.327 Federal Mag BEATS 9mm Episode 1. Buffalo Bore Hard Cast 

My lcr in 327 as Ive mentioned has fast become my favorite short barrel round..

Amazed to hear about the bear story. Goes to show that ammo choice is critical. Nice to know that if you own one of these guns you have an optional carry round for a woods walk in case you get mugged by a Sasquatch. Times are tough, you never can tell....

I wish Ruger would step up production of SP101s chambered in 327 Fed Mag.

Thanks to your vids on the .327 , I bought a Ruger LCR .327 a few months back and it has been one of my EDC guns. It's one of the best snubbies I've ever owned. It's loads of fun to shoot and the trigger and sights are excellent.

Love this video and would like to see more like it. I have been preaching the virtues of the 32 caliber family for years, but I often feel like the lone voice in the wilderness.

Absolutely love it man! Been telling people for years about revolver barrel length and the capability of a 327 in a compact revolver.

I cant remember the last time I saw 327 mag handguns ......I would like to grab one

After watching the 9 did better than I expected. The bullet shape is as you say probably a major factor. Both bullets are rather heavy for caliber so the tumbling is not really surprising.

Really really wish that Ruger made the lcrx 327 Federal Magnum revolver in a 3 inch like the 38 Special +P... That would be an awesome carry option!

That little .327 has turned out to be a pretty good round. This could be just the thing for someone who wanted a pocket revolver.

As always and good interesting comparison. Thanks for sharing.

Great video presentation Sam. That .327 mag is a firecracker for sure. Good multiple purpose round to have. Great job! ☯️♠️🎩

I love my 327, just wish I had it in the snubby, I'd carry it more often then.

Thanks for this comparison!

One of the very early write ups for .327 Federal Magnum summed up what makes it "superior" to 9mm quite clear. The ballistics .327 Federal Magnum was getting from a 3 inch revolver were roughly the same as 4.5 to 5 inch barrel ballistics on 9mm using +P loads. So even in the LCR with it's snub nose, compared to that Taurus, it's still superior ever so slightly. But the main point is you typically need a longer barrel i.e a larger gun to achieve the same ballistics. Of course, the drawback is obviously capacity but I'm not trying to make that argument. And in my testing of .327 Federal this has shown to be true. Back when Speer made the 115gr Gold Dots for the .327 in my 3 inch SP101 it was producing similar or superior ballistics to 9mm 115gr Gold Dots depending on the barrel lengths. Compacts with 3.5 or shorter barrels in 9mm were worse, but 4.5 inch barrels tended to produce roughly the same numbers and performance. I've done a bit of distance shooting with them too to see if the "flatter trajectory" bit held much weight and I can safely say you notice differences out from 40 yards and farther. Up close, not too massive of a difference in my hands but your results may differ. Overall, looking forward to the tests.

Really great review

Awesome video and very interesting. That 327 is a great caliber!

You are the Mr Wizard of all my gun channels I subscribe to.

Yay 327 ,yay 9mm! I love the test man.

Nice video Sam, I want a lcr .327mag really bad , good stuff 💪👏👏

Good video. The LCR in .327 is a unicorn these days.

That .327 is a Beast!

All malfunctions are bad. Thats way I roll with revolvers..

Good video, the 9mm is definitely a hot little round!

I bought both the 327 fed. mag Single 7 & SP 101 with 4-,2" bbls. Both came with adjustable sights. Can't say enough about both. Easy shooting & accurate with punch.

I was pleasantly surprised at tge 9mm velocity. 975-1000 fps is considered good for a 147 from a 4" barrel. The 327 is interesting. A 130 gr bullet is very heavy for the bore diameter, so the SD should be very good. And we have seen that a JHP of 100 gr or so works well. One of the commenters mentioned that other manufacturers should get involved. I think a 7 shot Kimber (K7S?) woukd be great. They might have to make the cylinder slightly wider and adjust the frame dimensions accordingly, but the diffs would not be huge. Should be a great carry piece.

It’s been a while since I read about the Grizzly bear shooting on BB’s site, but the gun used by the guide was a Smith and Wesson 3953 (or 3954). Those 3rd Generation Smith 9mm semi autos are well known for reliability and ammo insensitivity. I have owned several including a DAO 3953. Minor correction, barrel length is 3.5 inches, not 4. The real reason for my comment: excellent video! Thank you.

Interesting. Thanks.

Picked up some of the same Buffalo Bore Hard Cast but haven't shot it out my lcrx. Good video as always

I’d like to see an 8 round 327 federal magnum revolver that fires from the 6 o’clock position like a chiapa rhino (but not made by chiapa 😆). Id like to see S&W do this (but without the Smith lock). Revolver manufacturers need to get more creative and take risks.

That tells me more than I'd believe it would have. Niner is a solid consideration. Still leaning toward 38 Spl. Leigh High , Defender. & a 3" barrel.

I believe the rifling twist in the short barreled 327 is to slow to stabilize a bullet that heavy. The LCR was designed I believe to use bullets of 115 grains or less. Still it was interesting and informative to see the difference in both rounds. I would like to see a comparison with these loads out of 4 inch barrels. The 327 should see a good increase in velocity and penetration and will likely be stabilized in the longer barrel aiding in its penetration.

As always, an outstanding ballistics test. I love my 327 and believe it can put a mountain lion down. With proper shot placement, even a black bear, which are two of the predator I'll most likely encounter. Already had a black bear encounter and I was unarmed, but he was a gentlemanly bear and gave me a "free mauling" pass. 😁

never been impressed with either one of those, try a 158gn in a 38 super auto and you will know what i am talking about, lower recoil than the 9mm and energy near that of a 357 makes it hard to beat.

Good choice. Like the g2c myself

"Thanks" Sam...as a result of all of ur videos on .327, ALL revolvers are *SOLD OUT* !!! Not available even *used* at online marketplaces, Ruger has no clue on when will they b available

Interesting as always, I truly enjoy watching your methodology put into action. I've not tried the Buffalo Bore 130gr Hard Cast Keith out of my LCR. On paper, it falls into the same category as American Eagle or Speer 100gr "hot" loads I have tried. I think it's just too much for the 1.87" barrel length to "process" properly - I view such rounds as likely designed for 4" or more of barrel length and inefficient in the snubbie. That said, I do like the Buffalo Bore 130gr Hard Cast Keith in .32 H&R Mag +P. I've not shot a lot of them, but I've not seen any of the handful I have shot keyhole on a target. On paper, they are equivalent to the .327 Federal Mag 85gr Hydra-Shok or 85gr American Eagle JSP in terms of downrange energy. BB claims the .32 H&R +P does 1133fps from a 3" SP101 which yield 370 ft/lbs: the exact same yield Federal gets from the Hydra-Shok and AE JSP from their 4" test barrel. And that's one thing about the .327 chambering I love: you can deep dive the ammo choices from .32 S&W up through .327 Federal and come up with so many interesting choices to tailor fit all different types of use scenarios. Thanks for another highly illuminating video.

I'll take any ammo that drifts to the RIGHT, thank you. 😇

Stopping a charging bear with a 9mm sounds more like a kill or be killed situation. It’s a great round but that’s asking a lot…unless you have no other choice.

The 327 Federal Magnum is a tempting round to add to my list of calibers. I've actually spent more on ammo this year than the cost of a Ruger LCR in 327 Magnum. I guess I'm just not comfortable with the LCR concept.

Hey man love your channel! Quick question, I have 2 kimber k6s a snub and a 3” dasa model. I was offered an even trade for my 3” model for a smith and wesson 632 in excellent condition, im really intrigued. Im just concerned about ammo availability and I do not reload. You think it’s a bad time to jump on that caliber? Is that a decent trade in your opinion? Thank you in advance and I have learned so much about revolvers from you over the years. 🙏🏼

People at your local store must think, he loves bologna

Seeing is believing. Calibers alone, not projectiles or velocities tested in them give them more street credit than any fact on record. With my screw off backyard hand loads I've seen some crazy stuff. Its hilarious a .22 lr or 115 grain 9mm fmj round will barely move an empty 12 oz can, exit hole almost mimics the entrance. But, a 45 auto 750 fps 200 swc target paper puncher through the same can almost has an exit hole 3x the size. And the can actually moves. A lot.

Your glove snagging in the slide is another reason I carry a revolver. Plenty of things can disrupt a slide. Just to go back to a previous video you made about revolver reliability. Especially a hammerless edc revolver, that just won’t happen.

Great video, my 2 prefer calibers

Nice video, you cover all the areas in your reviews. Its nice that you also chronograph the loads as well, some reviews on ammo the author does not chronograph the loads, to me with the low cost of chronographs today, that review is a fail, in my humble opinion....

Not sure neither would be my go to bear defense choices. Agreeably better than a sharp stick.

I can't say I'm surprised by the overall effectiveness of the .327. Quite a number of years ago, I did a bit of brief contract work in a country that prohibited civilian use of any "modern military or police" caliber round, so anything over .357" diameter was off the table. As a result, the team all carried Ruger SP101 revolvers in the old .32 H&R Mag. I was pleasantly surprised with that round; it delivered energy levels comparable to a decent .38 Spl. duty load. With the .327 Federal having been designed specifically to eclipse that one, I would have expected about what you found here, though I have not had the opportunity to try it out myself to date.

Sam, you need to do 40 vs 45

Sam what's up man that was very interesting to see in those rounds witch got me thinking if you get a chance you should test the 380 hard cast vs 38sp hard cast people going to think im crazy but every year I hunt i try to take a deer with my carry pistol witch now is my lcp2 I'm curious to see what that hard cast round can do hope your doing good my friend take care

Sold my 327 LCR after I bought 2 9's & a 380, thinking I'd never carry the snubby again.. what a mistake that was. The LCP jams bad, even after improving it. Probably gonna sell it for a 442/642 if I can find one, or get the 327 back but yeah that ammo wasn't cheap even before Covid, and the rattle really bothered me even tho it doesn't matter haha. I just think the S&W looks better too, only wish they made grips that cover the backstrap but I guess not except crimson trace

Ive taken several deer with my Ruger GP100 327 shooting a handload with a 100 gr XTP over a stout charge of Accurate #9, running about 1680 fps. None have made it more than 50 yards.

I’d love to see a test of 3 inch barrel 45 acp vs 3 inch barrel .38 spl. Would be interesting

I want a .327 and we need more industry support, and we need a 3.25 and a 3.5 in study and maybe even a 4 in barrel version we need animal stopping power !

I am surprised at the yaw of the .32 before it hit the first board? Was the barrel leaded up some from the hardcast?

I have only recently started looking at the 327 Federal, but it seems to have a lot going for it. It's a good uptick in power over the 38 Special, without the blast and recoil of the 357 Magnum. I suspect it would be a really good nightstand gun to have at the ready.

First time here great comparison. 10mm is the go to in alaska know with hard cast. Im from pa. I carried 380acp for along time to I move to 40s&w

For dangerous game areas, I'd stick with what buffalo bore used to test the ammo with if possible. A ruger sp101 with 3 inch barrel . They show 1291 fps average for that ,1391 fps for a 5.5 inch Redhawk and 1450fps for a 7.5 inch from something called a sparrowhawk. I know ruger does make the single six " single seven" in 7.5 inch. The lcr is IMHO better for self defense with more standard loads of 85-100 grains. Bufflo bore stayes the 3 inch will perforate a large bears skull with the 130 keith type hard cast. Im thinking the lcr definitely handicapped the .327 . It is a very long for caliber bullet and as such, it needs some extra velocity to stabilize. I'm guessing that's why they used the 3 inch barrel for the shortest length. It is commonly known that heavier bullets stabilize from faster twist rates. But that's only a partial truth. It is actually bullet length not weight that effects twist stability.however velocity also matters. the faster the bullet is moving,the slower the twist rate can be. You are getting about 150fps less than the .327 3 inch barrel tested so it is not stabilizing well. A yawing bullet will have reduced penetration. By " keith type" bullet it refers to Elmer Keith.He did most of the work for developing the .357 and .44 magnums and designed bullets for hunting big and dangerous game with them both. He would load these heavy wide meplat bullets into .38 and .44 spcl cases at super high pressure and hunt elk, bear , deer ect. The smith and Wesson triple lock n frame was made specifically for his heavy loads. As for that 9mm, I am not surprised by how well it did. 147 grains is a typical bullet weight and is figured into the barrel twist selection. Typical being 115,124 and 147 grains. It is well known for deep penetration at modest velocity. A standard 115 grain load gets about 1150 fps from a full sized pistol and already penetrates to an extreme with ball ammo and failed hollow points. A 147 grain hard cast round nose wide meplat bullet at the same velocity is going to do some serious work . I habe a feeling the drift of the 9 was caused by the round nose profile while the 327 was from marginal stability. The round nose is well known to do what it does here. African pro hunters only use round nose profile solids for feeding reliability in repeating rifles do to its tendency to curve and deflect. For double rifles ,they almost universally pick the standard tapered ogive wide flat nose for straight tracking and minimal deflection in heavy game. These are just smaller versions of African dangerous game bullets for smaller dangerous game. 130 grain and 147 grain solids for 500-1200 lbs. animals or 300-700 grain solids for 2000-9000 pound animals . These are comparatively larger to hogzilla ,mad mr moose and big grizzly and brown bears than whats used on angry cape buffalo to large rogue elephants. Crazy to think 10mm auto with heavy hard casts have taken down not just bears but cape buffalo and hippo. Rant over. Try the 327 130 grains with the longer Barrel or the much shorter 120 grain double tap wfn hard casts? Idk if that will matter though with a advertised velocity of 1250 , implying a full sized gun.

When you did the board test, did you flip the stack over, so you were shooting at the bottom for each caliber?

Great test! Ammo might be scarce now, but keep in mind my wish to see a comparison of different .32 Magnum loads, of which there are new ones now. I bought some new Critical Defense hollowpoints in .32 Magnum, but have not seen them tested anywhere. I carry Buffalo Bore hollowpoints that are HOT .32 Magnum loads, and have likewise not seen any tests of that one. They might as well be called +P as they make a bigger BOOM and a little more recoil, but my S&W Centennial .32 Magnum shows ZERO damage from firing twenty of them so far. Thanks!.......................elsullo

the .380 with the new hot loads.

I’d love to see these two calibers with hollow points in the gel.

Not related to this video, but I see you are a handloader & revolver fan. Have you considered an episode on different powders in snubbies? Safe loads using Bullseye, Unique & 2400 to see if slow powders are a waste in 2 inch barrels?

9:50, the bullets are keyholing on impact, so something is not matching up, like twist rate with that bullet. Do you have another gun to try that ammo with?

If only .327 wasn’t so dang expensive. Of course all ammo is expensive right now.

I would like to find some of those hard cast .312 bullets to handload some stout rounds for my .327 Henry lever action.

You know, if S&W would build a medium frame super light 8 shot revolver with a 3.5 inch barrel in this caliber, I would not mind buying one.

I think I want an SP 101, but I’m going to have to go with .357.

At least 2 rounds 327 looked to key hole in the target

Mass wins, you mention an bear, I am a .45 guy and think if I was in bear Country, I want a .45 acp as a min and the Buffalo Bore 255 gr solid !

I think we now see the round needs to fit the barrel lenght...327 fed mag in a 20 " henry rifle vs the 1.78 barrel of the lcr completely changes results..imo.... some of your results with sw 32 long with better shot placement can be more effective in cc..

Love my 327 ruger single 7. But to be fair, don't think the 327 had a fair chance with this test . Meaning , a 130 grain bullet is extremely large for that caliber. Then to shoot it out of a snub nose ,well no wonder it tumbled! There's not enough barrel length for the bullet to stabalize its self. And as far as picking the 9mm over the 10mm for grizzlys , NO WAY!! make that the next test, the 9mm vs 10mm with same ammo then see what you get!

For me the advertised lower recoil of the 327 never manifest. My 30 oz sp101 4" barrel in .327 fed magnum has more recoil the my 22 oz stainless J frame snubby in 38+p. I like the 327 fine and power wise I feel you have shown it competes with 9mm in power and a bit more. Out of my 4" sp101 I think it's close in power, but not quite there, to the .357. Good stuff Sam.

I'm gonna guess that the 130gr 327 bullets don't play well with that LCR's short barrel and twist rate. I just bought some of these for my 4.2" SP101, so I hope they stabilize a little better.

Did the 327s tumble on impact or are they not stabilizing?

Good show, I am surprised and debunked, the 9 wins. Now I do the .380 and make that a comparison ?

if they tumble who needs expansion? i like it.

That 327 was sending smoke signals to the next county over jeez

A 2.5 j frame 6 shot .327. Yes please.

The instant tumbling of the 327 on the board test is concerning

the only thing stopping me from getting a 327 mag is the lack of ammunition. (even worse than the lack of other calibers)

Sam...You're shooting really fast between shots..😏..Your accuracy is usually much better...

Question, I'm someone with arthritis but I'm looking for something powerful to carry. Would this be a good option?

Hey Sam, ya gonna eat that???

You're gonna drive up gunbroker prices higher on .327! My current dream gun is an SP 101 3" barrel .327

9 mm. Good cartridge

the 130gn .327 is a long bullet as if you were shooting a home made .32 super police but with higher velocity some what of a 38/200 copy.

Your water is frozen; what state are you in?

Can we get a 12 shot N frame Smith in .327? Would it fit with true modern materials?

Think that barrel is too short for the heavier than normal bullet.

Barrels are too short to stabilize them properly. Use 4 inch barrel for the 327 130 grain Is long and heavy for 327

That doesn't seem fair.

9 MM the winner ! I choose 38 + P from a 357 M Smith. 327 is no doubt capable, but not readily available even before the shortage. so unless you reload I say stay away from 327.

I would go with the 9mm but I Wonder what it would be like in 357 Magnum.

Why did you use a147gr subsonic ammo?

I think the 327 would be best served with a 3" barrel.

Got a Ruger security 6. 2. 3/4. Inch barrel. Made 1974. Stainless. Beat that 327 your shooting. Keep a full size 9 on my hip.beretta storm 18 rounds of critical duty put a man down easy.😊😊😊

Did you get a deer?

So 9mm is typically European, moving to the left?

At 45k psi you damn well better expect .327 mag to out distance and out punch 9mm.