Which dies for the .327 Federal Mag?

[trueat1stlight]

Hello All,

In anticipation of the arrival of my new Single 7, I have packed in a good supply of .327 Fed Mag brass (Starline) however I have not picked up a set of dies yet. In doing some research, my usual brand standby of RCBS proved based on feedback from users that these dies weren't the best for reloading the .327 Fed cartridge and they experienced a number of issues. I'm not sure if this is just internet scuttle or if there are legitimate issues using the RCBS dies.

I read a number of reviews that Lee has a very good set of dies for this cartridge and that many were impressed with the quality of the dies and ease in reloading with them. I have never really given Lee much of a look, although I did get into reloading on a set of hand-me-down dies from Lee for the .44 Mag. I eventually converted these over to RCBS and went with RCBS for everything else. (I do use Lee's superb FCD's though in a number of cartridges).

So after all that, here is my question to the resident experts here:

What dies are you using to load this cartridge, and which shell holder seems to fit best? I am really tempted to pick up a set of Lee dies since I've read a number of very good reviews on them for loading the .327 Fed cartridge, AND they're under half the cost of the RCBS dies. Thanks in advance for all of your help!

-John

[arokcrwlr]

I use Hornady 32 mag dies for 327 and have not had any problems loading with them. I would think any brand of shell holder would work as good as any other.

[Encore64]

I use the Lee dies for the 32 H&R Magnum.  The powder through die that also expands the case really cuts the work for loading.  You can't go wrong with them, but any dies for the H&R Mag should work just fine.

[44spl]

I bought a used Lyman carbide set of 32 H&R Mag dies for $20 with the 'powder-thru' die on Ebay when I first got my Ruger .32 single six in 1990. I use it for my 327 and it works perfectly. I use nothing but Lyman dies and shell holders, usually purchased used.

Jim

[2 Dogs]

Mine are Dillon 32 mag dies.

[williamiorg]

I use Lyman carbide 32 Magnum dies and a Redding Profile crimp die.

[sixshot]

I use Dillon dies for all my handgun calibers but I've owned dozens of RCBS dies & never had a problem, can't imagine Lee dies being as good or better.

Dick

[AxeHandle]

Hornady 32 Mag dies and shell holder here...

[bushog]

Redding/dillon .32 mag dies

[smike308]

Dillon .32 H&R Mag dies here. Dillon claimed they wouldn't work for the .327. I already had the .32 Mag dies, so decided to try them. They worked just fine on my Dillon 550B loader.

[vashooter]

I use the Lee 32 H&R mag dies very easy to use and adjust.

[tinstarfirearms]

I really like the Hornady dies for the .32 magnum and I feel that they would work just fine for the .327. This is the only set of Hornady dies that I own and I would buy them again without question.

Andrew

[mhblaw]

Redding 32 expander and seater and Dillon carbide for the sizer. Works for 327 and 32 H&R. No shell holder as I use a Co-Ax press.

[trueat1stlight]

Thanks to all for your feedback! I think I am armed now to make an educated buying decision. I'll check back when I actually get the revolver, dies, brass, bullets and powder all in one room and the party started.

-John

[williamiorg]

While this is not a reloading thread it might be a good place to discuss the use of case mouth expander dies.
The 32 H&R Magnum will ocassionaly lock onto the the stem of a Lyman M-die. It can be quite a task to get the case to release from the M-die stem. This is the only cartridge I have had this problem with.
For some bullets the M-die which "cinditions" the neck using the long stem and the bells the case nouth is handy as the bullet is not distorted when seating. I use the M-die when seating wadcutters and swaged bullets. I also use the M-die for most cast bullets when they are used un-sized - as cast and either tumble lubed or hand lubed.
For SWC bullets I use the Lee case mouth expander which simply bells the case mouth. This seems to give a stronger grip on the bullet and I believe, reduces extreme velocity spreads. I wish I could shoot well enough to say with certainty the stronger bullet pull improved accuracy.
I am not really fond of the case mouth expander used by Redding but I dont have a specific reason for not liking it. I like the Redding dies.
What is your prefered case mouth expander die?