Accuracy of .327 revolver w/.32 H&R loads?

Guns.com Vault
Gather App
U

Uncle Howie

Buckeye
Supporting Member
Joined
May 28, 2004
Messages
1,707
City & State/Province
MN
Hello, all-

I've been looking at Single-Six revolvers chambered in .32 H&R Magnum.

Ostensibly this is for "small game hunting," but the other half is just that "I don't have one." 🤠

I DO NOT need .327 Magnum power, but I've also looked at new revolvers in .327 Magnum.

When firing .32 H&R Magnum cartridges, will I tend to have notably better accuracy out of a slightly shorter H&R Magnum cylinder, vs. a .327 cylinder? (Who knows- I might even look at the .32 S&W/.32 S&W Long cartridges.)

This would be for still hunting rabbits, grouse, and (maybe) the occasional squirrel at extremely close range- like 50 feet kind of close. (I only get the really dumb ones!)

The question is out there, "Why don't I just use one of my current Single-Sixes in .22 LR/.22 WMR?"

Fair question, but... "Well, you know, I've been thinking..." :LOL:
 
Should be fine. I tested .32 H&R Magnum cartridges with a Single Seven and found loads that are plenty accurate out of the gun (78gr, 100gr, 115gr bullets). I worked up loads for aprox. same velocity of .22LR out of a Single Six. All I shoot in my .32s is .32 H&R Magnum. The .327 just isn't 'needed' in my shooting experience.
 
I would think that the actual bore dimensions (provided they are concentric), would affect accuracy more than the small amount of free bore. Ruger is not famous for having the correct bore dimensions in every revolver, but I can’t say about the other brands.
 
My favorite revolver is my 1985 Ruger SSM in 32 H&R Mag. Love that gun and is very accurate whether I shoot the 32 Mag round or the 32 Longs. The Fiocchi rounds and even the Aguila rounds are good. I have some of the old original Federal red & white boxed stuff too. They are all good. I love the 32 H&R Mags.
 
I would think that the actual bore dimensions... (
Click to expand...
I would think the bore dimension would be consistent. However the cylinder throats can be a problem. I have to ream my baby Vaquero throats to the proper diameter as they were very tight. My other .32 revolvers were ok.
 
So many variables when related to accuracy. Are all the cylinder to barrel gaps consistent. Like .006 or just a consistent gap? Have you slugged the barrel to determine proper projectile size? What powder provides the most consistent muzzle FPS. What projectile base delivers the most consistent performance at your desired distance? Accuracy isn't stumbled upon, it's crafted. Once you achieve mechanical accuracy, the you have to factor shooter accuracy.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say most production revolvers/pistols are mechanically more accurate than the shooter grasping the butt. 🤔
 
Don’t think you’ll notice any appreciable difference.

The .32 HR magnum is a great round. Always wondered what’s the point with the .327 federal in that most were snubs that got a lot of bark, blast and flash with little gain.

Think you’ll be fine shooting the .32 HR magnum out of it. Great round to handload and enjoy !
 
Rclark said:
I would think the bore dimension would be consistent. However the cylinder throats can be a problem. I have to ream my baby Vaquero throats to the proper diameter as they were very tight. My other .32 revolvers were ok.
Click to expand...
Some call them cylinder throats, some call them cylinder bores, same thing.
 
Some call them cylinder throats, some call them cylinder bores, same thing.
Click to expand...
Well, in my day, it has always been chamber, throat, forcing cone, and bore when talking revolvers. But that is just me and the gunsmiths I've associated with over the years :) . Times change I suppose.
 
Don't take it wrong but the largest variable to accuracy you are going to encounter is YOU, and how well you shoot a handgun. I believe you would have to be a world class shooter to see an honest difference between the two cartridges.
The second variable is how well the actual handgun is assembled and its parts play together. Ruger can make some out of the box accurate guns and some that need some tweaking.
I seldom play with shorter or spl. length brass in mag length cylinders. Not for any accuracy concerns but basically because I'm lazy and avoid any extra clean-up labor.
Downloading or deep seating is just a far too easy way to adjust what you are shooting.
And if you are going to dabble with the hot-rod 32s you have to be a reloader to find any happiness.
 
Last edited:
Rclark said:
Well, in my day, it has always been chamber, throat, forcing cone, and bore when talking revolvers. But that is just me and the gunsmiths I've associated with over the years :) . Times change I suppose.
Click to expand...

Times they are a changin', but that doesn't excuse improper terminology. As you say, the BORE (diameter) is the distance between the lands of the BARREL, and has nothing to do with the THROATS of the cylinder (y)
 
With a revolver a Ransom Rest might tell the tale. Some very good shooters might beat one.............but notice I said, "very good" shooters.
 
s4s4u said:
Times they are a changin', but that doesn't excuse improper terminology. As you say, the BORE (diameter) is the distance between the lands of the BARREL, and has nothing to do with the THROATS of the cylinder (y)
Click to expand...
Improper terminology...that’s a catchy phrase. So, do you call grips stocks, or stocks grips ? Because one of them is proper, and the other, though used more often, is not.
 
Thanks to all, for your various thoughts and discussion!

Always good to have RF to hash things out, in the absence of nearby folks with similar interests.

Those who mentioned my shooting ability and/or a steady rest are right on- that's already in my head. đź‘Ť
I just like to overthink things, and I figure I can use all the accuracy help I can get! (As usual, loading another box of ammo, hitting the range, and focusing on fundamentals would probably help more than anything!)

The more I think about it, the more it's probably a non-issue. I was already thinking about fooling around with .32 H&R Mag powder-puff loads, vs. .32 S&W Long, etc. If I'm considering that... certainly no different than shooting .32 H&R Mag out of a .327(?).

I also tend to be a "stainless guy," which puts the .327 back in the lead. But then... I've already got a call in to a shop that supposedly has a .32 H&R marked with an attractive price.

I'm already about 20 firearms "projects" behind... but a new revolver, chambered for a new (to me) cartridge, should help me pull it all together! 🤪

I've got a buddy from L.A. ("that's Lower Alabama!") who often sums it up, thus:
"Ain't life grand?" 🤠
 
When I bought my first Ruger Single Seven in 327, I had to try all of 32 rounds from 32 S&W or short to 327. From the same gun at the same distance there was a definite rise in point of impact as the velocity increased. Still once you found where each hit you just slightly compensate.
 
lincen said:
When I bought my first Ruger Single Seven in 327, I had to try all of 32 rounds from 32 S&W or short to 327. From the same gun at the same distance there was a definite rise in point of impact as the velocity increased. Still once you found where each hit you just slightly compensate.
Click to expand...
That brings up what I consider an important point for a 32 expected to shoot accurately with cartridges 'mild to wild'.
Do yourself a favor and buy a gun with adjustable sights.
Just sayin.
 
I guess the 32 you spoke if in the shop is a blued gun. If that 32 Mag is one of the original SSM guns from the 80's, buy it. Yes, they do have adjustable sights and you will definitely love that gun....
 
lincen said:
When I bought my first Ruger Single Seven in 327, I had to try all of 32 rounds from 32 S&W or short to 327. From the same gun at the same distance there was a definite rise in point of impact as the velocity increased. Still once you found where each hit you just slightly compensate.
Click to expand...

Curious if you noticed any difference in accuracy. POI change is a given when you change velocity or bullet weight, with a handgun.
 
s4s4u said:
Curious if you noticed any difference in accuracy. POI change is a given when you change velocity or bullet weight, with a handgun.
Click to expand...
What I observed was more of a drop in elevation with each drop in velocity. Now to be clear, I am not a marksman by any means but a friend and I noticed the same thing with the same gun. BTW, he is a much better shot than I am. With the larger frame revolvers, GP100 & SP101, I still shoot the 327’s but in my single seven birdshead I prefer the 32 magnum.
 
"I just like to overthink things, and I figure I can use all the accuracy help I can get! (As usual, loading another box of ammo, hitting the range, and focusing on fundamentals would probably help more than anything!)"

^^^^THIS^^^^

As noted above,, the shooter is often the biggest factor when it comes to accuracy. A gun can easily shoot better than the "loose nut behind the trigger" quite often.
But starting with an inaccurate handgun can only frustrate a shooter.
When I've found a gun I felt that wasn't performing as I thought it should,, I've asked others to shoot that gun to see if it was me or the gun. And I do not tell them what I'm having issues with,, I just ask them to shoot it as good as they possible can.
Usually,, the gun needs a bit of tweaking to fix whatever.

I've also managed to buy a few handguns from others who thought the gun was "bad" when it wasn't.

As an instructor, I teach people; "Quality practice,, often,, will make you a better shooter. And before you ask,, practice a LOT & do it right! Poor or improper practice will only lead to poor shooting & frustration."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

JackBull
LCR in 32 H&R
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
planetcat
P
wesm
Fitted a set of old LG-411 Crimson Trace lasergrips to my new 32 H&R Mag LCR
Replies
0
Views
82
wesm
wesm
H
SP101 32 H&r mag
Replies
13
Views
487
Hawk-in-Wi
H
JackBull
Lipseys 32 H&R Mag
Replies
1
Views
303
hittman
hittman
BULL'S-EYE
Another 32 H&R SSM...
Replies
9
Views
666
Ale-8(1)
A

Latest posts

Back
Top