Got 327 Federal Magnum SP101 ?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

I am fascinated with the 327 Federal Magnum SP101.       

It should be very accurate ? ? ?           

In addition to 1 more round in a small frame 38 / 357 size revolver;                     
you can get much better penetration with a lot less recoil.
 
With good JHPs, this reduces the danger of ricochet in populated environments: apartments, hospitals, etc. .
 
Also it works better where you need more penetration: windshields, car doors, barriers, cranial & pelvic shots, etc.
 
The SP101 capitalizes on these strengths with the 3" barrel and adjustable sights.     

[SHOOTALL]

I have had one since they first came out , have shot it about 200 times . Its  great if you have trouble with a more powerful gun . It is a fun gun to shoot but it seems weak compared to a 357 or at best close to equal to a good +P+ 38 spl.
Remember all the old sayings - nothing beats cubic inches , size matters , etc

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Thanks.
It seems to me that the much reduced recoil would allow much faster, more accurate shooting.

The terminal ballistics are very impressive.

Have you found ammo at reasonable prices ?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Shooting Times magazine's Dick Metcalf had this to say about the .327 mag. in the Ruger SP101 revolver (weight: 28 oz (0.79 kg)):
“    From a 3 1/16-inch revolver, the 100-grain Soft Point .327 Magnum load develops 100 fps more velocity than a 125-grain .357 Magnum from a four-inch revolver, and delivers only 35 ft/lbs less energy. The recoil of the .327 Magnum 85-grain Personal Defense load is less than half the recoil of a 125-grain .357 Magnum.

Subjected to the standard FBI protocol tests for effectiveness through barriers, the 115-grain .327 Magnum load reaches 15 inches in bare gelatin, 16 inches through heavy clothing, 16 inches through plywood, 14.5 inches through wallboard, 13 inches through auto glass, and 20 inches through single-layer vehicle body steel—all with substantial bullet upset ranging from .40 caliber (steel) to .60 caliber (auto glass). . . .

There is nothing "small" about the performance of this deceptively diminutive-looking round. Hard-hitting and entirely comfortable to fire, the .327 Magnum should be very appealing to anyone seeking high effectiveness and moderate recoil in a compact defense arm--especially those who want a handgun all responsible members of a family can readily learn to use effectively. And, should Ruger decide also to chamber it in sporting-configuration revolvers such as the Single-Six, it will also be a fine recreational shooter and small-game hunting tool.

[SHOOTALL]

After reading and watching Dick M. on TV for years I put little faith in his evaluations . He for one gives praise for the Judge being such a great defense gun when it has been suggested by many to be little more than a fad. We must never forget that writers write for magazines that depend in part on advertisers and cutting down their product would cut income. The 327FM is in it self a fine round . It how ever is not a 357 mag . This 100 fps is not that big of a deal when you consider bullet weight 25% more  not to mention soft pt vs. hollow point and . True also those loads were cherry picked , what happens when you put cor-bon up aginst the yellow box 327's ?
 I have not shot any critters with the 327 yet , but jugs of water and steel targets etc don't seem to point to a magic bullet . The jugs don't explode and the targets don't spin out of control . Pretty much look like they were hit with a 38 or 32 HRM nothing speical.
 Many also believe the speed of the 9mm makes equal the 45acp or the speed of the .556X41 makes it equal the 7.62X51 but anyone who has shot either realizes the folly. We live in a world where it is all the rage to down size of lighten up and this is just another attempt .
In a nut shell i own both a 357M and A 327M , have for over 2 years now and not one time have i carried the 327M over either a 38spl. or 357M . I would also ask if you can't handle a 38spl how do you handle a gun that equals or exceeds the kick of it ?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

             

Especially now, I just have a heck of a time with rapid fire in a 357 Mag sub compact / lightweight revolver.

For most of my life, I was healthy as a horse and strong as an ox.
In the mid 90s, my arthritis began to spread, I developed painful carpal tunnel problems, and I tore out my right knee and started having severe "undiagnosed Gulf War" muscle and joint pain.
In May 2006, I ripped out my right rotator cuff and tore out my right knee.
Even after 2 surgeries, there is still at least one detached tendon in my right shoulder.  [No more damned “contrast MRIs” for this old pin cushion]
Soon thereafter, I tore out my left rotator cuff.
In no time, arthritis flared up and spread like kerosene on a wildfire.
Of course, along the way,
… I went from being very active with a lot of heavy physical
       workouts to being sedentary;
… I lost almost all strength, endurance, and muscle tone;
… and gained almost exactly 100#.

For most shooters, the 357mag is the pinnacle of concealed carry handguns that they are capable of mastering.

The terminal ballistics of the 357mag are superb; ... king amongst concealed carry handguns.
Nothing else offers the versatility, penetration, velocity, "knock down", and documented empirical real world results, etc., etc.

The 357mag is far more potent than the 38spcl.
On the other hand, a well placed hit with a 38spcl is far more effective than a miss with a 357mag … or a 300 WinMag.

Especially in concealed carry revolvers, the question is whether the shooter is willing and able to spend the time and $$$ to master the weapon.

Frankly, very few are.

In 50+ years of serious handgunning, I have met very, very, few.

If I ever could,       
                                   ... I sure can't now.
                                                         

[SHOOTALL]

Sorry for your pain , I have had both knees operated on the right twice. Was told I need a shoulder replaced as well the knees . I also have 2 disc in my neck messed up but the doc says wait as long as i can. So I understand your situation. I carry a 340 PD ( 357 mag. ) I pratice with 38's in a mod 38 air weight . I have had to have the mod 38 repaired due to wear so I guess i pratice alot. I just think its fun to shoot.
Anyway I was not cutting the gun down (I have one and like it ) just pointing out what i have learned about it . To be honest the 85 gr bullet is not impressive to me . The other two kick as more than a 38 . The extra round is worth the consideration ( i don't believe any handgun is a dependable man stopper ). Good luck if you get one . I do shoot alot of HRM in mine because when i got the gun there was no ammo aval. for it .

[SHOOTALL]

To be honest the GP-100 in 327 at gun shows keeps drawing me to the tables . It would make a nice target small game gun .

[Yes, 357_SIG]

It is difficult to wade through all of the hoopla on any new product.
... If even half of it were true, we would be changing guns faster than socks ...   
.........sometimes I already do ?             

"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 45,000 psi (310 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, although not punishing like the .357 mag. in a snub-nosed revolver, is substantially more than the .32 H&R mag. "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 (4.18 J). for the 85 grain JHP factory load, 5.62 ft•lbf (7.62 J) for the 115 grain JHP load and 5.58 ft•lbf (7.57 J) for the 100 grain SP load. For comparison, ATK figures are 1.46 ft•lbf (1.98 J) for the 85 grain .32 H&R Mag. load and 7.22 ft•lbf (9.79 J) for the 125 grain .357 Mag. load."[8]

Ruger, Charter Arms, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson are the major gun manufacturers producing small frame six-shot .327 revolvers.[6][8][9] In addition, Ruger offers a 7-shot version of their GP100, along with an 8-shot New Model Blackhawk, each in .327 FM.[10] 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 5-1/2" barreled Blackhawk.[11]
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."[8]

The .327 Federal provides performance similar to the high velocity rifle 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.[8][12]
Another close comparison is the .30 Carbine, which has been offered in Ruger's single action Blackhawk revolver line since 1968.[13] 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).[9][12] The long, 7˝ 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.[14] 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.[15] It is quite possible the .327 Federal will be offered in a lever action carbine, though no specific models have been publicly announced.”

Seems to me that a .327 Federal Magnum "Buntline " revolver would be a real hoot.
Ruger makes a 7.5" barrel in 30 carbine, but only a 5.5" in .327 Federal Magnum.

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkStainless/specSheets/0353.html

[Old Fart]

I would really like to get my hands on one of these.
I've had a s/w j frame with the 32 h&r mag in it for years.
It's one of my favorite little field guns.
The h&r has proven quite capable for what I used it for over the years.
A souped up version of the 32 h&r mag would be interesting.
Especially on a ruger frame.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

healthy as a horse - NOT           

The surgeon who did the first right rotator cuff surgery says that this is over his head and he can’t do anymore; so he [and Workers’ Comp] sent me to another [super ortho] surgeon for a second opinion.
That surgeon says that I need another operation but he can’t / won’t do follow up for another surgeon.

The VA said that they would do the surgery but that they would take it [the cost] out of my retirement pay.
Later, when the pain got overwhelming; I went back to the VA. This time, they said that the arthritis was so bad that the surgery probably wouldn’t solve the problem; the next step is a shoulder replacement.     
                                                       

[Yes, 357_SIG]

                                                                                                                     
"In April 2008, Guns & Ammo magazine's Patrick Sweeney reviewed the Ruger SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum and had this to say:
“    [A] .32 [Gold Dot bullet] of 115 grains going 1,300 fps is going to perform very much like a 9 mm 115-grain Gold Dot going 1,300 fps. Ballistic testing of the .327 showed it to be superior to a .38 snubbie. I got more gel penetration with the .327 (15 inches) than the .38 [Special] (12-plus inches) and greater expansion as well. . . .

[Out of over] a dozen different 115-grain 9mm loads, only two delivered more velocity than the .327 Federal Magnum did. And in both instances, those 9mm loads did so only out of the five-inch-barreled pistol, not the compact 9mm. . . .

If you want more than the .327 delivers, you have to go to the .357 Magnum, and having done so you will pay mightily for it. An SP101 in .357 delivers a 125-grain JHP at more than 1,300 fps, but you get only five shots and muzzle blast and recoil that could make a brass monkey flinch. With the .327 Federal Magnum you get much more than a 9mm or .38 Special in the same gun; you get six shots instead of five, and you get it at much less recoil than the .357. [16]”

Can you imagine a 7.5" or even a 12" barrel Buntline revolver ?                      
How about scope mounts built in          
                               
http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixHunter/models.html

[Yes, 357_SIG]

                 
Does anyone reload for this gem ?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

AS THE KIDS SAY:   OMG !                 

Imagine this Coyote honker in 327 Fed Mag !!!

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkBisleyHunter/models.html

PURE LUST !
Let's all bombard Ruger on this jewel.
We gotta have this !

And in 30 Carbine, 357 Mag, and 41 Mag ...

[SHOOTALL]

Have you shot one yet ?
BTW on the SP-101 the sights adjust side to side only unless you file um.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

No.
Actually, I had not given it much thought until I started reading the 327 Fed Mag info.

It started because I couldn't find a 357 Mag 3" SP101, and a friend steered me to the 327 Fed Mag 3" SP101.

If the SP101 can get those velocities; then a 5.5" or 7.5" barrel Blackhawk should be great for small game, coyotes, etc.
No recoil, super accurate, cheap to reload.

Of course, for hogs, or even deer, the 44 Mag would be the top dog.

[SHOOTALL]

I have both and would keep the 357 if I had to choose . With regard to reloading - with lead it will take a hard cast bullet . With jacketed are the ones aval. today good for the speeds the 327 churnes out ? I'm not sure 

[poncaguy]

I always wanted a SP 101 327, never could find one, so I got the 357. Then I bought the Blackhawk 327, love the gun and the round. Don't care for the recoil of the 357, would like to trade it for the 327 or a LCR.I'm 69 now, no cartlidge left in my wrists, to many years as a pest control operator, get a shot in them every 3 months at the Wichita VA, so recoil is a little painful.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Gotta get back into reloading.
Not sure what bullets are available in .32cal.

Has anyone done any reloading for 327 Fed Mag?             
Has anyone seen any articles / info on reloading for 327 Fed Mag?