.327 Federal Magnum
Encyclopedia
The .327 Federal Magnum is a cartridge introduced by Sturm, Ruger
and Federal Cartridge
, intended to provide the power of a .357 Magnum
in six shot, compact revolver
s, whose cylinders only hold 5 rounds of the larger .357 Magnum cartridge. The .327 Federal Magnum is actually a super magnum
having replaced the .32 H&R Magnum as the pinnacle of the cartridge diameter.
In the April 2008 issue of the NRA's American Rifleman magazine, Field Editor Bryce Towsley summed up his review of the cartridge as follows: The cartridge ultimately won the NRA Publication's prestigious Golden Bullseye Award for "Ammo of the Year" (2009).
, introduced in 1984, a round which failed to attract shooters or manufacturers. This is the third updated version of the original .32 S&W
cartridge, which dates back to 1878. The original was a black powder cartridge with a case length of 0.61 in. (15 mm), which developed a velocity of around 700 ft/s (215 m/s). The first improvement of the round came in 1896 with the introduction of the .32 S&W Long
, which had a case length of 0.920 in (23.4 mm) and generated slightly higher velocities. The introduction of the .32 H&R Magnum nearly a century later increased the case length to 1.075 in (27.3 mm) and pushed the pressure up from the very low 15,000 psi to 21,000 psi CUP
, which is similar to .38 Special
+P
. This gave velocities of over 1200 ft/s (365.8 m/s), a respectable increase, but was not enough to garner any great interest in the cartridge.
Based on the .32 H&R Magnum
, stretched and loaded to a higher pressure of 45,000 psi (note that standard pressure 44 magnum is 36,000psi), the .327 (actual bullet diameter .312 in, or 7.92 mm) achieves velocities up to 1400 ft/s (426.7 m/s) with 100 gr bullets (420 m/s and 6.5 g), and up to 1300 ft/s (396.2 m/s) with 115 gr bullets (390 m/s and 7.5 g), from the 3 1/16" (78 mm) barreled Ruger SP-101
revolver. The small framed Ruger SP-101 chambered in the .327 Federal Magnum was released in January 2008.
Currently most of the factory loads on the market are designed for self defense in short barrels, but with a load pressure of a 45,000 psi, don't be surprised to hear those velocities go up with heavier hotter loads designed for hunting. This round will probably become a popular whitetail load in states that don't have bore diameter restrictions.
While the .32 H&R Magnum is a near equivalent to the .38 Special +P, the .327 Federal Magnum reaches the velocity levels of the .357 Magnum
, if not the same power, with velocities of up to 1400 ft/s (420 m/s) from the short-barreled Ruger SP-101. The case is 1/8" (3 mm) longer than the .32 H&R, and the pressure, at 45000 psi (310.3 MPa), exceeds that of the .357 Magnum. Since the .327 still shares all case dimensions, excluding length, with the other .32 caliber cartridges going back to the .32 S&W, revolvers chambered for it can safely chamber and fire the other three cartridges for lower cost and lower recoil practice.
Recoil is substantially more than the .32 H&R mag, but less than the .357 mag., in a snub-nosed revolver. Comparing the two calibers, Chuck Hawks, says, "There is no doubt that, for most shooters, the .357 Mag. produces uncomfortable recoil and muzzle blast. ATK recoil figures for the .327 Mag. show free recoil energies of 3.08 ft·lbf (4.2 J). for the 85 grain JHP factory load, 5.62 ft·lbf (7.6 J) for the 115 grain JHP load and 5.58 ft·lbf (7.6 J) for the 100 grain SP load. For comparison, ATK figures are 1.46 ft·lbf (2 J) for the 85 grain .32 H&R Mag. load and 7.22 ft·lbf (9.8 J) for the 125 grain .357 Mag. load."
, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson
are the major gun manufacturers producing small frame six-shot .327 revolvers. In addition, Ruger offers a 7-shot version of their GP100, along with an 8-shot New Model Blackhawk
, each in .327 FM. Ruger claims the 100 gr. American Eagle load develops 1,525 fps from the 4.20" barreled GP100 and 1,655 fps muzzle velocity from the 5½" barreled Blackhawk.The velocities go up dramatically with longer barrel lengths. Using 14gr of AA#9 with a 113gr cast performance lead flat nose bullets will generate 1,617 fps and 656 foot lbs at muzzle through a 4.25 inch freedom arms model 97. Freedom Arms
makes a single action as does U.S. Fire Arms with the 8-shot Sparrowhawk.
Firearms author Chuck Hawks suggests that lever action carbines in .327 mag. would make "excellent, fun to shoot centerfire rifles for hunting javelina, jackrabbit and coyote" and that revolvers with 6" to 8" barrels and adjustable sights "would be excellent hunting handguns for varmints and small predators, as well as offering flat shooting protection from two-legged predators in the field."
loadings of the old .32-20 Winchester
, though in much shorter barrel. Similar to the +P
cartridges of today, the rifle loadings of these old cartridges were loaded to higher pressures than standard; they were discontinued because they could destroy .32-20 revolvers if fired in them. The .32-20, while long considered obsolete, has lived on in the sport of handgun metallic silhouette
shooting, with handloaded rounds from single shot pistols like the Thompson Center Arms
Contender far exceeding standard ballistics, and with the growing popularity of Cowboy action shooting
, .32-20 lever action rifles are again being made. If chambered in a suitably modified .32-20 rifle, the .327 Federal should provide a significant boost over the .32-20.
Another close comparison is the .30 Carbine
, which has been offered in Ruger's single action Blackhawk revolver line since 1968. The .30 Carbine was essentially the same ballistically as the .32 Winchester Self Loading, which was itself basically a rimless .32-20. The .327 Federal works at even higher pressure than the .30 Carbine (45,000 vs. 40,000 psi). The long, 7½ inch (19 cm) barrel of the .30 Carbine Blackhawk, with suitable loads for a handgun, offers performance levels with similar bullet weights in excess of the factory loaded .327 Federal, along with excellent accuracy. Those who favor the .30 Carbine in a revolver do so due to the excellent accuracy, flat trajectory, and low recoil, all of which the .327 Federal also provides. Both custom gunsmiths working with Ruger small frame single action Single Six and commercial maker Freedom Arms
began offering conversions to convert .32 H&R revolvers to .327 Federal by early 2008. Test results from the long barreled guns showed even higher velocities than the .30 Carbine, along with excellent accuracy. It is quite possible the .327 Federal will be offered in a lever action carbine, though no specific models have been publicly announced.
Shooting Times magazine's Dick Metcalf had this to say about the .327 Mag. in the Ruger SP101 revolver (weight: 28 oz (0.793786644 kg)):
In the Jan-Feb 2009 issue of American Handgunner
magazine, John Taffin
reviewed the .327 Federal Magnum in a Charter Arms Patriot revolver (6-shot, 2.2" barrel):
Sturm, Ruger
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Incorporated is a Southport, Connecticut-based firearm manufacturing company, better known by the shortened name Ruger. Sturm, Ruger produces bolt-action, semi-automatic, full-automatic, and single-shot rifles, shotguns, semi-automatic pistols, and single- and double-action...
and Federal Cartridge
Federal Cartridge
Federal Cartridge is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliant Techsystems, located in Edina, Minnesota. With a work force of nearly 1,000 in Anoka, Minnesota, Federal manufactures a complete line of shotshell, centerfire, and rimfire ammunition and components....
, intended to provide the power of a .357 Magnum
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
in six shot, compact revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
s, whose cylinders only hold 5 rounds of the larger .357 Magnum cartridge. The .327 Federal Magnum is actually a super magnum
Super magnum
A super magnum is a longer version of a magnum handgun cartridge. The most widespread of these calibers are the SuperMag family of super magnums that were proposed and tested by Elgin Gates in the 1970s.-Gates' SuperMags:...
having replaced the .32 H&R Magnum as the pinnacle of the cartridge diameter.
In the April 2008 issue of the NRA's American Rifleman magazine, Field Editor Bryce Towsley summed up his review of the cartridge as follows: The cartridge ultimately won the NRA Publication's prestigious Golden Bullseye Award for "Ammo of the Year" (2009).
Development
The .327 Federal Magnum is an attempt to improve on the .32 H&R Magnum.32 H&R Magnum
The .32 H&R Magnum is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers. It was developed in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge...
, introduced in 1984, a round which failed to attract shooters or manufacturers. This is the third updated version of the original .32 S&W
.32 S&W
The .32 S&W cartridge was introduced in 1878 for the Smith & Wesson model 1½ revolver. It was originally designed as a black powder cartridge.The .32 S&W was offered to the public as a light, defense cartridge, for "card table" distances....
cartridge, which dates back to 1878. The original was a black powder cartridge with a case length of 0.61 in. (15 mm), which developed a velocity of around 700 ft/s (215 m/s). The first improvement of the round came in 1896 with the introduction of the .32 S&W Long
.32 S&W Long
The .32 S&W Long is a straight-walled, centerfire, rimmed handgun cartridge, based on the earlier .32 S&W cartridge. It was introduced in 1896 for Smith & Wesson's first-model Hand Ejector revolver...
, which had a case length of 0.920 in (23.4 mm) and generated slightly higher velocities. The introduction of the .32 H&R Magnum nearly a century later increased the case length to 1.075 in (27.3 mm) and pushed the pressure up from the very low 15,000 psi to 21,000 psi CUP
Copper units of pressure
Copper units of pressure or CUP, and the related lead units of pressure or LUP, are terms applied to pressure measurements used in the field of internal ballistics for the estimation of chamber pressures in firearms. These terms were adopted by convention to indicate that the pressure values were...
, which is similar to .38 Special
.38 Special
The .38 Smith & Wesson Special is a rimmed, centerfire cartridge designed by Smith & Wesson. It is most commonly used in revolvers, although some semi-automatic pistols and carbines also use this round...
+P
Overpressure ammunition
Overpressure ammunition, commonly designated as +P or +P+, is small arms ammunition that has been loaded to a higher internal pressure than is standard for ammunition of its caliber , but less than the pressures generated by a proof round...
. This gave velocities of over 1200 ft/s (365.8 m/s), a respectable increase, but was not enough to garner any great interest in the cartridge.
Based on the .32 H&R Magnum
.32 H&R Magnum
The .32 H&R Magnum is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers. It was developed in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge...
, stretched and loaded to a higher pressure of 45,000 psi (note that standard pressure 44 magnum is 36,000psi), the .327 (actual bullet diameter .312 in, or 7.92 mm) achieves velocities up to 1400 ft/s (426.7 m/s) with 100 gr bullets (420 m/s and 6.5 g), and up to 1300 ft/s (396.2 m/s) with 115 gr bullets (390 m/s and 7.5 g), from the 3 1/16" (78 mm) barreled Ruger SP-101
Ruger SP-101
The Ruger SP-101 is a series of double action revolvers produced by the American company Sturm, Ruger. The SP101 is a small frame and all-steel construction carry revolver, with a 5-shot , 6-shot , or 8-shot cylinder.-History:The Ruger SP-101 was introduced in 1989 as the smaller frame...
revolver. The small framed Ruger SP-101 chambered in the .327 Federal Magnum was released in January 2008.
Currently most of the factory loads on the market are designed for self defense in short barrels, but with a load pressure of a 45,000 psi, don't be surprised to hear those velocities go up with heavier hotter loads designed for hunting. This round will probably become a popular whitetail load in states that don't have bore diameter restrictions.
While the .32 H&R Magnum is a near equivalent to the .38 Special +P, the .327 Federal Magnum reaches the velocity levels of the .357 Magnum
.357 Magnum
The .357 S&W Magnum , or simply .357 Magnum, is a revolver cartridge created by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, Colonel D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson, and Winchester. It is based upon Smith & Wesson's earlier .38 Special cartridge. The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in...
, if not the same power, with velocities of up to 1400 ft/s (420 m/s) from the short-barreled Ruger SP-101. The case is 1/8" (3 mm) longer than the .32 H&R, and the pressure, at 45000 psi (310.3 MPa), exceeds that of the .357 Magnum. Since the .327 still shares all case dimensions, excluding length, with the other .32 caliber cartridges going back to the .32 S&W, revolvers chambered for it can safely chamber and fire the other three cartridges for lower cost and lower recoil practice.
Recoil is substantially more than the .32 H&R mag, but less than the .357 mag., in a snub-nosed revolver. Comparing the two calibers, Chuck Hawks, says, "There is no doubt that, for most shooters, the .357 Mag. produces uncomfortable recoil and muzzle blast. ATK recoil figures for the .327 Mag. show free recoil energies of 3.08 ft·lbf (4.2 J). for the 85 grain JHP factory load, 5.62 ft·lbf (7.6 J) for the 115 grain JHP load and 5.58 ft·lbf (7.6 J) for the 100 grain SP load. For comparison, ATK figures are 1.46 ft·lbf (2 J) for the 85 grain .32 H&R Mag. load and 7.22 ft·lbf (9.8 J) for the 125 grain .357 Mag. load."
Firearms chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum
Ruger, Charter ArmsCharter Arms
Charter Arms Co. is an American manufacturer of revolvers that are relatively inexpensive yet serviceable handguns. The original Charter Arms produced revolvers chambered in calibers .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum, .32 Long, .32 H&R Magnum, .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, .38 Special and...
, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world...
are the major gun manufacturers producing small frame six-shot .327 revolvers. In addition, Ruger offers a 7-shot version of their GP100, along with an 8-shot New Model Blackhawk
Ruger Blackhawk
The Ruger Blackhawk is a 6-shot or 8-shot, single-action revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger. It is produced in a variety of finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.-History:In the early 1950s, Westerns were popular in movies and television...
, each in .327 FM. Ruger claims the 100 gr. American Eagle load develops 1,525 fps from the 4.20" barreled GP100 and 1,655 fps muzzle velocity from the 5½" barreled Blackhawk.The velocities go up dramatically with longer barrel lengths. Using 14gr of AA#9 with a 113gr cast performance lead flat nose bullets will generate 1,617 fps and 656 foot lbs at muzzle through a 4.25 inch freedom arms model 97. Freedom Arms
Freedom Arms
Freedom Arms is a Freedom, Wyoming-based firearm manufacturing company, known for producing powerful single-action revolvers. The company was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker and Dick Casull to produce the Mini revolver then later a revolver chambered in Casull's powerful .454 Casull chambering. ...
makes a single action as does U.S. Fire Arms with the 8-shot Sparrowhawk.
Firearms author Chuck Hawks suggests that lever action carbines in .327 mag. would make "excellent, fun to shoot centerfire rifles for hunting javelina, jackrabbit and coyote" and that revolvers with 6" to 8" barrels and adjustable sights "would be excellent hunting handguns for varmints and small predators, as well as offering flat shooting protection from two-legged predators in the field."
Similar cartridges
The .327 Federal provides performance similar to the high velocity rifleRifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
loadings of the old .32-20 Winchester
.32-20 Winchester
The .32-20 Winchester, also known as the .32 WCF , was the first small-game lever-action cartridge thatWinchester produced. It was initially introduced as a blackpowder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer. Colt produced a single-action pistol chambered for this cartridge a...
, though in much shorter barrel. Similar to the +P
Overpressure ammunition
Overpressure ammunition, commonly designated as +P or +P+, is small arms ammunition that has been loaded to a higher internal pressure than is standard for ammunition of its caliber , but less than the pressures generated by a proof round...
cartridges of today, the rifle loadings of these old cartridges were loaded to higher pressures than standard; they were discontinued because they could destroy .32-20 revolvers if fired in them. The .32-20, while long considered obsolete, has lived on in the sport of handgun metallic silhouette
Metallic silhouette
Metallic silhouette shooting is a group of target shooting disciplines that involves shooting at metal cutouts representing game animals at varying distances. Metallic silhouette shooting can be done with airguns, black powder firearms, modern handguns, or modern rifles...
shooting, with handloaded rounds from single shot pistols like the Thompson Center Arms
Thompson Center Arms
Thompson/Center Arms Company is an American firearms company based in Rochester, New Hampshire. The company is best known for its line of interchangeable barrel single-shot pistols and rifles. Thompson Center manufactures muzzleloading rifles and is credited with creating the resurgence of their...
Contender far exceeding standard ballistics, and with the growing popularity of Cowboy action shooting
Cowboy action shooting
Cowboy Action Shooting , also known as Western Action Shooting or Single Action Shooting, is a competitive shooting sport that originated in California, USA, in the early 1980s...
, .32-20 lever action rifles are again being made. If chambered in a suitably modified .32-20 rifle, the .327 Federal should provide a significant boost over the .32-20.
Another close comparison is the .30 Carbine
.30 Carbine
The .30 Carbine is the cartridge used in the M1 Carbine introduced in the 1940s. It is an intermediate round designed to be fired from the M1 carbine's 18-inch barrel.-History:...
, which has been offered in Ruger's single action Blackhawk revolver line since 1968. The .30 Carbine was essentially the same ballistically as the .32 Winchester Self Loading, which was itself basically a rimless .32-20. The .327 Federal works at even higher pressure than the .30 Carbine (45,000 vs. 40,000 psi). The long, 7½ inch (19 cm) barrel of the .30 Carbine Blackhawk, with suitable loads for a handgun, offers performance levels with similar bullet weights in excess of the factory loaded .327 Federal, along with excellent accuracy. Those who favor the .30 Carbine in a revolver do so due to the excellent accuracy, flat trajectory, and low recoil, all of which the .327 Federal also provides. Both custom gunsmiths working with Ruger small frame single action Single Six and commercial maker Freedom Arms
Freedom Arms
Freedom Arms is a Freedom, Wyoming-based firearm manufacturing company, known for producing powerful single-action revolvers. The company was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker and Dick Casull to produce the Mini revolver then later a revolver chambered in Casull's powerful .454 Casull chambering. ...
began offering conversions to convert .32 H&R revolvers to .327 Federal by early 2008. Test results from the long barreled guns showed even higher velocities than the .30 Carbine, along with excellent accuracy. It is quite possible the .327 Federal will be offered in a lever action carbine, though no specific models have been publicly announced.
Media reviews
In April 2008, Guns & Ammo magazine's Patrick Sweeney reviewed the Ruger SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum and had this to say:Shooting Times magazine's Dick Metcalf had this to say about the .327 Mag. in the Ruger SP101 revolver (weight: 28 oz (0.793786644 kg)):
In the Jan-Feb 2009 issue of American Handgunner
American Handgunner
American Handgunner is a magazine dedicated to handguns, handgun hunting, competition shooting, reloading, tactical knives and other shooting-related activities in the United States...
magazine, John Taffin
John Taffin
John August Taffin is an American author from Boise, Idaho who writes several columns for gun magazines including Guns, Gun Digest, Sixgunner, Shoot! and American Handgunner...
reviewed the .327 Federal Magnum in a Charter Arms Patriot revolver (6-shot, 2.2" barrel):