What do I need for a .327 cylinder?

[Markbo]

Do I need to find an unused 32 H&R cylinder or build one from scratch or what?

[princeout]

In a Single Six you'll want a longer cylinder. In the full sized Blackhawks, like the Buckeyes, I think the 32 cylinder might be long enough but I haven't measured one.
Tim

[bushog]

Yep but the holes in a Blackhawk cylinder are too big. Bowen sells cylinders but there may be some place else to get them for a better price.

www.bowenclassicarms.com/parts_store/cylinders.html

Forgot about the .32H&R cylinder on the buckeye

[dougader]

For what gun? You need the longer cylinder in a Single Six, but the SP101's and Buckeye Blackhawks can just be reamed out to 327.

[AxeHandle]

Didn't 2 dogs have a Buckeye 32 reamed to 327? I believe that the single six platform for the 327, even with a custom, full cylinder window cylinder, will never be all that the 327 can be.. Save your pennies and pick up an 8 shot Blackhawk...

[frankenfab]

Yup, the 2 dogs 32 sledgehammer boolit will not fit in the single six 327.

But I still want a SS to go with my BH , GP100, and the 4" SP101 I will get, if they ever make one!

Best,

Frank

[2 Dogs]

The perfect 327 Federal is the FA97 IMO....

[AxeHandle]

How about a good hint at WHY Fermin might recommend a FA 97 over a custom Single Six for a 327. The Single Six in the picture with the FA97 below is a Clements Custom 38 Special Single Six..

[Markbo]

I really should have been more clear! ;D

I have a Single Six in .32 H&R. What do I need to have a working .327 Federal cylinder too? A .32 cylinder rebored? A new customer cylinder? The frame window opened up? And if so, does this require a new/custom cylinder for the 32 H&R or just use the same one?

I am very happy with my H&R. I am just trying to determine if it's worth it to me to pursue the Federal round too. Buying a 97 for it is out of the question for me I'm afraid.

[princeout]

Markbo,
You'd need a new custom length cylinder to fit the .327 cartridge along with the barrel extension inside the frame window trimmed to allow for the longer .327 cylinder. All this with the stock frame window. With one of Hamilton's cylinders, about a .25" crimp groove to meplat bullet will fit with full length .327 brass.

To then have a .32 H&R cylinder that would also fit, I would think you would need a second custom, full length cylinder that was chambered for the 32 H&R since using the original stock length cylinder would result in a large barrel gap between the cylinder throat and the forcing cone.

Here are some measurements from a stock 32 H&R - adjustable sight Single Six and a Bowen Single Six conversion to .327 Federal Magnum
The first dimension is for the stock Ruger and the second for the Bowen conversion

Cylinder Diameter 1.437" 1.437"
Cylinder Body Length 1.405" 1.437"
Cylinder Length w/ratchet and gas ring 1.624" 1.623"
Horizontal frame window opening 1.551" 1.551"
Vertical frame window opening 1.459" 1.460"

I don't have feeler gauges with me but the barrel gap on the Bowen with the long cylinder is minimal and the barrel gap with the H&R cylinder almost installed in the Bowen gun (Won't fit - the .001" length must be greater than the end play!) is a bunch.

Hope this helps some.
Tim

[2 Dogs]

I would say to you guys who are interested in this type of conversion that I have been shooting 327 Federal for a good while. I had one of the first 327 customs built. I learned alot!

First, while I built a 5 shot custom on a Single Six, a 6 shot would have worked just fine. It was my intention to find out how hard the gun would run, so I also did a custom length cylinder. TomC has that sixgun now, so you would have to get him to give you the exact cylinder dimensions. Nonetheless, in MY gun, I could chamber a long loaded LBT 118 grain GC bullet and run it at 1550 fps out of my 6" barrel. Thats some power, well above what you can get with a standard 32 magnum. Now, that bullet would NOT chamber in one of Bowens 327 cylinders due to thier slightly shorter length.

I then rechambered a Buckeye 32 magnum to 327 Federal. This gave me the ability to chamber an even longer heavier bullet. I was able to run 133 grain LBTs at over 1500 fps. The guns will basically tolerate all the H110 you can get under the bullet. Your lighter bullets reach the point of diminishing returns in the 327 Federal. Sort of like a 44 magnum running 180 grain bullets. Why do that when you can run a heavier bullet just as fast??

I use CCI magnum pistol primers.

So, cylinder length is very important. The longer the better. Im not sure anymore a standard 32 magnum Single Six isnt best left alone and loaded long. I seat bullets long for mine and let me tell you they are Stingers for sure.

All that said, my old friend Boxhead said in a different post his 357 can do what a 327 will. That is very true and then some. BUT, I find the 327 far eaiser to shoot than the 357. Your mileage may vary.

All due caution when reloading is required here. Note that I did not post loads. You are on your own. Work up carefully.

[gjn]

I had a Buckeye 32 and two S&W model 16 32 mags opened up to handle the 327 and they have worked out very well.