CHAPTER THREE OF OUR MULTI-PART SERIES FEATURING THE .327 FEDERAL MAGNUM. Want to help support the channel? $1 a month goes a long way. / hughesenterprises
The 38/357 family is just as versatile. You have 38 short colt, 38 long colt, 38 special, and 357 magnum. Could also include 360 Dan Wesson and 357 maximum.
This caliber is the most utilitarian there is. Got to agree about the variety of ammo types. I started out with the 32 H&R in 1984 with the SSM Ruger. Currently The 327 Fed is chambered in the Henry Big boy rifle and carbine. The H&R and Fed push the caliber into medium game range(over 90 Lbs) This is truly an outdoorsmans caliber.
A word of warning about factory 32 S&W short and 32 ACP rounds. Their rim thickness is .045" while the rim thickness of the other 3 is .055". This can cause light or heavy primer strikes, and might even cause primer rupture. Its not recommended to fire either through a LCR 327. Note that this wouldn't be the case for cut down 32 long cartridges. Additional note on the 32ACP. As it's rim isn't as wide as the other 32s (being semi-rimmed) you may have problems ejecting it from your revolver.
Definitely get a 327 mag.i have a Taurus 3"ported stainless super EXCELLENT plus I have shot all 32 caliber. Great additional self defense and survival capability
Love the .32's I'm working on load development for a .32 H&R Mag right now. Reloading is very rewarding for me. the reloaders network has been a great resource for .32 info for me as I have added different lead bullet designs to my testing. Thank you Nathan
The American Chauvinist I like my Henry so much I put on the Deluxe wood stock set and a Skinner Express rear peep sight. Excellent gun and perfect modern .32-20 replacement.
Watching these videos is really making me consider adding a .327 Magnum revolver to my collection. I'm surprised that my Lee Modern Reloading manual from 2016 doesn't have any data on the .327 Magnum and Lee doesn't even make dies from what I can gather by checking online.
Tripp426 I think only RCBS makes a 327 specific die. The Lee .32 H&R dies will work with 327 as do the hornady .32 S&W dies. It's a nice caliber if you need a cheap low recoil plinker
@@HughesEnterprises Yes, and I have been using the Lee .32H&R carbide dies since 2009 for .32H&R and .327fed..... and before there was any data for the .327fed. For the record, the .32 caliber is notoriously accurate, and so much more so when reloading, and much less finicky between different firearms [using the same loads].
Jona Ozo Swain I’ve seen that too. Shooting quarter size groups at 15 yards is effortless. I but there’s a lot of factors that go into it, but I have no complaints that a .327 Ruger SP101 shoots as well as a .357 Python.
I got some #12 shot and cardboard disks for black powder revolvers from Midway and make my own snake shot. The 327 SP101 makes a great utility gun. I carry mine while hunting and fishing, lots of moccasins where I live.
I think this video was made before the latest price increases but this is one of the most reasonable rounds that you or I can reload I am a big fan of it and will probably be buying a Henry rifle to go along with my. Single seven and Taurus TORO 327 NOT CRAZY ABOUT IT BUT AFTER A COUPLE CHANGES MABY I WANT IT TO BE MY EDC cross your fingers for me
Hey, thanks for subscribing! A 20” octagonal/brass frame Henry is my next gun purchase. Probably will have one in the next 6-8 weeks or so. Hopefully sooner. I still have a few more videos to do with the revolvers and then I will do some with the rifle.
Trying to find ammo and components is definitely harder than other calibers. That being said, this cartridge allows cheap practice, so I'm still looking for one
Good video, love my 327 and yes I reload it. Would like to add, the 357, can also shoot the .38 colt and 38 long colt. The modern factory loads are not heeled and are true .357 or .358 dia. :) So the 357 can fire four different rounds, some times five. The .38 S&W is not a straight wall, it has a slight tapper. So depending on the spec of the firearm, the 38 S&W may work in it. Oh, and the modern factory loads for 38 S&W are not heeled either. Remington manufactures all three of them.
A .357 can also potentially shoot .38 Super as it's semi rimmed but much like .32 ACP in a .32 caliber revolver, one could potentially encoutner issues. Likewise, since it's also semi rimmed the .380 Long/9x20 Browning is also a semi rimmed that could work potentially. If cut for moon clips, both the .32 and .38 caliber revolvers can shoot a wide variety of ammo types and are about neck and neck on number of calibers they can safely shoot. But for smaller packages the .32 caliber guns still offer some distinct advantages for carry purposes. For general versatility, .45 Caliber revolvers offer the most overall potential for what all they could do but often dont work well for the carry world, particularly concealed carry.
Great video series. I reload only .327 cases, that way my dies never need to be reset and I don't have to worry about scrubbing powder residue from the cylinder. I believe in using factory ammo for SD. I like the Double Tap 70 gr. copper projectile and the 100. gr. GDHP.
Thanks for watching! I really need to try out the CorBon. I carry factory ammo in all my other calibers but .327 is just too scarce and expensive to practice regularly with factory ammo. I like to rotate my carry ammo out every month because I sweat a lot in the summer and don’t like carrying corroded ammo. Other advantage is I practice regularly with exactly the same load I carry. But I totally understand the argument of carrying factory ammo only.
You're very welcome. I reload also and make practice loads close to the factory, and also lighter loads to keep the wear down on the firearms as well as my arthritic wrist. Cor Bon is good, I also like Underwood and Doubletap, especially for 10 mm, which is difficult to find in the original Norma loading. 50 round boxes of LEO ammo are also available on the web, although prices are a little high.
Might be careful shooting .32 ACP in a revolver. The rim thickness is different from the other cartridges, and it can either not function reliably, (due to being too far from the firing pin) or even be dangerous, (firing pin could pierce the primer, I’ve seen cratering before). Not to mention the free bore. It sounds like you’ve had good luck with it though, so it probably has a bit to do with particular guns. Thanks for making the series by the way! Good content on the .327 magnum is something the internet really does need more of.
Depends on the gun. My Smith 632 will shoot them all day. One of my SP101’s will occasionally light strike. The pressures generated by 32 Auto are so low they could never be a danger to a .327 gun especially with the free bore as you mentioned and oversized chambers which rob the 32 auto if at least 25% of its pressure and muzzle energy and makes .32S&W Long look powerful. It’s more of a “hey look what this can do” party trick/desperate ammo use than a serious reliable caliber to shoot all the time.
After much debate, I just bought a ruger .327 LCRx. Bought 300 rounds online. It's expensive, but this isn't really a range gun, so I'll practice with some of the .32 and the .327 to get use to recoil and keep it loaded with the .327 for EDC. Other than ammo cost, not sure why this caliber hasn't caught on. I sure wouldn't want to get hit with it and the close for me was the extra round of 6 vs. 5 for the frame size.
weirdshibainu The vast majority of gun buyers want a gun chambered for a cartridge you can buy at Walmart or some little bait and tackle shop. That will never happen with .327, so it’s left to reloaders and well informed people that buy ammo online. There’s also no hype about the cartridge because revolvers are not popular anymore and there’s nothing cool or tactical about carrying a Ruger LCR/SP101. I’d rather carry something I enjoy shooting and I know is effective over the popular Glock flavor of the day.
@@HughesEnterprises Its not my only gun, but it will be my edc. I never felt comfortable with a striker fired concealed with one in the pipe, I do with the lcrx. Maybe it's just my being raised on revolvers. What I do like about the lcrx is it's very light weight, 6 rounds, the reliability of a revolver, and simple operation in case of use. At my age, 300 rounds will last a long time. I burn about a 1,000 rounds a month of 9mm for kicks,as it's cheap and plentiful. Thanks for the review.
Are you using the reloading computer program called " Quickload " ? I have been using it for a few years and it's been very helpful for figuring out safe loads for calibers that don't have a lot of published data for. Namely 300 blk, but I use it for about a dozen different calibers too. I imagine having it would help you experiment with some faster burning, more efficient powders. I highly recommend you look into that computer program if you haven't already. You're the only other person I've heard talk about making ammo for under 4 cents. I often tell people I can do that because I buy the S&B primers on sale at my local cabelas for 2 cents each, I buy my powder in bulk and I use my own homemade powder coated cast lead bullets. Currently I can do 380 acp, 38 spc and 9mm for under 4 cents total per shot. 45 acp costs around 5 cents and 223, 300blk and 7.62x39 are around 10 cents per shot. I get some free lead from the backstop at my local range, but mostly I'm using wheel weights from my local junk yard that cost me 30 cents per lb. Cabelas has been out of stock of the SPP S&B primers for a while, but they have the SR primers on sale right now for $20.97 I haven't tried it yet, but I've heard with hammer fired Ruger handguns they have enough force to reliably set off rifle primers loaded into handgun brass so maybe that sale is something you might want to consider taking advantage of. I already stocked up on them for use in my 223 and 300 blk reloads and was considering experimenting with them for my SP handguns and long guns.
I used to work for Cabela’s and I stocked up on many thousands of primers and other good stuff while I was there. I’ve used the demo version of Quickload but haven’t taken the plunge to spend $130 on a computer program. Most of my loads come from published data. When I experiment I start low and work up. There are a lot of good ideas that have been lost to modern reloaders. I suggest reading some of P.O. Ackley’s books if you haven’t already. Most of the info is very outdated but the fundamental concepts of load development are the same.
@@HughesEnterprises Yeah, thanks. I'll look into P.O. Ackley’s books. If you ever want to experiment with a new powder let me know and I'll run the data through quicklload and send you a screen shot of the results.
My 357 can shoot some of the 38 super , but have not tried all of them but they are too expensive, but if you have a good 357 magnum, you can see what brand works, some will not fit and some will and it depends on the gun, but don't use it in a 38 special, only a 357 and if it works only for last resort, ,and 38 colt or 38 s&w , but the last 3 are hard to get and cost more,my 327 magnum can also shoot 32 acp and short, but they are not worth the price and trade off, but can be used if needed Had a 38 Super back in the day, and might get another, but there are better options today, but I have some of my left over ammo and it does work, have enough keeping 327 magnum and 357 sig and 30 mauser and 7.62 x25 ammo 🤠
Thanks for the great info on 327 mag and 32 ammo. I'm still trying to decide of my small house has room to reload. How viable would the 32 long and H&R mag ammo be for self defense? I'm thinking these might be a good fit for my mom in terms of recoil. She wants a small revolver for carry and like a the trigger on the LCR. The recoil of a 38 Spl might be too much even from the 357 LCR, but the 327 might work
.32H&R is a perfectly acceptable defensive cartridge with the right bullet. The Black Hills .32 H&R is a good choice as is the Hornady Critical Defense. Both will be over $1 a round but it’s worth it for defensive ammo. You can practice with .32 S&W Long which will be a little cheaper. If you do get into reloading you can reload rounds identical to the Black Hills for under $0.20 a round.
Gun sam has videos on both ,they preform better then most think , for 32 long either go with a fmj or wadcutters, in this caliber penetration is better. With 32 h&r u can actually get hollow expansion and penetration with the right ammo of course. So both can be viable, but they not up to the level of a hot 38 special or 9mm. But for recoil sensitive people I think it a decent choice.
You do realize that Henry makes a "Big Boy" in .327 Federal Mag. Very low recoil even with full loads. I have 2 .32H&R Mag revolvers so I have plenty of brass. It's a really fun round to shoot and the noise from .32 short and long almost (I did say ALMOST) doesn't require as much in hearing protection.
I would think the 16.5 inch for home defense or plinking and the 20 for serious hunting. I'm not sure if I like the golden boy look or the the blue steel better. I kind of wish Marlin would make one because I prefer the side loading gate over the tube.
Pointblank2U I'm leaning towards a 16" but capacity is about the same as a revolver. What I would really like is to go back in time and have 1990's Rossi make a 16" 92 in .327. Loading gate, quality finish, no stupid safety. I wish the new marlins were better quality. At work we had a few with burrs all over it that were sharp enough to cut you. Chips left in the action, heavy machining marks under the finish, buggered screws from the factory seem to be the norm now.
I am having trouble deciding on which Henry to get myself - barrel length being the big factor. I'd like to get as much out of the cartridge as it can deliver, but worry a tad about the 20 inch barrel adding drag instead of push :) Thoughts on that anyone?
Do you gas check your 327 fed 90 grain cast loads? Have you had any issues with leading in your SP-101 barrel? Thanks a bunch for these videos. I've been considering a 327 for 4-5 years now but I haven't bought dies because I load for 223 and 308 so much. Thanks again.
Roger U Nope! It’s the Lee 90gr Tumble lube bullet tumbled in Alox. They drop with a relatively soft alloy just a bit harder than dead soft range scrap at 0.314” and don’t lead even when pushed to 1,200fps! I tend to agree with Elmer Keith’s old opinion that gas checks on handgun bullets are unnecessary. Just make sure the bullet is 1 to 2 thou over forcing cone diameter, forget bore diameter, make sure it’s got enough lube, and it won’t lead even when pushed hard. Just make sure such a bullet will actually chamber once loaded. Sometimes you’re stuck with oversized forcing cones especially on Ruger’s where the chamber can’t accept the properly oversized lead bullet.
If shooting in say a Henry rifle for small game (squirrel), have you seen any issue with 32. S&W shot or long powder charges in the full .327 Mag case? Would want shortest jump from case mouth to rifling and less power and noise for best accuracy and maybe a second squirrel.
Yes, for best accuracy you can load the .327 cases down to .32 S&W pressures. Just use a fast powder like Bullseye or TiteGroup that will burn completely and isn’t position sensitive. The case is small enough where I would not consider any case fillers. Only problem you can run into is squibs in a rifle length barrel. Do not use jacketed bullets for this- cast or powder coated only. And be careful that the bullets always leave the barrel when making test rounds. When you get velocities lower than 600fps you are very close to getting bullets stuck
@@HughesEnterprises They dont... 7.62x38R is too long. .327 will fit in a 7.62x38 Nagant but not the other way around. If it's cut for moon clips, you could trim down .30 Carbine and fire that in a .327 though.
I just bought my .327 pistol and I handload. Do you have a preferred powder for reloading .327FM? And do you use that same powder in the .32S&WL and .32H&RM?
Mark P If you want one powder for all of them my choice would be TiteGroup. TiteGroup can load very low pressure S&W Shorts up to full pressure Magnums.Uses very little powder. Burns really hot and clean. If you want the best powders to exploit everything .327 can do: Accurate No.9 and CFE Pistol. No.9 would not be suitable for lower pressure applications and CFE doesn’t offer any advantage at low pressures. But these will get you to 1,300 FPS+ in a 3” barrel
Great video and my carry gun is a .327 lcrx and I love reloading. However when everyone claims what the cost is per round to reload they never factor in what ones time is worth. If your time has value it does drive up cost per round to reload. Having said that, I happen to enjoy reloading so it’s not too much of a problem for me but our time is worth something,no?
Joe Dizzy to me there are three things I really enjoy with firearms. Owning/cleaning/learning about the mechanical complexities and design and appreciating the craftsmanship is one part. Shooting it and leaning to shoot the specific firearm well, and carrying/hunting with/or otherwise using it for it's intended purpose is another part. Reloading for a specific firearm in mind is the third part. To me reloading ammo is just as fun as shooting it so I don't mind spending 4-5 hours a week reloading because I may only spend 1-2 hours a week shooting. And 1-2 hours a week on cleaning and maintenance. It also gets me out doing something other than watching TV/RU-vid/and I used to play video games a lot. Might as well be productive and enjoy your free time as well. Now there are a few calibers that I don't reload because I either shoot them too frequently or infrequently to be worth my time reloading on the single stage and getting special dies and components for them: 5.56mm/7.62x39mm I shoot too much and factory ammo is too cheap to be worth it. .32 Auto/.270/7mm mag I rarely shoot and I might only shoot these once a year. I also buy factory PPU .380 hollowpoints because it's the only ammo my Walther PPK will work with.
Not if you enjoy it. I like the ability to make ammo. Not only does it have practical use but it's one more box to check off in my list of manly things to do. Provided you do it right. I'm looking at you, Ralph.
32 acp does not fire reliably out of my 3" SP101. The semi rim is thinner (. 01") than a 32 revolver rim and I had only 1 round out of 20 actually fire. I've been told the single seven and Blackhawk can fire them.
I’m using 5.0gr of TiteGroup with that bullet in AE .327 cases which is a book listed Max charge. HOWEVER if you plan on using TiteGroup, you have to be extremely careful when you charge the case you only charge it once. 5.0gr barely fills the case and a double charge will look normal. A double charge of TiteGroup in a .327 turns your gun into a hand grenade. If you’re experienced reloading, go for it just be careful. If you’re new, find data for Trailboss and use that instead with that bullet.
Hughes Enterprises Hughes Enterprises Thanks a lot! I bought the mold and couldn’t find much for data on the 90gr bullet. I’m not new to reloading but I’m alway cautious when using powders I’m not experienced with. Love the whole series by the way, soaking up all the knowledge.
I really want (I know this sounds weird) my brother in law's mother in law to buy the Ruger LCR in .327 magnum. She is an old lady but wants a revolver for self defense. With 32 long or H&R mag it would be prefect.
My wife hates recoil, when I’m gone working nights I leave her my LCR with the Buffalo bore 32S&W long wad cutters. 900fps they are plenty effective without much blast or recoil. They’re not cheap but I highly recommend them.
Winchester 32 auto fire fine in my Sp101 but Remington seems to have a thinner rim and I got some light primer strikes. Every gun shoots ammo different so try different brands.
Great bedside gun [Governor/Judge] especially for the ladies [with PDX1 rounds]. Keep the Governor, and get as many .327fed revolvers you can afford, and to your style/liking. Wife keeps a 4510 Judge on a magnet next to her bed, but EDC carries a S&W632 most of the time. We have a couple SP101 .327fed......and SP101 in other calibers. After choosing a SP101 [which we are very fond of them], be prepared to do some trigger work on that gritty system. Nothing extravagant, but surely needs polishing on all that we have seen. Daughter owns a gun store and we have had many SP101 come thru, all factory actions seem close to the same. Not bad, but gritty.
John Smith That could be and the primers do sit a little lower that a typical .32S&W/etc. I've had good luck with the S&B .32 auto, but I only ran 50 through it just as a test.
Hughes Enterprises seems like the rim may be a but thinner on the 32. One thing that made me excited about it was how you can shoot 32 which is about as cheap as WWB 9mm. But this a bummer. Ill try and shoot the other euro brand I sisnt get, or see if some US remanufacturer makes 32 auto for cheap hopefully w soft commercial primers. I wonder if my firing pin is just a tad short though...
Correction, it was Fiocchi not PVRI. I will try some PVRI, S&B (All the euro ammo is pretty cheap.) and maybe some domestic remanufactured ammo, if there is any.
Hughes Enterprises I agree it the thinner rim sets the primer lower and some firing pins aren't long enough to reach , I had this problem with a Ruger.
Ruger makes a 3” or 4” SP101-the new 4” model has adjustable sights the new 3” is fixed sight only. Also the 4”, 5” blued, or 6” GP100. And also the Single Seven in 4.5, 5.5, and 7.5”. If you’ve got $3K to drop on a revolver, Freedom Arms will make you a premier grade revolver with a custom barrel length from 4-14” in round or octagonal. Unfortunately those are the only options right now.
Need to be careful to mention that the .357 mag can also be loaded to stupid levels of power. Intelligent people will know that your references to the .357mag refer to standard .357mag loads. I hope. The .327 has to run some pretty high pressures to perform as it does. That's not always the best option. Recoil, although not punishing, has a "signature" feel with high pressure. Same reason a .45 Colt can be more preferable than a .44 mag, all things equal. Also, bullet diameter has an effect on impact that velocity and weight cannot duplicate. Bigger can be better, even with less calculated energy. In my mind, recalling an article I've read about the .45-70 gov't in testing heavy bullets, better penetration was achieved by the test bullet by SLOWING it down. Interesting sciences of impact that cannot be quantified in ballistic charts.
Lifted_Above All valid points. The trouble with comparing cartridges based on muzzle energy is it always favors faster and lighter over big and slow.Therefore I chose only to compare loads of similar bullet weight to limit one variable. .357 can indeed be loaded to scorching velocities when you increase the MAP to near 45K psi and increase barrel length. Can’t argue with more powder capacity at similar pressure. There aren’t any reliable formulas for calculating large/ slow bullet effectiveness except Taylor Knockdown which is a garbage formula. According to Taylor Knockdown throwing a watermelon at someone is more effective a projectile than a .50 BMG. I agree there is something special about a big heavy slow bullet and why I carry a .45 when not a .327.
@@HughesEnterprises Thanks for the considerate and valid responses. Ballistics are such a fascinating science, something I find very interesting. I'm not a "fan" of any particular cartridge really, just attempting to learn all I can about them and make practical and rational choices with whatever factors my personal use cases favor. There are pretty good and even great cartridges in most calibers, and a lot of overlap. Usually I'm in favor of those cartridges that perform well (or even exceptional) within their comfortable range of pressures, bullet weights, and recoil. Cartridges that have to operate at the top end of their capabilities in order to match higher calibers which operate easily in their comfort zone are less interesting to me, and seem to be more the results of developers who have a zeal for a given caliber pushing it to it's operable limits.
Gregg Woods If you don’t reload, personally I wouldn’t get into the caliber unless you don’t mind mail ordering $1.50/round ammo. Federal’s production of 327 factory ammo is inconsistent at best and currently unavailable. Buffalo Bore is the preferred type right now. You’ll never be able to stop by a Walmart or small gun shop and find .327 ammo. However, if you don’t mind the cost, want to shoot .32S&W/.32 H&R, or want to give reloading a shot, it’s a wonderful balanced caliber.
SGAmmo has lots to buy at normal prices when their website isn’t crashed from too much traffic. Speer is also making the 100gr Gold Dot ammo again. Now’s the time when 327 starts to shine. There’s no 9mm or 38 special on the shelf but there’s probably some flavor of .32 for sale a 327 can shoot.
I’ve bought tons of 32acp, 32S&W long, 32H&Rmag and 327 Federal mag in all types of loadings, HP, hardcast, wadcutters, everything. It’s the time to get it when everything else is gone.
Six shots in a J frame revolver rather than 5, lower recoil than .357, cheaper to reload than .357, and ability to shoot almost all .32 caliber handgun cartridges.
@@HughesEnterprises It is slightly cheaper to reload, but the acquisition of brass eats in to that. My carry pistol has ten and is smaller than a j. Don't see the point other than being different.
daniel watson Initial cost of brass is insignificant to to the cost to reload unless you only reload it a few times. Reload it 50 times and it’s insignificant. It uses half the powder of .357 which when shooting cast bullets is the majority cost to reload. I can reload full power .327 for 20-40% less than .357 Being a little different is what keeps it interesting. Carrying some boring Sig365, Glock 26, etc is eminently practical but for me not any fun at all. I want to practice, improve my skills shooting and reloading, and have fun doing it- a .327 revolver keeps it interesting. Plastic autoloaders don’t do that for me.
