Picked up S/S Ruger GP100, four inch, seven shot .327. Thought it was interesting, but new nothing about the cartridge itself. Further investigation found this ammo available, but somewhat pricey, although .32 S&W long cartridges fit Anyone have experience with this caliber, pro or con? Thanks.
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Opinions on .327 Federal Magnum...
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CATI1835
US Veteran
People who have never fired this round are quick to criticize it - just a .32, no stopping power, too small, blah, blah, blah. All I can say is check the ballistic data. Somewhere along the way Americans have a "bigger is better" attitude.
I have 3 revolvers in this caliber, one is a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel. I like it. The .327 Fed Mag is a STOUT round. It would be a challenge to shoot all day at the range. What I really do like is all of the revolvers in this caliber will also shoot .32 H&R Mag, .32 S&W Long, .23 S&W, and some say the .32ACP. I can always find one of those somewhere. I am currently looking for a S&W 632 in 2" barrel. Very hard to find. I wish Smith still made J frames in this caliber.
I have 3 revolvers in this caliber, one is a Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel. I like it. The .327 Fed Mag is a STOUT round. It would be a challenge to shoot all day at the range. What I really do like is all of the revolvers in this caliber will also shoot .32 H&R Mag, .32 S&W Long, .23 S&W, and some say the .32ACP. I can always find one of those somewhere. I am currently looking for a S&W 632 in 2" barrel. Very hard to find. I wish Smith still made J frames in this caliber.
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In my limited experience, the 327 mag is interesting and is on the upper end (both pressure & performance) for the .32 handgun caliber. And aint too shabby in a carbine either.
As mentioned, the lesser .32's are ok for what they are. My M16-4 (reamed to accept the 327) really shoots the 100 gr. SWC .32 S&W Long very accurately. The .32 H&R Mag round does ok too. I've shot the .32 S&W and .32 ACP with no problems but they don't seem to be as accurate. And as mentioned, having a .327 mag, you should be able to shoot them all. Personally, I prefer the .32 Long (low recoiling & accurate) and 32 mag/327 mag for utmost in performance.
As mentioned, the lesser .32's are ok for what they are. My M16-4 (reamed to accept the 327) really shoots the 100 gr. SWC .32 S&W Long very accurately. The .32 H&R Mag round does ok too. I've shot the .32 S&W and .32 ACP with no problems but they don't seem to be as accurate. And as mentioned, having a .327 mag, you should be able to shoot them all. Personally, I prefer the .32 Long (low recoiling & accurate) and 32 mag/327 mag for utmost in performance.
JJEH
Member
The .327 is a nice little cartridge and I'd love to have more guns in that caliber. Have a look at Buffalo Bore for more ammo choices 
Hope I got a decent deal.
I paid $494 out the door for the Ruger. Private party consignment so there was no sales tax, just DROS $25 charge over the $469 asking price. Looks new, owner had gotten too old to deal with the recoil, supposedly. Don't know if the GP100 even comes in .327 any more. GP101, yes. None listed on Gunbroker at this time, so probably was a short term manufacture. Hogue grips, almost no turn line. 40 ounces unloaded. A hefty gun, to be sure. After ten day wait, will be getting ammo...just to make sure there are no glitches in the system.
I paid $494 out the door for the Ruger. Private party consignment so there was no sales tax, just DROS $25 charge over the $469 asking price. Looks new, owner had gotten too old to deal with the recoil, supposedly. Don't know if the GP100 even comes in .327 any more. GP101, yes. None listed on Gunbroker at this time, so probably was a short term manufacture. Hogue grips, almost no turn line. 40 ounces unloaded. A hefty gun, to be sure. After ten day wait, will be getting ammo...just to make sure there are no glitches in the system.
I've got 3 revolvers in 32 H&R Mag, (but haven't yet reamed any for 327). I load a 100 gr. Hornady XTP that runs over 1000 fps from the 2" 431/432. It runs over 1200 from the 6" 16-4, and is extremely accurate. I am contemplating having the 432PD to 327.
.327 Federal Magnum
Yes I'm convinced its an overlooked cartridge that deserves more popularity but it is what it is. I was forced to purchase a Ruger SP 101 because S&W had discontinued producing any for the .327 Mag. Member CATI 1835 stated that he has a 3" SP 101 which I would have preferred but mine has the 4.2" barrel, always thought the three inch barrel was a great length for both carry & shooting and the versatility of the .327 caliber makes it a plus. Not sure why but the .327 Magnum is a "Red Headed Step Son" as to being accepted by the public but this sure makes sense to me. I'm old and opinionated too!
Yes I'm convinced its an overlooked cartridge that deserves more popularity but it is what it is. I was forced to purchase a Ruger SP 101 because S&W had discontinued producing any for the .327 Mag. Member CATI 1835 stated that he has a 3" SP 101 which I would have preferred but mine has the 4.2" barrel, always thought the three inch barrel was a great length for both carry & shooting and the versatility of the .327 caliber makes it a plus. Not sure why but the .327 Magnum is a "Red Headed Step Son" as to being accepted by the public but this sure makes sense to me. I'm old and opinionated too!
austinjeane
Member
I've been shooting the .327 Fed Mag since it debuted several years ago. It's primary advantage over the 32-20 is that as a straight wall case, it can be loaded using carbide dies, (no lubing). The factory loads are basically designed for self-defense or hunting. I prefer a kinder and gentler load pushing a 115 grain lead bullet at +/- 1000 fps. Little if any leading and not punishing to the shooter (me).
I have a SP101 and a Blackhawk as well as 2 S&W 632-1's - its a great little cartridge - period!!
Brian in Oregon
Member
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Opinions? Sure. S&W discontinued this cartridge chambering too soon.
My wife has a Model 63. I would sure like to get her a J frame in .327 Fed Mag.
I'd like to get a K-frame in .327 as well, maybe like the old Model 53 Jet with the 8-3/8" barrel. I'd use it for small game and varmint hunting. (No heavy underlug needed, would rather have a longer barrel given the same amount of weight).
My wife has a Model 63. I would sure like to get her a J frame in .327 Fed Mag.
I'd like to get a K-frame in .327 as well, maybe like the old Model 53 Jet with the 8-3/8" barrel. I'd use it for small game and varmint hunting. (No heavy underlug needed, would rather have a longer barrel given the same amount of weight).
Cal44
Member
I often carry a 431PD in 32 H&R magnum.
The 32 H&R is also underappreciated if you ask me.
Having 6 shots instead of 5 and the same muzzle energy as a 38 special is very nice IMO.
A 327 Federal would be nice to have, but not in a 13 oz gun like the M431PD.
I might get a 327 Federal Ruger LCR at some point as it's just enough heavier at 18-19 oz to be usable, but I'd probably end up carrying 32 H&R in it most of the time anyway.
The 32 H&R is also underappreciated if you ask me.
Having 6 shots instead of 5 and the same muzzle energy as a 38 special is very nice IMO.
A 327 Federal would be nice to have, but not in a 13 oz gun like the M431PD.
I might get a 327 Federal Ruger LCR at some point as it's just enough heavier at 18-19 oz to be usable, but I'd probably end up carrying 32 H&R in it most of the time anyway.
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thomasinaz
US Veteran
The OP got a pretty good deal on the GP100. Ruger only made a few of them in 327.
The 327 Federal is a good little cartridge. I have a 6.5" Blackhawk Convertible 32-20/32 H&R that was opened to 327 . Also a 4" Ruger SP101. Both are easy to shoot well, and the Blackhawk has very little recoil even with the higher velocity rounds. I haven't shot any of the Federal loads yet but the Speer 115 Gr Gold Dots have impressive velocity and they're accurate. 1450 FPS from the SP101. I haven't chronographed them yet from the Blackhawk, but they should push 1500 FPS out of the longer barrel.
I've only been able to get around 1320 FPS so far in my reloading attempts with 90 Grain JHPs. Still working on it though. I haven't shot any game with a 327 yet, but it should do well on varmints and jackrabbits. Still need to work up some slower lead bullet reloads to see if I can try them on squirrels in the upcoming season. The hotter factory loads would probably blow out a lot of meat. The 327 is much easier to reload than the 32-20. I trashed 4 cases this week while making 100 rounds. It doesn't take much to bend those thin mouths on the 32-20s. The 327 is easily reloaded.
The 327 Federal is a good little cartridge. I have a 6.5" Blackhawk Convertible 32-20/32 H&R that was opened to 327 . Also a 4" Ruger SP101. Both are easy to shoot well, and the Blackhawk has very little recoil even with the higher velocity rounds. I haven't shot any of the Federal loads yet but the Speer 115 Gr Gold Dots have impressive velocity and they're accurate. 1450 FPS from the SP101. I haven't chronographed them yet from the Blackhawk, but they should push 1500 FPS out of the longer barrel.
I've only been able to get around 1320 FPS so far in my reloading attempts with 90 Grain JHPs. Still working on it though. I haven't shot any game with a 327 yet, but it should do well on varmints and jackrabbits. Still need to work up some slower lead bullet reloads to see if I can try them on squirrels in the upcoming season. The hotter factory loads would probably blow out a lot of meat. The 327 is much easier to reload than the 32-20. I trashed 4 cases this week while making 100 rounds. It doesn't take much to bend those thin mouths on the 32-20s. The 327 is easily reloaded.
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