A Handi in 327 Federal?

[jsm88011]

Sitting out yet another storm at home my mind tends run.  Is there a feasible way to do this, sages?


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[LaOtto222]

This has been discussed before. I really doubt if H&R/Remington is going to manufacture a .312 groove diameter barrel. That leaves either a stub or a re-bore. A stub can be made from any donor barrel and a barrel of the proper dimensions. I can not see either one done for under $300, unless you can do a stub yourself. If you want one bad enough, pay the money and you can have it. If it really does not have to be a .312 barrel, then a 357 Magnum will do every thing a 327 Federal will do and more.

Good Luck and Good Shooting
 

[Badnews Bob]

I am going to have one made. I've bought a hornet just for this, Yes it is a rebore and yes it is pricey, But hey I want one.

A .357 can do all it can and more I know this for a fact. I have three .357, You can only shoot one at a time but I think logic has very little to do with a Handi rifle.

 I have a Ruger Blackhawk and a SP101 in .327, I really like the cartridge. Plus you can have the rifle throated for larger bullets while it is being bored, That with a little faster twist and you can shoot a much heavier bullet.

Not haveing one becuase you can't afford it or you have a Real life reason stopping you is one thing....Take care of bizness first, But if you want one get one. That's what I think.

I am gonna have one. That is the bottom line.

[jsm88011]

I agree that logic is not a factor, but I think price will be, for me.  I like the idea of being able to shoot 32SW/32HR/327 all in one. 


Thanks.

[Old Fart]

You can only shoot one at a time but I think logic has very little to do with a Handi rifle.

Truer words have not been spoken. 

[twoshooter]

I wanted one, lobbied for one, did not happen.  A rebore is beyond my finances. I did manage to score a 300 AAC, which will be my "equivalent" to the 32/20 and 327 which I could not get. 

   The popularity of the AR platform has at least caused some resurgence in interest in smaller cartridges. Everyone kept wanting bigger cases to pour more powder in for the last 10-20 years, so the "ultra" cartridges. With ammo and components as they are, something in the Hornet/222 range makes a lot more sense. I would love a 25/20 or 256 Winchester also, but that would require a stub, which might be an option. 

[cwlongshot]

I agree it sounds like a good one as so many smaller cartridges could safely be fired form it. But from a marketing stand point none of those calibers combined are enough to merit it's production! ;(

I have a Trotter special in 32/20 and while I cannot shoot all those cibers I can duplicate any of there ballistics as well as surpass what the 327 can too.

Look into a 32/20 you just might be suprized what a hundred + year old can do.

CW

[petemi]

Brian, I agree.  My "Trotter Special" and Marlin .32-20s and maxis in their various modes will do just about anything a .300 or a .327 can do....without the hassle and expense.  I can reload the .32s and .38s much cheaper than buying .22s these days.....and they're more fun.

Pete

[cudatruck]

Can the .32-20 really outdo the .327 federal?  I like the fed round because its a straight case and can use carbide dies without lubing. the brass is stronger and less prone to damage. .32-20 cases ejected from our old winchester always end up with dented case mouths. I have a section of mosin nagant barrel i would like to have a liner made from and install into a bored out .410 shotgun barrel. the last inch and a half of the shotgun barrel would act like a flash suppressor? Really like the idea of the federal round being able to shoot the .32mag and the .32long from my experience with the .357MAX  and shooting the mags and .38s. Just plain fun!

[Ol BW]

Take care of bizness first, But if you want one get one. That's what I think.

I am gonna have one. That is the bottom line.

That sounds like what I say when I'm around adult beverages, "I believe I'll have 1 or 12."

BW

[petemi]

I have two .32-20s.  A Marlin and a Handi.  I load for both of them.  I can push a bullet almost twice as fast as a .327 or slow enough to watch it go without any audible report.  I don't need or want a .300 or a .327.  The .32-20s and the Maxis do all I need or want.  I certainly wouldn't drop three hundred bucks into a .327 project to gain nothing.....up or down.

I buddy of mine recently bought a little .32 Long revolver.  He bought dies and brass.  I had the bullets, powder and primers.  We loaded up a few and it was a fun little round to shoot....any practical value other than shooting jugs? It's just another .22 to me.  It might be a nice little sidearm to carry trapping, but that's about it.

Pete

[frgerald]

Cudatruck, 

I have a 410 Winchester shotgun that Larry stubbed into a 32-20 about 6 months ago.  I LOVE the size and weight of this rifle, in fact, George, jeepman48 referred to it as my "cute little rifle."  Now the reason I am writing this is to warn you that the firing pin in the 410 was/is too big and makes too large and deep a dent in the primer and they either burn through or flow into the hole (also worn) which keeps the rifle from opening.  It is in a local gunsmith shop having the firing pin hole sleeved and a smaller pin installed.  This was an unexpected expense and added a couple hundred to the cost of the overall project.  I do NOT fault Larry because all I sent to him was the barrel, he never saw the receiver.  The barrel work was really nice and even with the added expense, this is going to be a great little rifle and I don't regret doing it...just something to consider.  Gerald

[gunther66]

Hello JSM
Our Larry Trotter stubbed both a 32-20 and  later a 327 Fed for me. Haven't had much opportunity to wring out the 327 yet as even in the sunny south the weather has really been nasty this winter.
Both these barrels are stubbed using the SMLE barrels with their oddball left hand twist,but they have prominent lands which seem to grip cast bullets well and so far gives good accuracy. Time and weather permitting, I will post a range report. 
You may ask why a 32-20 and a 327?   I find the 32-20 with it's fragile case a pain to load-even using the Hornady inline seater die and Lee factory crimp die. Not so with the 327. It is like the 357 mag. Just stuff  'em in the case and shoot.
Go for it!  G66
 

[petemi]

I've reloaded .32-20 brass for at least three or four years now. Up in the thousands of rounds probably by now.  I'd say it and the .357s are my most shot calibers. I have never crushed a neck or had any other problems with damaging brass while reloading.  The Irony of the thing is that I've smashed brass with the .45-70 and straight walled cases like the .357s.  When I load .32-20s, I'm spooked by their reputation for being fragile and I double check everything and run the presses gently.  If I get the least suspicious resistance, I back the press up and check it.

Pete

[cudatruck]

frgerald, IF I ever get around to this one it would only be used on a rifle frame anyway. I have had the experience with the larger firing pin in a shotgun frame and not going that route again.
Gunther66, when you find your limits with these two calibers PLEASE post what you find out. I have never heard of anyone else having both in the same rifle platform. Would be interesting to find out how far apart these two are in performance.

[Badnews Bob]

For me it's all in what I like......I prolly would like a .32-20 also but I am already set up for the .327.    That is all it takes for me.......Yep I am a addict.

[petemi]

Here we go again with which caliber is better.    There isn't any "better".  It is solely based on your desires.  Personally, I like the .32-20.  But I have never had a .327.  I've only compared them on paper.  I like the .32.20 and think of it as a mini maxi.  It, for me, does extraordinary things.  I can hurl an 85 gr. bullet close to 2500 fps....Holy Crap...is this a varmint rifle??  Or, I can shoot a 125 gr. Sierra SP up to 2000 fps.  By the same token, I can load the .32-20 so slow you can actually see the bullet in flight and hitting the target.

All I can tell ya is it is a caliber I wouldn't be without.

Pete

[jsm88011]

I appreciate all the experience shared here.  G66, what barrel did you start with on your 32-20?  Thanks all.


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[AtlLaw]

I have a 410 Winchester shotgun that Larry stubbed into a 32-20 about 6 months ago.

Please! For the love of mercy!  STOP!!!   

Pete gets me all fired up about a 445 shorty so I'm dying to send a receiver to H&R for a 44 Mag barrel.  And I also decided that while I'm at it I'll sent my sole SB1 receiver along to get that 28 ga barrel I've always wanted.  Of course that will leave me with an extra 410 barrel I don't really like.  So now all I can think of is a 32-20!   

By all that's Holy, don't anybody mention a 25-20!!!   

[jeepmann1948]

Well since Richard brought it up I just got a 30 cal blank and a 25 barrel coming,Anybody want to guess what they will be chambered and sleeved in?
Both will be using a common and available brass and reloading supplies for a hint
George

[gunther66]

JSM
I'm not sure I understand your question. A shotgun barrel was used as a stub which was mated to the SMLE barrel. Larry has a write-up on the method he uses here somewhere.

[twoshooter]

Too LATE---- I already mentioned a 25/20. As for the 32/20- I have one in a contender, it has a 308 dia barrel and the dies came with both 308 & 311 expander buttons. Certainly the most accurate pistol I ever owned. I have occasionally had a rumpled case- especially with cast. I am thinking of trying to taper the gas check shank on the mold down to a beveled base as I never use gas checks anyway. I would love a 25/20, the 65 gr 25 cal is about as small a cast as I would want to go.
    If I had a 32/20 rifle, I would not go after a 327, but from a flat start, since you can use 4 different commercial cases in a 327, it would be hard not to go that route.

[cwlongshot]

I know Bill has or had a 25-20 handi.

I thought real hard about it as I have a Marlin lever and a Savage 23 in 25-20. great shooters, mild to shoot and quite effective on game to medium size. Its a great little caliber and one that should be great in our handi rifles!!

Maybe one day.

CW

[petemi]

George and Brian, It's bad enough you guys are enablers.....but when you start enabling another enabler...that's pretty low and deceitful.  For penance, I think the two of you should come up here this summer to help build an addition on the house to make room for some more Handis.

Pete

[cwlongshot]

Can the .32-20 really outdo the .327 federal?  I like the fed round because its a straight case and can use carbide dies without lubing. the brass is stronger and less prone to damage. .32-20 cases ejected from our old winchester always end up with dented case mouths. I have a section of mosin nagant barrel i would like to have a liner made from and install into a bored out .410 shotgun barrel. the last inch and a half of the shotgun barrel would act like a flash suppressor? Really like the idea of the federal round being able to shoot the .32mag and the .32long from my experience with the .357MAX  and shooting the mags and .38s. Just plain fun!

Well let me clarify;  comparing the two using the limitations of Sachs SAMMI specs, NO. The 327 exceeds the old 32/20 cartridge. BUT. The old 32 was built in a time when we used black powder. Guns at least cartridge guns where in there toddler years. The guns lacked the STREGNTH the steel lacked the STREGNTH and the smiths lacked the knoledge and to a larger extent the resources we have today. SO. If we load the 32/20 to moderate pressures of say 40K then the reply changes and YES the 32/20 can exceed the ballistics of the 327. IN MODERN GUNS of coarse as if you have a old timer your best advised NOT to push things! 

I have shared a favorite load with Peter and before I go too far here I agree with Peter this should NOT become a one is better than the other post!! Anyhow, that load uses a fast powder, a 100g XTP bullet and it exceeds 2200 fps from a rifle barrel. It's a devistation small to med sized game loading! I have been playing with the new Speer 115g bullet made for the 327 in my 32/20 with so far good results. Another LONG TIME FAVORITE loading I have is a 115g softcast swc bullet and a small lee dipper scoop of PB powder. This one dosent need hearing protection and is a perfect squirrel rabbit loading!  It simply cuts a 32 cal hole almost ZERO blood shot meat and instantly dead critters from any "good" shot.
Another loading I have used on whitetails utilizing a 7.62x39 125g spritzer bullet loaded just under 2000fps. I am still working with this loading as accuracy is exceptional. I'm talking a single 50cal hole at 50 yards but still zero pressure indicators. The deer I shot with it two years ago did not recover the bullet but it also showed minimal expansion.
I have a very nice bullet mold on loan to me from a friend. It's a modified Lyman 311440. That drops a 150g RN bullet. But the profile is better dis robed as a caliber diameter flat point with a radius. As it's very blunt.  I simply love the profile. What makes this a 32 bullet is the modification the mold drops .314 bullets instead of .310. . I need to work up data myself as I can only find brief references to it's use.

Yes the case is fragile but that's really only a issue for those reload era who mass produce ammo. Not for the hobbiest who enjoys building a box of shells and envoys the process more then the results.

The 32/20 holds a special place for me. It has since I was introduced to is and it probably always will. Folks from wide open places may not see it's merits. But growing up hunting as I do here in New England. It's a wonderful game getter along with it's stable mates the 25/20 and later 218 Bee.

There is plenty of room for both cartridges I simply prefer the 32/20.

CW

[v8r]

As much as I like oddball stuff I dont ever see .327 Federal ammo on shelves in my area.I never saw any when all the gun magazines were touting it as the next best thing. Sure it can be loaded if you own reloading equipment, but I just don't see it being around in 10 more years. Look at the short mags, I don't know of anyone that hunts with one personally. Everyone I know hunts with a .308 win,.270,30-06,30-30, .300 Win Mag, or 7 mag. All are tried and true rounds that can be found on a shelf in nearly any sporting goods store in North America.


If we are going to talk calibers in a Handi that don't make sense how about a 45 ACP. They already have 45 caliber barrels, and I believe a 30-06 extractor would work for extraction. Not to mention it is a round that is readily available and would be fun to shoot. In other words non odd ball round, low retooling costs for manufacturer,and would probably sell better.

[gcrank1]

Or how about 9mm?

And Richard, Im willing to save you from yourself....just send that 410 barrel to me 

As to the 32-20 vs 327, neither is seen around here 'on the shelves' so that makes both a reloader only. And to compare performance, if each is handloaded to its limits there is likely to be the same real world difference as the 308 vs 30-06. But, there we go talking magnumitis again . Where cartridges of this class really shine is when loaded to light to moderate velo/pressures and you place the bullet with surgical precision at reasonable ranges. If I need more beans, I use a bigger caliber. Most of us are not in the position of many in the past (yet) where we have, at best, a 12ga., a 22RF and one CF (likely a 30-30) and a cane pole. When you with that class cartridge (I dont at this time, have in the past) look at what you mostly shoot for loads in them, my bet is its waayyy more light to moderate than big whoppin'. Now, to be sure, I would know what my top load was to be too, I just know it would not, nor ever be, the most of what I shot out of it.

[twoshooter]

Nah----- if you are going to go with semi-auto handgun cartridges, you still need some shoulder, stick with a 7.62x25.

[jsm88011]

I started this er ah "discussion", for better or worse, and I've learned a lot, and now you guys have me missing my cane pole too!  Have we got a thread on those?  I 'spect so, somewhere.  LOL.  Seriously, I appreciate that everyone has their own slant and opinion, but there has also been much objective information shared here.  Thanks again.


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[blind ear]

CW Longshot
From reading about the rifle loads that you use and you hunting with a pistol as you do it seems that you like to be up close and personal to your game. No bigger thrill than being 15 yards from your game. I can dig it. ear