.27 Long 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
.27 Long: At a Glance
| Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Firearm Type | Pistol |
| Primer Type | Rimfire |
| Used For | Target shooting, Small game hunting |
| Case Design | Straight-walled |
| Year Introduced | 1890 |
.27 Long: Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✔ Low recoil for comfortable shooting
- ✔ Suitable for small game hunting
- ✔ Historically significant cartridge
- ✔ Quiet report compared to larger calibers
- ✔ Good accuracy at short ranges
Cons
- ✘ Limited availability of ammunition
- ✘ Obsolete for most modern applications
- ✘ Low power compared to contemporary cartridges
- ✘ Limited effective range
- ✘ Few modern firearms chambered for this round
.27 Long: A Comprehensive Overview
The .27 Long is a rimfire cartridge that was developed in the late 19th century. It was designed for use in small game hunting and target shooting, offering a balance between power and low recoil. Despite its initial popularity, the .27 Long has become largely obsolete in modern times, replaced by more efficient cartridges.
History and Development
The .27 Long was introduced in 1890 by Stevens Arms Company. It was designed as an improvement over existing rimfire cartridges of the time, offering slightly more power while maintaining the low recoil characteristics that made rimfire cartridges popular for small game hunting and target shooting.
The cartridge was primarily used in single-shot rifles and some early repeating firearms. It gained a following among small game hunters and target shooters who appreciated its accuracy and mild report. The .27 Long was particularly favored for shooting gallery use, where its low recoil and relatively quiet report made it ideal for indoor shooting ranges.
Despite its initial popularity, the .27 Long began to decline in use by the early 20th century. The introduction of more powerful and versatile rimfire cartridges, such as the .22 Long Rifle, began to overshadow the .27 Long. Additionally, advancements in centerfire cartridge technology provided hunters and shooters with more powerful options that could be easily reloaded.
By the mid-20th century, production of .27 Long ammunition had largely ceased, and the cartridge became obsolete. Today, it is primarily of interest to collectors and firearms historians, with original ammunition being rare and valuable to collectors.
Technical Specifications
The .27 Long cartridge features a rimfire priming system and a straight-walled case. It typically used a lead bullet with a diameter of .275 inches. The cartridge's overall length is 1.175 inches, with a case length of 0.815 inches. The standard load for the .27 Long consisted of a 40-grain lead bullet propelled by 10 grains of black powder, achieving a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,000 feet per second.
Timeline of .27 Long Cartridge:
.27 Long Performance Characteristics
The .27 Long cartridge offered moderate performance suitable for small game hunting and target shooting at short ranges. Here's a breakdown of its key performance characteristics:
| Characteristic | Performance |
|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter | .275 inches Slightly larger than the popular .22 caliber rimfire cartridges |
| Bullet Weight | 40 grains Standard lead bullet weight for this cartridge |
| Muzzle Velocity | 1,000 feet per second With standard black powder load |
| Effective Range | 50-75 yards Suitable for small game hunting and target shooting at short distances |
| Recoil | Very low Manageable even in lightweight firearms, ideal for novice shooters |
Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity
This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for .27 Long loads.
.27 Long: Effective Range for Different Applications
This table provides estimated effective ranges for .27 Long ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities for this historical cartridge.
| Application | Effective Range (yards) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Target Shooting | 0-50 | Best suited for short-range target practice |
| Small Game Hunting | 0-25 | Limited effectiveness on small game at very close ranges |
| Historical Reenactment | 0-30 | Used in period-correct firearms for historical demonstrations |
Note: The .27 Long is an obsolete cartridge with limited modern applications. Effective ranges are significantly shorter than modern cartridges due to its low velocity and energy. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations when using historical firearms.
Applications for .27 Long
The .27 Long is a historical cartridge with limited modern applications:
.27 Long Caliber Overview
The .27 Long is a relatively obscure cartridge in the world of firearms. To understand its characteristics and applications, it's helpful to compare it with other similar cartridges:
Recoil Energy Comparison
Compare the estimated recoil energy of .27 Long with other similar cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)
Ballistic Trajectory Comparison
This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .27 Long with other similar cartridges over distance.
Wind Drift Comparison
This chart compares the wind drift of .27 Long with other similar cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.
Energy Retention Comparison
This chart compares the energy retention of .27 Long with other similar cartridges over distance.
Sectional Density of .27 Long
The .27 Long is a relatively obscure cartridge. This table provides information on its sectional density, which can indicate its potential for penetration and energy retention.
| Cartridge | Bullet Weight (gr) | Sectional Density |
|---|---|---|
| .27 Long | 86 | 0.185 |
Note: The .27 Long is not a commonly used cartridge, and specific data may be limited. The values provided are based on typical loadings for this caliber. Actual performance may vary depending on specific ammunition manufacturer and load.