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Underwood Ammo
Underwood .327 Federal Mag Xtreme Defender 95gr Copper Solid Monolithic Ammo
$153.72 - $614.88 -
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.327 Federal Mag Ammo
Professionally Reviewed by:
Nathaniel Boos
Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.
Credentials:
- • 2x Team Safari Competitor
- • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
- • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
- • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified
.327 Federal Mag: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Revolver |
| Primer Type | Small Pistol Magnum |
| Used For | Self-defense, Hunting small to medium game |
| Case Design | Rimless, Straight |
| Year Introduced | 2008 |
.327 Federal Mag: At a Glance: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ High velocity for a handgun cartridge
- ✔ Lower recoil compared to larger magnum rounds
- ✔ Increased capacity in revolvers due to smaller cartridge diameter
- ✔ Versatile for both self-defense and hunting applications
- ✔ Can fire .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W ammunition
Cons
- ✘ Less common than other popular handgun calibers
- ✘ Limited selection of firearms chambered for this round
- ✘ More expensive than more common calibers
- ✘ Less stopping power than larger calibers like .357 Magnum
- ✘ May be difficult to find ammunition in some areas
.327 Federal Magnum: A Comprehensive Overview
The .327 Federal Magnum is a powerful and versatile handgun cartridge introduced in 2008. It was developed as a collaboration between Federal Cartridge and Sturm, Ruger & Co. This cartridge offers an impressive balance of power, capacity, and manageable recoil, making it suitable for self-defense, hunting small to medium game, and recreational shooting.
History and Development
The .327 Federal Magnum was introduced in 2008 as a more powerful alternative to the .32 H&R Magnum. It was designed to offer ballistics similar to the .357 Magnum but with less recoil and higher capacity in revolvers. The cartridge uses a lengthened .32 H&R Magnum case, allowing for higher pressures and improved performance.
Federal Cartridge worked closely with Ruger to develop this round, aiming to create a cartridge that could bridge the gap between .32 caliber and .357 Magnum performance. The result was a versatile round that quickly gained popularity among shooters looking for a powerful yet manageable option for self-defense and hunting.
The .327 Federal Magnum's design allows for higher pressures than its predecessors, resulting in velocities that can exceed 1,500 fps with 100-grain bullets. This high velocity, combined with various bullet weights and designs, makes the cartridge effective for multiple applications, from personal protection to small game hunting.
Since its introduction, several major firearms manufacturers have produced revolvers chambered for the .327 Federal Magnum. Its popularity has led to a wide range of ammunition options, including self-defense loads, hunting rounds, and target shooting ammunition.
Ballistic Performance
The .327 Federal Magnum offers impressive ballistic performance. It can propel a 100-grain bullet at velocities over 1,500 fps, generating muzzle energies exceeding 500 ft-lbs. This performance level places it between the .38 Special +P and the .357 Magnum in terms of power, while offering less recoil than the .357 Magnum.
The cartridge's high velocity contributes to a flat trajectory, making it effective at longer ranges compared to many other handgun cartridges. This characteristic, combined with its accuracy potential, makes the .327 Federal Magnum suitable for hunting small to medium-sized game at moderate distances.
Timeline of .327 Federal Magnum Development:
.327 Federal Magnum Performance
The .327 Federal Magnum offers excellent performance characteristics that have made it a popular choice for self-defense and hunting. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 1,500-1,700 fps (100-grain bullets)
1,300-1,500 fps (115-130 grain bullets) Varies based on barrel length and load type |
| Energy | 500-600 ft-lbs at the muzzle (100-grain bullets) Provides excellent performance for self-defense and small to medium game hunting |
| Recoil | Moderate, less than .357 Magnum Manageable in compact revolvers, allowing for quick follow-up shots |
| Accuracy | Capable of 2-3 inch groups at 25 yards in quality revolvers Excellent for defensive use and hunting at moderate ranges |
| Penetration | 12-18 inches in ballistic gelatin with defensive loads Meets FBI penetration standards for self-defense ammunition |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .327 Federal Mag loads.
.327 Federal Mag: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .327 Federal Mag ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Law Enforcement | 0-75 | Suitable for close-quarters engagements, good penetration |
| Hunting (Small Game) | 0-100 | Effective for small game and varmints |
| Target Shooting | 0-150 | Accurate for mid-range target shooting |
| Self-Defense | 0-50 | Highly effective for personal protection, manageable recoil |
Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .327 Federal Mag offers increased velocity and energy compared to other .32 caliber cartridges. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.
Applications for .327 Federal Mag
The .327 Federal Mag's performance profile makes it suitable for several applications:
Caliber Comparisons
To understand the .327 Federal Mag's place in the handgun world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .327 Federal Mag with other popular handgun cartridges. (Based on a 30 oz revolver)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .327 Federal Mag with other popular handgun cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .327 Federal Mag with other popular handgun cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .327 Federal Mag with other popular handgun cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density Comparison for .327 Federal Mag
The .327 Federal Magnum is a powerful revolver cartridge known for its high velocity and penetration capabilities. This table compares the sectional density of various bullet weights for the .327 Federal Mag.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .327 Federal Mag | 85 | 0.145 |
| .327 Federal Mag | 100 | 0.170 |
| .327 Federal Mag | 115 | 0.196 |
| .327 Federal Mag | 130 | 0.221 |
| .327 Federal Mag | 140 | 0.238 |
Note: Sectional density is calculated as (bullet weight in pounds) / (bullet diameter in inches)². The .327 Federal Mag has a bullet diameter of 0.312 inches. Higher sectional density generally indicates better penetration, but factors like velocity and bullet construction also significantly impact overall performance.