There is a very inexpensive alternative Blackhawk.
Ruger's NM .30 Carbine Blackhawk will chamber and safely shoot .32 H&R Mag, the .327 Federal Mag and .32-20, because the cyl chambers do not enclose the case head (like the old model .30 M1 Blackhawk cyls).
You'll find the .32 H&R Mag and the .327 Federal Mag much more fun to shoot without the ear splitting report of the 30 carbine round. Performance of the .327 Fed Mag is closer to the 30 Carbine and with fine accuracy. The case neck of the 327 may be a little tight in some .30 M1 cylinder chambers (they do vary) and need a bit of honing. And the cases will expand only an extra .007" per side or so near the base. You may get a split case occasionally with much reloaded used brass near the middle of the case, but not usually. If you reload you don't have to full length resize and therefore not unnecessarily overwork the brass. Therefore not worth the cost of a custom cyl in .32/.327 for your .30 M1 Blackhawk.
The .312" bullets may tend to raise pressure negligibly in the smaller .308" barrel although of no consequence in the robust Ruger cyl and way under its max pressure limits. And you may have some leading with lead bullets that are too soft depending on hardness. But you'll have good accuracy.
Thanks for the hint. That may be the way to go, because of availability, cost, versatility, and that the .30 Carbine one has also been on my list.There is a very inexpensive alternative Blackhawk.
Ruger's NM .30 Carbine Blackhawk will chamber and safely shoot .32 H&R Mag, the .327 Federal Mag and .32-20, because the cyl chambers do not enclose the case head (like the old model .30 M1 Blackhawk cyls).
You'll find the .32 H&R Mag and the .327 Federal Mag much more fun to shoot without the ear splitting report of the 30 carbine round. Performance of the .327 Fed Mag is closer to the 30 Carbine and with fine accuracy. The case neck of the 327 may be a little tight in some .30 M1 cylinder chambers (they do vary) and need a bit of honing. And the cases will expand only an extra .007" per side or so near the base. You may get a split case occasionally with much reloaded used brass near the middle of the case, but not usually. If you reload you don't have to full length resize and therefore not unnecessarily overwork the brass. Therefore not worth the cost of a custom cyl in .32/.327 for your .30 M1 Blackhawk.
The .312" bullets may tend to raise pressure negligibly in the smaller .308" barrel although of no consequence in the robust Ruger cyl and way under its max pressure limits. And you may have some leading with lead bullets that are too soft depending on hardness. But you'll have good accuracy.
Did the .327 not really catch on?It was also offered in a Vaquero convertible .32 H&R x 32-20. Not a Blackhawk, but still a large frame gun.
All of the above (Buckeye Blackhawk, .327 Blackhawk, and Vaquero) were low production runs and all command 4 figure prices for NIB condition these days.
It did with me. We have a Blackhawk, a GP100, and a Henry in 327 mag. Very versatile with 32 S&W Long, 32 Magnum, and 327 Magnum.Did the .327 not really catch on?
Danny
Great, but what about overall?It did with me. We have a Blackhawk, a GP100, and a Henry in 327 mag. Very versatile with 32 S&W Long, 32 Magnum, and 327 Magnum.
Well depends on how you look at it.Did the .327 not really catch on?
Danny
I agree. When the 327 came out, an ammo-gun shortage occurred soon after and the limited production focused on the established rounds, not the then new 327 magnum. The other issue was limited bullet selection, mostly between 85 and 100 grains. Having played with them now for years I learned that if you want to get the most out of it, you have to cast your own bullets. The 100 grain has a sectional density (SD) of 0.146 and compares to a 357 125 gn at 0.140 SD. The bullets that perform well for me are 116, 120, and 132 grains; 0.170, 0.176, and 0.194 SD respectively. For comparison a 357 mag 158 has a SD of 0.177. I really like the 327 magnum but it works best for a handloader.Well depends on how you look at it.
Supply has ALWAYS hampered it from day one.
At first it was hard to get proper guns for it. Plus, in my opinion, it was misunderstood and forced into a snubby guns for self-defense role.
It can do self-defense but that forced the 327 versus 38/357 debate that still rages.
It took Ruger and Lipsey's to see past that and make guns for it's true nature.
Catch on??? Well Ruger and Lipsey's rapidly sold out of EVERY model they made. All models have a loyal band of followers that would buy more if available. Most listed on Gunbroker sell at prices much higher than their original MSRP.
Supply is once again the limiting issue, but I would say, yeah, They caught on.
Thanks. This includes needsmostuff. Personally, I see the 327 and 32 H&R Magnum as a small game revolver round, but that is maybe just me.I agree. When the 327 came out, an ammo-gun shortage occurred soon after and the limited production focused on the established rounds, not the then new 327 magnum. The other issue was limited bullet selection, mostly between 85 and 100 grains. Having played with them now for years I learned that if you want to get the most out of it, you have to cast your own bullets. The 100 grain has a sectional density (SD) of 0.146 and compares to a 357 125 gn at 0.140 SD. The bullets that perform well for me are 116, 120, and 132 grains; 0.170, 0.176, and 0.194 SD respectively. For comparison a 357 mag 158 has a SD of 0.177. I really like the 327 magnum but it works best for a handloader.
S&W did a dandy version.