Not the .327 but the 32 WCF works great has a farm gun. Kills coyotes\woodchucks well with cast flat points. Doesn't tear up rabbits if loaded around 1200 fps.
I wouldn't starve if I had to use it as a deer rifle either, I read where a gun writer killed a buck with his 327 and 100 gr xtp's with one of the new Ruger pistols with a easy recovery. Lots of sheep herders killed black bears with it before they found out that it didn't work from gun writers.
Not that I recommend using it for deer or bear if you didn't need to, but it is a round that is easy to shoot, cheap to load and a perfect woods loafers gun.

 

I've been interested in the 327 Fed Mag for quite awhile but just haven't made the leap. So far I haven't really convinced myself that it's a better idea than a 357. Now I'm thinking of the 41 mag just for the cool factor.

 

From what I've read, the 327FM performs very close to 357Mag without the punishing recoil. The recoil is pretty sharp, but is substantially less than 357. Ballisticly, it's a vicious and capable round. It's only a tiny bit smaller than a 357 bullet but considerably faster so it shoots flatter.

Here's a pretty good writeup from the American Rifleman magazine.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2010/4/29/understanding-327-federal-mag-ballistics/

 

That's pretty much what I have read about them.
When I read that Henry was chambering a rifle with it, I questioned the wisdom.
I am sure that it would be a fun rifle to shoot, but in that platform, I would just go with the 357.
I can see it as a workable rifle and revolver combination, though.
As for the 41, they do have a large following, so that makes perfect sense.

 

The 327 Federal Magnum was designed to provide 357 Magnum-like performance in compact, six shot revolvers. The Compacts in 357 only held five rounds.

IMO, there's some merit to the concept in a revolver but not in a rifle. The Henry will likely hold as many 357s as it would 327s. The 357 version also allows use of the milder and less expensive 38 spcl cartridge. Any store stocking pistol/revolver ammo will have 357s and 38 Spcls on the shelf. Not so with the 327.

I think you can fire 32 H&R and 32 S&W in a 327-chambered revolver or rifle but I don't see that as an advantage given scarcity and cost of the alternative ammo.

T.S.

 

I agree fully with Texas Shooter's comments. I think that the 327 Magnums are a solution to a non-existent problem. More marketing strategy to sell more guns. However, if a 327 fits in with your wants and likes.....go for it.

 

Yeah wife has been talking about her next arm being a revolver so I was thinking about getting a rifle in the same caliber. She's been talking about a 357 and just shooting 38spc. Found a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag (used) or a Henry in 357 mag (new steel carbine) at my LGS. I prefer Marlin but haven't really messed with a Henry on the range. Doubt I will be able to find a Marlin 357, they seem to be as rare as unicorns these days.

 

... they seem to be as rare as unicorns these days.

Oh, I dunno about that. You just need to look down the road at "Al's used Unicorn's and Chevy's" and pick up a Unicorn. However, every time I stop in to buy a Unicorn, I seem to walk out with another Chevy and a fat payment book. But Al's such a nice guy..........:driver:

 

I've been shooting .327 FM for a year and a half now. Almost exclusive of anything else. A hand loaders dream. I like a .32 on a .22 frame. Ideal woods/desert wandering gun. Have a Single Six in .32 H&R Magnum (soon to become .327 FM), and the Single Seven in .327 FM. Sent my 1894CB .32 H&R to RPP last week for chamber reaming to .327. I have single actions and lever guns in .22, .32, .357, and .44. I can shoot the .32s for less than the cost of .22LR (2000+ plinking rounds from a pound of Red Dot). .32 S&W Short, Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and .327 FM in one revolver. .32 ACP in a pinch (I've tried it, it works sometimes). Bullet weights from 60 to 135-140 grains. My only complaint is that I did not discover the .32s for so long. I seriously ponder the idea of selling the rest of my collection and using the .32s from now on. They do all I need from a revolver and a rifle. For those one or two shots a year on deer I just get a little closer. For those one or two shots a year for elk-like game, well, I still have a 38-55 but I'd use a .327 with heavy cast bullets if I was real close. It is a very under-rated, relatively unknown round, as so many people seem to think the .357 is "better". I've shot and hand loaded for .357 nearly forty years. I prefer the .327. I say, Try it, you'll like it. Now, if someone would only chamber it in a Model 92 clone, and a trim little 1885 High Wall, maybe a Sharps...

 

The marlin CB in 32 mag was very heavy due to small bore and octagon barrel. I passed on them because of this. Seeing as how they command BIG$$$$, I wish I had bought a couple. If they do produce a 327FM, I hope it is weight friendly. As others have said, not much of an advantage over the 357, which is close to perfect for farm and ranch duty. Would I like to have one, yes. Do I need another gun, dies, mold, brass etc, no. In a handgun, its got to be a jewel.

Papalote

 

You can actually get higher velocity out of the 32/20 in a Rifle.It is also very cheap to shoot.OB:biggrin:

 

I think I will get one! Big Boy Steel! I already have a Ruger SP101 4"in 327 Fed! This is a powerful round for it's size! Recoil is kinda stiff using American Eagle 100gn but very manageable. Once I get the Big Boy 327FED I plan on reloading some 115gn hardcast for a 75yd deer load. I bet the deer will not be able to tell if it was hit by a 357 or a 327! I will do some comparison testing using my Marlin 1894c, 357.

 

I still look at the 30 carbine which is a cartridge that is very similar. It was a military cartridge which usually become popular, but ahs gone over like a lead brick in any civilian version. I cannot get too excited over the 100 grain hp in a rifle as 357 shooters have generally found soft points work better at rifle velocities than bullets designed for pistol velocities. The 327 really hasn't taken the pistol world by storm either. Not saying it may not be a fun cartridge but it really is not equal to the 357 in a rifle and will not do anything a 357 will on small stuff with proper ammo choices like the 38 special 130 fmj.
If one wants one I would suggest grabbing one quick as I think they will flop on the market unless Henry can do a very good job of marketing. Winchester was really great at it in their day, but look at the excellent big bore cartridges that went by the wayside. Opportunistic rifles like the 92's and 94 Marlins, have a very limited utility. I carry them on my tractor and 4 wheeler and many like them for truck rifles, otherwise the 22 LR for small game and various 22 center fires for varmints. Even the 218 Bee has gone by the wayside, but it would exceed any use I could think of for a 327 or for me a 357.

DEP