2010.

I don't know what the current prices and turnaround times are at Bowen Arms, but I could not be more satisfied with the work and communication that I experienced from his shop in the past.

Ralph G. Briscoe · #15 01-01-2012, 09:56 PM

I have the 632 and love it, and the .327 cartridge....a lot of unrealized potential there. My 327pc holds 8 rounds of .357.....seems they could hold 10 of .327. A 6 shot snubby would be nice too, or maybe a 5 shot which could be thinner/more concealable than 5 shot .38's.

Troystat · #16 01-01-2012, 10:03 PM

Samwood that K frame from Bowen is really nice thanks for posting the pictures.

peyton · #17 01-02-2012, 09:04 AM

I got the .327 reamer from one of the forum members here and had my local gunsmith convert two of my 16-4's. I plan on picking them up today and will give you all range report and pictures soon. S&W needs to make a K or L frame in this caliber!!!!!!!!!!

Sportsterguy · #18 01-02-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mag318

Ruger has wisely expanded their 327 Magnum chambered offerings to include the Blackhawk and their SP100 midsize framed revolver. S&W would wise to offer a mid framed option. Since I've started shooting my Model 632 I have really grown fond of this caliber. This is a true magnum cartridge and a great performer. It's been a long time since S&W built ther K-32 revolvers and this cartridge would be perfect for a K frame. The big advantage with their J frame offerings is obviously that 6'th shot. Perhaps S&W will surprise us at next months Shot Show.
Here's what a 115 grn Speer Gold Dot looked like after penetrating 4 one gallon water jugs coming to rest in the 5'th.

Excellent penetration and expansion on them SGD's! I'm impressed and only carry them SGD's in my 1911 and model 66 for SD as I did some experimenting on deer with both rounds years ago. Excellent results with the 230 gr. in .45 ACP and 158 gr. .357. Even better is the 210 gr. load in .41 mag!

Interesting round and am surprized S&W doesn't make it in a K frame.