.357 Magnum w/Alliant 2400

[243winxb]

This Ruger GP100 forcing cone is eroded on the inner edges and the forcing cone is split. Looks just like my old Colt Trooper did, from firing 125 gr jacketed at maximum pressures. Both need/needed a new barrel. I feel mine was a heat related problem. Firing 50 rounds, rapid fire, on a 90+ degree day.

 

[ljnowell]

This Ruger GP100 forcing cone is eroded on the inner edges and the forcing cone is split. Looks just like my old Colt Trooper did, from firing 125 gr jacketed at maximum

Boy, thats ugly! That ought to be enough to make people think. Thats a considerably stronger setup than a smith K frame which was known to crack. I have only ran about 500 of the 125gr JHPs through my 686 and thats enough for me after seeing the carnage it can cause.

 

[USSR]

RealGun,

Of course, you can load the 125's to what ever power level you want. However, typically, these light bullets are loaded up to a power level that the bullet is designed to expand at, which after all, is what a hollowpoint is all about. Personally, I use heavier bullets in the .357 to ensure adequate penetration.

Don.

 

[RealGun]

The loads I am at now, basically either 15.2 or 15.6, the latter not yet tested, are already rockets by the book. What speed is best for the 125 gr XTP?

 

[RealGun]

Shot the 15.6 gr and 16.5 grain loads. Both are good, but the 15.6 is worth doing 100 rounds for a real evaluation. The 16.5 was fine in both SP101 and GP100, but was more drama than I had in mind for the SP101. Truth be told, I am getting used to shooting these guns and am not as much concerned about recoil.

 

[PapaG]

Like peanut butter and chocolate, 2400 and the 357 were made for each other. If I were limited to two powders for most of my handgun reloads I would be hard pressed to go with anything but unique and 2400.

 

[Driswalds]

This Ruger GP100 forcing cone is eroded on the inner edges and the forcing cone is split. Looks just like my old Colt Trooper did, from firing 125 gr jacketed at maximum pressures. Both need/needed a new barrel. I feel mine was a heat related problem. Firing 50 rounds, rapid fire, on a 90+ degree day.

How many rounds do you think was run thru your GP100 before the cone split?
Were they your reloads if yes how fast were you pushing them?

 

[RealGun]

Driswalds - How many rounds do you think was run thru your GP100 before the cone split?
Were they your reloads if yes how fast were you pushing them?

This is not the topic of this thread. Yes, it was hijacked earlier. Perhaps it could be moved to its own thread.

 

[Walkalong]

Want to download 125's a bit and be squeaky clean? Try N340. I know that works. I bet N350, 3N37 or 3N38 would as well. I had no luck with N-105 or N110 downloading a little. I may try 3N37, since I have some. Love it in .38 Super.

 

[shadow9]

Side note, re: Forcing cone pictured above - my 3" SP101 is still crisp on the edges - but I also run a LOT of lead (low velocity), and I use heavy bullets in .357 (158's mostly). Anything under 140 I'll just chamber in the .38 cases, or leave to .38 charges. Lil' 125's toasters are are unnecessarily abrasive to the gun, IMO, and leave little that a beefy 145 WinST or 158 S-GD won't take care of...
Again, opinion. and we all know what they're related to.

(side note #2 - ran a 190gr Silouette gas-checked round recently (over ~10.3gr 2400) - didn't have a lot of flip, didn't seem to "whack" my hand as hard as the 158, but about a minute after test firing, my wrist was feeling a little funny...)