327 Fed Magnum/32 Long

RealGun said:

What Blackhawk is (or was) available in 327 FM?

p.s. I should have searched first but it appears to have been a gun sold some time ago, no longer available.

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They made the new model Blackhawk in 327 FM but I think it was relatively short lived, i've heard they were produced right at 1 year around the end of 2012 into 2013. I got this one towards the end of 2013 after looking for one for while. Mine has a 5.5" barrel and holds 8 rounds. I think that may be the only barrel length that was offered.

When I was doing early load development (back when load data was scarce and there was a little "extrapolation" involved) the Blackhawk is what I used almost exclusively because of their reputation of being a little overbuilt. It really likes those MBC 120 grain 32-20 bullets.

SlowFuse said:

With the Federal American Eagle 327 you shot i'm curious if you noticed any splits on the brass after firing?

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This ammo was from about 7-8 years ago so i'm just curious if it's still an issue.

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You didn’t ask me. Hope you don’t mind me answering anyway. I’ve fired 150+ rounds of the Federal American Eagle 327 ammo through my recent-production SP101. I’ve experienced no case splits.

You’re right that the 100-grain ammo is full-power 327 Federal, whereas the 85-grain is a somewhat reduced load. The 100-grain stuff is rated for 100 ft/sec _higher_ speed, despite the heavier bullet.

You mention 7-8 years ago, and that made me think: I was having a _horrible_ time with Federal rifle brass for a while which includes that time period. I quit using Federal rifle brass for handloading altogether because of it. I can’t really comment on their pistol brass from that time, but the observation makes me wonder.

GoldieMI said:

Does the 32-20 fire the other 32 calibers as well? Forgive my ignorance on that one

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No. That one is a bottleneck case, where the others we have been talking about are all straight-wall.

I had the same problem with my Fed .327 cases several years ago.
Very high failure rate. Mostly split cases with the 100 grain.
I quit using the Federal cases and bought Starline brass, and the problem went away.

SlowFuse said:

They made the new model Blackhawk in 327 FM but I think it was relatively short lived, i've heard they were produced right at 1 year around the end of 2012 into 2013. I got this one towards the end of 2013 after looking for one for while. Mine has a 5.5" barrel and holds 8 rounds. I think that may be the only barrel length that was offered.

When I was doing early load development (back when load data was scarce and there was a little "extrapolation" involved) the Blackhawk is what I used almost exclusively because of their reputation of being a little overbuilt. It really likes those MBC 120 grain 32-20 bullets.

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I don't want to derail this but I've been dying to load 120s in our single seven what powder are u running under them? I was thinking maybe 2400.....

horsey300 said:

I don't want to derail this but I've been dying to load 120s in our single seven what powder are u running under them? I was thinking maybe 2400.....

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I've used 5 or 6 powders over the years with the 120 gr. MBC bullet and found acceptable loads with pretty much all of them. But, I have ended up using HP-38 and Ramshot Enforcer the most mainly because that's what I have a decent amount of and they were easy to get shooting good...

I think 2400 would probably be a great powder for this bullet, but it's not one I have any experience with. Alliant has data but only for the 115 grain GoldDot, it would give you an idea where to start if you're comfortable with that type of stuff. The relative burn rate chart doesn't exactly tell you everything about how a powder is going to work, but its something I like to look at from time to time. According to the rate chart I use the 2400 is sitting in the right area to produce some decent magnum-like velocities, little slower than AA#7 and slightly faster than Enforcer and AA#9.

This thread that @GoldieMI started has got me wanting to get back to shooting the 32's more. I look forward to seeing which direction he goes with the components ordered and powders he has available to try.

I actually called Alliant yesterday to get their thoughts on using Unique to load lighter 327's since they offer Unique data for the H&R mag, or if they would be considering doing more testing in this cartridge. The idea of using Unique and other powders spawned from this thread and hearing what has worked for everyone else.

GoldieMI said:

just looking for recommendations on bullets, powder, and such

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Well I cast my own 90 gr projectiles
Lee TL314-90-SWC
That & Titegroup
Hodgdon data says 2.4-2.8 grains does the trick for 32 H&R Magnum

to step up to 327 fed mag its 3.8 - 5.0 gr.

I loaded S&W long, 32 H&R magnum and 327 Federal magnum for my 327 magnum revolvers. I just bought a set of 32 Auto dies so I can now load 32 S&W short ammo.

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Yup - what he said ^^^^^
Might someday even load some 32 S&W (shorts)
Just for kicks & giggles.
I don't think I'd use them for personal protection

Hondo 60,

I cast the same Lee 90gr swc. Where did you find the titegroup data from? Iv been using unique because I didn't find any definitive data for titegroup yet. Also what primers are you using?

GoldieMI said:

I am going to try Sport Pistol and BE86 most likely first.

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Have you found data for either of these powders for 327?

GoldieMI said:

first time loading revolver or such a small bullet

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Congrats, starting a new cartridge is always exciting. And probably first time loading something with such a small powder charge! Curious what type of measure you use and how accurate it was on the 2 grain setting.

If you're using the Hodgdon load data for the 98 grain LHBWC you'll likely find that you can bump that charge up. Rarely would I say go over max on published data and i'm still not necessarily recommending it, but the hollow base wadcutter data is generally a little lower than you would use for the type bullet you have. I think you'll find accuracy starts to form at the top end (2.3) of the published data you're using, but every gun is different. The bullet for the data used is structured different. It's hollow on one side (that side goes in the case) built like a lead skirt that most people would agree helps obturate the slug to the barrel making the seal better and possibly improving accuracy. As always work up your loads and all that jazz, this is such a small charge jumping even .2 grains could be a significant difference.

Agree with Walkalong, crimp is on the heavy side considering virtually no recoil. The one that's pushed in I wouldn't worry about since you are on the low end of the load data, if it happens after you work the charge up I would consider using an inertia puller to bump it back out. Some people seat the bullet below flush and put a little crimp on case mouth, but I like loading them exactly how you have these in that top groove...

I would consider using a different primer if loading full power 327 loads also. Most load data call for magnum primers. Speer suggested small rifle primers due to the high pressures of the round. The Federal primers have the softest cup ( the reason for the extremely large packaging) of all the manufacturers. I quit using Federal primers in any 327 loads due to regularity of pierced primers.

I have settled on a home cast RCBS 98 SWC and Unique orTrail Boss for light loads and a 100 XTP and AA9 for heavy loads. I have to crimp over the front driving band with the home cast due to the length in the Single Sevens but they work fine crimping in the groove for the Blackhawk, SP101, GP100 and the Henry.