Shooting the SP101 out to 50 yards...

[JustsayMo]

I picked up an SP101 a few weeks ago and I've enjoyed putting it through the paces. Of the loads I've tested so far a Lee 158 grain RF bullet over Bullseye has been the most accurate and seems to produce less muzzle flash comparatively. The most accurate velocity seems to be a little over 1,000 fps and is very easy shooting. The second best is just under the published max for Bullseye and gets me right at 1100 fps and is very consistent. The recoil is easily handled by the SP101 though snappier at the higher velocities.

At 15 yards a cyclinders worth, SA unrested

I think it'll do a lot better but I'm still getting accustom to the sights and trigger.

A cylinder's worth at 50 yards, SA unrested

I only managed 3 hits out of the 5. The other too printed above the paper. I was holding right on with the 1100 fps load. These were the last five shots of a long range session that I tried it mainly out of curiosity. I'm excited to give it another try.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I practice with my 3" SP101 at 50 yards frequently. I carry it for a lot of outdoors activities, particularly when I am seakayaking. You never know when there might be pirates! I can usually keep all of 'em on a piece of 8.5x11" paper at 50 yards shooting full 357 magnum loads offhand. My carry load for those situations is the Speer 158gr Gold Dot and I practice with a handload equivalent. The little guns are far more accurate than might be imagined.

 

[csnider]

I prefer my Taurus Judge when in my kayak and my Bisley when on shore.

Actually, after having completed probably more than a dozen kayak trips to Alaska including the Kodiaks, my friend's comment about carrying only a .22 pistol in bear country makes more sense. The .22 is not for the bears it's for him.

After facing a big brown one time on Shuyak Island, I didn't have too much confidence in 12-gauge I was holding at the time.

"whitewater"

 

[jpickar]

The best bear gun is the North American Arms 22LR mini revolver with the short barrel. That way you don't hit yourself in the forehead with the barrel!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

John

 

[DanChamberlain]

I see evidence of the beginnings of stability issues at 50 yards with your bullet impacts. It appears that you'd be getting keyholing if you were shooting any farther. Still, short barrels can be used at longer ranges. I once took a really fat woodchuck with a 2.5 inch S&W Model 19 at a stepped off 70 yards.

Dan

 

[nhlever]

I was out shooting with my sons, and a friend on day, and shot a soda can with the first round at something over 50 yards out of my SP-101 .357 Mag. Having suitably impressed everyone, I put the gun away for the day.

 

[stare-decisis]

Good shooting. I find the Bullseye w/a 158 gr bullet to be my most accurate combo also.

 

[Sonnytoo]

I was out shooting with my sons, and a friend on day, and shot a soda can with the first round at something over 50 yards out of my SP-101 .357 Mag. Having suitably impressed everyone, I put the gun away for the day.

Never shoot at 50 yards again. KEEP your great reputation.
Sonnytoo

 

[surveyor47]

It is much easier to get excellent accuracy at the LOW end of the velocity spectrum than the high. Bullet diameter also matters. Usually a 358 diamter cast bullet will shoot more accurately than a 357 diameter. My suggestion is a traditional target load:

38 Special Cases.
Small Pistol Standard primers.
3.2 grains of Bulleye
158 grain cast bullet, 0.358 diameter.
Velocity should be about 800 fps.
Reference Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook, 49th Ed. Page 355.

With this load, you should be able to keep all rounds inside the X ring at 15 yards. It will show you the mechanical accuracy of your gun. This load usually does very well at 50 yards.

 

[surveyor47]

Where I am having difficulty is coming up with the equivalent of a 38 Special factory duplication load that gives really excellent accuracy. I am looking for 850 to 900 fps with a 158 grain, 358 diamter cast bullet with 38 Special cases. Nothing I have tried thusfar even comes close to the target load. I have tried 231, Bullseye, Unique. Accuracy just seems to fall off badly much above 800 fps. Any suggestions?

 

[DanChamberlain]

Don't use .38 Special cases. Download your .357 cases. Accuracy might improve.

Dan

 

[surveyor47]

Accuracy doesnt get much better than the load I mentioned, so accuracy out of the 38 Special case in a 357 gun is a non issue. I used to use 357 cases, but they are hard to come by. I now restrict 357 cases to to 357 loads ranging from heavy 38 to full magnum- the older the case, the lighter the load. The 38s, are for general purpose and light target loads. II already get good accuracy out of heavy 38 loads, but not with the sort of accuracy Im lookign for.

Has anyone tried Tightgroup? Its loading range seems similar to Bullseye, but with somewhat lower pressure. Since I do very well with Bullesye and Tightgroup is so similar, it might be worth trying.

 

[desertrat]

I see evidence of the beginnings of stability issues at 50 yards with your bullet impacts. It appears that you'd be getting keyholing if you were shooting any farther. Still, short barrels can be used at longer ranges. I once took a really fat woodchuck with a 2.5 inch S&W Model 19 at a stepped off 70 yards.

Dan

Assuming you believe the stability issue is due to the barrel length, why would a longer barrel stabilize it any better given the same rifling in both? Does not the rifling dictate stabilization?

 

[DanChamberlain]

Based on what I see, the bullet has begun to exibit stability issues at that range. The combination of bullet weight/design, twist rate, and velocity is not optimum for that length of barrel. That's not to say it won't perform perfectly well at normal self defense ranges.

But yes, given that particular load, a longer barrel might stabilize it better. At peak velocity, some loads simply do not adequately engage the rifling enough in the first inch or so of barrel. If that's all you have, then you don't get the full benefit of the load.

Rifling doesn't "dictate" stabilization. It's a combination of twist rate, velocity, bullet length/weight/bearing suface, physical characteristics and a number of things that make some people go crazy and suck their thumbs!

In shorter barrels, I like longer, heavier bullets normally, at lower velocities. A 158 grain semi-wadcutter at about 800fps has proven to be a very accurate load in my 2" snub guns. I'll take accuracy over velocity every time.

Dan
Dan