Originally Posted by bunnspecial
I've owned two different guns in 327 Mag over the years.
The first was a Ruger SP101, that I stupidly sold. I now have a Ruger Single 7. The Single 7 was a Lipsey's special around 2014ish, and when they were announced I called three different dealers in town to try and get one. I'm glad I did that, as only one was actually able to get one(I think total production was 2K in each of three barrel lengths made). For someone like me who is NOT a Ruger guy, that's a pretty good endorsement.
In any case, I love the caliber, although it's a bit of an oddball. Kinetic energies are incredibly high thanks to the ridiculous velocities that he cartridge pushes the little 100gr(ish) slugs to(especially out of short barrels). I don't care to ever find out in the real world how it would do as a self defense caliber, but I don't feel under-gunned with one. The velocities do ensure good penetration, and recoil is also light vs. the 357 Mag.
I also love how flat-shooting it is. In good hands, it's an incredibly accurate out to 50 yards or better.
One of the downsides I do see is that ammo selection is limited. Of course, I handload, although I don't carry handloads in an SD gun. Right around the time the Single 7 shipped, Handloader magazine published an issue with a bunch of load data-it's worth finding. As a general strategy, shove as much Win 296 in as you can
(disclaimer-always use published load data and work up your loads). BTW, one BIG downside is that brass-whether once fired or virgin-can be difficult to find, and there's not exactly a huge selection of commercial .312 caliber bullets.
Also, short of of the Blackhawk in 30 Carbine, I honestly thing 327 Mag may be the loudest handgun I've ever fired.
Starline makes brass for it. For straight wall revolver rounds I pretty much only use coated hardcast these days. Easy to find.