dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941 
|
Post by dhd on Jan 4, 2020 6:24:35 GMT -5
Those of you that have or had a 97 in 327 and cast your own, did you use the MP 314-140 Sledgehammer? Is the 97 cylinder long enough for the Sledgehammer?
I'm probably going to start my 2020 want list by buying a 97 in 327 and am interested in either or both the 314-140 or the 327 Joulnir MP mold. I also powder coat all of my cast bullets and tend to buy the GC style. I know from an older thread that the 7.62/308 gas checks are the correct size but are they hard to click on a .314" bullet? I've fought smallish gas checks on fat bullets before and it isn't really fun especially after some extra girth from PC.
Did you size to .314" or slightly less? My experience in Freedom Arms revolvers is that they have tight throats and what will fit in a Ruger probably will be a finger buster pushing them in a FA cylinder.
FWIW, I use Lee push through sizers mostly with all of my other PC cast bullets and have opened up smaller Lee dies for perfect fit before. If necessary, I'll get the Lee .311" and open it up.
Thanks for any information.
|
|
|
|
Post by Encore64 on Jan 4, 2020 7:11:20 GMT -5
I can't answer if that specific bullet length will work because I've never used it.
But, my FA97 in 327 Federal has .312" throats and that's how I size the bullets.
Cylinder accepts a COAL of 1.625" if that helps any.
|
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Jan 4, 2020 8:16:01 GMT -5
I have a 6.5" and the MP mold but have not loaded any rounds since casting up some bullets... Only cast bullet I've been using in the 97 is the Accurate 31-120S running it at only 1400 fps with AAC-7. Next time around I'm going to try AAC-9 as it will run that bullet to 1600 fps... As to size, .313 is what I've been using...no leading and great accuracy... Will try and see if that bullet fits when I go down stairs later but believe it will... 97 6.5 with a OM .30 Carbine...  The 6.5" is a non-standard barrel length and to me is perfect for the .327... Some dealer ordered it for himself when the wait time was 18 months but by the time it came in he had lost interest in the caliber...so he sold it for what he had into it... I was trying to decide between a 5.5" and 7.5" Ruger S-S when this came up for sale... Bob |
|
dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
|
Post by dhd on Jan 4, 2020 13:00:35 GMT -5
I can't answer if that specific bullet length will work because I've never used it. But, my FA97 in 327 Federal has .312" throats and that's how I size the bullets. Cylinder accepts a COAL of 1.625" if that helps any. Heck yeah that helps! I forgot to ask about the COAL with the 97 and you supplied it. I was concerned about what the throats would be too. I'll get the Lee .311" and open it up til the bullets fit. Like I mentioned earlier, I've had to thumb fat bullets in a FA cylinder before and it's so much easier dropping correctly sized bullets in! |
|
dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
|
Post by dhd on Jan 4, 2020 13:10:20 GMT -5
I have a 6.5" and the MP mold but have not loaded any rounds since casting up some bullets... Only cast bullet I've been using in the 97 is the Accurate 31-120S running it at only 1400 fps with AAC-7. Next time around I'm going to try AAC-9 as it will run that bullet to 1600 fps... As to size, .313 is what I've been using...no leading and great accuracy... Will try and see if that bullet fits when I go down stairs later but believe it will... 97 6.5 with a OM .30 Carbine... The 6.5" is a non-standard barrel length and to me is perfect for the .327... Some dealer ordered it for himself when the wait time was 18 months but by the time it came in he had lost interest in the caliber...so he sold it for what he had into it... I was trying to decide between a 5.5" and 7.5" Ruger S-S when this came up for sale... Bob Bob, Nice 97 you have and I like how you ended up with it. I would appreciate you checking the bullet fit for me. Which MP mold do you have, the Sledgehammer or the Joulnir? Thanks for the information as I'm trying to get it right the first time and this helps. I do like heavy for caliber bullets, but I'll use what works best everytime instead of what I want to work. I would like to have "one load" and cut back on my crazy experimenting as my mold shelf is overflowing! I'll probably sell a half dozen or so of Accurate Molds molds that I have already moved on from.... |
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Jan 4, 2020 14:09:33 GMT -5
..you sound like me with .41s...not even sure how many molds I have...
And yes, mine just fits...by about 1/10 of an inch of so...but with a good crimp given the low recoil I'm not worried about bullet jump...
Which mold...good question... The number on the mold is: 314-140....four cavity with pins...plain base.
|
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Jan 4, 2020 14:16:18 GMT -5
|
|
dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
|
Post by dhd on Jan 4, 2020 14:56:04 GMT -5
Thanks again for the information. Good to know about a .313" just sliding through. I do believe the MP you have is aka the Sledgehammer. I'm not stuck on a heavy, but I've always had luck from the start with a heavy GC design.
I'll take a look at the Accurate Molds you listed. Other than one mold, all Accurate Molds I have at least make bullets that shoot good, and most shoot great. Tom makes a great product!
I just have a habit of chasing the perfect bullet. Right now any bullet from a MP Mold is as close to perfect as I've found.
|
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Jan 4, 2020 18:55:17 GMT -5
So have you decided on the configuration of your 97...
|
|
dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
|
Post by dhd on Jan 4, 2020 19:06:28 GMT -5
Pretty much. 5 1/2" probably, Black Micarta, fluted cylinder, and action job. Pretty much a match for all of my 83's except for the barrel length. My first 83 had the Black Micarta and fluted cylinder and I've stayed with that configuration.
|
|
|
|
Post by Encore64 on Jan 4, 2020 19:17:17 GMT -5
I've got 97s with Black Micarta, Rosewood, Evergreen and Ivory (Whatever it is).
They are very nice and unique.
My 327 Federal is 7.5" with Black Micarta. Had it built with an auxiliary 32-20 cylinder. Put on an SSK T'SOB Base and Weaver 2x Scope.
I have an embarrassing addiction to the 327 Federal...
|
|
dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
|
Post by dhd on Jan 4, 2020 19:49:03 GMT -5
It's been on my list for awhile, but I just assured myself it wouldn't do anything the 357 Magnum wouldn't do better. The last is probably correct, but I used the same thought process before I bought the 357 Magnum. I just want one and they don't make an 83 in 327....
To be honest, I've never even held a 97. I've seen where some people don't care for the grip and some do. I suspect I'll enjoy it regardless.
If it were just the revolver, it would have been comparatively inexpensive, but I tend to buy all of the reloading/casting stuff at the same time. You only live once I heard somewhere....
For sure I'll put a red dot on it. Maybe scope it later, maybe not. My eyes don't like irons as much as they used to and every single action I own has optics of some sort on them. Much easier to shoot them accurately that way.
|
|
|
|
Post by Encore64 on Jan 4, 2020 19:54:33 GMT -5
I love the FA97s. Actually my favorite factory revolver of all times.
Have them in several combinations ranging from 17 HMR to 45 Colt...
|
|
|
|
Post by ddixie884 on Jan 4, 2020 19:57:26 GMT -5
Yes, you only live once and if you do it right once is enough. I never heard of anyone on their death bed saying; I wish I had worked more or done without more or had less fun...........
|
|
|
|
Post by rjm52 on Jan 5, 2020 12:41:36 GMT -5
|
|
