Mid Range 327 Using 120gr Cast

[hardscrabble1]

I have been loading 100gr XTP’s exclusively for my FA97, but this morning I found 500 Sutler 120gr-.313-RNFP that I used to load in 32-20’s and I’d like to use them up in a mid-range plinking load.  I’m thinking something around 900fps. The gun is off having grips made, so I can’t measure the cylinder length, although I don’t think cartridge length is an issue with these bullets since I loaded them for a Colt SAA I used to own.

I need some powder recommendations.  The ‘typical’ pistol powders I have on hand (2400, HS-6, Bullseye, HP38/W231) don’t look like particularly good candidates.  The Bullseye (my 32-20 load was something like 4gr of Bullseye) and the W231 should work, but all the load data I have seen list minimum loads above 1000fps.

I appreciate any comments. 

[z1r]

I am planning on Power Pistol and 120's to 130's. About 4.5 to 5.0 grains from memory. Got this from the article in Handloader. I can get you more accurate numbers tonight. My intent was to go heavy and stay subsonic.

[hardscrabble1]

Thanks, Z, I’d like to see those min/max loads.

[wheelguns]

I have had good luck with unique. Somewhere between 4.2-5.0 should get you where you want to go. The reloading pages of M.D. Smith has alot of good info for .32HRM and .327 fed mag. I would post a link if I knew how.

[hardscrabble1]

Thanks, WG, I’m familiar with it. In 40 years of reloading I have somehow avoided buying Unique. I’ll look at those loads, it’s probably high time I bought some.

[Encore64]

Here you go...

www.reloadammo.com/327fed-mag.htm

[z1r]

All I used to use in mid range loads was Unique. Power Pistol has replaced Unique and performs as good or better. I happened upon it back during the Obama years powder drought and I ran out of Unique. I had Power Pistol on hand from reloading the wife's 9mm. Tried it in my Hawes 44 mag and it shot itty bitty little groups. Since then I've found it to perform very well in a variety of chamberings.

[hardscrabble1]

Got it. Pending some further reading I’m thinking starting loads like:

3.8gr HP-38
5.0gr HS-6
5.8gr Power Pistol

Thanks!

[2 Dogs]

Hardscrabble, your grip guy can send you your cylinder pretty easily...

[sixshot]

Never used Unique!! How can that be? You are right, Unique can be a little bit dirty, but it's also one the powders that I'm never without. I've used it for over 50 years because it works in about everything. Yes it's a little dirty but when you eat you get a little BBQ sauce on your face too.
John Taffin just did an excellent write up in American Handgunner on the old tried & true.....& dirty Unique, & explains just how good it really is. Sorry I hi-jacked a bit!!

Dick

[z1r]

FYI, That .327 article mentioned 5.0 grains of PP and a 130 gr Keith bullet netting a little over 1100 fps. Hence my intention of trying between 4.0 and 4.5.

7.5 grains on Unique behind a 240 was my daily load in the .44 mag. 10.5 grains when I wanted a good mid level load. Super accurate both and economical. Universal produced similar results. When I got that Hawes .44 mag, I tried 10.5 grains of PP and a 240 gr RNFP and never bothered trying anything else. It shoots cloverleafs at 25 yds.

[2 Dogs]

Be very cautious with any of Dick Sixshot Thompsons loads. You could easily walk into the back of one and knock your hat off. Recommend you use a hourglass and work down to safe velocity....

[hardscrabble1]

Jul 12, 2018 0:39:43 GMT -5 sixshot said:

Never used Unique!! How can that be? You are right, Unique can be a little bit dirty, but it's also one the powders that I'm never without. I've used it for over 50 years because it works in about everything. Yes it's a little dirty but when you eat you get a little BBQ sauce on your face too.
John Taffin just did an excellent write up in American Handgunner on the old tried & true.....& dirty Unique, & explains just how good it really is. Sorry I hi-jacked a bit!!

Dick

Not to bring back a zombie thread, but I thought it might be of interest...

i am now burning Unique in 45 Colt and 44 Special.  I still haven’t tried it in 327 because I’ve been shooting other stuff (like 45 Colt and 44 Special) and I haven’t emptied up enough 327 cases to make it worthwhile.  It is high on the list, though.

Everything I ever read about Unique is about right...it’s cheap, it’s dirty and it makes stuff go boom in a consistent, convenient and economical manner.  It’s like not eating bbq ribs until you’re on Medicare, then ‘where in h... you been all my life!  Now to wipe the sauce off my muzzle...

Thanks!

[wheelguns]

I load 120gn bullets over 4.7gn of unique for my mild .327 load.

[500fksjr]

Feb 17, 2019 11:24:02 GMT -5 wheelguns said:

I load 120gn bullets over 4.7gn of unique for my mild .327 load.

What is the velocity by chance?