Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Shooting the Ruger SP101 .327 Federal Magnum Today

I took a day off of work to get some things done. With the tasks behind me, I loaded the car with targets, ammo, and the new Ruger SP101 in .327 Federal Magnum.

The ammo I took with me today:
Fiocci .32 Wadcutter (this is the .32 S&W Long case loaded with a wadcutter. I understand this is a popular target load in Europe.

Federal 95 grain SWC .32 H&R Mag.

Federal 85 grain JHP .32 H&R Mag

Federal 85 grain Hydrashok JHP .327 Fed Mag

Speer 115 grain Gold Dot JHP >327 Fed Mag

I shot some of all at 30� using the two-hand isosceles stance, single action in to a 25 yard bullseye.

Good groups, for me that is, all in the 3� to 4� range. I started with the lower recoil loads and worked up to the hot stuff.

I moved into 21� and shot rapid double-action in to a silhouette target alternating between 6 85 grain Hydrashok .327s and 6 115 grain Gold Dot .327s. The resultant cluster was in the 5� diameter size.

When I first got the gun and shot the 115 grain load I was surprised by the recoil. The first time out with the 85 grain Gold Dot rounds I found the recoil much lighter. Today shooting the hot stuff was much easier.

I would like to see S&W come out with a six-shot J-Frame comparable to the M&P340 in .357 Mag cal which I own. I am sure the defense load of choice will be the 85 grain Hydrashot. In an aluminum frame revolver the 115 grain Gold Dot would really kick.

I had some extraction issues with the 115 grain load the first time out. Extraction with these loads was stiff today but the 85 grain Hydrashok round dropped out without a problem.

I plan to have my favorite gunsmith chamfer the rear of the chambers for speed loaders and while he is at it, I will ask him to polish the chambers themselves to enhance extraction.

The weather today was perfect. Conditions at the Atlanta Conservation Club perfect too. I had the place to myself. Sometime I like company and sometime I need solitude. Today was a good day to shoot alone and concentrate on the shooting.

Thanks for the report Sir. I think they are neat revolvers.

Can't wait until S&W comes out with a J-frame six shooter!

rockinkz - S&W has a 6 shot J frame, just not in .327. It's the 431 & 432 in .32 H&R magnum. I carry the 431 when I'm not carrying my .45.

rockinkz,

I want two J-Frames from S&W
1. A .327 FM in the M&P340 format and
2. A .327 FM in 3" bbl model 60 format.

Hope Ruger makes a bundle on their .327's and gets S&W moving.

T LEE,

Thanks for your comment. Shootin's fun and reportin' on it's
fun too.

Hello Kevin,

I missed my opportunity when the 431 and 432's were in production. Now after having shot the .327 FM, I'd have to
have them in .327 FM.

I do believe, however, that the .32 H&R Mag 85 grain JHP is a good self-defense cartridge.

Thanks for your comments.

What is the barrel length? Also, what does the recoil compare to?

mountainclmbr,

First:3-16" barrel

Second: Data published in the Feb,2008 issue of "Shooting Times" magazine on relative recoil.

Recoil in Free Recoil Energy all using the 3-1/16" barrel SP101:
1. .32 H&R Mag 85 grain JHP 1.46
2. .327 Fed Mag 85 grain HS JHP 3.08
3. .327 Fed Mag 100 grain JSP 5.58
4. .327 Fed Mag 115 grain Gold Dot JHP 5.62
5. .38 Spec 129 grain HS JHP +p 3.00
6. .357 Mag 125 grain JHP 7.22

I've had SP101 experience with items 1, 2, and 4 through the SP101 3-1/16 in barrel. My opinion is that the relative recoil numbers above are pretty accurate.

Hope this is useful info.

mountainclmbr,

take a look at this website:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?bct=No&special=N&SearchIn=New&type=Revolver&subtype=Double+Action&family=SP101%AE&variation=Satin+Stainless&caliber=.327+Federal+Magnum&finish=Satin+Stainless&blength=3+1%2F16%22&imageField2.x=49&imageField2.y=12

Deputy Norm, Thanks for the info! I am looking for something for my wife. She can't reliably rack the slide on a semi-auto. She has a Taurus light weight snubbie in 38/357, but the recoil is a little too much. A steel gun in 327 may be the right combination.

Hello Kevin
I came across this new in Box 431 Early this spring. It is 11 OZ. Empty and daily carry has not effected the finish.I wish S&W would bring out revolvers in the 327 in J & K Frame but I fear we will not see that. Sales were so soft with the Unpopular .32 H&R Magnum I believe they will not bother with the .327 Magnum... Thegeneral.

Dep..,

Always took you for a Smith guy. Howcome a Ruger? Because of the new round?

O

I have a 327 SP101 borrowed from work for testing tomorrow. This is a used one that has languished on the shelf for several weeks now and I want to be able to give customers better information on the round. So, along goes the chronograph and a range of factory ammo as well as some handloads concocted tonight.

We have seen little interest in the round in our shop and ammo availability until recently has been marginal. Two of the SPs we sold came back shortly after purchase to be traded for the same revolver in 357. But, there are others that have them that truly are convinced of their advantage. I would like to perform some penetration tests for comparisons with the 125gr 357 in a similar barrel length.

At this point, it seems there is little enthusiasm for the round.

Outcast,

I am a S&W revolver fan. I sent an e-mail to S&W requesting a M&P340 type revolver in .327 FM. I also asked for M60 type revolvers with 3" and 5" barrels in .327 FM.

So yes it's a Ruger because S&W doesn't have a .327 FM. And yes because it's a new round. After shooting it I believe it would be an ideal self-defense round in a lightweight J-Frame. Not because of the caliber but because the gun could be six-shooter.

On behalf of the Ruger, however, it the fact that it is very accurate with all rounds from the Fiocci .32 S&W wadcutter ammo, through the .32 H&R Mag types of ammo and with two of the three .327 FM rounds available. I haven't shot the 100 grain jsp round yet.

Against the Ruger is its size. This is not a pocket pistol. Way above my weight limit for concealed carry.

The .327 may not catch on but it has the potential to be a significant round. Especially if a variety of barrel lengths are offered.

Handloader:

I'll be very interested in your results. Which loads will you be testing?

I am sorry for the low interest in the round. There is a lot of potential for a really good .32 round.

Thanks,

General, very nice pics and gun. The 32 H&R is a great round in a carry package like that. Wish i had one.

Dep..,

Good luck with getting an e-mail response from Smith. Asked about getting a .357Sig barrel for my 40c three months ago. . . still waiting.

O

I think it will be a better seller from a marketing reason:

A) Sounds like 357
B) Same # as popular Chevy small block (I know may sound crazy)
C) Federal Magnum sounds more 'legit' for laymen, than H&R mag..
D) Likely to be put in guns that fit w/what round designed for, and a 'tweener' cartridge good for women, small game/varmints...as a trail gun, and still stout enough to be a good stopper in a defense situation.
E) Think the Press will be better this go round.
F) Performance speaks for self, accurate, fast/flat, light recoil and blast so it's a shootable round.

Time will tell but I think there is a niche spot for it. Even in lever rifles.

Just my guess....