327 fed rifle impressions?

[robbor]

I'm thinking about a contender rifle barrel in 327 fed. What do you all think of the 327 in a rifle?

 

[farmerjohn]

Hot rod 32-20 with good brass, Winchester sold a lot of the lever rifles in the 25&32-20, people liked them for small game and a lot of deer were killed with them. Personally IMHO you don't need an excuse to play with any caliber new and interesting to you.... John

 

[K22]

I am a practical fellow (to a fault) that hates complexity and experimenting so for me, and those of my ilk, I would opt for a standard cartridge, like a 357 or 44 Magnum if I wanted a smaller straight wall case design because brass and bullets are universally available.

However, as Mr. farmerjohn stated, if you like to experiment with new cartridges then go for it. Different stokes for different folks.

 

[Tommie]

The 327 is a surprisingly intense round. Full tilt 100 grain loads recoil similar (IMO) to 125 grain 357 rounds in a handgun. It aint a tabby cat.

I’m all about “off the beaten path” cartridges and happen to like the 327 but be realistic about ammo availability and reload if you plan to do much shooting. That said, several less potent cartridges can be shot in a 327 gun.

 

[Bill K]

I would agree with others, go with a 357 Mag, if you want a nice/small cartridge in and around that style. More options as far as brass, bullets are concerned, plus you can shoot 38 special for some light load plinking.

 

[dellet]

Depends on how creative you want to be.

As a Blackpowder cartridge the 32 Ballard extra long was very popular and reasonably successful target round at 200 yards in its day. It used a .317 heeled bullet.
The 32-20 has been mentioned.

There are a few .312 303 British and 7.7 Japanese bullets in the 125 grain range out there that with a faster twist could be used.

Hundreds of cast bullet options.

Henry makes a couple lever rifles in the cartridge.

What sets the 327 Federal part from other 32’s is brass strength and therefore actions if you’re comparing older cartridges. It won’t be a 3,000fps high BC cartridge, but could be a lot of fun.

 

[Charliemac]

I think it would be interesting to have a 327M rifle. I think you can velocities in the 1500 fps range, maybe more. I have a SP101 in 327 and factory loads are pretty snappy.

 

[robbor]

I already have everything to reload 327 as I have 2 revolvers, and a 357.
I prefer the 327. Just thinking about trying it in a rifle barrel.

 

[mike mccormick]

I already have everything to reload 327 as I have 2 revolvers, and a 357.
I prefer the 327. Just thinking about trying it in a rifle barrel.

All that in consideration, no good reason not to do it. I think it would be dandy.

 

[Knotwild]

I'm just hoping you will share in your experience. I've been tempted to buy a Contender barrel in 327 Federal, but so far I have chickened out. I wonder what it would be like if necked to .20 cal. Or maybe SBR it with a threaded Super 14 barrel.

 

[farmerjohn]

Hey Fellers, 25 and 32 families are the only ones I've never loaded for after I got grown and account for most of the "store bought" ammo other than rim fire that I've ever used, never had a need for anything smaller than the 38 except the 22 . Since I was the only one reloading in the 50s in a large group of kin I had some good bit of 22hornet, 25-20, and 32-20 to load and I hated those flimsy little thin cases! Especially with cast bullets which was the cheapest to get... you had to be super careful not to collapse those stinking, flimsy, cases when you were sizing, belling, seating, and crimping. After I got grown I never fooled with them again. BUT...... I always thought I needed a 221fireball or a 256 win mag in a number 3 Ruger. But they came and went and the brass dried up and fooled with other things and now that I'm getting to old for compition I'm having ideas about that H&R mag maybe necked down to a 20 or 22...or maybe just like it is in a #3 Ruger.... just because it's good brass.... John

 

[farmerjohn]

Old age got me.... I meant 327 Fed rather than the H&R.... John

 

[JSH]

I already have everything to reload 327 as I have 2 revolvers, and a 357.
I prefer the 327. Just thinking about trying it in a rifle barrel.

Look at it like a rimmed 30 carbine.

The 32-20 will equal and better it. There was a small following of 32 shooters I have lost touch with. They all crowded the 32HR and the 327. I and a few others had already done with the 32-20 what the others were chasing. There are the nay sayers on the 32-20, in modern guns with modern steel, there are no ill effects. And, besides how many pressure loads are there for the 45 Colt and 45-70…..
People complain about brass, I have some 30-20/32-20 brass for my TC pistol that has more “hot” loads through it than most would believe with no ill effects.

I looked at and rubbed on one of the Henry rifles in 327. It felt just like the others I handled clunky and junky, sorry if that offends some. I bought a Marlin in 32-20, wake me up in a hundred years with a Henry and tell me which is still going with out a glitch.

 

[nockhunter]

22"-24" barrel .327 fed would be very fun to shoot in a T/C. Some people were killing deer with the 7.5" Ruger Super Single sixes on the Handgun hunters forum. Find some 120g-130g bullets and see what velocity you can get with the longer barrel. I think pointed 125g bullets for 7.62x39 should work.

Mike