Ruger SP101 .357 Ammo?

[ronto]

I purchased a Ruger SP101 .357 2 1/4 inch barrel a while ago and have been trying different types of ammo. I have a few questions for experienced owners:

(1) What is your self-defense round?
(2) What do you use for practice?
(3) If you have tried Speer 135gr. GDHP Short Barrel ammo, what do you think of it?
(4) What is the most accurate round (plinking) for this revolver?
(5) Any general "tips" for a new owner?

Your opinions and recommendations are appreciated.
Thank You,
Ron

 

[cslinger]

I have been happy with both Federal premium ammo and Speer Gold Dots. I prefer the 125-135 grain area.

In the SP101 I try to use any .357 for practice but if I am using .38 any will generally do. I do try to keep the weights close to that of the carry ammo.

Love the new Speer stuff. Never really liked Gold Dots in Semi Autos but love their revolver rounds.

At the ranges I shoot the SP101 most quality .38/.357 ammo is accurate enough for me. I do find that 158 grain stuff is more accurate in the SP101.

As for tips, shoot and dry fire the hell out of her. The trigger will be stiff and likely a little gritty new. Ruger triggers smooth out immensely over use. My SP101 has a very nice trigger. Remember when folks talk about how good the triggers on the old guns were are likely feeling a trigger that has been pulled thousands of times. One other thing to watch out for is when ejecting brass be careful to not be to aggressive on the pushing the crane as sometimes .38 brass will get stuck under the star.

Have fun, be safe.

 

[ewayte]

(1) Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. GDHP or Remington Golden Saber when I can't find Speer locally.
(2) Remington UMC 125 gr. JSP
(3) See (1) I like it!
(4) UMC is the only practice load I've used. It's accurate enough.
(5) Can't think of any. I have replaced the stock grip with Crimson Trace laser grips.

 

[Pistol Toter]

(1) What is your self-defense round?
Remington .357 125gr Gold Sabre
(2) What do you use for practice?
Remington .357 125gr Gold Sabre
(3) If you have tried Speer 135gr. GDHP Short Barrel ammo, what do you think of it?
Have not tried it.
(4) What is the most accurate round (plinking) for this revolver?
Not applicable as I practice with what I am carring.
(5) Any general "tips" for a new owner?
After a couple hundred rounds you will notice that the trigger will dramatically improve.

 

[symr00]

For plinking: Magtech 158gr .357 mag

Home carry: Speer 135gr SB .38 special

Everyday carry: Speer 125gr .357 mag or Speer 135gr SB .357 mag


Not sure what 135gr short barrel ammo you were talking about but I have shot both calibers (.38 and 357 magnum). I like them both. The 38 is a pussycat and the 357 has a little less recoil than the 125gr Speer.

I found the 158gr was the most accurate

Tips: Use a polish compound/Dremel on all contact surfaces of the trigger assembly and replace the factory 14# mainspring with a Wolff 12# spring to achieve a fantastic trigger pull.

 

[VA27]

In the house, the 38+P 158 LSWHP, in the field (CC) the GoldDot 158. Practice or plinking I use whatever is cheap (S&B FMJ) and finish up with a round of "duty" ammo.

 

[shooting on a shoestring]

I load my own

For daily carry, 158 gr Gold Dots over enough Blue Dot to get 1140 fps across my chronograph. I've tried max loads of Lil'Gun, W296, 2400, Unique, but Blue Dot was 20 fps faster and used only 2/3 as much charge weight.

Practice, Lyman 358156, no gas check and 6 gr of Bullseye, gets 1040 fps.

I'm seriously thinking of carrying my practice round.

I tried max loads of the above powders and 125 JHP and barely got 1300 fps (1250 to 1300). I suppose thats fine, I just prefer heavier, hoping for complete penetration.

Tips - Shoot alot. It took me about 9 months roughly 1000 rounds per month to get as good as I was with my worn out Mod 60 .38 Spl. (10 yds, 5 shots, 2 to 3 inches in 3 seconds)(Yes I know many shoot better, I'm still working on it, but I believe I'm in the ball park).