Ruger SP101 .357

[MattO]

Just joined the Forum. I picked up my first revolver today, it's also my first Ruger. My semi Auto's are S&W brands. But I've been wanting a .357 revolver and fell in love with the Ruger SP101 4" with Fiber Optic front sight. I've not even bought any ammo yet. I'm wondering if someone with some experience with this gun can tell me what their favorite ammo is in both .38 Sp. and .357. This is just a shooter type gun, and home defense. I carry a .40 S&W for my EDC gun and don't plan on carrying this. Just shoot at the range, and at home should the need arise. Thanks

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
I own a few SP-101's in 357 around here. Excellent handguns. My first thought was 'Why not carry it some?" They make fine CCW handguns.
As for ammo, the best thing is to figure out what your gun likes the best. Besides, I reload so I'm no help in the factory ammo dept.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

All of my .357 and .38 sp. Rugers see to like the158 gr. bullets best.

 

[MattO]

Thanks Ruger Guru and Chuck.

I don't plan on carrying it simply because I'd have to buy more holsters and such to carry it. I already have a few guns I carry with holsters. I may at some point buy one. But this was bought to get my feet wet in Revolvers, and to use at home(keep it on the night stand if you will)

I have a local reloader who reloads 158 Grain .38's I plan to buy to use at the range. But plan to use factory loads for home use.

 

[Bob R]

I feed mine a pretty steady diet of:
Missouri Bullet Company Cowboy #11 which is a 158 Round Nose.
Powder: 3.7 grains of American Select
Federal Primers.

For Carry Ammo I keep them loaded with Speer 135 Short Barrel Gold Dot 357 Magnum ammo.
The "Them" is one each 2.25, and a 3.08 Inch.

I have several Jet Loaders to reload with.
Available from Pistoleer and Power Custom.

Do a little slicking up, and put some springs and a shim set in it. You will like it.

Bob

 

[DukeMinski]

...tell me what their favorite ammo is...

The cheap kind.

 

[trapperon]

Great Choice! I think that 4.2 inch adjustable sight 357 is the neatest sp yet! great all around do-everything revolver. Very impressive with full house 357 loads. a mild to wild plinking to hunting gun!

Ron

 

[57springer]

good choice.... getting one myself.

 

[MattO]

If I could figure out how to post photos I would show you some range photos. This gun is an awesome shooter.

 

[deerstalkert]

I carried a 1911 colt for many years. picked up a sp101 2.5" in a trade and fell head over heals for it. retired the 45 and daily carry the ruger. I have a fobus holster and crimson trace grips. most of the time I forget it is even on my side. It has amazed me with its accuracy out to about 30 yards. I have a steel spinner target and if my shakes aren't to bad I can spin it 5 for 5 at 20 yards.
I am looking for more in different lengths.(as good an excuse for another gun as any).

 

[MattO]

Untitled by MattOphotog, on Flickr

Untitled by MattOphotog, on Flickr

Untitled by MattOphotog, on Flickr


From the Range with it tonight. I need to work on my double action accuracy. But single action I believe with a bit more range time, I could drive nails. And this thing handled 158 Grain .357 like a dream.

 

[gramps]

I carry Remington (green box) 125 gr JSP about town. 158 gr LSWC over 13.5 grs of 2400 for woods carry. Good luck
gramps

 

[sliclee]

Twenty some years ago I found that 3" mutt and picked it up. Felt much better in hand than my 66. Took it home, cleaned it up, went to range with 4 types ammo at 15 yds was amazed and in like. That monster Federal 357 125 grain at 1425 had a homing device, win 357 110 also became my ammo, Sold the 66. Cut off the end of the hammer,rounded the edges, so fine.

 

[WendyZXZ]

That is some nice shooting!

 

[David LaPell]

I love my SP-101 2 1/4 inch barrel and have really been thinking about getting the 4 inch barreled version. I think with the adjustable sights and the fiber optic front sight on it, you could very well have a short range hunting rig on your hands. Where I live its all thick brush and if you see a deer over 50-60 yards its rare. I know the SP-101 has shot my hunting loads for the heck of it with no issues at all and to see it in that little package might be worth getting one.

This is how my short barreled version shot. With practice I imagine your groups will be even better. This was before I replaced the mainspring with a lighter Wolff and added the Gemini customs front sight. These were with some of my hunting loads which out of my 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk are doing 1,300 and better with 170 grain bullets. Some were my 158 grain Speer Gold Dots which out of the Blackhawk do 1,350 fps. These were about 7-8 yards double action.

 

[DeletedMember26309]

Mine pretty much enjoys anything. For light stuff, I'll reload and shoot Missouri Bullet 140gr TCFP over 3.5gr of w231, and for the hot stuff, I like 158gr Hornady XTP's over 15gr of H110, or 125gr Hornady XTPs over 19.4gr H110. (video of the latter here). I pretty much enjoy the entire spectrum of capabilities with this.

I've replaced the trigger and the hammer spring with Wolff springs, and changed my grip to a Hogue rosewood laminate that fit my hand better (pic here). I absolutely love wheel guns and it's a very hard decision to choose between this gun and my dad's 1953 single six as my favorite.