Ruger LCR .327 Magnum Chronograph Velocities and Notes

[Shawn Dodson]

Had a chance to chronograph a few different loads (5 round average velocities):

.327 Magnum Federal 104gr HST
1259 fps

.327 Magnum Underwood 95gr Xtreme Defender
1229 fps

.32 H&R Magnum Federal 85gr JHP
954 fps

.32 Long Fiocchi 100gr Lead Wadcutter
599 fps

.32 ACP Hornady 60gr XTP
627 fps

.32 ACP Winchester 71gr FMJ-FN
498 fps

The .327 Magnum loads were snappy but felt recoil was not as bad as reports I've heard. (The Underwood load was fired with the Ruger factory grip installed and the Federal load was fired with the Hogue Bantam Boot Grip (https://shopruger.com/LCR-Hogue-Bantam-Boot-Grip-Black/productinfo/19927/) installed and I didn't notice any difference in felt recoil between the two grips.)

The .32 H&R Magnum load was very pleasant to shoot (Hogue Bantam Boot Grip).

The .32 Long WC Fiocchi load had virtually zero recoil.

The semi-rimmed .32 ACP cases didn't have enough rim for the extractor to fully engage and slipped underneath the extractor star when the extractor rod was depressed after shooting. I chronographed .32 ACP out of curiosity.

I have the weird Ergo Delta Grip (https://www.ergogrips.net/shop/delta-grip-ruger-lcr-lcr-x-frame-black/) that I've installed on a .22 LR LCR and I like it how it feels and points, but I haven't done any work to see how easy/hard it is to acquire a firing grip with pocket carry, nor have I shot the .327 LCR with it installed yet to see how felt recoil is.

[the Schwartz]

Had a chance to chronograph a few different loads (5 round average velocities):

.327 Magnum Federal 104gr HST
1259 fps

.327 Magnum Underwood 95gr Xtreme Defender
1229 fps

.32 H&R Magnum Federal 85gr JHP
954 fps

.32 Long Fiocchi 100gr Lead Wadcutter
599 fps

.32 ACP Hornady 60gr XTP
627 fps

.32 ACP Winchester 71gr FMJ-FN
498 fps

The .327 Magnum loads were snappy but felt recoil was not as bad as reports I've heard. (The Underwood load was fired with the Ruger factory grip installed and the Federal load was fired with the Hogue Bantam Boot Grip (https://shopruger.com/LCR-Hogue-Bantam-Boot-Grip-Black/productinfo/19927/) installed and I didn't notice any difference in felt recoil between the two grips.)

The .32 H&R Magnum load was very pleasant to shoot (Hogue Bantam Boot Grip).

The .32 Long WC Fiocchi load had virtually zero recoil.

The semi-rimmed .32 ACP cases didn't have enough rim for the extractor to fully engage and slipped underneath the extractor star when the extractor rod was depressed after shooting. I chronographed .32 ACP out of curiosity.

I have the weird Ergo Delta Grip (https://www.ergogrips.net/shop/delta-grip-ruger-lcr-lcr-x-frame-black/) that I've installed on a .22 LR LCR and I like it how it feels and points, but I haven't done any work to see how easy/hard it is to acquire a firing grip with pocket carry, nor have I shot the .327 LCR with it installed yet to see how felt recoil is.


Thanks for doing this, Shawn.

Quick question...

Have you had occasion yet to fire the .32 Long Fiocchi 100gr Lead Wadcutter (599 fps) at paper for accuracy, and if so, have you seen any indication of instability (keyholing, lateral smudge, etc)?

I have a 4'' Ruger SP101 in 327FM that I have been messing around with and wondered if the wadcutter might be an option for target work and up-close varmint duty.

[Dov]

I've been looking for subjective feedback on the 32 S&W Long wadcutter recoil since even 38 special 130FMJ is to much for practicing with now in my Airwt due to hand issues.

From what your saying the 32 S&W Long would pain/comfort wise equivalent to 22 rimfire? Like practically the same as dryfire?

[Duelist]

I've been looking for subjective feedback on the 32 S&W Long wadcutter recoil since even 38 special 130FMJ is to much for practicing with now in my Airwt due to hand issues.

From what your saying the 32 S&W Long would pain/comfort wise equivalent to 22 rimfire? Like practically the same as dryfire?

I load a 105gr moly coated lead .358 bullet over 2.5gr of Bullseye in a .38 case to make shooting an airweight J comfortable, and even fun.

Recoil is about on par with .22 Magnum or .32 Long.

[Velo Dog]

I've been looking for subjective feedback on the 32 S&W Long wadcutter recoil since even 38 special 130FMJ is to much for practicing with now in my Airwt due to hand issues.

Chris discusses recoil around 7 minutes into the video


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz_m4M8CAe0

[frozentundra]

I usually carry Black Hills 85 XTP JHP in my LCR. I find it quite manageable to shoot and more accurate than I am. I'm pretty happy with it.

However, I've always wondered about a very reduced recoil .327 or a stout .32 H&R load with the less common 100 grain .312 XTP bullet in an LCR. It seems possible that the 100 grain XTP bullet, at the exact right velocity, could be the ticket out of this gun. Would it have closer to 9mm(ish) penetration characteristics while still delivering less than 9mm LCR Recoil? It's obviously lighter than a 115 Gold Dot, or 147 HST, but it's also a smaller diameter with a very high sectional density. And it's designed to be used in revolver applications.

Buffalo Bore makes a "+P" .32 H&R 100 XTP load, but they are usually pushing the envelope. Something closer to the Ventura load may be more reasonable for the application.
https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=257
https://www.venturamunitions.com/ventura-heritage-32-h-r-100gr-jhp-hi-speed-new-ammo-50-rounds/



Someone much smarter and better looking than me should buy some and do a bunch of high quality ballistic gel testing! Do it for Science!!

[Shawn Dodson]

Thanks for doing this, Shawn.

Quick question...

Have you had occasion yet to fire the .32 Long Fiocchi 100gr Lead Wadcutter (599 fps) at paper for accuracy, and if so, have you seen any indication of instability (keyholing, lateral smudge, etc)?

I have a 4'' Ruger SP101 in 327FM that I have been messing around with and wondered if the wadcutter might be an option for target work and up-close varmint duty.

You're welcome.

I've shot the Fiocchi load mostly out of a 2 1/8" S&W 632 Pro. I haven't shot it in any manner to be able to comment on its accuracy. I generally suck at shooting tight groups.

No keyholing though in my experience.