Ruger SP101 Snubby .357 Ammo Preference

[esq_stu]

Which do you recommend for personal defense when carried in a Ruger SP101? Why? I'm thinking that most of the loads listed below would have relatively mild recoil (not sure about flash).

357 Federal Personal Protection 130 low recoil JHP

357 Corbon PowerBall 110

357 Winchester 110 JHP

357 Gold Dot 125

.38+P Gold Dot 125 Snubby load

(It's what's in my ammo box; I won't be buying more ammo for a while.)

 

[marcodo]

I have the short barrel 38+P in the first four chambers and a cor bon 357 in the last. Follow up shots are quick and I am quite accurate with it. I tried all 357's but it seemed to slow for my comfort. Most people will not agree with the mix but it works for me. 38+P x 4 is plenty of round for 2 legged threats. The 357 at the end is insurance since a follow up shot is not a issues

 

[DawgFvr]

Not in your list, I do recommend Corbon however, only in the 125 grain DPX:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Corbon 357 Magnum 125 gr DPX Ammo.htm

 

[mavracer]

I'd probably carry the feds in the winter and 38+p in the summer.the 125 357 GD are a little wild for a snub and the 110 WWWB are flashy. I wouldn't use powerballs for anything but blowing up jello.

 

[rdrancher]

None of the above.

I carry Buffalo Bore 158gr. Speer Gold Dot bullets that travel just a shade less than 1,100fps from the 2.25" SP101 barrel.

In BB's description - Tactical Short Barrel, Low Flash, Reduced Recoil.
"It is designed to mushroom, yet hold together and penetrate deeply—roughly 13 to 15 inches in human tissue."

It works for me.

rd

 

[19-3Ben]

Just so you know, the GoldDot short barrel 135gr .357mag load is only about as hot as a normal 38+p. If you are worried about recoil with that round, don't be. If you look at Speer's ballistic chart you'll see that the 125 gr. gold dot is actually loaded much hotter than the 135gr, and ought to have much higher recoil.

Edit to add: I carry the 135gr, but since I have been made aware of the fact that it is an uber-light load, I am going to start carrying DOuble Tap or Georgia arms loading of the 125gr. If I am bothering to carry a 357mag, I might as well get the performance of a .357mag rather than a .38+p that doesn't eject quite as easily. With Hogue Monogrips, I don't mind the recoil of the heavier loads.

 

[bub]

I voted for the Win 110gr .357 JHP. I've shot quite a few out of my 2 1/4" SP and find they shoot well out of mine, anyway. Not much more recoil than my Dept mandated Win Silvertip 125gr 38+P ammo. They DO, however, have quite a bit of blast and flash. A definate plus for carry use is that the primers are sealed. I've never handled or shot any of the others and don't know if they are sealed or not. If I had a choice, I'd be carrying this ammo in my SP all the time.

Bub

 

[ewayte]

NOTA - Remington Golden Saber for my SP101.

 

[glockman19]

I stick with Speer & Federal...Gold Dot's and Hydra Shok's.

 

[Snubster]

I carry 158 gr. GDHPs in mine.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I can only speak to accuracy and recoil control.

When I had my Ruger, I found all of the .38 Spl. loads, even +P, pleasant to shoot out of it. And it was quite tolerable with the "mild magnum" loads, including the Federal and Winchester loads you mentioned. Full-power magnums (e.g., the Remington R357M1, a 125-gr. SJHP) were fire-breathing beasts.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Boulder hit it right. 158 grain gold dot hp's are the ticket with that gun.

They should hit 1200 at the muzzle. And they should also match up POI/POA with your sights almost perfectly.

If you are worried about recoil control, try houge mono-grips. Having that 3rd finger ON instead of UNDER the grip makes all the difference in the world.

The sp101 that I am currently using for daily carry has digested over 70,000 rounds of full snort 357 ammo, and still works flawlessly.

 

[azredhawk44]

Shepherd and Boulder are right on here.

EVERYONE I have met with an SP101 has found their gun to shoot POA=POI at defensive ranges with 158gr ammunition.

I carry Fiocchi 148gr SJHP in mine just because it's the heaviest .357 hollowpoint I currently have in inventory (aside from the Federal Hydrashocks that I find recoil too harshly). Heavier pills make more accurate hits for the SP101.

 

[Virginian]

Glaser Safety Slugs or the Rem. 125 gr. SJHP. The Remmie is THE most effective one shot stopper, per FBI records.
P.S. - These are my choices for defensive carry, not practice.

 

[Doug S]

You didn't list the Speer Gold Dot 357 short barrel load. That is what I've chosen for my SP101.

 

[Doug S]

You didn't list the Speer Gold Dot 357 short barrel load. That is what I've chosen for my SP101.

 

[esq_stu]

You didn't list the Speer Gold Dot 357 short barrel load. That is what I've chosen for my SP101.

It's not in my ammo can. But could be if there's enough gain from the .38+P snubbie load to the .357 snubbie load.

 

[esq_stu]

Now that I've researched it, I may vote in my own poll.

Found this on another site (stoppingpower.net) where participants report gelatin/chronograph tests:
10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests:

Speer .38 spl +P 135 gr. Gold Dot Hollow Point

Testing Platform:
S&W 649

Barrier:
4 Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Velocity: 907.0 fps
Penetration: 14.25"
Recovered Weight: 134.5 gr.
Expansion*: .72 cal.

Round # 2:
Velocity: 892.6 fps
Penetration: 12.75"
Recovered Weight: 134.8 gr.
Expansion*: .70 cal.

Round # 3:
Velocity: 899.1 fps
Penetration: 13"
Recovered Weight: 134.7 gr.
Expansion*: .91 cal.

Round # 4:
Velocity: 887.1 fps
Penetration: 13.25"
Recovered Weight: 134.9 gr.
Expansion*: .91 cal.

Round # 5:
Velocity: 899.6 fps
Penetration: N/A Out The Side of the Block
Recovered Weight: 134.7 gr.
Expansion*: .60 cal.

Average: 897.08 fps
High: 907.00 fps
Low: 887.10 fps
Standard Deviation: 7.56 fps
Extreme Spread: 19.90 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.

Speer .357 mag 135 gr GDHP Short Barrel

Testing Platform: S&W 340 PD

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim

TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 13.375”
Recovered Weight: 133.7 gr.
Expansion*: .562 cal.
Velocity: 980.0 fps

Testing Platform:
S&W 649

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim

TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 16.00”
Recovered Weight: 134.2 gr.
Expansion*: .407 cal.
Velocity: 1002 fps

* Expansion measured at widest point.

Testing Platform:
Ruger SP101 2 ¼”

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim

TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 15.00”
Recovered Weight: 136.2 gr.
Expansion*: .551 cal.
Velocity: 1046 fps

 

[Old John]

Whatever is Handy...........in my SP101

And, about the same in my 3" GP100.

Right now the SP101 is loaded with 145 gr.Winchester Silvertips.
But, I have carried WWB 110gr. HJHP's.
Also I have carried WWB 125gr. JHP's.
I've also carried Remington 125 gr. Golden Sabres(cheaper'n Gold dots).
I have on occasion carried WWB 125gr. jacketed-soft-points.
I don't feel undergunned with any of them.
But I'd really rather Not carry .38 specials of any kind in my ,357magnum.

I know the WWB 110gr. HJHP's will blow a Copperhead snake clean in two.
I know the WWB125gr JHP's will go clean through a big old boar racoon, and make a much bigger exit hole than entry.

That's the only thing I've had to defend against, so far.
I think, if you get a "Good hit" on your target, with a .357mag.,
it'll do the job.
Keep shooting!

 

[DMK]

I carry 158 gr. GDHPs in mine.

Same here.

I'm not a big fan of 125gr 357mag in any barrel length. It's too hot and caused a lot of problems in K-frame 357s. In a short barrel, you're just wasting a lot of blast for nothing. I much prefer the heavier bullet. It will still lose some velocity vs. a longer barrel, but at least you've got more mass behind the boost you can get out of it.

 

[SAWBONES]

All the poll choices are substandard for the Ruger SP101, which is factory-sighted for 158gr .357 loads.
Mine prefer Buffalo Bore 158gr JHP in .357 Magnum.

 

[Scotticus]

Buffalo Bore 158 gr Heavy .38 Special +P Short Barrel Low Flash
Ruger SP101, 3 inch—1143 fps (458 ft. lbs.)

 

[The_Shootist]

I'm a bit of a heretic - my SP 101 is my bedside gun, now that I'm carrying my M85 alot, but its stuffed with the FBI load. If carrying it would be that or BB standard pressure round. If a magnum, something like the GS 125 gr in .357.

I fired a box of the BB "heavy" .38's through my Ruger and couldn't tell the difference between them and a few .357 loads. In fact, I think I might run them through my 686+ to see how they perform.

 

[rj112275]

Always carried Remington Golden Saber 125gr. They were tame to shoot.

 

[CZF]

Any point of impact problems with the Glaser 357s? High or low?