327 Ballistics

[writwing]

I am interested in the 327 and took a look at the ballistics tables. With around 500 ft-lbs of energy that this round should be a good stopper and with the smaller diameter get very good penetration. Any one have any field results to share?

 

[2 dogs]

I can tell you it turns jackrabbits off like they got a switch....

 

[louiethelump]

I would imagine............................

 

[Jimbo357mag]

By upping the velocity of a .32 slug you can get more energy and better bullet expansion but bigger (heavier) slugs are better in my opinion. A .44special or .45acp or .45colt is a heck of a lot better manstopper. Even the .38special will make a much bigger hole in something. 8) 8)

...Jimbo

 

[varmonter]

Agreed. Although the .327 mag is one great lil round.. If i have my choice i will carry my .45 or .40 first for SD.Critters on the other hand are great to pop with this round as most likely the jackrabbit will not get up and shoot back.

 

[Glupy]

You guys are right! I didn't realize that the 325 Federal had that much energy.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?loadNo=23913


I think about getting a 327 Blackhawk but that means another set of dies, more brass and bullets, etc, etc.

Dave

 

[2 dogs]

I have a custom Single Six by Alan Harton in 327 Federal. I can exit LBTs 118 grain GC easily out of my six inch barrel at 1550 fps. Yeah, its got some thump!

 

[41 mag fan]

i can tell you it throws the squirrels out of the trees.

 

[32magfan]

I have done several redneck experiments at the Viola Yacht Club (our joking nickname for the Viola Shooting range and the "regulars")here in TN. I bought all of the Rugers in 327 last year and we had to try them out in the various platforms on milk jugs filled with water.

The BlackHawk with 5.5" barrel is the most impressive with the 100 gr. Softpoint (American Eagle) and Speer 115 Gold Dot going into the 4th jug of water but not exiting. Mushroom is perfect and the little bullets open up to about .45-.50 inches with the nasty little petals all splayed out. I'm sure hitting some clothes, bones, etc may change things. The 85 gr load was stopped by the 3rd jug of water but had the same perfect mushroom. These loads all chronographed in the high 1400's to low 1500's so they are moving on.

The GP100 was just a little less impressive on penetration of the jugs. Only the 100gr made it into the fourth jug. The 85 and 115 still went into #3 and the bullets all opened nicely about like before. The velocity is slightly lower with the 4" barrel on the GP (1415-1460 range IIRC).

The SP101 was shot with the 3" barrel and I think I know why the 2" version has not been offered like the 357. The performance is less with the SP. The 85 gr and 115 gr were stopped in 2nd jug of water and the 100 made it to #3. Mushrooming was still good but not as fully opened as the other two. I have not chronographed the defense loads in this gun yet. The 115gr handload of 3.7 gr Clays (Max load in the Hodgdon book) behind a 115gr RNFP hard cast bullet will do and honest 1000fps out of the BlackHawk but it only does about 875 - 900fps from the SP101.

My guess is that a 2" version of the SP would lose to much velocity for the loads to be reliable. This is why most people recommend that folks carry something starting with a "4" and I can't argue with that logic. On the other hand, I can almost always carry a 32 (or 327) without it being uncomfortable. Therefore, I am more likely to have it with me than say a 5" 1911. This was not what the OP started on but ballisitics invariably goes down this road anyway. :wink:

My .02 (if you trust the scientific method of a transplanted KY hillbilly living in Middle Tennessee) :shock:

PS - The milk jugs all had the caps screwed on and the water was as full as I could get it. One of the guys visiting the range from Michigan said that piece of information was vital to the accuracy of the data. :roll:

Have a Blessed Day,

32Magfan

 

[contender]

Glad I have the Blackhawk!

 

[dougader]

I sent some 327 over the chrony 2 weeks ago. From the 3" Sp101:

115 GDHP - 1315 fps
100 JSP - 1410 fps

My water jug test was a little different than noted above.

The 115 GD from the SP101 blasted through the first 2 jugs, continued on through the 3rd jug and litterally came to stop, imbedded within the plastic of the back of the 4th gallon water jug.

The 100 grain jsp blew through my last 4 jugs, broke the plastic bottom out of an old tire chain carrier/box and stopped inside.

 

[2 dogs]

I believe the 327 would benefit from a bit heavier of a bullet. I have tested 133 grain LBT bullets out of my Buckeye and got 1540 fps. I believe the the 327 Federal would easily launch the 32 Sixgun Sledgehamer at over 1400 fps. More on that bullet here:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=113612