.327 Magnum

[delta13soultaker]

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/st327_110707/

Anybody got to handle one of these yet?

Interested in opinions..........

[ciwsguy]

Never heard of a .327 magum. Is this a new caliber?

[CampingJosh]

Yes, it is new--I think I read that it's from Ruger. It is supposed to be comparable balistically to a .357 mag, only in a smaller case. I haven't tried it, but it sure caught my attention, too.

[williamd]

Yep, Ruger and Hornady are co-joined on new cartridges so the 'Gotta Haves' will have something new to buy. I will just keep my old 375H&H and 357's! But, then I still shoot a Remington M31 at trap!!

[ponycar17]

I don't know that it's balistically comparable to a .357 Mag, but it is interesting. From what I understand, you can shoot .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and .327 Magnum in the same gun. It holds 6 rounds, where the .357 SP101 only holds 5. Gunblast.com has a good article on the cartridge. I honestly thought it would be a good gun to replace the much-too-light S&W 642 that my wife has. That 15 oz. gun in .38 kicks like a booger and her 92 lb. 5'0" frame isn't made for that type of recoil. A much heavier SP101 with 4 different load varieties should be a gun easily tunable to her shooting style and recoil comfort level... I might look into one, but definitely not now...

[LDBennett]

At one point in time I thought it might be nice to have a 32 caliber handgun. I researched the 32 caliber choices and all were anemic except for the old 32-20. Even the 32H&R Magnum was anemic. In just this last few months Ruger and Hornady introduce the 327 magnum in the spirit of the 357 and 44 Magnums. It has pressures of magnum level and shoots a 115 grain bullet at 1300 FPS and over 430ft-lb of energy, besting 9mm power levels in hand guns. The same load is said to be about 2000 FPS in a carbine length gun.

So it just beats 9mm performance but 32 cal guns are small! So you potentially can get better than 9mm performance in a handy small package. Ruger is pushing it in their small revolver for personal defence. I'd like to see it in a western style small gun. I'll give it some time before I jump on the 327Mag band wagon, waiting for a small framed Bisely or scaled down Colt SAA style gun, or a small version of a Win 92 carbine (??).

See Shooting Times, Feb 2008 for details.

LDBennett

[Mosin_Nagant_Fan]

Nice, shame it's satin stainless. I prefer blued or matte stainless if stainless is all thats available. The revolver's price isn't terrible but out of reach, at the moment.

[obxned]

The idea of 6 shots in a five-shot size snubby is great, but this new cartridge needs to prove itself out in the real world before I get too exicted.

Chamber a 6" or longer barreled revolver for it, and you would have a great small game/varmint gun.

[Mosin_Nagant_Fan]

Originally Posted by shootingtimes.com

Based on a higher-pressure loading in a 1/8-inch longer .32 H&R case, the .327 Federal Magnum will initially be available in three versions: a Federal Premium 85-grain Hydra-Shok Low Recoil Personal Defense loading, an American Eagle 100-grain Jacketed Soft Point, and a Speer 115-grain Gold Dot.

From a 3 1/16-inch revolver, the 100-grain Soft Point .327 Magnum load develops 100 fps more velocity than a 125-grain .357 Magnum from a four-inch revolver, and delivers only 35 ft/lbs less energy. The recoil of the .327 Magnum 85-grain Personal Defense load is less than half the recoil of a 125-grain .357 Magnum.

Subjected to the standard FBI protocol tests for effectiveness through barriers, the 115-grain .327 Magnum load reaches 15 inches in bare gelatin, 16 inches through heavy clothing, 16 inches through plywood, 14.5 inches through wallboard, 13 inches through auto glass, and 20 inches through single-layer vehicle body steel--all with substantial bullet upset ranging from .40 caliber (steel) to .60 caliber (auto glass).

As announced at the 2007 NASGW Show in Reno, NV, on November 7, 2007, Ruger is offering the .327 Federal Magnum in its time-proven all-steel SP101 revolver, which offers compact size for concealed carry plus a pleasing 28-ounce weight (the same as the polymer-frame Ruger SR9 9mm pistol) for firing this potent little load--which for the first time elevates the .32 caliber to a level of authority for effective use in a life-protection situation.
The Ruger SP01 chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum

The SP101's sideplate-free, solid-frame design is uniquely suited for the .327 Magnum, with a well-balanced full-lug barrel, strong six-round cylinder with offset locking notches for extra strength, an integral cylinder/frame latch that duplicates the design of Ruger's bigger GP100 .357 Magnum and Super Redhawk .454 Casull revolvers. It also features Ruger's signature safe transfer-bar firing mechanism, and wraparound cushion-rubber grips. A version will also be available with Crimson Trace LaserGrips.

I had the recent opportunity to shoot this newest version of the Ruger SP101 in Federal's ballistic lab with all three of Federal's new .327 Magnum loads, and to witness its impact and penetration.

There is nothing "small" about the performance of this deceptively diminutive-looking round. Hard-hitting and entirely comfortable to fire, the .327 Magnum should be very appealing to anyone seeking high effectiveness and moderate recoil in a compact defense arm--especially those who want a handgun all responsible members of a family can readily learn to use effectively. And, should Ruger decide also to chamber it in sporting-configuration revolvers such as the Single-Six, it will also be a fine recreational shooter and small-game hunting tool. Hint, hint . . .

I just wonder if the recoil will be any different then a .357mag revolver.
http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView...=5759&return=Y

[Bindernut]

Originally Posted by obxned

Chamber a 6" or longer barreled revolver for it, and you would have a great small game/varmint gun.

I used to have a 4" .32H&R SP101. It was a superb rabbit gun. Sure was hell on the eardrums though...that's why I sold it but I'm still kicking myself for letting it go, especially since Ruger dropped the 4" option.

I don't know if I'd consider one for self-defense though. My 32Mag had a pretty nasty muzzleflash...just about as bad as .357 out of a 4" tube. Would do a good job of killing your night vision after a couple shots. Am guessing the .327 would be about the same.

Mosin,
The SP is a good heavy pistol for it's size...the full underlug barrel puts a lot of weight out front. In 4", the 32Mag was barely noticable. About like 9mm in a full-size autoloader. Even with the hotter .327 loads, I bet the 3" would be comparable to a .38 snubby recoilwise.


If they bring back the 4" option, I'll really have to fight the urge to buy one.
I think the 3" model would still make an excellent trail gun though.

[Mosin_Nagant_Fan]

I was thinking about back packing this summer, after I finish my last semester, up to the Chehaw mountains either in the upper Alabama or Northwestern Georgia and need something better then my FEG AP9 (.380acp). While I doubt I'll come across a bear or a wolf, you'll never know...though I'm more worried about snakes as they are sneaky devils. I do have an old stick I used as a walking stick (if you saw it, you wouldn't believe that I had it for a VERY long time) and I'd use it to move the snake.

I don't want to break my wrist but I also don't want a wussie gun.

[USMC-03]

This round would be fun to try in a K-frame Smith & Wesson.

[Bindernut]

Originally Posted by Mosin_Nagant_Fan

I was thinking about back packing this summer, after I finish my last semester, up to the Chehaw mountains either in the upper Alabama or Northwestern Georgia and need something better then my FEG AP9 (.380acp). While I doubt I'll come across a bear or a wolf, you'll never know...though I'm more worried about snakes as they are sneaky devils. I do have an old stick I used as a walking stick (if you saw it, you wouldn't believe that I had it for a VERY long time) and I'd use it to move the snake.

I don't want to break my wrist but I also don't want a wussie gun.

I wouldn't write off the .380 as a trail gun too quickly. Have potted more than a few bunnies plus a few racoon & skunk around the farmyard with my IJ-70 Mak too...it's pretty darn accurate out to 25yds or so with cast 95gr LRN, single-action. I carry it loaded with 95gr LRN when I'm out fishing/hunting, but always have a clip of 95gr SXT HPs too.

If snakes are your main concern, then a 38/357 with shotloads is the slick trick. I never tried loading any shotshells for that 32Mag, but I've heard of guys doing it with a couple gas checks, one under and one over the shot charge.

[Mosin_Nagant_Fan]

While I'm not concerned that I may not run into a bear or a wolf, I don't want to risk the chance since bears don't scare that easily (unless it's a small black bear, then it would run like it owed me money), wolves might turn tale when they hear a loud pop.

Anyhow, I'll see this summer after I save up and see what I have left after paying financial aid.

[BIGBOOMER]

Originally Posted by USMC-03

This round would be fun to try in a K-frame Smith & Wesson.

Or maybe a small frame single action like the Ruger Single-Six or Cimarron Lightning.

[Pistolenschutze]

I must say, this new round intrigues me. It seems like it would be a good compromise between the somewhat marginal .38 special, and the sometimes too powerful (for some purposes) .357 magnum, especially for self-defense. Only time will tell if it catches on (like the .40 S&W did), or falls by the wayside like the .41 magnum.

[Michael G]

Mosin, I just saw a tv program on bears and the sensitivity of their nose. Apparently a bears nose is many times more sensitive to smells than a dogs and the best thing to stop them cold is a good pepper spray.

[Mosin_Nagant_Fan]

So, should I wait until it's almost on top of me or when it's a few feet away?

[macpherson74]

It looks like a neat idea but for plinking or small game the 30 carbine out of a blackhawk shoots essentially the same caliber .308 vs .312 at 110 gr but much faster.

[CampingJosh]

I agree with you for plinking, Mac, as the .30 carbine ammo will certainly be cheaper, too. However, I personally don't know a lot of guys (or anybody, really) who carry a Blackhawk as self defense gun, and I think this new round is probably going to be marketed more in that direction.

[macpherson74]

Very true

[CampingJosh]

Let me be the first one to say welcome, Mac. Though I'm still pretty new here, it's an easy place to fit into, and we're all quite friendly. It's good to have you with us.

[LDBennett]

There's a bear joke told to me by an Alaskan when I visited Alaska a few years ago:

The "word" is if you make noise and somehow manage to affect the bears sense of smell, you'll be safe from bears. So it's suggested that you wear bells around your neck and carry Pepper spray when in the Alaskan woods.

So how can you tell bear scat (poop) from those of other Alaskan animals. It will smell like pepper and you'll find bells in it.

:-) :-) :-)

[williamd]

The SP101's sideplate-free, solid-frame design

Another move by Ruger that prevents owners from doing anything to their own guns? How does one access the trigger mechanism to hone the engagements and change springs???

There HAS to be access.

[Bindernut]

Originally Posted by williamd

Another move by Ruger that prevents owners from doing anything to their own guns? How does one access the trigger mechanism to hone the engagements and change springs???

There HAS to be access.

To give the classic response... RTFM...
(That's Read The FREE Manual for those of you thinkin nasty! )
It gives complete disassembly instructions, including removal of the trigger group. Easy to do, just need one screwdriver and a 1/16" pin.

(And if ya don't have the manual...the trigger group mounts to the bottom of the frame, no need for sideplates. Makes it one of the strongest DA frames out there.)