327 magnum revolver is hard on shell cases

[Kenneth07ex]

Just took my sp101 in 327 magnum out again today. Haven't shot this thing much, and it's been awhile since I've shot it at all. It shot a cylinder of the 327mag. without issue, but I had a box of 32h&r magnum shells to shoot also. The first cylinder of these had a couple of spent cases that were stuck, and had to be pushed out. Upon inspection, the cases were split. Then, when I looked closer, I could see that they weren't actually split. These things have a flame cut most of the way up to the opening. Any idea what's going on here?

 

[ronnie gore]

split cases

i don't have a 327 but i do have several 32 mags and had trouble with early federal ammo doing the same thing in all three guns. i think it was defective brass. i have since used starline brass with no problems.

 

[StakeOut]

Have it checked for oversize or swelled cylinders. Shoot some low powered 38s and if hard to push out probably a swelled cylinder. From the angle the primer looks over pressure. A better look at the primer will help solve problem.

327 not 357 so the 38s will not fit.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

THE SAME ?

Ken:

I'm not familiar with either of those two calibers, but are they identical chamberings (case dimensions)? Those huge splits could indicate the 327 Mag's chamber is larger than the 32 H&R Mag.

Hank M.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

327 not 357 so the 38s will not fit.

The 32 h&r magnum, is the low power ammo alternative to the 327 magnum. This is new, factory loaded, Federal ammo. Two different boxes, different type ammo. Same brand though. This gun, as I remember, has a history of hard to extract cases. And some of these 32 h&r cases had slight bulging at the bottom, near the rim. The primers look good though.

 

[Milton]

Two things to consider 1. I have had nothing but problems with federal brass(Starline is best) and 2. I have seen several SP 101's that had over sized chambers and undersized throats;I would check them.Yours may be OK but I would check.

 

[SuperMan]

Unfortunately the Federal .32 H&R brass is junk. A friend is a big .32 shooter and looses brass every session. Have not had any problem with .327 brass.

Bob

 

[chief38]

I do not own a .32 in any configuration but I would definitely chronograph those loads to see if they are actually within spec. If you are shooting factory cartridges that should not be happening on a regular basis if at all.

I'd also try a different brand or start to reload if you do not do so already.

You also might want to use a Caliper to measure the Cylinders's Charge Hole diameters. To me this is unacceptable and I'd want to make sure they are also in spec and not too large.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

Ken:

I'm not familiar with either of those two calibers, but are they identical chamberings (case dimensions)? Those huge splits could indicate the 327 Mag's chamber is larger than the 32 H&R Mag.

Hank M.

The cases are the same diameter, and Ruger says that this gun is chambered to accept any 32 caliber that has a rim. Because of the price of all the 32 caliber, as well, and specifically the 327 magnum. I'd like to spare as many of these cases as possible. Anyone who reloads these calibers really wants the used brass. But mostly, I just want to remove the aggravation of getting these stuck cases out. As well as not having a gun that's problematic.

I've tried polishing the chambers, and that didn't seem to help. Is this condition dangerous? I'm thinking that it's a chamber issue, and it might have to return to the mother ship for their evaluation. What are the chances that this repair would be covered under warranty?

 

[Green Frog]

What S&W Model do you have that chambers the 327? Production has been so spotty in this caliber they may not have a replacement cylinder if this is your problem.

Froggie

 

[WR Moore]

What S&W Model do you have that chambers the 327? Production has been so spotty in this caliber they may not have a replacement cylinder if this is your problem.

Froggie

First post IDs firearm as a Ruger SP101.

That's not flame cut brass, that's split cases, probably due to overly hard brass, could be oversize chambers, but following posts show this to be a problem with the ammo.

Perhaps a call to Ruger is in order. If it's a known ammo issue, they may be aware, if not, their customer service is extremely good.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

Unfortunately the Federal .32 H&R brass is junk. A friend is a big .32 shooter and looses brass every session. Have not had any problem with .327 brass.

Bob

I'll have to try more of the 327, and see what happens. If the 32mags are the problem, that'll be a shame, since that's what I wanted to mostly shoot. Federal is the most common brand seen. Other brands like buffalo bore, tend to be priced a bit high for plinking.

 

[Kenneth07ex]

First post IDs firearm as a Ruger SP101.

That's not flame cut brass, that's split cases, probably due to overly hard brass, could be oversize chambers, but following posts show this to be a problem with the ammo.

Perhaps a call to Ruger is in order. If it's a known ammo issue, they may be aware, if not, their customer service is extremely good.

I've never seen a split case that looks quite like these. It looks like a tiny cutting torch went up the side. Normally they just look split. But I believe you're right. Either way it looks like I'm calling Ruger, see what their take on this is.

 

[WR Moore]

There are ammo sources on line. Does help to buy a bunch to keep the shipping charges down. You could try one box of each of other manufacturers, uh, I'm assuming that someone other than Federal does .32 H&R. Ammunition to Go has Black Hills and Hornaday, you might want to visit their websites and see if they also do plinking/practice ammo. I'd expect it's also produced in Cowboy loadings, but I'd bet those are a bit dear.

Ammoman
Ammunition to Go
Grafs
Midway
Etc.

 

[4barrel]

327 not 357 so the 38s will not fit.

I re read the post and x this out. You caught me making an illegal left turn officer

 

[stansdds]

With brass splitting like that, I'm thinking the chambers are oversized.

 

[ddixie884]

That brass is junk.............

 

[Yorkie Man]

I have a Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R and I fired some older 32 Longs and the casings came out the same and I have not had any problems with Starline brass so I would say your problem is the brass.

 

[D Brown]

That's defective brass. I saw the same thing many years ago when I first started shooting .32 Magnum with Federal brass. I'm betting there's nothing wrong with the firearm.

 

[SuperMan]

Buy some Starline brass.. It is the Federal brass that is the problem not the gun or loads...

Federal loads split in my guns also. When I changed to Starline with the same loads there was no more case failures...

Bob