Share your .327 Federal Mag load data

[Sevens]

Finally dusted off the chrono and got some of these .327 loads clocked.
I can't say I'm thrilled with much of what I did with Power Pro 300-MP, but the AA#9 loads fared better, and my 115gr RN-FP cast bullet (Penn Bullets) did pretty well.

.327 Federal Magnum, 85gr XTP over 13.0gr AA#9, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,484 fps, high-1,568 fps, 1,512 fps average

.327 Federal Magnum, 85gr XTP over 14.2gr AA#9, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,522 fps, high-1,671 fps, 1,573 fps average

Extreme spread was not small, but these are speedy. I'll likely make more of these and give them another chrono twirl one day. The AA#9 has a nice and different scent to it also!


.327 Federal Magnum, 85gr XTP over 13.3gr Power Pro 300-MP, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,054 fps, high-1,264 fps, 1,153 fps average

.327 Federal Magnum, 85gr XTP over 14.7gr Power Pro 300-MP, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,099 fps, high-1,264 fps, 1,204 fps average

I'll go out on a limb here and suggest that this powder is not at it's best with light bullets in .327 Federal Magnum.


.327 Federal Magnum, 100gr XTP over 12.0gr AA#9, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,343 fps, high-1,408 fps, 1,366 fps average

.327 Federal Magnum, 100gr XTP over 13.0gr AA#9, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,404 fps, high-1,476 fps, 1,443 fps average

Pretty speedy and fairly consistent also. What's not to like?


.327 Federal Magnum, 100gr XTP over 13.3gr Power Pro 300-MP, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,163 fps, high-1,241 fps, 1,209 fps average

.327 Federal Magnum, 100gr XTP over 14.3gr Power Pro 300-MP, 1.460" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,281 fps, high-1,362 fps, 1,316 fps average

Underwhelming from the Power Pro 300-MP loads. I'd love to keep tinkering with this powder, and I'm not saying that I won't--but it's feeling kind of lonely since Alliant offers like zilch and there are little to NO published source for loads with this powder in .327 Federal. But hey, Low Friction is doing his work, I've got a little here to look at, maybe some others join in and we can all be THE source for .327 Federal load data?!



Last two are using the 115gr cast lead (no gas check) Penn Bullet, it's a RN-FP with a dark red lube. The AA#9 load just murders steel plates!

.327 Federal Magnum, 115gr Penn LRN-FP over 12.0gr AA#9, 1.469" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,442 fps, high-1,489 fps, 1,463 fps average

If you enjoy tainted mathematics, that's 546 ft/lbs of energy from a .327 Federal right there.


.327 Federal Magnum, 115gr Penn LRN-FP over 12.5gr Power Pro 300-MP, 1.469" COAL, CCI-400 SR
low-1,255 fps, high-1,345 fps, 1,307 fps average

Again, falls behind the AA#9 in any way you'd wish to measure it.
Meh, maybe I go further with this. Ya can't go past published max...if there exists no published max, right?!

==========----------------> PLEASE READ THIS!
Most of the loads in this post are either at published MAXIMUM or they are unpublished loads that have never been tested by anyone with real equipment. Please be extremely careful and do -NOT- take anything you've seen here as proof that you should make these loads. Instead, REDUCE them, 15% is a good idea, and work toward what you've seen.

All of these were safe and fun in my Ruger GP-100 with it's 4.2-inch Mag-Na-Ported barrel and nothing I've shared here gave any evidence of excessive pressure.

Niether myself nor TFL Forums will be held liable if you trip down the basement stairs in a rush to make a slew of .327 Federal powdered by Accurate #9.

 

[LOLBELL]

I'm trying to work up a light plinking load for the 327 using Unique powder and a 76 grn lead RN bullet from Hunter Supply. All I could find was a load on the web using a 77 grn lead RN bullet and 4.5 grns of Unique, reduce 10% for a starting load. I loaded 5 of these at 4.1 grns. Accuracy was good extraction was good (they just fell out), but the primer seemed awfully flat. Brass was sooty like there wasn't enough pressure to seal the brass to the chamber. Can low pressure cause flattened brass? I liked this load. Recoil was nonexistent. Like maybe a 22. I'm going to try to put a picture on here of the brass.

OK it's official I'm too computer ignorant to post a picture - Use your imagination as to what the brass looks like

 

[LOLBELL]

Here is the picture of the brass. What do ya think

 

[Sevens]

I do not take a lot of stock in "reading primers." Let me clarify that --
I think "primer reading" is a very inexact science, but it's most useful when comparing very controlled, like examples. Here's what I mean:

To make a load like the one you did, and look at the primer... unless it's smeared, pierced, flowing or blown, I think we have precious little evidence from which to draw any concrete solutions.

However: if you made up FOUR different charge weights, across a (fairly) large spectrum and you were able to compare the lightest ones to the heaviest ones and you could see how the primer appearance changed as you pushed toward the hotter load, NOW you've got something concrete and worthwhile.

Also, you didn't say what primer you used. FWIW, this cartridge, due to it's peak operating pressure, demands and is properly specified for use with a small RIFLE primer, and never a small pistol. Simply, a small pistol primer is dangerous for this cartridge when it's run at it's full, maximum designed pressure.

If your loads were using a small pistol, non-mag primer, and a known soft one at that (say, Federal) than we'd see what appears to be "PRESSURE!" in attempting to "read" those primers.

I don't think that the load you concocted is anything approaching extreme or unsafe. However, I'm not a professional, I'm just a guy who plays around a lot with .327 Federal. My reasoning? I run a lot of a load that's a hard cast 115gr lead flat point at 5.0 grains of Hodgdon Universal, and I'm quite comfortable with the "safety" of my load. I love the performance.

Universal & Unique are obviously not the same powder, but they are similar powders. So I'm running a similar powder...at a heavier charge with a MUCH heavier bullet.

Of course, my load wasn't drawn from published data. This is the risk we take when working with cartridges that are far from mainstream/popular. I don't know what a lab would return with when testing my load, so I can't sit here and profess that mine is "safe" and then so also might yours be.

But my opinion is that you aren't running anything extreme.

 

[LOLBELL]

Sevens, that was in fact a Federal SP primer. I hate those primers. I figured to use them in this load because I was sure it would be a low pressure load. I was just curious if a low pressure load could flatten primers. Thinking maybe brass not expanding enough to seal in chamber therefore letting brass travel back harder flattening the primer. I use WSP primers when loading higher pressure loads. I load 6 grains of Unique with a 85 grn XTP with no signs of pressure. That's a pretty accurate, low recoil load. That's what is in the 327 when it's pulling CCW duty.

 

[ozo]

My handgun caliber of choice has been .357mag for most of 6 decades.
When I was young, the .32's were not only 'cheesy', but the guns were
not impressive [to me], maybe because of the cowboys on TV.
Somewhere in my mind, whatever came along 'new' in a .32 was like
water running off a ducks back. Hmmmph....so what !!!
A sorta neat story but long and I will not bore anyone with my wake-up call,
but I overheard a saleslady trying to sell my wife a .327 fedmag SP-101 and I must say, I did eavesdrop for a few. I sneaked off to the other counter and asked if they had any .327 ammo.....and was first surprised at the price BUT....
once I held a round in my hand, best description I can offer close to reality, it was like some 'Indian Trinket' if that makes any sense. I couldn't get home fast enough to research this little jewel, which also opened my hard-headed eyes to
what I had missed out on the .32H&R............for 30 years. Not to mention the fine guns chambered for it ...which were no longer available in production.
I believe everything happens for a reason, and even though I was sad I missed out on the John Wayne Rugers, etc, I was excited to find the .327's
in some nice prominent arms. Saved every penny I could [for gun purchase] and drove the MRS. crazy with my new obsession.....but ended up with a very sweet array of beautiful .327 revolvers. Still had a big problem !!!!!!
Three choices in commercial ammo.....minimum $1/round.....not my forte.
I load most everything I shoot but I couldn't find the components I needed, mainly brass....but load data as well. Federal wasn't giving up any info, nor was American Eagle. I even bought some AE and 'pulled' it...the powder looked like crushed ball powder, or something.
My only feasible choice at the time was just load .32 H&R's.
This was several years ago and things have moved along since, even at a turtle's pace, but even as mfg's drop the chambering for the .327's there are you bunch of crazies that understand this sweet round and are diligent in creating hands-on data. You guys are the only reason I actually registered on ANOTHER [additional] forum, like 10+ ain't enough already to absorb my time.
Most of my components are related to the .32 H&R because of lack of data before this crap situation we are in now, like primers [SPP]. I didn't know I needed SRP and walked away from 1000's just looking for SPP. I'm good on my components, but limited to how hot I choose to go, but I have never been so excited [old/3rd childhood...maybe] as the last few years with these .32's
Just for the record, I use/love W231 although I don't see any of you doing so.
Anyway, thanks for the data you guys have graciously offered. Best I have seen yet. Please don't stop.

 

[Sevens]

Welcome, and enjoy.

I couldn't recommend a -fast- powder like W231 for this round, unless you were loading some of the 71gr FMJ pills designed for the .32 Auto. (which I do... simply because I have a couple thousand of them) I don't run them with W231 as I don't keep that powder, but I've run them with Bullseye and Titegroup. The key when running these bullets is to keep a handle on the speed. As they were never designed to run crazy-high velocities that the .327 Federal is capable of, they could damage the forcing cone of any revolver you attempt to hotrod them in. I tend to keep my 71's at 1,300fps or under. Even that is probably faster than I'll ever need them to go. Those little slugs don't do anything for me other than plink. Even running them fast won't knock down steel plates all too well.

For running the 85 and 100gr XTPs, or the Sierra 90gr JHP's, you'll make far better use of a slower "magnum" kind of powder. Alliant 2400 has done well for me and AA#9 has turned in some terrific numbers. I've done poorly with the Power Pro 300MP thus far...

And I like a nice medium powder for the 115gr cast lead slugs -- Universal works for me, but I'm quite sure that Unique would do a fine job.

 

[ozo]

Thanks, Sevens
I have a lot of W231 because it's so versatile for me and what I shoot,
or what I used to shoot lots of.
Now it's basically .38 and .32 calibers and since things went so crazy I haven't
seen much need to chase all over looking to replace some of the other powders I formerly used.
I have had wonderful results in the .32 H&R with 231 and am currently achieving satisfactory results in the .327 with some medium loads.
I only have six different projectiles to work with and mainly SPP and SPM but
around 4.6gr of 231 seems to be working really well. Berrys plated HBWC, turned either way, and seated to COL of 1.333" [not flush] is working very well in the 2" and 3" snubs, 4" GP and the 5.5" BH.
I don't have much chance to chrono now, they annexed me to the city limits which rendered my range inoperable at home, and the indoor I shoot at has little short shelves and I don't think anyone would appreciate me shooting from 10 feet behind the booth.......

 

[saleen322]

327 Magnum 150 Grain Cast Bullet

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data that is not currently published in any reloading manual. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Because Ruger used a full size Blackhawk frame for the 327 magnum, it got me to thinking that I could go a lot heavier with the bullet and it would still fit in the cylinder. I have a RCBS .30 caliber, 150 grain Flat Point bullet mold that was designed for 30/30s and the like. The bullets come out about 0.311" but the gas check is approx 0.318". I run these through a 0.312" sizer which gets a good seal on the bullet due to the gas check size.

When I was getting the velocity readings, I was shooting @ 25 yards into a target. The entire 10 shot group measured 3 1/8" with 8 shots coming right in at 1.5". These definitely shoot better than the federal factory stuff I tried so far. The pressure is still below factory ammo levels but due to the temp being in the high 20s and the accuracy being good, I am not going to increase powder until the weather warms. Some fired cases are shown below with the factory (silver primers) on the left and this load (bronze primers) on the right.

Firearm - Ruger Blackhawk 327 magnum, 5.5" barrel
Bullet - RCBS cast 150 FP sized to 0.312", 153 grains as cast, Hornady gas check
Case - Federal
Primer - Wolf Small Rifle
Powder - 2400
Weight - 9.0 grains
OAL - 1.662"
Velocity - 1126 (average of 10 shots)
Sectional Density - .225
Energy - 431 ft/lbs

This should be a very deep penetrating load due to the high sectional density. It rates higher than typical 9mm, 357 mag, 40 S&W, or 45 Auto. It would be about the same as the Buffalo Bore 325 grain 45 Colt load. My first attempt was seating the bullets deeper to an OAL of about 1.577". They were as accurate but the pressure was higher. I was getting the same pressure with 8.2 grains of 2400 and 1040 FPS. These loads were fine in my gun but that is no guarantee that they will perform the same in another revolver. If I was to shoot them in another firearm, I would start 10-15% lower than the charges listed.

IMPORTANT: Cast bullets can vary a great deal in pressure and it is not just because of weight. If you substitute a different bullet, even if it is rated at 150 grains, VERY likely if will have a different max pressure. Bearing surface, metal hardness, etc all effect pressure. Do not expect this data to translate to any other bullet.

 

[FrankenMauser]

I haven't seen it posted anywhere on TFL yet, so I thought I point out that....


Speer has published data for the 100 gr and 115 gr Gold Dots on their website, in .pdf form. (I'm sure it has been there for a while, but I hadn't seen it until now.)
100 gr GDHP
115 gr GDHP

The data is certain to disappear once the new manual is published. So, if you don't plan on buying Speer #15 (whenever it comes out), snag the data while it's available.

 

[flyguy958]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Posted this a while back in another thread. Since this thread is back up thought I'd include it here.

Ruger SP 101 3.06" barrel
85 Gr Hornady XTP
Win 296 Powder
Tula SPM primer
Started at 12.8 worked to 14.0
Easy extraction, primers are not as flat as factory loads and recoil is still lighter than factory. Now it's time to crono the load.

 

[flyguy958]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I got the Crono out today and worked on this load some more and think I have it where I'm going to use it.


Ruger SP 101 3.06" barrel
85 Gr Hornady XTP
Win 296 Powder
Tula SPM primer
Started at 14.0 worked to 15.4

15.4 = 1480 FPS
Easy extraction
Primers flat but not as flat as factory.

 

[saleen322]

Cast Performance Bullets

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data that is not currently published in any reloading manual. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

Just to try, I bought a box of 100 CP bullets from Midway. These are gas check bullets weighing 113 grains and sized at 0.313". I was using a heavy charge of AA9 and the groups starting getting good at 13.2 grains. I brought that up to 13.5 and while the cases showed no pressure signs (see picture) and easy ejection, I stopped there. Remember these were shot in 33 degree weather so things could change if it were hot. This is the most accurate HV bullet I have loaded so far. It is also short enough I believe to fit in the single 7. This load is close to the Double Tap 115 cast load. This is one you may want to try as it would be a great hunting load.

Weather - 33 degrees and light rain
Firearm - Ruger Blackhawk 327 magnum, 5.5" barrel
Bullet - Cast Performance 113 FPGC
Case - Federal
Primer - Federal 205 Small Rifle
Powder - AA9
Weight - 13.5 grains
OAL - 1.486"
Velocity - 1626 (average of 10 shots)
Sectional Density - .166
Energy - 664 ft/lbs

 

[McCarthy]

@Sevens

A couple new .327 Federal loads shot and chrono'd.

71gr Berry's Plated RN, 1.482" COAL over 4.8gr Bullseye
1,174 FPS low, 1,273 FPS high, 1,242 FPS average.

71gr Win FMJ, 1.482" COAL over 4.8gr Bullseye
1,278 FPS low, 1,332 FPS high, 1,310 FPS average.

71gr Berry's Plated RN, 1.482" COAL over 5.6gr Bullseye
1,386 FPS low, 1,471 FPS high, 1,440 FPS average.

71gr Berry's Plated RN, 1.482" COAL over 6.6gr Bullseye
1,541 FPS low, 1,616 FPS high, 1,590 FPS average.

What would be a good starting point for 100gr Rainiers copper plated FN and Bullseye?

 

[Sevens]

A couple things pop in to my head at the question. First is that .327 Federal is a very high pressure, high velocity round, so I wouldn't say that it is particularly well suited to a plated bullet, and a Ranier at that. Of course, at modest velocity and pressure (like the lighter loads that I posted and you quoted here), it would most likely make a decent plinker and paper puncher, with very little recoil and blast also. For a light load, Bullseye is probably a decent choice.

I am pretty comfortable cooking up some test loads for myself...
But I definitely don't have any tested or published data for this. And I don't have Quickload to try and simulate it.

I think you should e-mail ATK tech support. They typically shoot back an e-mail within a day or so.

 

[Sevens]

Shameless thread bump. Been too long since any enthusiasts dropped in here with some homebrews.

Today I went off the reservation and loaded some test rounds using a thick-plated spitzer rifle bullet from Xtreme. Their .311" 123gr bullet designed for the 7.62x39 fits my brass nicely and also just barely drops through my GP-100's seven chambers under it's own weight. I loaded them to a 1.598" COAL and fueled them with AA#9. They certainly LOOK different than what we're accustomed to and they use up -ALL- the available space in my cylinder.

I won't add charge weights until I have safely range tested them, hopefully within a week or two.

In the mean time... would be nice to see some more added to this thread.

 

[Real Gun]

Sticking with my 12.0 gr AA#9 and 95 gr Penn Bullets (shorter ogive). However, last time out my cylinder pin started jumping on every shot and the ejector tube fell off. We did find the screw thankfully. That was my 4 5/8" Single Seven. It will go to the gunsmiths before being shot again. I have been neglecting the 5.5." anyway and will get it in the range trip rotation.

I love this caliber but think of it as too loud for a concealed carry round (possibility of being shot without ear protection).

 

[LE-28]

I've been using my .327FM more for target shooting lately at 25yds with really low powered rounds. It's a lot of fun.

These are all accurate loads with the 90gr swc from a Lee tumble lube mold.

4.5 gr of 231 90gr swc tumble lube bullet,
4.5 gr of Universal 90 gr tumble lube bullet
5.0 gr of Universal 90 gr tumble lube bullet
5.6 gr of Universal 90 gr tumble lube bullet
5.9-6.0 gr of Auto-Comp tumble lube bullet

On a a more serious side, 14.0 gr l'll Gun with 100 gr XTP. Those get your attention out of a 3"SP 101.

The target below is the 83gr plated DEWC from Berrys with 5.6gr of Universal shot from 3" SP101 standing up unsupported at 25yd.

 

[Sevens]

Quick update on my experimental rounds of .327 Federal running the Xtreme 123gr 7.62x39...

I range tested them on Sunday and although I had only built a precious few of them, I was encouraged with the results. I built three different charge weights and all of them showed zero signs of excess pressure. I had the chrono out but I only ran the heaviest loads over it.

Report:
Ruger GP-100 with 2-port Mag-Na-Port 4.2" barrel
.327 Federal, multi-times fired Fed brass, CCI-400 SR primer
73 deg, partly cloudy

Xtreme 123gr .311" plated over 10.0gr AA#9, 1.598" COAL
Low-1185fps High-1230fps Average-1210fps
No signs of excess pressure in any way.

Next step is to cook up 50rds of this load and run 'em and see if I have a new load to add to the lineup.

 

[gregd]

327 m loads with 800x powder

Well I cant find 2400 hp-110,lil gun, or AA#9 in my area.
I do have 800x. Ive found 2 articles showing 6.2--7.2 800x with a 90gr and 100gr plated rn bullet.
I have Matts 90gr lrn . I think ill load a few starting at 6.5gr of 800x.
what COL should I use . I dont have a method to test FPS opinions ?? Im not looking for max fps just a good strong target load.