| .327 Federal Magnum | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Revolver |
| Designer: | Federal Premium Ammunition and Sturm, Ruger & Co. |
| Design Date: | 2007 |
| Production Date: | 2008–present |
| Parent: | .32 H&R Magnum |
| Case Type: | Rimmed, straight |
| Bullet: | .312 |
| Neck: | .337 |
| Base: | .337 |
| Rim Dia: | .375 |
| Rim Thick: | .055 |
| Case Length: | 1.20 |
| Length: | 1.47 |
| Primer: | Small pistol magnum |
| Max Pressure: | 45000 |
| Bw1: | 100 |
| Btype1: | JHP |
| Vel1: | 1400 |
| En1: | 435 |
| Bw2: | 115 |
| Btype2: | JHP |
| Vel2: | 1300 |
| En2: | 431 |
| Bw3: | 100 |
| Btype3: | JHP* |
| Vel3: | 1655 |
| En3: | 640 |
| Bw4: | 115 |
| Btype4: | JHP* |
| Vel4: | 1587 |
| En4: | 620 |
| Test Barrel Length: | 3 1/16 in, * 5" Blackhawk Revolver |
| Balsrc: | Outdoor Writers[1] * Ballistics by the inch[2] |
The .327 Federal Magnum is a cartridge introduced by Federal Premium Ammunition and also sold by Sturm, Ruger & Co. It is intended to provide the power of a .357 Magnum in six-shot, compact revolvers, whose cylinders would otherwise only hold five rounds. The .327 has also been used in full-sized revolvers with a capacity of seven rounds or more. The .327 Federal Mag is an example of a "super magnum", because it is a magnum of a magnum, the .32 H&R Magnum.[3]
Introduced by the Federal Cartridge company, now known as Federal Premium Ammunition, the .327 Federal Magnum was an attempt to improve on the .32 H&R Magnum introduced in 1984. Like the .32 H&R, the .327 Federal is a lengthened version of the original .32 S&W cartridge, which dates back to 1878. In 1896, the .32 S&W Long was introduced, which generated slightly higher velocities. The introduction of the .32 H&R increased pressures from 15000psi to 21,000 CUP, giving velocities of approximately 1200ft/s.[4]
Based on the .32 H&R Magnum, with a 0.125inches longer case, a strengthened web at the base of the case, thicker case walls, and different heat-treatment and metallurgy, the .327 Federal can be loaded to much higher pressure levels (45000psi) than its predecessor (21,000 CUP).[5] The .327's actual bullet diameter is 0.3122NaN2 and achieves muzzle velocities up to 1400ft/s with 100gr bullets, and up to 1300ft/s with 115gr bullets, when fired from the 3.0625inches (78 mm)-barreled Ruger SP101 revolver.[6]
While perceived recoil exceeds that of the .32 H&R, revolvers in .327 Federal are much easier to control than equivalent models chambered in .357 Magnum. Comparing the two calibers, Chuck Hawks says, "There is no doubt that, for most shooters, the .357 Magnum produces uncomfortable recoil and muzzle blast."[7] [8]
The .327's recoil energy is 3.08ft·lbf for an 85gr jacketed hollowpoint (JHP) load, 5.62ft·lbf for the 115gr JHP, and 5.58ft·lbf for the 100gr softpoint (SP). For comparison, the figures are 1.46ft·lbf for an 85gr .32 H&R Magnum load and 7.22ft·lbf for a 125gr .357 Magnum load.[7] [8]
Revolvers in .327 Federal Magnum were initially offered by Charter Arms, Taurus, Ruger, and Freedom Arms, with Ruger's SP101 originally selected as the development platform for the new cartridge.[5] Freedom Arms made a single-action design, as did U.S. Fire Arms with its eight-shot Sparrowhawk. Ruger offered the double-action six-shot SP101 and seven-shot GP100, and the full-sized single-action eight-shot Blackhawk chambered in the caliber.[9] A version of the Ruger SP101 with a 3.0625inches barrel was released in January 2008.[10] [11]
In late 2014, Ruger introduced the smaller-framed Ruger Single-Seven, a seven-shot single-action revolver based on the Single-Six.[12] In March 2015, Ruger re-introduced the SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum, featuring fully adjustable sights and a longer, 4.2inches barrel.[13] In September 2015, Ruger also introduced the LCR, a double-action only, six-shot revolver with a polymer subframe,[14] as well as the later LCRx.[15]
In early 2017, Henry Repeating Arms announced production of four new lever-action long guns (a rifle and a carbine, each available with its receiver manufactured from either steel or hardened brass), with shipping scheduled to begin in March.[16] Hawks suggests that lever-action carbines in .327 Magnum will make "excellent, fun-to-shoot centerfire rifles for hunting javelina, jackrabbit, and coyote." He also notes that revolvers with six-to-eight-inch 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."
In early 2022, Taurus released the Taurus 327 small frame revolver.[17]
The .327 Federal Magnum provides performance similar to the high-velocity rifle loadings of the old .32-20 Winchester, though these velocities are achieved in a much shorter revolver barrel, thanks to a much higher pressure ceiling for the .327 Federal Magnum.[18]
Another similar cartridge is the .30 Carbine, which has been offered in Ruger's single-action Blackhawk revolver line since 1968.[19] However, the .327 Federal Magnum has a higher maximum pressure (45000psi) than the .30 Carbine (40000psi).
Gunsmiths working with Ruger and Freedom Arms have offered custom conversions of single-action .32 H&R Single Six and Freedom Arms revolvers to .327 Federal Magnum. Test results from the long barreled guns showed even higher velocities than the .30 Carbine, along with excellent accuracy.[20]