Taking the .327 Magnum plunge

[Tommie]

Have been reading about this little over-achiever for years. Took one look at a loaded round last weekend and it was love at first sight. While I’m not major a Ruger fan, the SP101 looked to be a good choice. Ordered it today.

Would love to hear others’ experience with this cartridge.

 

[M-61]

LOUD!

 

[7tcu]

Had to order the Hogue grips, as the stock grips had my hand to close to the trigger guard and smarted a little. I tried the only ammo I could find the Federal red and black box and they do kick a bit. Then I have loaded some with Accurate #5 and #7. The #5 loads were ok but the #7 loads gave signs of over pressure. These were in 85gr bullets. I now have some 100gr loaded with H-110 and Lil Gun. Have not shot them as yet. Everything has shot low so far but that could be me. I will try a rest next time. Good luck with your's.

 

[Depart123]

The 327 Federal is essentially a rimmed 30 carbine. The main differences are the 0.14" difference in bullet diameter, and the powders they are loaded with (since a 327 Fed is meant for a handgun and therefore faster powders). But the bullet is the same 100-115 grain weight class and at the same peak pressure.

If someone ever suggested putting a 30 carbine in a 2" snubby, you would get laughed out of the building, yet that is exactly what the 327 federal is. I have one, and have shot it a lot, but I load it to 32 H&R pressures and that is about all the noise I can stand out of it. It has exactly 1 box of fullhouse 327 loads through it, and as long as I have it, they will be the last.

It would however be an outstanding modern replacement for the old 32-20 in a 16" lever action carbine.

 

[oldhoward]

I have a Taurus with a ported 3 inch barrel. Recoil is snappy but manageable and is not an issue for me. I did change the grips for a larger wrap around grip and it helped a lot. Only other thing I found when reloading was the bullet sizes vary greatly. The diameter varied from .306 to .314, as I recall, all in the same box from a major manufacture. I wont buy that brand again!

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

My daily carry is a Ruger LCR in 327 Fed Mag with a green CT laser. I was about to buy an SP101 in 327 when Ruger brought out the LCR in 327. I like it a lot, great trigger on it for a snubby. I'm pretty sure I would have liked the one you got too. I have shot a few full power loads with the LCR just to see what it's like, but I practice with 97 gr FMJ 32 S&W Long at around 9-10 yds. I also have a 5-1/2" Ruger Single Seven and I shoot the American Eagle 100 gr SP full power loads. It's a lot of fun to shoot for me, but I weigh 240. Maybe it would not be as fun for smaller folk.

 

[7tcu]

Well I went to the range today and shot this loads with 100gr XTPs loaded with Lilgun and H-110, the lil gun I loaded to the max with 14 gr and they shot 5" low at 7yds, i then shot the H-110 with 13gr (13.2 is the max) and these shot about 2 1/2" low at 7 yds. Both shows no evidence of over pressure and the recoil was minimal.
I don't know what Federal has loaded in their 100gr rounds but they kicked like crazy but did not shoot low, they were right on. I did shoot off a rest so there would not be any doubt about the shooting low. I have the rear sight as high as I can get it so I will go back and start all over again, except I will load the H-110 load up to the max and try them again.

I had this loads incorrect so I changed them if anyone was wondering.

 

[Tommie]

Well I went to the range today and shot this loads with 100gr XTPs loaded with Lilgun and H-110, the lil gun I loaded to the max with 14 gr and they shot 5" low at 7yds, i then shot the H-110 with 13gr (13.2 is the max) and these shot about 2 1/2" low at 7 yds. Both shows no evidence of over pressure and the recoil was minimal.
I don't know what Federal has loaded in their 100gr rounds but they kicked like crazy but did not shoot low, they were right on. I did shoot off a rest so there would not be any doubt about the shooting low. I have the rear sight as high as I can get it so I will go back and start all over again, except I will load the H-110 load up to the max and try them again.

I had this loads incorrect so I changed them if anyone was wondering.

Thanks for the range report. Have you tried 2400 yet? Been wondering if it might be a good performer considering the high PSI rating of this cartridge.

 

[7tcu]

Have not tried 2400, I don't have any loading data on that powder. Their site only shows 115gr bullets. I am loading 85 and 100 gr xtp's. If there is any other data on 2400 I don't know where it is.

 

[rickiesrevenge]

Heavier bullet will hit higher on the target.

 

[7tcu]

As a heavier bullet will be loaded to a slower volicity than a lighter bullet, gravity will not let the bullet hit higher on the target. You would have to raise the rear sight or lower the front sight to get it to hit higher.

 

[JLT]

As a heavier bullet will be loaded to a slower volicity than a lighter bullet, gravity will not let the bullet hit higher on the target. You would have to raise the rear sight or lower the front sight to get it to hit higher.

A heavier bullet out of a handgun will indeed strike higher on the target. Longer barrel dwell time and recoil result in a higher barrel axis-to-target orientation vs. a lighter bullet at higher velocity.

 

[7tcu]

Recoil has nothing to do with trajectory, you put the gun in a rest and fire it and the heaver bullet will hit lower. You can not rely on recoil to site in a load.

 

[jonbearman]

I have the .32 H&R Mag and it is a hoot to shoot. A loud crack and to me it is louder on the high end than a .38 special. I think you will love the 327 as it is stouter than my choice but a riot to shoot and very accurate. I have the model16 that still looks new even though it has been shot.

 

[Pappy42]

Recoil has nothing to do with trajectory, you put the gun in a rest and fire it and the heaver bullet will hit lower. You can not rely on recoil to site in a load.

Heavier, slower bullets fired from normal length pistol/revolver barrels will defininately perform as explained by JLT.

 

[Outrider27]

Heavier, slower bullets fired from normal length pistol/revolver barrels will defininately perform as explained by JLT.

Definitely agree. Based on 50 years playing with 38 Special, 9mm para., 357 mag and 45ACP handloads, I was able to verify this, which came from a noted ballistician in an article I read long ago, many times over. It has nothing to do with trajectory, it's about dwell time and barrel rise during recoil. One of the most dramatic examples was with essentially full power 110 grain hollowpoint .38 Special handloadsloads (~0.1gr under loading manual max) and 158gr military hardball FMJ roundnose. Incidentally, the loading manual max I was keying off was about 5 editions of that manual back, and the current load from the latest edition of that manual I have for 110gr. hollowpoint man stoppers with the same powder I used has been reduced noticeably under the load I used.

 

[JLT]

Recoil has nothing to do with trajectory, you put the gun in a rest and fire it and the heaver bullet will hit lower. You can not rely on recoil to site in a load.

You are correct, in that recoil has nothing to do with trajectory. Trajectory is determined by time of flight, acceleration and gravity. However, I was not referring to trajectory. The mechanics of recoil begin as soon as the primer ignites - a projectile of greater mass (heavier) will result in a higher reactive force that, in a hand gun, causes the muzzle to rise faster and to a greater amplitude than a projectile of lesser mass. Loaded to equal pressure, the projectile of greater mass will accelerate at a lower rate, resulting in greater barrel dwell time. So, you have increased rotation around the axis of recoil and longer barrel dwell time with the projectile of greater mass. The projectile of greater mass will leave the barrel when the axis of the barrel is oriented higher relative to the target. The projectile of greater mass will strike higher on the target at practical hand gun ranges. Newtonian physics. . .

If you bolt the hand gun into a rigid machine rest, all bets are off, because the forces described above have been attenuated. Rigid rests are a great way to wreck stuff, BTW.

 

[7tcu]

What I need today is longer springs that go under the rear site. That would raise the rear site a little more.
They are so small I am afraid to try and stretch them to gain some more adjustment in the site. But I might try that if I can not locate new springs. But I have loaded some 100 gr and slowed them down, so I will try them tomorrow.

 

[Tommie]

Took possession of my SP101 today. Nothing particularly impressive (I’m a S&W guy) but it seems solid. Initial impressions:
- Holy cow trigger pull. Did they use a coil spring from a ‘62 Chevy pickup?
- Cylinder lockup appears functional but not vault tight like higher priced revolvers. You get what you pay for.
- By today’s standards the finish is pretty good.
- Agreed that the grip is too small for adult hands. Already replaced with a Hogue.

Refinement is a word I rarely associate with Ruger products and this revolver is no exception. But I got what I expected: a tough, serviceable tool. So despite what seem like gripes, I’m satisfied so far. Will report after a range session.

 

[7tcu]

I went to the range this morning and shot some 100gr XTP's with 6.7gr of longshot and that load shot great.

Oh and Tommie, I know what you mean in the difference between a Ruger and a Smith. Just keep shooting it and you will get used to the heavy pull.