38/257 Chrono/test data

[vaalpens]

I have finally been able to test my first loads and first shots with my Ruger SP101. The SP101 performed as expected with no issues. All of my loads were on the mild side, and the SP101 was able to handle it very easily.

All my loads were tested through the chrono at 7 yards. I decided on 7 yards since I can't expect the 3" revolver to be as accurate as my autos, but will test at 10 and 15 yards once I get a better feeling of the performance of my loads and SP101.

Following are the chrono numbers from all the loads I tested today, including the accuracy test.

All these loads were shot without trying to position the powder forward or back in the case.

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl
COL: 1.475"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, Bullseye, 3.5gr, CCI500
Average: 707
ES: 20
SD: 7.9
Force: 175
PF: 111
Velocities: 709, 720, 702, 705, 700

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl
COL: 1.475"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, 700X, 3.3gr, CCI500
Average: 674
ES: 45
SD: 19.4
Force: 159
PF: 106
Velocities: 689, 681, 693, 660, 648

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl+p
COL: 1.475"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, PowerPistol, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 865
ES: 30
SD: 11
Force: 262
PF: 136
Velocities: 864, 878, 868, 869, 848

Ruger SP101, 3", 357mag
COL: 1.620"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, Unique, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 848
ES: 61
SD: 22.7
Force: 252
PF: 133
Velocities: 872, 853, 848, 858, 811

 

[vaalpens]

Following are some additional loads and test results:

I was actually surprised with the CFE Pistol accuracy since I expected it needed more pressure to perform well. This is definitely a load that can be improved.

Ruger SP101, 3", 357mag
COL: 1.620"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, CFEpistol, 5.3gr, CCI500
Average: 838
ES: 13
SD: 4.6
Force: 246
PF: 132
Velocities: 832, 838, 845, 838, 839

It just seems the 140gr loads did not shoot that accurately. It is probably not the bullet, but rather a lack good load data I could use. I can't see why the groupings should not improve with more load workup.

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl
COL: 1.448"
MBC, 140gr, B18HTTCFP, Bullseye, 3.5gr, CCI500
Average: 721
ES: 25
SD: 10.4
Force: 162
PF: 100
Velocities: 708, 733, 714, 723, 729

Ruger SP101, 3", 357mag
COL: 1.590"
MBC, 140gr, B18HTTCFP, Unique, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 854
ES: 27
SD: 10.4
Force: 227
PF: 119
Velocities: 840, 850, 867, 861, 856

I am a bit disappointed with the RMR bullets. I expected very good accuracy, but it seems HSM's gave me better accuracy out of the gate. I will probably also try the BE-86 load and see how it performs.

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl
COL: 1.447"
RMR, 125gr, RNPHP, 700X, 4gr, CCI500
Average: 682
ES: 65
SD: 24.3
Force: 129
PF: 85
Velocities: 654, 719, 676, 692, 673

 

[vaalpens]

Following are the final chrono/test results.

I did not know what to expect from these HSM bullets I received from Dudedog, but I was very surprised. From an accuracy perspective they performed the best. I loaded a normal 38spl load and a 38spl+p and both were very accurate. These were my most accurate loads I tested. I will definitely have to test these at longer distance to see how they perform.

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl
COL: 1.423"
HSM, 125gr, PFN, 700X, 4gr, CCI500
Average: 700
ES: 22
SD: 10.6
Force: 136
PF: 87
Velocities: 691, 698, 711, 712, 690

Ruger SP101, 3", 38spl+p
COL: 1.423"
HSM, 125gr, PFN, BE86, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 767
ES: 40
SD: 16.1
Force: 163
PF: 95
Velocities: 751, 791, 756, 776, 764

Thanks again to everybody (Dudedog, jell-dog and RealGun) that contributed to these first loads by sending me bullets and cases.

 

[jell-dog]

vaalpens,
GREAT SHOOTIN'!!
Looking like you have found some really accurate loads there
JD

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I can't believe you got a group like that out of BE-86 in a .357mag with only 5.4 gr.

I shoot 7.4 and up and get pretty good groups.

I have to try that.

By the way raise the load with Unique and it will do better if you can stand the recoil.

Thanks for posting. I will try your BE-86 load out of my 4" GP100. It has to be fun to shoot.

Thanks again, excellent as always.

TT

 

[vaalpens]

vaalpens,
GREAT SHOOTIN'!!
Looking like you have found some really accurate loads there
JD

Thanks JD.

It was only 7yards,so I need to stretch it to my normal 10 or 15 yards to see how it performs.

Today was really just to see what I have, and determine what type of target I need for the SP101. I will have to create a target just for the SP101 with what I have learned today.

 

[vaalpens]

I can't believe you got a group like that out of BE-86 in a .357mag with only 5.4 gr.

I shoot 7.4 and up and get pretty good groups.

I have to try that.

By the way raise the load with Unique and it will do better if you can stand the recoil.

Thanks for posting. I will try your BE-86 load out of my 4" GP100. It has to be fun to shoot.

Thanks again, excellent as always.

TT

Thanks for the comments.

Please note that the BE-86 load with 5.4gr was loaded in a 38special case, not a 357mag case. It is using the 38special+p load data from Alliant.

 

[Dudedog]

Nice shooting vaalpens, got some shots touching, always a good thing, especially on your first trys.



Looks like the HSM and the MBC 158s worked well for you.
The BHN 18 158s can be driven hard in .357. Makes me wonder in the lighter loads if the BHN12 (softer) ones would shoot better?

(need to order some and do this test when I get finished with all my 9mm testing, so many things to test so little time. )

Did you get some nice muzzle flash with the Powerpistol load and a 3" barrel?

For my medium .357 loads I like to be a around 1000fps with 158s. 6.7gr of BE86 gave me about 1030fps 7.5gr was around 1100. (.357 cases)
That was just a quick test of BE86 to get the velocities so I didn't shoot those for accuracy
Intersting results with CFE pistol, bet that charge was hiding in the bottom of case. (those small charges sure like to hide in the bigger cases )

Hope you like your new Ruger.
Dave

 

[vaalpens]

Nice shooting vaalpens, got some shots touching, always a good thing, especially on your first trys.



Looks like the HSM and the MBC 158s worked well for you.
The BHN 18 158s can be driven hard in .357. Makes me wonder in the lighter loads if the BHN12 (softer) ones would shoot better?

(need to order some and do this test when I get finished with all my 9mm testing, so many things to test so little time. )

Did you get some nice muzzle flash with the Powerpistol load and a 3" barrel?

For my medium .357 loads I like to be a around 1000fps with 158s. 6.7gr of BE86 gave me about 1030fps 7.5gr was around 1100. (.357 cases)
That was just a quick test of BE86 to get the velocities so I didn't shoot those for accuracy
Intersting results with CFE pistol, bet that charge was hiding in the bottom of case. (those small charges sure like to hide in the bigger cases )

Hope you like your new Ruger.
Dave

Thanks Dudedog.

I think you are correct regarding the hardness of the bullets. At the velocities I was seeing, probably the softer bullet would have been more accurate. I don't do bullseye shooting, so that little bit of extra accuracy is probably not going to make much difference to me.

It could also explain why the RMR did not perform that well. I think the HSM's has a thinner plating and maybe like the slower speeds, where the RMR's have the thicker plating and maybe needs to be pushed a little bit more.

The PowerPistol definitely gave a nice flash and also felt stronger. It is always fun to shoot.

This is new for me and I need to figure out if I want to compensate for the powder position when I test these loads or not. I assume it will make a difference if I try and position the powder closer to the primer if possible.

The first shots I took was actually with a 357mag Unique load. This was done at 5 yards, off-hand. I decided on 5 yards to make sure I hit something for the first time. Starting to load 38/357 you worry about the bullet leaving the barrel. So after my first two shots I only saw one hole (eyes not that good), and had to stop to make sure the bullet cleared. At the end I was happy with my first 5 shots with the SP101.

Here is a picture of my first target (no chrono), and my Ruger SP101.