SP101 ammo question.

H

hulley

New member
I've had an itch for a .357mag for quite some time. I rented an SP101 2.25" and GP100 in 4" yesterday and loved both of them. However I'm going for the SP101 in 3" because it'll be easier to carry out in the woods.

My question is this, How does the SP101 handle the really hot loads? I've always heard the SP101 is built like a tank but it is still a small frame revolver. I reload and would like to roll some nasty stuff for woods work and even though I wont shoot the hot stuff alot, I would like to know the SP101 can handle it. TBH I'll probably shoot more .357mag then .38sp.

If anybody has pics, please post em! I never get tired of seeing this little beauty!

Thanks
Hulley
 
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I think it's ability to handle heavy loads will far exceed your desire to shoot them.
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LOL, I think your right! After dumping 50rds downrange non-stop, I could feel it in my bones. What fun though, the bang and flash make it all worth while. :D
 
I had the 3" SP101 .357 and it for sure can take whatever you can take. I'm not into recoil so I tended to shoot mild .357 loads.
 
Congrats. SP 101s are great guns. If you plan to shoot it a lot don't feed it a steady diet of 110-125 hot +P loads. The gun can easily withstand the pressures of hot loads and will not blow up but those loads are hard on the forcing cone and their use should be limited. For general plinking use 140-158 gr. standard loadings or standard .38 Spls. Hogue grips will make it more comfortable to shoot for long range sessions.
 
I have both gp and sp. The great thing about the ruger design is that it locks on its crane, not on the ejection rod as a smith does. due to the geometry of this, ruger can use a much thicker barrel and shroud, placing more metal all around the forcing cone area giving it more support. Add this aspect to things like the solid cast frame, no sideplate w/screws and thicker cylinder walls with its locking grooves staggered between the flutes in the thick part of the cylinder. Thats why it handles hot 357s so well.
 
I think I loaded about 18 gr of win 296 behind a 158 gr jacketed hp, one grain over max. in my gp. It felt very intense, but it grouped well at close range.
 
I have a 2" dao SP101 that I dearly love. Due to the versatility it would probably be the last gun to go if I had to get rid of all its siblings. I carry the hot 125 grain Speer in it, and since I test with my carry ammo, I have shot a fair few of it and other very hot loads. I run factory rubber with wood inserts (I will post a pic later when not on my phone) and I have no trouble managing the recoil. I highly recommend the SP101. It is a fine revolver that will give you arguably more years of service than any other 5 holer out there.
 
My usual 357 load is 16.6 of W296 over a 158 gr XTP/HP. I do not find them uncomfortable to shoot at all in my 3" SP101 with Hogue grips, but the flash is a wonder to behold. I think it handles this relatively hot load just fine.

There is a 4" 357 SP101 version now with adjustable sights. I'd give that strong consideration for woods carry if I were buying new today, but I do like my 3" just fine and have no plans to upgrade. It carries just great in a Bianchi 5BH small revolver OWB holster.
 
I generally shoot my SP101 better with lighter loads. I'm not a shooter who enjoys being pounded with recoil all day. My load for range work/play is a Missouri Bullet Co 158 gr lead bullet sitting over 6grs of Unique. I shoot a Magtech .357 158gr JHP well enough to carry it. My stand by load however is the .38+P Gold Dot's. I do love this little revolver, but I don't enjoy a full range session of being pounded.
 
If you plan to shoot it a lot don't feed it a steady diet of 110-125 hot +P loads.
The gun can easily withstand the pressures of hot loads and will not blow up but those loads are hard on the forcing cone and their use should be limited.
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Never heard that about a Ruger revolver.
I think you're thinking of some S&W revolvers.
 
I found a 3" locally and I may have to get it. Used models are selling for very close to new prices and they go so fast that I'll probably miss them. Missouri bullit Co has some nice lookin bullits that I'll order this week.
 
I found a 3" locally and I may have to get it. Used models are selling for very close to new prices and they go so fast that I'll probably miss them. Missouri bullit Co has some nice lookin bullits that I'll order this week.
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I think that's because most new Ruger firearms are still 'Allocated'. New Rugers were hard to find for me when I was shopping this spring. I don't know if they have solved that problem yet though. I like Missouri's hardcasts!
 
I think that's because most new Ruger firearms are still 'Allocated'. New Rugers were hard to find for me when I was shopping this spring. I don't know if they have solved that problem yet though. I like Missouri's hardcasts!
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I called 4 LGS and only one had the SP101 and it just so haapens to be a 3", not sure if its SA/DA or DAO. I want the SA/DA. I'm also wanting the SP101 i 327fed-mag and I found one on-line for $409 which is a deal.
 
Is Federal the only company to load 327?
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No, there are quite a few manufacturers now but I'm a reloader so that doesnt bother me at all. I'd probably buy a couple hundred factory made and just reuse the brass over time and pick up more brass as I go along. I like the oddball caibers but they have to prove useful to me. But I have tons of 38/357 brass already along with the components to reload ready to go.
 
No, there are quite a few manufacturers now
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This is still a good thing. A lot of cartridges have went obsolete do to not having multiple companies load them. The 5mm remington is a good example. Only remington loaded, and they quit. Anyway, the 327 Federal Mag packs a good punch!
 
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