Not sure if this should be posted in the Handload secrion or the Revolver section but it's partially a story of acquiring a firearm I've been longing for for quite some time. So here goes.
I recently acquired a Ruger GP100 4" .357 Magnum. For quite literally years, I'd looked at these firearms multiple times but always found a reason to not get one. I always liked revolvers but they were not the "cool" thing and everyone I know always gave me so much crap for what the few that I did own, that I may have developed a slight complex about them even though I shot them well and enjoyed shooting them.
After some soul searching and realizing that I had several handguns that sat in the safe for the better part of 2 years, I decided it was time to down size and trade them off for something I would use. The 2 I got rid of were two .45 Autos. I'll never down a the .45 as a defensive caliber and I will continue to own the one I shoot but why have 3 if 2 don't get use? So I went and got what cash I could get for em and put the money in my secret gun fund.
Fast forward a few weeks, I'm standing in a Western/Ranch type of store in town here and I waltz by the gun counter. Seeing the GP100 and an SP101 side by side I asked the guy behind the counter if he'd pull em out for me to compare. I own an SP101 snubby that used to ride in my waistline nearly everyday until I got the LCR. I still put the SP101 to use now and then but it mainly rides in my glove box in case of a rainy day. I've owned several 357's but never a full size revolver. I've also owned several full sized revolvers but not in 357. I'd always had either a 44 Mag or a 45 Colt because I was young and dumb when I purchased them and bigger is always better right? Ya sure. Right. While fondling the two the guy behind the counter told me that GP100 was his best seller at that point in time. I asked him why he thought that was and he just gave me a look like "are you blind?" while motioning to a bright pink sign on the glass case directly beside the firearms I was handling. "Manager's Special GP100 4" or 6" $529.99". I'd looked at used ones over at another sporting goods store that were more than this. I have no problem purchasing a used firearm but finding one new for a cheaper price and having a warm and fuzzy about knowing no one before me has abused it is a plus.
After consulting with the better half I put my small gun fund to good use and walked out with what I believe is my new favorite in the small collection. Fast forward a few more weeks and after multiple trips to the gun range I'm falling in love. Currently working on having a family member make a holster for it. It's definitely turning into my new trail gun. I've tried several rounds and once I accumulate enough brass I plan to begin reloading for it. I have plenty of powder becuase I use 2400 in my 44. I came across some American Eagle 158 soft points on sale for $20.99 a box of 50. So naturally I bought the last 3 on the shelf because I always had good luck with federal brass. I was looking at them mainly for the brass as 357 ammo selection seems limited locally. But after a few cylinders they seem to be fairly stout loads. I've seen a video or two on them and they seem to be a fairly serious load and not the plinking rounds I was sure I had purchased. I had a thought of carrying these on the trail in the mean time until I could develop a load.
Thoughts on this ammo's potential? The worst critter I really run across has been a mountain lion. I've seen black bear but they are typically hightailing the other direction and I always have bear spray handy when hiking. So it's main use would be against ill willed 2 legged creatures, possibly a mountain lion, maybe a wild dog (though I've never actually ran across one), and as a very very very last resort against a blackbear if it were absolutely necessary. I've never come across a grizzly though I know it can happen. If I ever plan to go into grizzly country, I'll invest in something much more substantial.
I'm not trying to start a "what's the best bear gun" debate. I'm just curious on what you guys think of this revolver/ammo combination as a hiking/camping/fishing companion/utility load.
I recently acquired a Ruger GP100 4" .357 Magnum. For quite literally years, I'd looked at these firearms multiple times but always found a reason to not get one. I always liked revolvers but they were not the "cool" thing and everyone I know always gave me so much crap for what the few that I did own, that I may have developed a slight complex about them even though I shot them well and enjoyed shooting them.
After some soul searching and realizing that I had several handguns that sat in the safe for the better part of 2 years, I decided it was time to down size and trade them off for something I would use. The 2 I got rid of were two .45 Autos. I'll never down a the .45 as a defensive caliber and I will continue to own the one I shoot but why have 3 if 2 don't get use? So I went and got what cash I could get for em and put the money in my secret gun fund.
Fast forward a few weeks, I'm standing in a Western/Ranch type of store in town here and I waltz by the gun counter. Seeing the GP100 and an SP101 side by side I asked the guy behind the counter if he'd pull em out for me to compare. I own an SP101 snubby that used to ride in my waistline nearly everyday until I got the LCR. I still put the SP101 to use now and then but it mainly rides in my glove box in case of a rainy day. I've owned several 357's but never a full size revolver. I've also owned several full sized revolvers but not in 357. I'd always had either a 44 Mag or a 45 Colt because I was young and dumb when I purchased them and bigger is always better right? Ya sure. Right. While fondling the two the guy behind the counter told me that GP100 was his best seller at that point in time. I asked him why he thought that was and he just gave me a look like "are you blind?" while motioning to a bright pink sign on the glass case directly beside the firearms I was handling. "Manager's Special GP100 4" or 6" $529.99". I'd looked at used ones over at another sporting goods store that were more than this. I have no problem purchasing a used firearm but finding one new for a cheaper price and having a warm and fuzzy about knowing no one before me has abused it is a plus.
After consulting with the better half I put my small gun fund to good use and walked out with what I believe is my new favorite in the small collection. Fast forward a few more weeks and after multiple trips to the gun range I'm falling in love. Currently working on having a family member make a holster for it. It's definitely turning into my new trail gun. I've tried several rounds and once I accumulate enough brass I plan to begin reloading for it. I have plenty of powder becuase I use 2400 in my 44. I came across some American Eagle 158 soft points on sale for $20.99 a box of 50. So naturally I bought the last 3 on the shelf because I always had good luck with federal brass. I was looking at them mainly for the brass as 357 ammo selection seems limited locally. But after a few cylinders they seem to be fairly stout loads. I've seen a video or two on them and they seem to be a fairly serious load and not the plinking rounds I was sure I had purchased. I had a thought of carrying these on the trail in the mean time until I could develop a load.
Thoughts on this ammo's potential? The worst critter I really run across has been a mountain lion. I've seen black bear but they are typically hightailing the other direction and I always have bear spray handy when hiking. So it's main use would be against ill willed 2 legged creatures, possibly a mountain lion, maybe a wild dog (though I've never actually ran across one), and as a very very very last resort against a blackbear if it were absolutely necessary. I've never come across a grizzly though I know it can happen. If I ever plan to go into grizzly country, I'll invest in something much more substantial.
I'm not trying to start a "what's the best bear gun" debate. I'm just curious on what you guys think of this revolver/ammo combination as a hiking/camping/fishing companion/utility load.
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