Anybody loading for 327 federal mag or 32 H&R mag? What powders are you using and load data?

thanks,
GW

Your timing is perfect - I'm taking a break from loading and saw your post. I'm loading .32H&R with 100-g plated bullets now. I used the data, from Hodgdon, below - although I hasten to point out that I haven't fired any of these rounds yet. I'm using a Lil Dandy rotor measure so it's throwing 9.2-ish of Lil Gun. It should be a pretty mild load per Hodgdon's data. Using my recently acquired GP100 in .327 tomorrow ...

I've been loading for several different .32 H&Rs and .327s over the last two years. Have been using AAC-7 for most loads but and now changing to AAC-9 for the .327.

This is where I base most of my loads...

Freedom Arms Model 97 & Single Action Service Custom Ruger Revolvers Chambered for the New .327 Federal Magnum

Notes on the 32 mag, 327 Fed, and 32-20. SP101 | Single-Actions

I started this discussion in June of 2011 and there are lots of goodies in here:
Share your .327 Federal Mag load data - The Firing Line Forums
I can't be sure, but I think I might be the first guy that ever conjured up (and executed!) the idea of running the Xtreme 123gr plated 7.62x39 rifle bullet in .327 Federal Magnum. Can't replicate my load in the Ruger SP-101 as the cylinder isn't long enough, but the GP-100 and Blackhawk will eat them. I don't know about the Single Seven.

I wouldn't use Lil'Gun in any revolver, and Freedom Arms was the "established" source of information on what Lil'Gun does to revolvers, but plenty of other folks have witnessed the associated problems. I will admit up front that I haven't heard Lil'Gun problems in .327 Federal, but it ruins big bore revolvers.

If I had to pick a few powders to load .327 Federal, I'd go with 2400 and AA#9 for top-end loads, but many can be used. If you want to make milder loads, too many powders to list. The .327 Federal has quite a wide range.

The only other tip -- be careful which bullets you use IF/AND your goal is top-end lightning speed. Using lightly constructed bullets that aren't designed for the blazing potential speeds that are capable with a 45k PSI max .327 Federal have the potential to damage revolvers. This is advice directly from the ballisticians at ATK.

Wow - Lil Gun must be some pretty scary stuff! It's been used for some time, AFAIK, for .410 shotgun reloading! I had no idea it was so ... erosive ... I think that's the correct term. It's a good thing most .410's don't have any rifling, then (well, except for S&W Governor/et al firing .410 shells).

I just finished loading 20-rd of .32HR with 9.2-g of Lil Gun and the 100-g/.312 plated bullet as mentioned. I'm a little nervous about firing them, especially since the GP-100 has such thin chamber walls in .327. I'll report back as soon as I can check out the forcing cone and rifling ...

I got the best velocity and accuracy from 2400. I also tried accurate #9 which had good velocity but no accuracy

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-Matt

Load data on the target. 32 H&R with Hornady 100 gr XTP. Shot at 15yards off sandbag while chronographing.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Good info, thank you all for sharing.........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

RCBS 98 SWC home cast over Unique in the 32 H&R gives me good results.

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Front sight and squeeze

Dumb but happy, I loaded up some 125 grain LSWCs over some non-canister powder equivalent to Accurate #9. I thought they were a little rowdy but manageable, but now that I have gone back to reload them, I looked closely at the primers... WOW! I've never seen revolver primers flattened out so completely. I'm going to have to drop back at least a full grain and try again. Thus, I don't want to publish my load data except to say that powder and bullet combination can be used, but that my data was way too warm for routine use.

Froggie

Friend Sevens,

I'm wading through the 8 pages of posts on the thread you cited, but let me cut to the chase and ask whether you or anybody in that discussion did any development with 120-130 grain bullets? I've got that NOE copy of an Ideal 3118 that runs a solid 125 grains and it's the one I would like to do something good with them for my 616.

Regards,
Froggie

PS How was OGCA?

I never did development with cast bullets but I imagine that some did. I did load bullets in that weight range heehee, if you are willing to try AK-47 rifle slugs.

OGCA was decent, even with the crusty weather. I found no handguns to adopt but my shooter grade 16-4 got a newly rebuilt rear sight and I got a fine deal on 2,000 component rifle bullets.

I've been loading 10.0gr. of 2400 with a 100gr. plated bullet and they work very well.

Lil Gun burns up 410 hulls quicker than any other powder, H-110/W296 is the best powder for 410s

Green Frog,

I think Brian Pearce stops at 118gr.
Hodgdon stops at 115gr.
Shooting Times upper end is 116gr.

M D Smith tops out at 125gr Cast lead
using 5744 powder. It makes 1206fps using 12.4gr.



If you are referencing the singleactions thread, there are several folks there trying 135gr cast MIHA Sledgehammer. That thread is 18 pages of superb discussion on the .32. I believe they were using H110. Check page 6 of 18 in that thread for load data.

Just this week, I have loaded 327fedmag with some 130gr FT HP cast from Reeds. I was very disappointed to see the lack of published data for any heavy for caliber bullet. After much anguish and nail biting, I started with 3.25gr of 231 and have stopped at 4.0.

Using a heavier bullet without published load data is questionable to start with. Heavier bullets create more pressure. I think I have erred on the side of caution. A couple of sources had 2 more grains than I started with here, but were using lighter 115gr bullets.
I always estimate my velocity. I think this will be under 1000fps.
If all goes well with pressure signs; I want to run it up to about 1400fps, but unsure if 231 is the powder for that goal.

Please don't use this load until I can verify it's safety. I haven't shot it myself. I give it as an example of the issues we face on recipes for heavy bullets.

I'm a big fan of 4227 in the 357 Maximum and other big bores. I like the accuracy I get so I am going to try 4227 next. After that 2400 and HS-6 seem like good candidates.

I also load for the 32-20 WCF and the 32 H&R Mag. Last month I loaded 13.0 gr of 4227 under a 115gr cast HP from GT and recorded 1330fps (.1.5") for my Buckeye in 32-20. Best groups were at 12gr; 1" groups at 25 yards. WOW !


Firmly in the 32 caliber camp.
Prescut

Somehow this thread fell off of my reading list a few weeks ago. Mea culpa, but thanks to those who responded. As soon as I can get back to my reloading bench I'm hoping to drop back into the 100-105 grain range to see whether I can “tread lightly” without losing the “swat effect” that comes with the 327 FM.

Froggie