the caliber question
- Thread starter Bezoar
- Start date
if'n you don't like .327 I suggest you don't buy one. I don't like 9mm so I don't have one. Just because a cartridge doesn't have 10 gazillion guns made for it doesn't mean it isn't a good cartridge. Ruger just announced that they are producing a new Single Seven for the cartridge so someone must like it.
I think I'll pick one up (the Ruger .327 7-shooter) if I can get it. I want it as my .22LR 'reloadable' replacement. When I can't get bulk .22LR, I could still shoot cheap (relatively) ammo with the .32. It is the only reason that I can see for using/buying/investing in the .327 as I have .357s for tackling anything else in its class.... Also, I can shoot at the velocities I want to shoot as the .327 cartridge has quite high psi rating of 45K. Lots of headroom. To match the lowly .22, I need only get to 1000-1200fps. At that speed with a 90g bullet, you are still double the 'smack' of a .22 40g bullet. No need to spit out a pill at 1600fps+ that I can see (I've got bigger guns if I need more smack).... Unless you like lots of 'noise' that is. Especially at normal open sighted handgun distances out to 75 yards or so.
Colorado Redneck
New member
Don't need to justify liking the .327 FM
This is a personal preference thingie---kind of like other choices we make in life. Fiddling with new or unusual calibers is enjoyable and is something different than run of the mill stuff.
Granted, obtaining brass for the .327 has been difficult. Finally got a few hundred cases, and since I don't really load for max velocity, the stuff will probably make 10,000 rounds of reloads. When they are available I sometimes buy a thousand bullets.
Load, shoot, and reload. Great fun.
I like 38 Special and .357 Mag too. Why limit yourself?
This is a personal preference thingie---kind of like other choices we make in life. Fiddling with new or unusual calibers is enjoyable and is something different than run of the mill stuff.
Granted, obtaining brass for the .327 has been difficult. Finally got a few hundred cases, and since I don't really load for max velocity, the stuff will probably make 10,000 rounds of reloads. When they are available I sometimes buy a thousand bullets.
Load, shoot, and reload. Great fun.
I like 38 Special and .357 Mag too. Why limit yourself?
A thought & question re: the .327 round since its not hijacking the thread.
I love my autos, have many, but I was weaned on the revolver & love my wheel guns.
I have a Pro Series J frame .357 3" 5 shot & love it but sure wish it was a 6 shooter.
Does anyone make a 6 shooter concealable 3" in .327?
Aren't there two .327 "magnums"? Which witch is which?
You guys got me thinking the round ain't too shabby for defense issues and I like the 6 shot notion.
The Ruger Single Seven sounds like one heck of a varmint hunting and fun shooter.
I've been loading ammo since I ws 14 yrs old (that's 53 years now) and I'd absolutely load for a .327 caliber AND cast boolits.
I love my autos, have many, but I was weaned on the revolver & love my wheel guns.
I have a Pro Series J frame .357 3" 5 shot & love it but sure wish it was a 6 shooter.
Does anyone make a 6 shooter concealable 3" in .327?
Aren't there two .327 "magnums"? Which witch is which?
You guys got me thinking the round ain't too shabby for defense issues and I like the 6 shot notion.
The Ruger Single Seven sounds like one heck of a varmint hunting and fun shooter.
I've been loading ammo since I ws 14 yrs old (that's 53 years now) and I'd absolutely load for a .327 caliber AND cast boolits.
Quote:
Probably the greatest detraction is that its a .32! That area of its usefulness is already covered by .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers. There's nothing a .32 can that a .38 Spl/.357 Magnum can't do better. And there's already plenty of .32 H & R Magnums and .32-20s out there.
Bob Wright
I agree Bob....but! The .44 magnum and hotter loaded .45 Colt will do anything the .41 magnum will do & do it a bit better.
That said I have three .41s and woudln't even think about not using them & having fun with them.
One could argue the .308 vs. the 30-06 ad nauseum but that's not the point of wanting something different to play with.
I'm retired l.e.o. so have done the defense routine for decades, still do, still enjoy it, but shooting pleasure takes many forms.
I just love to reload and shoot for the enjoyment. Another caliber is a fine excuse to buy another firearm.
Probably the greatest detraction is that its a .32! That area of its usefulness is already covered by .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers. There's nothing a .32 can that a .38 Spl/.357 Magnum can't do better. And there's already plenty of .32 H & R Magnums and .32-20s out there.
Bob Wright
I agree Bob....but! The .44 magnum and hotter loaded .45 Colt will do anything the .41 magnum will do & do it a bit better.
That said I have three .41s and woudln't even think about not using them & having fun with them.
One could argue the .308 vs. the 30-06 ad nauseum but that's not the point of wanting something different to play with.
I'm retired l.e.o. so have done the defense routine for decades, still do, still enjoy it, but shooting pleasure takes many forms.
I just love to reload and shoot for the enjoyment. Another caliber is a fine excuse to buy another firearm.
Bob Wright
New member
jeager106 said:
That's true. First of all, let's rule out the rifles ~ there's no accounting for caliber choice in rifles, media being what it is.
If you did not have a .41 Magnum now, would you go out and buy one? And especially if you already had a .44?
Some men would, of course, I likely being one of them. But I believe most first-time users would opt for a more readily component available caliber, such as the .44 or .45.
Bob Wright
That's true. First of all, let's rule out the rifles ~ there's no accounting for caliber choice in rifles, media being what it is.
If you did not have a .41 Magnum now, would you go out and buy one? And especially if you already had a .44?
Some men would, of course, I likely being one of them. But I believe most first-time users would opt for a more readily component available caliber, such as the .44 or .45.
Bob Wright
Well, this is what it came down to for me when I bought my SP101. I was intrigued by the possibility of a new cartridge, but when it comes right down to it I am comfortable with the .357 Magnum/38spl platform. I think that change is difficult for most people especially when they are satisfied with their first choice. In order for people to want to change and adopt a new caliber, they must first have the motivation and desire to do so, and really when it comes down to it, I can't think of a good reason why I would want to leave the .357 platform. And since I'm not rich and can't have one of every caliber I will stick with one caliber and several guns of that caliber. It sure makes a lot more sense for reloading.
I'm of the opinion that anyone who wants to embrace a non-mainstream caliber such as the .327 needs to either accept that the ammo supply/selection will be limited or stock up on supplies and reload for the caliber. Preferably the latter.
If you simply must have the caliber, and you just won't reload for it, then quit complaining about ammo limitations. You should have thought about that before you chose that caliber.
If you simply must have the caliber, and you just won't reload for it, then quit complaining about ammo limitations. You should have thought about that before you chose that caliber.
A pause for the COZ
New member
32 cal is one of those I have mixed feelings about. I get frustrated when I cant find an option I really really want. ( A carbine in 327)
Thats because there are just not enough guys who love them to get any middle men happy. So they dont push for it. We will always be the one who have to buy limited editions to get what we want.
But then on the other hand. The chances of finding a good deal on a used Smith and Wesson or colt are better.
Plus they were most likely a dresser gun so even though they may look worn they lock up tighter than a new gun.
So I guess I am ok with being on the outside looking in. That way I can keep finding these things for a song.
So yes your right, 32's are bad you dont want one.
Thats because there are just not enough guys who love them to get any middle men happy. So they dont push for it. We will always be the one who have to buy limited editions to get what we want.
But then on the other hand. The chances of finding a good deal on a used Smith and Wesson or colt are better.
Plus they were most likely a dresser gun so even though they may look worn they lock up tighter than a new gun.
So I guess I am ok with being on the outside looking in. That way I can keep finding these things for a song.
So yes your right, 32's are bad you dont want one.
Dragline45
New member
When they make a dedicated 5 shot .32 pocket revolver that's smaller than a J frame, sign me up. With that said I would like to find myself a 6 shot .32 J frame.
ligonierbill
New member
Dragline, they do, or rather they did. Find a Colt Police Positive (like COZ) or a S&W Regulation Police ('I' frame). The .32 S&W Long is no barn burner, but it's better than a .22. COZ, is that a Savage 23C there? To the original subject, the .327 mag still interests me, but I can't bring myself to pay $1,000 for a $600 gun. If someone would start selling a nice 4" medium frame revolver again, I'd line up to buy it.
A pause for the COZ
New member
Why yes it is a Model 23. Not sure about the C though. Its chambered in 32-20.
I tell you what it is a tack driver at 100 yards.very fun to tag those rabbits with a head shot at 50.
Took me quite a search to find a good one. Even then its still the best value for a pistol caliber rifle. IMOP.
I tell you what it is a tack driver at 100 yards.very fun to tag those rabbits with a head shot at 50.
Took me quite a search to find a good one. Even then its still the best value for a pistol caliber rifle. IMOP.
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Well, this is one thing, right here. With the exception of the .32H&R (now pushing 30 years old, and able to match .38 SPL energy when loaded to top end) all these rounds are weak. More than a .22LR, or a .25ACP, but not by much.
And other than the .32ACP, are only owned by the relatively small number of .32cal handgun enthusiasts. Not mainstream defensive, OR sporting rounds.
The .327 Magnum, even though more powerful, is still in that group. Simply put, there is no real demand for a .32caliber pistol these days. What demand there is comes from A) the pocket pistol group, which likes the .32acp because of some of the pistols it comes in, and would likely drop the .32 caliber if the pistol they want came in a bigger round. and B) the shooting enthusiast who is either on a nostalgia kick, or simply likes to check out anything new and different.
There's nothing wrong with the .32 caliber, per se, but there isn't enough right with it to make it a mainstream seller today. If you're into the .32caliber,enjoy it! It has uses. But don't go whining about how there aren't 57 different factory loads on the shelf all the time. You bought into a niche market. Loads are going to be scarce, and expensive. Deal with it.
I've got pistols chambered in rounds that are out of production. I've even got one that takes ammo that was NEVER in production, other than a small run by a foreign maker nearly 40 years ago. If I want to shoot those guns, I have to make my own ammo. Period. I'm ok with that. I choose them, partly because of they are rare. Not in the mainstream, not cheap, and never going to be.
327 Magnum
IMHO I don't see the round ever being so common that numerous loadings will be for sale in every LGS. However it has a number of things going for it, not the least of which is versatility. You can take a 32 S&W round to target shoot with at about 700 fps and then load with the Double Tap 115 Cast making 654 ft/lbs of energy (that is about as hot as I have seen). That power level is at least on par with most ammo available in common calibers like 40, 357 Sig, 45 etc, and a lot of what is available in 357 mag. That doesn't mean it is any better but it is not giving up anything if you want to use one. A shooter has to remember that SAAMI MAP for the 327 mag is 45K which is higher than the average handgun round. Buffalo Bore is now advertising a 130 grain cast 327 magnum that they assure will penetrate the toughest part of a bear, its skull. Now if I am hunting bear, I am using a rifle but if I am carrying for black bear protection, seeing first hand what a 327 mag will do, I would consider it as good as most common revolvers.
The 327 is interesting and useful for a lot of applications. It is not embraced by everyone but that doesn't make it any different than a lot of cartridges. We all have different tastes and likes and this flavor is not for everyone. YMMV
IMHO I don't see the round ever being so common that numerous loadings will be for sale in every LGS. However it has a number of things going for it, not the least of which is versatility. You can take a 32 S&W round to target shoot with at about 700 fps and then load with the Double Tap 115 Cast making 654 ft/lbs of energy (that is about as hot as I have seen). That power level is at least on par with most ammo available in common calibers like 40, 357 Sig, 45 etc, and a lot of what is available in 357 mag. That doesn't mean it is any better but it is not giving up anything if you want to use one. A shooter has to remember that SAAMI MAP for the 327 mag is 45K which is higher than the average handgun round. Buffalo Bore is now advertising a 130 grain cast 327 magnum that they assure will penetrate the toughest part of a bear, its skull. Now if I am hunting bear, I am using a rifle but if I am carrying for black bear protection, seeing first hand what a 327 mag will do, I would consider it as good as most common revolvers.
The 327 is interesting and useful for a lot of applications. It is not embraced by everyone but that doesn't make it any different than a lot of cartridges. We all have different tastes and likes and this flavor is not for everyone. YMMV