327 fed magnum bullets

Are you going to know what powder they used? Different powders loaded to produce the same velocity with the same bullet don't produce the same peak pressure (what you are interested in), only the same average pressure. Slower powders achieve that average with a lower peak and higher muzzle pressure and vice versa.


Very true. Once I chrono the factory loads that will give me a better idea of what speeds they are getting. If they are in the 1200-1400 fps range then I think that will be easy to work up extrapolating some of hodgons loads from the 100 grain XTP and the 90 grain lead RNFP's.

I have 800X, CFE pistol and PB on hand which all have load data from Hodgon
I also have AA#7 which has load data for the 100 grain XTP.
Thoughts on those powders? Or where to start with any of those?
 
I load 327 Federal based on a copy of Brian Pearce's article in Handloader magazine. I suggest anyone loading this cartridge should own a copy. I went with Power Pistol and AA#9, not really pushing for maximum pressure/velocity but serious loads nonetheless, powder bordering on being compressed.
 
Keep in mind that no matter what the manufacturer claims as max achievable velocity, it is the bullet softness and construction that are the issue with potential forcing cone damage.
Bullet companies like Badman (as well as a million internet experts) generally only quote max velocity based on what the bullet coating, lube, or bullet material itself can handle before one fails and performance is adversely affected. Most people are so used to those discussions being based on semi-autos, rifles, and low pressure revolver cartridges, that high pressure revolvers never cross their mind(s). They've never had to consider the bullet smashing into the forcing cone with 45,000 psi behind it, nor read the reports from ballisticians that have blown up .460 S&Ws with soft bullets, so they may not even know that it should be a consideration.

If you want max velocity, it is recommended that you use bullets designed to handle the pressure.
If you want to shoot cheap, soft bullets, then it is in your best interest to back off to a more reasonable pressure level. (For me, that's 36k psi or less - max pressure for .44 Mag and 9x19mm. But, most of the time, my cast bullet loads are way down around 12k-18k psi.)


Based on the last link that you provided, there can't even be any argument about the cost of 'proper' bullets for the job. (I didn't see you mention it, but it has been a common argument in the past.)
Those Great Lakes 100 gr RNFPs are $0.50 apiece. That's quite expensive for a .32 revolver bullet.
Popular options in the 'proper' bullet category:
Hornady 100 gr XTPs are generally available for $16-18 per box, or $0.16-0.18 apiece.
Sierra Sportsmaster 90 gr JHPs are $0.22 apiece (or less).
Speer Gold Dot 85, 100, and 115 gr bullets, when available, are generally $0.14-0.20 apiece.
 
FrankenMauser,

The only reason I ordered them was that they were the ONLY 327 Fed Mag's I could find in stock anywhere. The AE's are sold out everywhere I looked.

I am not really trying to set any records with velocity's or pressure. I just wanted to know what the limits were with the badman bullets that I bought.
Those suckers are getting used one way or another even if they roll out the end of the barrel :)

The Hornady 100 grain XTP's seem to be sold out everywhere as well.

Thanks for all the discussion. Once I get everything in place and work up a load I will move this discussion to the other thread.
 
Badman bullets makes 100 grain RNFP and 78 grain RN coated bullets that are both .313 diameter. Would either be ok for the 327? Ideally I would like to be able to use the same bullet for 327 and 32 S&W long.
I will be using these in a Ruger SP101 with 4.2" barrel.

I have used many of the 100g RNFP from Badman bullets in multiple .32 caliber pistols and a rifle. I have loaded them in .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Mag. and .327 Fed. Mag. I have many successes with different loads throughout the last two years in experimenting with the .32 caliber. I am unable to post exact load data, but if I remember correctly, AA#7, IMR Target, and Bluedot are all what I found the best for .327 Fed. Mag. and .32 H&R Mag. CFE pistol looks good in print, but I could never get good results. I can not remember entirely what I settled on for .32 S&W Long for the 100g RNFP, but for 100g copper plated and FMJ, nothing can beat Bullseye. All loads used were from published sources.

Badman Bullets is a very good company to work with. Good prices and usually ship the same day.
 
When you want to make things interesting and well off the beaten path, try the Xtreme 123gr plated "AK-47" bullet in .327 Federal as I detailed in the linked thread.

These are unlikely to work in th SP-101 however, as the cylinder is too short for what I cooked up... but if you developed some new loads in .32 H&R brass, you may be able to find success!
 
If you are just punching paper, go to the shorter 32 H&R magnum case. Load 100 grain lead semi wadcutters of the Saeco style. They work better than the RCBS style in my opinion. Don't rule out 115 grain 32-20 round nose flat points. They shoot pretty good too and if you must shoot with 327 brass will take up a lot more air space. The XTPs as I said before are great for 327 federal equivalent loads but you are basically after 32S&W/32 mag level loads. The 32 mag loads will be more accurate than 32 S&W in a 327 chamber.

One thing you may need is a 32 long expander plug for .313 bullets. I would think the 327 expander is closer to .310.
 
I'm thinking, if you "just want to shoot holes in paper", use a 22. If you like a little challenge and drama in your shooting, shoot the cartridge that has its name stamped on the barrel. 327 Federal is fun to shoot, but for the reloader it doesn't have to be full power, expensive, or with hard-to-find ammo. It certainly can be lead, avoiding more expensive bullets. Those intended for 32-20 have worked very well for me in my Single Seven. I do have to trim my brass though to be able use a cartridge gauge. With lead bullets at .313 a case length of 1.182 seems to be the sweet spot.
 
Real Gun said:
"just want to shoot holes in paper", use a 22

…Except he might want to practice presentation or speed loading or just using the sights and controlling the trigger of the particular weapon itself and save ammo money into the bargain. Or maybe he wants to take a rabbit or squirrel without messing up much meat. Numerous are the purposes of target loads.
 
Ok, here is my thinking on buying this gun and its' intended purposes:

My wife likes shooting and will shoot her 9mm carry gun for practice but prefers to shoot a 22. She is not a big fan of recoil. We currently own a single six and a S&W Victory. She doesn't like loading and unloading the single six and the Victory can be finicky so the last time we went shooting, she got frustrated and quit shooting and I can't have that.

So I started looking at guns for her to shoot while also trying to find something that I would enjoy shooting. I did not want a double action 22. That lead me to the 327 since it can shoot 32 S&W, 32 S&W long, 32 ACP, etc. I figured it would be the perfect gun for her to shoot (low recoil and easy to use) while also being a fun gun for me(I like recoil).
 
The Great lakes ammo that I bought that has the 100 grain polymer RNFP bullets had an average velocity of 1219 over a 6 shot string. Low was 1198 and high was 1241. I think that will be recreatable using AA#7.

Of course when I went to start adjusting my dies, the Lee sizing die had a large burr/defect in the threads so I can't use it. I will have to call them on Monday. Anyone have any dealing with Lee warranty service?
 
You could do that with 231 or universal or blue dot or 800x or unique too. Just some alternative choices. 231 tops out around 1250 but the slower ones can take you up close to factory power for a 327.
 
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