Reloading for SP101

[Clovishound]

Clovispup pulled the trigger on a new SP101 3" yesterday. We took it to the range and ran about 100 loads I had put together for the 4" Model 10. These were 158 grain coated SWCs over a dead middle load of Universal.

She was not as accurate with them as she was with the factory 158 loads she shot a couple weeks ago with the rental SP101. She ran a couple of the mid load .357s through it and thought they were a little more accurate, although she didn't shoot many of them.

I was thinking that upping the powder to higher end might increase accuracy. I was also thinking that a faster powder might help, since it is a short(ish) barrel.

Anybody have input without having to try a bunch of different powders?

And, yes, it may have just been new gun, needed to be broken in and her adjusting to it. And, yes, if accuracy doesn't improve much at the next trip, I will spring for a box of factory and see how those do.

For info, accuracy wasn't bad, just noticeably worse than the rental. It did improve the more she shot, but with the rental, she shot it well from the git go.

 

[NikA]

A couple thoughts:
-.38s in a .357 chamber? I've seen that my .38 loads are less accurate for me out of a .357 GP than from a S&W .38
-Trigger break in on new gun? I bet the rental gun has been smoothed out from years of use...
-Roughness in the SP barrel would affect accuracy with cast more than jacketed as well

Congrats on the new gun. 100% of my .38 loads use Titegroup/Bullseye (approximately equivalent in this cartridge). I have found that a near max load in these fast powders tends to have the accuracy and cleanliness edge. If I were loading mild .357 loads for practice (which is my habit for .357 guns), I would probably stick to something like Unique/Universal.

 

[Aqualung]

Clovishound,

Do you use Unique? If so, I've got a load that my 2.25 Stainless Pig likes...it's just that the data is in my notebook at home.

I'll post the data when I get home.

Aqualung

 

[Clovishound]

I don't use Unique, but Universal is supposed to be very similar in characteristics. Unique hasn't been available much until recently, and to be honest, the whole metering thing kind of makes me nervous to spend the money on another bottle of powder I find I don't really want to use.

I have found that Universal works extremely well for me in a number of different calibers and guns. Despite it's many proponents, I find HP 38 to lack in the accuracy department. I liked Titegroup a lot in 9mm and even .38, but I don't like the quick pressure spikes if you accidentally throw a little too much powder in a case. I'm not speaking from a bad experience here, just discussions on characteristics.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

There are lots of powders on the market but I still like Universal and HP-38/W231 for 38 Special and mild 357 mag loads with 158gr bullets.

 

[Aqualung]

I don't use Unique, but Universal is supposed to be very similar in characteristics. Unique hasn't been available much until recently, and to be honest, the whole metering thing kind of makes me nervous to spend the money on another bottle of powder I find I don't really want to use.

I have found that Universal works extremely well for me in a number of different calibers and guns. Despite it's many proponents, I find HP 38 to lack in the accuracy department. I liked Titegroup a lot in 9mm and even .38, but I don't like the quick pressure spikes if you accidentally throw a little too much powder in a case. I'm not speaking from a bad experience here, just discussions on characteristics.

Unique meters like crap, I'll give you that. I only use it for .38 Special and may find different powders to use when this pound is gone.

Aqualung

 

[NikA]

Unique is a pain. I made an overly enthusiastic decision to buy an 8lb jug when powder was scarce. Therefore, I try to use it up pretty much any way in which it performs well. Mild-to-midrange loads in large cases seems to be where it shines, and I expect that a little variation here doesn't matter much (but of course it still bothers me).

When this Unique is gone, I expect I will go with Universal or the new Unequal. I was just suggesting various powders you might have on hand.

 

[Clovishound]

Hey Aqualung,

Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, try a bottle of Universal. I think you'll like it.

 

[Aqualung]

Hey Aqualung,

Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyway, try a bottle of Universal. I think you'll like it.

I get that a lot :mrgreen:

I just may...but it seems like this pound is lasting forever...

Aqualung