Most powerful magnum loads with an SP101?

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I've shot the federal american eagle 158g JSP load (539ftlb at 1240fps) out of my SP101. Good accuracy and the recoil was stout but manageable. It looks to be one of the more powerful 357 loads available. Another I'm considering, but have not shot, is the Corbon 180g JSP. Would this be OK with the SP101? I also have some fiocci ~148g tapered FMJ on hand already (never shot them yet).

What load would you use for defense against large cats, eg. mountain lions? Some can be up to 200lbs.
 
Well the SP101 is sighted for 158g, so I stay in that weight. I carry (for 2 leggers) Gold Dot 158's in mine. FWIU, you should carry the same for mountain kitty defense as you would a large human, so I'd say those GD's would be fine.

Those cats have very thin skin, so about any decent SD round should do you good. If you really want to max out the power scale, I'd recommend the offerings from Double Tap and Buffalo Bore. Double Tap actually makes some Gold Dots, so that'd probably be a great choice.
 
The SP will take any factory load available. I like the Speer 158gr GoldDot, the Federal 158gr HydroShok and 180gr CastCore, the Winchester 145gr SilverTip and the Remington 158, 165 and 180gr JSPs.

I haven't tried the CorBon or Buffalo Bore rounds simply because I'm totally happy with any or all of the above.
 
GOOD LORD THAT"S A BIG CAT.:what:

I may have had to change my underwear if I saw that one coming towards me.:what:

Wyman

Sorry for the OT post. I just can't get over the size of that cat. Head and paws especially.:eek:
 
Jeez that cat is HUGE! Looks like a small lion!!

If I ran into one that size on a day I'm carrying my SP 101 I hope I'm carrying some VERY stout BB loads!
 
GOOD LORD THAT"S A BIG CAT.

I may have had to change my underwear if I saw that one coming towards me.

Wyman

Sorry for the OT post. I just can't get over the size of that cat. Head and paws especially.
Click to expand...

+1 on this entire post.
 
AKElroy, yes it is a 2.25 barrel. I didn't notice much muzzle blast with the federal 158g, have you shot that load, and if so how does it compare to the 180g corbon?

That is a huge mountain lion. They don't get that big around here. What a magnificant animal. I just need a good round for defense (I don't hunt).
 
After shooting a 180# Russian Boar with several rounds of Federal 357 158gr HP out of a 4" revolver all I can say is get good 180gr Hardcast like BB. I know cats aren't pigs but I now know that ammo that penetrates deep is most likely to work on dangerous wild animals.
 
I didn't notice much muzzle blast with the federal 158g, have you shot that load, and if so how does it compare to the 180g corbon?
Click to expand...

I never shot anything heavier than 158g; it was my truck gun. I would not hesitate to shoot heavier solids in it for hiking through the woods; especially with dangerous game lurking about.
 
Mine was a 2.3" barrel model. I shot a 180 grain Hornady XTP over 13.8 grains of AA#9 in it which gave me 1302 fps/662 ft lbs. It shot to point of aim and 2" groups. Recoil was stout, but with a Hogue grip, was manageable.

The SP101 is as strong as any L frame IMHO and can shoot any load not exceeding maximum SAAMI pressure. That would include Buffalo Bore in factory ammo. I'd shy away from a steady diet in a J frame, but the SP101 will eat that stuff all day and come back for more. You'll wear out first.
 
Jeebus Elgin47, at first I thought you took that cat with an SP101 snubbie! That would be a heckova story there! :D
 
I wouldn't hesitate to shoot any SAAMI load in an SP101. HOWEVER, remember that lots of handload combinations can reach 45,000 psi (the old original pressure limit). SAAMI lists 35,000 as maximum. Like it says in the warnings (that half the people who buy the manuals never read): APPROACH MAXIMUM LOADS CAREFULLY!
 
You won't hurt the gun. (Your hand may be another story. :p) The extra penetration of the 180-gr. load is not really needed for even the largest mountain lions, as they are muscular but not very thick-skinned or heavy-boned.
 
Didn't mean to semi-hijack the thread with the cat pics, apologies to the OP. Just couldn't resist. I didn't shoot it, the pictures were sent to me by someone who knew the shooter.

Just to keep on track, I bought a new SP101 today - 2.25" - enclosed hammer - I saw this thread researching the purchase, so at least my intentions were good. Ordered a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar pancake to go with it.

Also looking for ammo opinions so I appreciate all the input here.
 
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I prefer heavier bullets in snubs. My own favorite is the 140 grain Speer JHP. It is very accurate. 125 grain are lighter cannot perform from such short barrels. They accelerate out of the bore before the pressure peaks in most loads. Short barrel loads use faster powders that aren't efficient in magnum calibers, catch 22. The solution is a heavier bullet and 140 grain, in my chronographing, seems to be the best compromise. Some prefer a 158, that's okay, but I think a little bit of over-penetration for self defense and I find the 140 more pleasant to shoot and with less muzzle flip, faster recovery. .
 
I have the SP101 3 inch and sometimes shoot 180 and 200 gr Cor Bons without any problem. They are a handful but not real bad. I have compact grips on mine.
 
My preferred woods carry load is a 158 grain Jacketed Soft Point from Magtech. Should penetrate a little deeper than JHP loads from either Magtech or Federal (which I also have shot) and the magtech loads seem just a little hotter than Federal (American Eagle). Magtech also makes a flat pointed FMJ load and I can't see why it wouldn't do at least as well as a hard cast lead round.

Best, the recoil isn't that severe and the ammo hits where the sights say it should.
 
Guess I am the odd man out. In my snubbie .357 (actually my current wife's 686 7 shot, 3 inch) I shoot Speer Gold Dot 125 grain.

Point of aim is marginally higher but my goal is higher velocity
 
You may think 125gn loads don't perform in shorter barrels, but after shooting them in my 3" SP101, I disagree. No, I have not chronographed them, not have fired them into gelletin...but seeing the impact in mud was pretty impressive.
 
I have chronographed 'em in the 2.3" SP101. The hot 125 grain load was in the mid 1100 fps range. The hot 140 was 1340 fps. Plus, the flash bang was MUCH worse with the 125 grain.

loads were

125 grain JHP over 18 grains 2400
140 grain JHP over 17 grains 2400

A faster powder will help out in the short barrel, but I prefer the heavier bullet.

Buy a chronograph and get back to me. :D
 
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