Henry Rifle Forums

Ok, I may just have room for one more gun purchase this year. I currently have a Big Boy Silver in .357. I think I want a Big Boy Steel Carbine to keep the weight down. So... do I want a .327 or a .357? If you can only have one, which one? What are your thoughts, Pro's, Con's?

I'm not familiar at all with .327. I don't do any reloading of ammo. The cost of ammo for both seem to be about the same. Also, I currently don't do any hunting, just recreational shooting. I can't decide if I want to go with a new to me cartridge (.327), as I have handguns that shoot .357 so its nice to shoot the same cartridge as my revolvers. But on the other hand, I already have a Henry .357.

I hate these hard decisions! LOL I'm kind of leaning towards the BBS carbine in .357, but must admit I'm a little curious about the .327.

My wife says with a smile "You just want them all!".... I'm beginning to believe her!

Personally would go with the .357 as an "all round" round, cheaper and more available, and matches .357 sidearm.

agree

If you go with 327 just note that there has been a problem with Federal brass splitting even from factory loads.
If you plan to reload for a 327 most people are recommending that you use Starline brass and stay away from Federal brass in that caliber.

The .327 is a little heavier than the .357. If weight reduction is a priority, then the bigger hole always wins the contest.

The .327 is a real niche cartidge, and unless you just want a change it would be best to stay with the .357, a mainstream caliber.

I am interested in a BB carbine in .327 but I am not sure I will actually buy one. It would be a pure toy and I have other financial priorities.

I sure wish these steel guns were a pound lighter. Maybe hidden fluting?

John Davies
Spokane WA

If you don't reload, stay with the 357. This is coming from a gal who shoots the 327, by the way and who no longer reloads. All my 327 shooting is with factory ammo, now. I shoot the 327 and other 32s every now and then in my Contenders because I enjoy 32s, but with Contenders I've only invested in extra barrels for the 32, not the entire gun.

Ammo availability and load selection are still issues with the 327, even if you can afford the ammo. Any place that sells ammo will have 357, but not so with the 327 and there are only a few commercial loads made for it. Ammo availability, right now, had been adequate for the 327, but in the past, there have been long dry spells on availability with the 327. If we go into another ammo shortage, the 327 will be way down the list of priority for the ammo makers to produce.

In regards to the Henry, I have not heard if Henry has solved the issues of being able to use 32 H&R in their 327 lever gun. Most of us who shoot the 327, use the 32 H&R much like people use the 38 Special in 357s. Might want to check into this as we start to see some of these Henry 327 lever guns get used.

Thanks guys and gals! Great replies with some things I hadn't thought about. I think for me it's probably best to stay with .357 for now.

Just wanted to post an update to my original question about a BBS in .327 or .357.
I've been drooling over the beautiful pictures that GaHenryFan, PT7, and others have posted lately.
And from the suggestions by people here...., Yesterday I ordered a BBS Carbine in .357.
I decided to take advantage of the "Heirloom" Henrys currently being offered by Sportsman Outdoor superstore where you can get a custom serial number. It will take a few months to get it, but I think it will be worth the wait. This will be the Henry, that I hand down to my family.

well understood .... we had Henry build a 357 for our grandson with his first name and the year for the serial number .... I suspect it will be passed down through the family for generations to come

North Country Gal wrote:...In regards to the Henry, I have not heard if Henry has solved the issues of being able to use 32 H&R in their 327 lever gun. Most of us who shoot the 327, use the 32 H&R much like people use the 38 Special in 357s. Might want to check into this as we start to see some of these Henry 327 lever guns get used.

I should be able to answer this question sometime next week.
I have a Big Boy steel .327 headed to my FFL as I type.
I understood the delays in releasing the .327's were because they weren't going to put them out until they DID feed .32H&R mags without issues.

I reload, so I'm a lot less worried about ammo availability.
I have 500 bright shiny new Star-Line cases in .327, primers, powders, and 5 different projectiles to try out.

Can't wait for next week...

If you have a .327 Magnum revolver then the .327.
If you have a .357 Magnum revolver then the .357.

Bottom line is .357 is more available. Unless you're reloading. A lot depends on you, and what you like.
For example you can't tell a Glock guy what Henry to buy, if he just likes Glocks. What firearms I like and what you like can be very different.
Doesn't mean it's wrong. It's what works best for you and your situation.

As I own and shoot both calibers, I like the .327 a little better. However you must ask yourself a couple of questions. Will I hunt with it, will I hunt anything over 80 lbs? Both are very versatile, using multiple types of ammo(38 spec/.357 or 32 H&R, 32 S&W long/ .327 Fed) In a handgun, the 32's are a pure pleasure, in a long gun are almost recoiless. The 357 can be a solid, mild, performer for medium game at under 100 yds, but can be a handful in a revolver. Since you don't intend to reload, and it sounds like this will be a recreational arm, stick with the .357/38 special. If your'e going to hunt small game the .327 would be the ticket. For someone looking for just a rifle, I'd again recommend the .357. The .327 would be the ticket, if you're getting a matching wheel gun.