.327 Federal Magnum

 

Type: Revolver
Country of Origin: United States
Production History
Designer: Federal Cartridge and Sturm, Ruger
Designed: 2007
Produced: 2008-Present
Specifications:
Parent Case: .32 H&R Magnum
Case Type: Rimmed, straight-walled
Bullet Diameter: .312 in (7.9 mm)
Neck Diameter: .337 in (8.6 mm)
Base Diameter: .337 in (8.6 mm)
Rim Diameter: .375 in (9.5 mm)
Rim Thickness: .055 in (1.4 mm)
Case Length: 1.20 in (30 mm)
Overall Length: 1.47 in (37 mm)





Theom .327 Magnum was introduced by Sturm, Ruger and Federal Cartridges in 2008. It was designed to provide the velocity and energy of a .357 Magnum cartridge and due to the .327's smaller size, it gives the shooter the ability to load six rounds in a cylinder in a compact revolver compared to the five .357 Magnum rounds. The .327 Magnum was intended to improve on the .32 H&R Magnum, introduced in 1984, a round which failed to attract attention from shoot. ers or manufacturers. It all started with the .32 S&W, which was a black powder cartridge introduced way back in 1878. It had a case length of 0.61-inch and had a velocity of around 700 ft/s. In 1896, the .32 S&W Long was introduced and it was designed to improve the performance of the original .32 S&W. It had a case length of 0.920-inch which meant it could hold more powder than the original .32 S&W and therefore produced slightly higher velocities. Nearly a century later, the .32 H&R Magnum was introduced and had a longer case length of 1.075 inch and increased the low pressure of the .32 S&W Long of 15,000 psi  to 21,000 psi CUP. This gave the .32 H&R Magnum velocities of over 1,200 ft/s with an 100-grain bullet. Despite the increase in velocity, it failed to gain any interest from shooters. The .327 Federal Magnum was finally introduced in 2008. It is based on the .32 H&R Magnum with the main differences being the longer case of the .327 Federal Mag. and the higher amount of pressure it produces which is 45,000 psi. The .327 Federal Magnum generates velocities of around 1,400 ft/s with a 100-grain bullet compared to the 1,200 ft/s velocity of the .32 H&R Magnum with a 100-grain bullet. It also just about matches the performance of the .357 Magnum but with the advantages of having less recoil and muzzle blast and the capability one more shot. Today, there are many firearms chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum. The major gun manufacturers who produce small frame six-shot .327 Federal Mag. revolvers today are Ruger, Charter Arms, Taurus, and Smith & Wesson. Many companies offer conversions to convert .32 H&R to .327. The .327 is also a good round for self defense due to its performance with expanding-type bullets. While it is currently only available for revolvers, the chances of the .327 being offered in lever action carbines is likely.

Ballistics:

                                                                        Velocity (fps)                                       Energy (ft.-lbs.)               Barrel Length. (in.)

Bullet Wgt. (grs.)                                 Muzzle    50 yds.  100 yds.                        Muzzle  50 yds.  100 yds.                                        

85                                                        1400        1221        1091                             370       282        225                       4" Vented                    

100                                                      1500        1324        1181                             500       389        310                       4" Vented         

                 Mid-Range Trajectory (in.)

Bullet Wgt. (grs.)                       50 yds.    100 yds.

85                                                0.0           -4.9    

100                                              0.0           -9.5                                                    

Expansion of a .327
Federal Magnum Hollow Point