Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 327 federal

Does anyone know if it would be feasible to change a 22 hornet to a 327 federal by boring and rechambering? Gun will be wither a ruger no.3 or a winchester low wall.

Don't know why not, but then I also don't know why one would do such. I would be more inclined to go Kilbourne Hornet or 218Bee.

Need to make sure that barrel diameter is big enough to have sufficient metal remaining to be safe. Talk to re boring gun smith. Also need to check breech block face, and firing pin. Also there will likely be extractor issues to be solved.

This is a project I would not undertake.

Hate to see anyone bugger up a #3 in .22 Hornet. You could probably sell it and then purchase a Contender in .327.

http://mgmcustombarrels.com/MGM-Barrels/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1022

Agreed, unless it was simply blown out to the "K" or Kilbourne Hornet improved round. That would be pretty cool, and functional.

Then I would only have a contender

True enough, but if you think a Ruger #3 in 327 is going to be more valuable or an easier re sell I think you will find yourself mistaken.

Again one has to ask 'why'? What is a 327 Federal single shot going to be good at, that a 22 Hornet or K Hornet will not be better at?

can you say 32-20

I can, and I can follow it up with its best description. That being, boring and worthless.

I had thought of this round as a possible 30+ caliber re bore, but did not bring it up as I still cannot think of one darned thing that round or the 327 round would do in a SS rifle that a 22 K Hornet or 218 Bee would not be immeasureably better at, and loads more fun at the same time. Plus a much better re sale down the road.

25-20 win.

Reboring has its costs as well, about the same as an aftermarket barrel in basic costs. A nice Shilen chromemoly barrel blank is around 200 to your door, then you will have the barrel fitting/scope mounts labor, which is about the same number. More work in the single shot barrel than typical bolt gun; mounts, extractor cut, timing of those, in addition to the chambering. The reboring takes the risk of losing the barrel, but is fairly rare occurrence in most original equipment barrels. Check with the guy doing the rebore for his criterias.

The barrel on your single shot can be removed and stored for future use, save/sell/reuse; and replaced with an aftermarket blank in your caliber of choice. Proper tooling and technique will pull said barrel without marks.

I have eyed the 327 Federal a time or two, but the ammo was scarce back then, I see some on shelves now a bit. There was once a No.1 chambered by Ruger for 32 S&W Long, so entertaining a 32 pistol cal in a single shot is not a new idea; I would think it would be pretty useful for small game, especially if table fare is on the mind. I hear one might see more in the single shot lines with pistol cases; just a rumor.

Any contender barrel can be stubbed for a 32 or can just purchase another made up barrel from whatever source you want.

Nothing wrong with the 32, pretty handy all in all to those that appreciate it.

I dunno, a .327 Federal would be pretty interesting to me. I would have it throated and twisted to be compatible with 150-ish grain cast bullets for a 1-200 yard target rifle (and also be quite deadly on woodchucks within .22Hornet ranges), and load it down to 1000fps or so with 90-110 grain bullets for a squirrel/bunny smacker.

Small capacity .22's have their place (I love 'em), but so do small capacity .30's. Different approaches to the same end: having fun.

What were you recently saying about folks having their own opinions on firearms and usage (especially when it's their own guns)?

Not everyone thinks of things in terms of how they might be able to turn a profit or make a quick buck.

To the OP;

If I were you and I wanted something along those lines, I'd consider talking to a 'smith about spinning the original barrel off and hanging onto it, just in case you want to go back later on. Have a new barrel fitted to the #3 in .327, or look at the .32-20. The .32-20 WON'T give you the ability to shoot .32S&W, .32S&WL, .32H&R, or .327 out of the rifle, but it will give you the top-end capabilities of the .327 in a pretty good round itself.

Coming from someone who has owned .32H&R guns, the whole bit about the interchangeability of shorter rounds leaves a bit to be desired. Even though they certainly function ok, accuracy suffers due to the long bullet jump before it engages the rifling. Close range tin can plinking is ok, but the ante is upped when engaging distant targets. I can imagine it only gets worse when dealing with a .327. Were I to own one, I would stick with full length brass and tailor my loads to the purpose at hand and stay away from short length ammo except in a pinch or if I had a wild hair up my butt that day.

The more I think about the OP's premise, the more I like it. I would probably take the above advice regarding a new barrel and save the Hornet barrel for dessert. Swap barrel system perhaps?

I haven't looked at the dimensions to see if it is feasible rebore or whether you'd have to rebarrel but I think it is a pretty [bleep] cool idea. I've had a couple rifles in .32 H&R mag. Balance of a TC carbine, which I had, is gross. The Marlin 1894 Cowboy gun was fun but really heavy, well over 9 pounds. A well balanced single shot with a straighter stock would be sweet.

If you do it, let me know how you like it.

Tom

Thinking more on this ... what'd be REALLY cool is if Ruger would offer the .327 in "77/xx" series with the rotory magazine. I'd be all over that.

MRxhillbilly,

Forgive me, please, if I came across as overly negative about your idea. I do not want to throw water on another mans dream or fun, I just did not know where such a rifle would fit or how it would be used. If such a project would be fun for you and you have some uses in mind for it, go for it. I think a re barrel is probably a better way to go, and 32/20 over 327Fed, but a man needs to follow HIS heart and dream.

Good luck either way.