Ruger GP100 Ammo

[Slinky556]

Hey, what's up everybody?

I just bought a Ruger GP100 6" 357. I wanted a handgun to match my Henry 357 deer rifle and I finally got one. I must say, I sure am proud of this revolver. It's truly a fine piece of firearm craftsmanship.

Now that I have this weapon, I'm interested in handgun hunting our North Alabama whitetails with it. I'm aware of the many successful handgun hunters who are in this community (Lord have I searched and read), I'm just wondering what they're shooting. I had great success with my Henry 357 using Federal Fusion 158's. I killed a total of 7 deer between my land in AL and our family land in TN. I dont handload so I'm limited to off the shelf 357's

I'm aware of my limitations with a handgun. Truthfully, I always thought of handgun hunting as "loud archery" haha. I do bow hunt during early season. And while I can hit consistently with my Creed XS at 80 yards, I keep all my shots on living targets under 50 yards (practical margin for error). At 50 yards, I can shoot 6 out of 6 12oz redbull cans off a saw horse using the same 158 fusions so I'm confident in my marksman at practical ranges.

Anyone else like the fusions or would something else be recommended? What do y'all kill critters with?

 

[<*(((><]

At 50 yards, I can shoot 6 out of 6 12oz redbull cans off a saw horse using the same 158 fusions so I'm confident in my marksman at practical ranges.

That's impressive.

I don't have any suggestions but would be curious what others experiences are. I have a Win94 .357 and Ruger GP100 as well.

 

[Livin_Cincy]

Most of the analysis shows you can buy a press and hand load for what 1,000 cost to purchase.
With 357 Magnum you certainly can. Plus you can load 38's for plinking loads.
A LEE Turret press will be pretty close to 200 per hour once you get a method.

 

[Riomouse911]

Based on what you can do with your .357 I’d say you’re well armed with the Fusion loads. I wouldn’t change a thing.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Federal Fusion works well for me as well, I recommend 158 grainers, Ive even used the PMC brand of soft points on a couple of does, you could go heavier but for southern whitetails it really isnt needed. I've also hunted with the Hornady XTP loads and the remington 125 grain SJHP load, they both worked well as well.

 

[Stumper]

I think you are well prepared with what you are already shooting.

 

[Slinky556]

Thanks for the replies. I would like to get a handloader set up but currently I'm the only income in the house WITH 3 kids.

The previous replies here answered my question, thanks again to all. I had such great success using the Fusions in my rifle and have been doing so well practicing with them that I didn't want to change. I heard what I wanted to hear haha.

On another not, shooting 6 for 6 12oz redbulls is a "taking-your-time" event. I actually had to paint the very tip (maybe 1/8 inch) of my front sight with some white paint and sight from there to do it. Also firing single action, I'm not that steady yet with double action. I dont know that I could do it with the little 8oz cans, 12's get awfully small at 50 yards as it is. As for choosing redbull cans, coffee angers the gut and the passenger floorboard of my work truck is a catch-all so I'm sure anyone can see where this going.

 

[gk3]

Hello, another fellow Alabama-ian here, also with a 6" Ruger GP100. I use my 357 as a woods gun and for deer hunting also (although I haven't been doing it long enough to be successful). I reload 158gr XTP with H110 as a primary round, but the Federal (AE357) 158gr JSPs are easy to find and look like they'd do a good job. They're fairly warm too. I haven't looked to see how they compare to Fusion, but I'd stick with Fusion unless you can't find it.

 

[beag_nut]

If I were you I would look for 180-190 grain loads. Since I handload, that's what I carry when I visit areas with large game. My GP is the same as yours, unless you have a SS, rather than my blued one. Perhaps Buffalo Bore, or other maker has heavier bullets sitting on worthy powder charges? As far as recoil goes, the GP is so heavy that it is not a reasonable concern.

 

[DWFan]

I'd try the Buffalo Bore-Barnes 140gr all-copper HP.

 

[Slinky556]

Thanks for the handload information. If I start handloading at any point I'll give this info a go. I took screenshots haha. I think I'll take the advice of a previous post for now and stick with Fusions since I'm doing so well with them. I dont want to switch anything up for the time being. Not broke, dont need no fixin'

Could someone link me to a good 357 reload page in here? I'd like to start accumulating so load data for further down the road. Thanks in advance

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Go to Hodgdon.com and look for the reloading site. Just about all the powder companies have their own data sights.
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

 

[Danoobie]

Got any venomous snakes, where you hunt? The whole point of a revolver , to me, (and BTW, I really like my GP100) is to have 2 or 3 loads of
ratshot on hand, for when the music worms get underfoot.

 

[Slinky556]

I dont much worry about snakes, they dont bother me... fangs or not. I have run across one rattlesnake in my woods before but he made his noise and we went our separate ways. No harm, no foul.

I look into their reloading stuff and see what all they have on their page

 

[beag_nut]

Heaven forbid you don't look at Alliant, also.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/

 

[DWFan]

Actual shooter data.....
www.handloads.com

 

[beag_nut]

Although the link is to another forum, I think you might get some ideas for commercial ammo at this post:

http://rugerforum.net/ammo-dump/344...double-tap-underwood-tabletop-comparison.html

 

[CraigC]

The Fusion is a bonded bullet, it's probably a good load for whitetail.

 

[Slinky556]

Thats what Ive read about the fusions. They've always left a pretty nasty exit wound so Im going to assume they expand a good bit while staying together. Per earlier posts in this thread, I think I'm just going to stick with them until I'm able to start handloading. They've performed well in my henry rifle and I'm performing well with them in my 6" GP100 so for the time being, I'm going to stick with them.

Its sort of funny though, my 357's are the only thing I use the fusions in. I like winchester powermax 175's in my 7mag, hornady american whitetail 150's in my 308, corelokt 150's in my 30-30 and winchester powerpoint 64's in my AR (besides my 4k rounds of 855).

 

[gk3]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/357-magnum-hunting-load.746521/#post-9387926

 

[CraigC]

The Fusion is probably a far better bullet than the XTP. If he's getting exits, he's in good shape.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

I got a GP 100 and a Blackhawk .357 convertible, for hogs I prefer Buffalo Bore 180 grain.

 

[stchman]

Most of the analysis shows you can buy a press and hand load for what 1,000 cost to purchase.
With 357 Magnum you certainly can. Plus you can load 38's for plinking loads.
A LEE Turret press will be pretty close to 200 per hour once you get a method.

I don't mean to disparage reloaders, but you can buy 1000 rounds of .357 Magnum (158gr JHP) for $307 shipped to your house from AIM Surplus.

I don't know how much the press, dies, casings, bullets, powder, and primers cost. Not to mention a powder measure device, calipers, misc tools to make sure the cases are of proper length, manuals, etc. Also the time to learn the craft and the hours spent reloading when you actually get good at it.

 

[ray15]

I don't mean to disparage reloaders, but you can buy 1000 rounds of .357 Magnum (158gr JHP) for $307 shipped to your house from AIM Surplus.

Even if I splurge and use Hornady XTP HPs bought in small quantities, a top-end 357 loads costs me 25 cents a round. If I had a source of the cheesy bi-metal jacket JHPs Geco is using, it would be more like 17. And one doesn't always need a hollowpoint, at which point I use plated bullets and the round cost drops to 15 cents. Plus the option of producing lighter loads at an even lesser cost (9-12 cents, depending on bullet).

I don't know how much the press, dies, casings, bullets, powder, and primers cost. Not to mention a powder measure device, calipers, misc tools to make sure the cases are of proper length, manuals, etc. Also the time to learn the craft and the hours spent reloading when you actually get good at it.

Heaven forbid one might learn stuff and develop skills.

 

[Slinky556]

Anyone care to share what their total dollar amount spent on a reloader setup and what all items they have in it? From press to dies to scales... all of it? How much are we talking for the full show? I'd like to start loading some time in the future, so how much do I need to plan on saving up? Remember, I'm a one income home with 3 kids