SP101 velocities?

M

mark357

New member
Anybody know what kind of velocities can be expected out of a 2-1/4" barreled .357 mag SP101. I'm curious to see what some of the more popular .357 mag loads are traveling at.

Wish I had the equipment to run some tests myself!
 
if anyone has stats on the 3 1/8 I'd be interested in how the two compare, just got to get a chronograph myself...tom
 
Of course there are going to be variations, but of the commonly available factory .357 loadings I've never heard of one producing less than 1,100FPS or much over 1,300FPS. from a 2" barrel. Typically the lighter bullets (IE: 110gr) the fastest. The heavier (IE: 158gr) are slowest. In my opinion, all are about equally effective (fast & light vs. heavy & slow = about a wash). The faster ones tend to kick less, but produce more flash & noise. The slower ones produce a bit less flash and noise (though I really haven't noticed that much difference myself) and a bit more kick.

In a small frame .357 the recoil (kick) factor is my biggest concern. And I think the SP101 is the smallest of the small frame .357's most people can shoot with any degree of comfort and with realitive speed & accuracy. I'll tell you that if I could only pick one, it would be 125gr SJHP, preferably from Federal. This load in my Hogue gripped 2.25" SP shoots about like a somewhat larger & heavier K frame S&W. Though in a small dark room setting one off could be likened to a stun grenade (same for any .357 round or gun). So definately an "outdoors" gun without appropriate hearing protection and moderately good lighting.
 
Well, its....

It's fast. Really, really fast. But there is this kid down the street in a souped up Honda that claims he can outrun anything... :D

Brad
 
I can give you some comparisons using my handloads. I have no interest in the more popular .357 loads. All loads are using a bulk, Remington 158 grain HP. SP101 is the two inch (approx.) barrel. The Ruger GP-100 is the 4" version. I intended to continue this test with several other handguns but didn't get around to it. All velocities are an average of five shots at 15 feet from the muzzle. All loads are max loads but are taken from published manuals.

18 grain Lil Gun
SP101 1127fps
GP 100 1245 fps

16.7 grains H110
SP101 1167 fps
GP100 1364 fps

Max load AA#9, don't remember the charge
SP101 1210 fps
GP100 1371 fps
 
here's a run-down of Corbon from my 2.25 sp101:

110 jhp=1466
125 = 1357
140 = 1225
180 bonded core=1142

And Speer gold dot 125- 1241
 
Thank you Mec. That provides some food for thought. It appears that my loads are in line with Cor-Bon. I hope some other people chime in here. I almost never shoot factory ammo, but it would be nice to see how my handloads stack up against them. I know there are people pushing handloads far more than I am, as I said, I am using loading manual data and not trying to push the envelope.
 
My old man and I chronoed a bunch of ammo years ago from 5 snubs...Inc an SP shorty. Most full house loads were in the 1200-1300 fps in the 125gr weight range.....Bummer we didnt have any Corbon...sounds like the round to have. Federal, Hornady and Speer GD's all proved very fast and had the "normal" 357 recoil and blast....
Shoot well
 
Performance aside, if you go to court, would you rather argue factory standard or high performance handloads?

The factory offerings are more than adequate. Why complicate things wih "gun nut " hot loads?

Just something to consider!!!
 
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