32H&R V 327 mag

[AUSSIEBOB]

I have been searching info on the 327 federal mag
Stats indicate that the 327 is 1/8'' longer the the 32H&R.
So my question is
Will the 327 case fit my S&W mod 16 H&R, with a projectile seated deeper will the 327 work

 

[Frizzman]

I believe the relationship between the .32 H&R Mag and the .327 is very similar to the relationship between the .38 Spl and .357 Mag. The shorter cartridges, .32 H&R and .38 Spl, will fit in the longer chambers of revolvers chambered for the .327 and .357 but the reverse will not work. The .357 mag and .327 were made longer so they wouldn't chamber in a weaker revolver that was not designed to handle the magnum cartridges. If you want to shoot .327, you will have to get a .327 revolver I think.

 

[Duke426]

No, the 327 case will not fit in the model 16 cylinder. It has nothing to do with overall length of the cartridge or seating the projectile deeper in the case - case length itself is the prohibitor.

 

[gizamo]

The 32 H&R's biggest issue is being loaded to truly anemic levels..

Reloaders have discovered the full potential of the lil' round and in the right guns, it is a screamer. Just be sure to get StarLine brass. The primer pockets will round out in weaker brass.

giz

 

[Andy Griffith]

I think they are having some kind of problem with this cartridge/gun combinations or something. I've seen excessive bulging of the cases after shooting two guns in this caliber. That, and the tendency of .32 H&R Mag to split in the .327 chamber isn't good either. From measurements, the .327's chamber is slightly larger in diameter than those of their predecessors- likely to deal with the higher pressures a bit easier.

Ruger isn't sending out any more SP101's right now in this caliber, and no one knows why.

I might recommend waiting a bit before having your gunsmith order a chambering reamer until they get the bugs worked out.

The other option would be to get a Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine and have a .32-20 cylinder cut for it, and perhaps a new barrel cut- if you want a hot rod .32 that is- just use .308" bullets like many use in T/C .32-20's if you don't get a new barrel.

 

[Stainz]

I'll throw my $.02 in here. I had both a 4" SP-101 and a SS BHG 4.6" SSM in .32 H&RM. The cases would bulge upon firing, as Ruger had reamed the chambers to .337+", barely within the SAAMI spec's. Commercial ammo - and the Dillon die produced ammo I made - were considerably smaller, actually ~ .334". So - even my wimpy 96gr LRNFP over 2.4gr Titegroup, making a whopping 717 +/-6 fps, would bulge the cases in both the SSM (Chrono-ed) and the SP-101 chambers. The brass had a short life compared with .38 Specials. Even my 115gr LRNFP loads, same charge, barely made 730 fps. Neither would drop a falling steel plate. My 125gr .38s, lead or jacketed, dropped them with authority. The kicker was the bullet availability - and price - .38s were little more in cost - and a lot more available. I sold both Rugers and all of my ammo and reloading supplies for .32. They were fun - but .38s are more so.

GA Arms loaded a very nasty Hornady 100gr JHP in .32 H&RM - that made 1,186 fps from that 4.6" SSM. It was entertaining to say the least when the 'little' round impacted a 2L pop bottle full of water. Of course, a 158gr LHPSWC +P .38 is more so. Those GA Arms 100gr JHP .32 H&RM rounds would foul the SP-101 in ~24 rounds. Still, I always wanted a S&W 432 with them - thought it would be neat. My pusher had them for $339 - cheaper than a 642 then. Yeah, I snoozed!

I noticed Davidson's had listed hundreds of 3" .32 SP-101s several years ago - then they were suddenly gone - and Ruger had a 3" .327 Magnum. I am convinced that the early production of them was simply a rereaming of the original chambers - and restamping the caliber. Just the chamber depth to the step would need changing - not the ID. In any case, I wasn't interested - and that persists. Sure, the .32 was neat - the revolvers tied for the worst Rugers I had ever bought. Burrs, ridges, etc, made them almost non-functional. Sure, I had owned a lot of Rugers - and new how to 'clean them up', but they were a real challenge. They were 'perfect' when I sold them, of course. I'll stick with .38 Specials as my 'miniature' centerfire round - and S&W revolvers - and CCWs will be .38s or larger, as well. YMMV.

Stainz

 

[S&WIowegan]

.327 Fed Mag

I just had my S&W Model 16-4 6" bbl. and my Ruger Blackhawk convertible .32 H&R reamed to take the .327 FM. The reamer is made by Dave Manson and did a great job. I haven't had time to shoot them extensively yet but my gunsmith and I shot a cylinder full through each gun. We used the Federal American Eagle 100 gr. JSP ammo which is labeled as 1400 fps. That ammo is a pussycat in the big L-frame and Blackhawk but it barks pretty good out of the SP 101.

Once I get some brass emptied, I will do some handloading and see what develops. Brian Pearce did an extensive article on handloading the .327 FM in Handloader magazine a few issues back.

 

[Faulkner]

I'm waiting for someone to come out with a .327 lever gun, maybe in a1894 clone. I think a lever gun/revoler combo in this caliber would be just dandy.

 

[Muley Gil]

"That ammo is a pussycat in the big L-frame "

Your finger hit the wrong key-the Model 16-4 is a K frame, not an L frame.

 

[Tom M]

I think they are having some kind of problem with this cartridge/gun combinations or something. I've seen excessive bulging of the cases after shooting two guns in this caliber. That, and the tendency of .32 H&R Mag to split in the .327 chamber isn't good either. From measurements, the .327's chamber is slightly larger in diameter than those of their predecessors- likely to deal with the higher pressures a bit easier.

Ruger isn't sending out any more SP101's right now in this caliber, and no one knows why.

The cylinders on the original batch were out of spec. If you call Ruger, they'll send you a prepaid shipper and will replace the cylinder at no charge. I sent mine in, and had it back in 32 days. Not the fastest service, but the gun was repaired properly.

I believe the .327s are now back in production.