New .327 Magnum

[Ranger+P+]

I decided to take it easy today, doing some reading, and in 2 of the Mags I subscribe to, both had articles about the new .327 magnum cartidge. The following is para-phrased from the Guns/Ammo article:

"Slightly larger than a .32H/R case, it has a velocity equal to a 125gr .357 Mag load, with more ft. lbs than a .38+P, with 20% less recoil and muzzle blast. Currently there are 3 loads: 85gr Hydra-Shok, 100gr American Eagle SP & 115gr Gold Dot HP. The Hydra-Shok leaves the muzzle sizzling at 1330 FPS out of a Ruger SP101 with a 3.5" bbl."

The article went on to point out that you can also shoot standard .32 rounds, for practice, etc.

New rounds are always viewed with skepticism, and time will tell if this has a viable place in Self-Defense.
I can definitely see a place for it in the varmint hunting arena (another passion of mine). Put this round in a carbine or rifle length barrel, and you might have a nice round with enough punch to be a contender, Plus the article stated it was not as loud as a .357 or a stout .38+P, which could be a plus for those folks who have touchy neighbors.

I might wait a little bit and see how this round fares & see if manufacturers decide to build a carbine for this round before I shell out for it.

Stay Safe.

[casingpoint]

Unless one wishes to endure the flash and blast of the venerated .357 MAG, I see no other small caliber revolver round that will outdo this new .327 MAG. I would dearly love to get one in a six shot Model 60 Smith J-frame and an eight shot Ruger GP100 or Smith K frame. Not to mention a possible 12 shot 327 Smith 3-inch snub. Talk about a parking lot/convenience store self defense weapon. Can you imagine that speedloader?

Somebody finally realized it was time to abandon the old .38/.357 cartridge of black powder origin and resize for modern propellants, while at the same time going to a more minimalist bullet with proven efficacy. In the long run, the .327 MAG is likely to take considerable market share once more ballistic testing published and actual shooting results become known.

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

Hmm. Could be the next ".40 S&W" or ".357 Sig". Looks interesting to say the least.

[WildBill]

I wouldn't buy one. When they try to compare the .327 Mag to the .357 Mag, it's like comparing apples to orange. For an accurate comparison they need to list velocities with the same weight bullet for each... "it has a velocity equal to a 125gr .357 Mag load, with more ft. lbs than a .38+P." This sounds like double talk to me.

"In the long run, the .327 MAG is likely to take considerable market share once more ballistic testing published and actual shooting results become known." I think once people see the actual ballistics they won't be as impressed.

For people who think bigger is better, this is a step down. If you want a load that equals the .357 Mag, then get a .357 Mag.

[Xander]

I wouldn't buy one. When they try to compare the .327 Mag to the .357 Mag, it's like comparing apples to orange. For an accurate comparison they need to list velocities with the same weight bullet for each... "it has a velocity equal to a 125gr .357 Mag load, with more ft. lbs than a .38+P." This sounds like double talk to me.

"In the long run, the .327 MAG is likely to take considerable market share once more ballistic testing published and actual shooting results become known." I think once people see the actual ballistics they won't be as impressed.

For people who think bigger is better, this is a step down. If you want a load that equals the .357 Mag, then get a .357 Mag.

And if you don't want a .357 mag, get a .38. I've yet to see any evidence that this round is better.

[casingpoint]

a velocity equal to a 125gr .357 Mag load, with more ft. lbs than a .38+P." This sounds like double talk

Not at all. The kinetic energy of the 115 grain Speer load out of three inches is about double that of a .38 Special from a four inch barrel.

For people who think bigger is better, this is a step down. If you want a load that equals the .357 Mag, then get a .357 Mag

The .327 MAG may actually out perform the .357 in stopping power due to an increase in penetration. We have not seen any ballistic data yet, such as the benchmark FBI four layers of denim on jello test. But it sure did cut a deep wound channel into that ham Jeff Quinn aerated at Gunblast.

Don't forget, aside from bullet diameter, the .327 MAG is really nothing but an adaptation for revolvers of the field proven 1300fps 115 grain 9mm Illinois State Police Load, which according to the latest musings of Massad Ayoob in Handguns 2008, is still in use with great, possibly too great, success by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Dept. serving Metropolitan Atalanta, GA and the surrounding area. That's the sheriff dept. that will drive into your home in it's tracked military surplus armored personnel carrier and get you if you don't surrender. Guys like that don't pack weak ammo. By the way, Ayoob's article in the 2008 edition on defense ammunition is an excellent read, but of course does not cover the .327 MAG. Maybe next year. By then, this new round could easily prove itself.

[WildBill]

a velocity equal to a 125gr .357 Mag load, with more ft. lbs than a .38+P." This sounds like double talk

Not at all. The kinetic energy of the 115 grain Speer load out of three inches is about double that of a .38 Special from a four inch barrel.

I don't see where this data came from. I would want to see some data from the ammunition manufacturer or a reloading manual.

[casingpoint]

some data from the ammunition manufacturer or a reloading manual

You'll find it here on the Speer 115 grain Gold Dot. I was actually a little under the current ballistic figures for this round. 115 grains at 1380fps and 486ME:
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

Whhops!. That's for a four inch barrel. I recall 1300fps mentioned for a three inch, attributable to Speer by a gunwriter.

[WildBill]

some data from the ammunition manufacturer or a reloading manual

You'll find it here on the Speer 115 grain Gold Dot. I was actually a little under the current ballistic figures for this round. 115 grains at 1380fps and 486ME:
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

Whhops!. That's for a four inch barrel. I recall 1300fps mentioned for a three inch, attributable to Speer by a gunwriter.

But the 125 grain Gold Dot in .357 Mag has 1450 fps and 584ME, so what's the advantage? You can always load down to get a .357 Mag to go as slow as a .327 Mag.
Look we can agree to disagree. As I said before I won't buy one. I have seen too many fads come and go. If it catches on that would be good for Ruger and Speer.

[casingpoint]

Wild Bill,

I'm looking at the Ruger SP101 in .327 for a lightweight woods and hiking gun in a traditional low ride Border Patrol type holster. It should ballpark loaded 10-15 ounces lighter than a full sized .357. Possibly almost a pound saved. And love that extra cylinder hole in a gun that size. A good trigger job and some three-finger Pachmayr grips, and I'll be good to go. Those Pachmayr's really flush out an SP101.

[KBCraig]

I haven't seen any claims that this is supposed to out-perform the .357 Mag. The whole point seems to be squeezing an extra round in revolvers, which is a noble goal.

The cited 85gr at 1330 fps is 333ME, which is solid .38 Special territory, but with 20% more ammo on board.

[WildBill]

Wild Bill,

I'm looking at the Ruger SP101 in .327 for a lightweight woods and hiking gun in a traditional low ride Border Patrol type holster. It should ballpark loaded 10-15 ounces lighter than a full sized .357. Possibly almost a pound saved. And love that extra cylinder hole in a gun that size. A good trigger job and some three-finger Pachmayr grips, and I'll be good to go. Those Pachmayr's really flush out an SP101.

Let me know when you get it. Maybe you will let me try it out.

[casingpoint]

I'd rather loan you my old lady than my new gun. Now, there, your skepticism is well warranted.