Buffalo bore SP 101 .357
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MCgunner
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I shot some of my 180 handloads that approximate buffalo bore loads. I get 780 ft lbs, something like 1450 fps (I have it written down, but I know it's 780 ft lbs) out of a 6.5" Blackhawk. I shot them the other day out of my newly acquired SP101. They HURT! 
They were punishing. Part of the problem, though, is the grip. It doesn't fill in behind the trigger guard well and the trigger guard was smackin' my middle finger's knuckle pretty hard. I put the first three shots into 2" at 25 yards dead to POA, then flinched the last two low. :banghead: Awesome load for outdoor carry, though. I chronographed it and got something just over 1300 fps with maximum extreme spread of about 20 fps and it gave 662 ft lbs, this out of a 2.3" barrel. I can't say the Buffalo Bore will do the same, but out of my Blackhawk, my load is pretty close the Buffalo Bore's claims. I'm loading a Hornady XTP JHP 180 grain in front of 13.8 grains of AA#9. This load is hot enough I don't want to fire it in a K frame revolver, but the little SP101 is one tough little gun. I don't, however, plan to shoot it much out of the SP101. It's pretty easy to shoot out of my big Blackhawk, I hunt with it, but not real pleasant out of the SP101. LOL However, as an outdoor load, it's the choice. I do have a Hogue monogrip on the way which should help keep the trigger guard away from my finger. That will be a major improvement. It doesn't bother me much with my 140 grainers, but 158 and 180 grainers are punishing.
They were punishing. Part of the problem, though, is the grip. It doesn't fill in behind the trigger guard well and the trigger guard was smackin' my middle finger's knuckle pretty hard. I put the first three shots into 2" at 25 yards dead to POA, then flinched the last two low. :banghead: Awesome load for outdoor carry, though. I chronographed it and got something just over 1300 fps with maximum extreme spread of about 20 fps and it gave 662 ft lbs, this out of a 2.3" barrel. I can't say the Buffalo Bore will do the same, but out of my Blackhawk, my load is pretty close the Buffalo Bore's claims. I'm loading a Hornady XTP JHP 180 grain in front of 13.8 grains of AA#9. This load is hot enough I don't want to fire it in a K frame revolver, but the little SP101 is one tough little gun. I don't, however, plan to shoot it much out of the SP101. It's pretty easy to shoot out of my big Blackhawk, I hunt with it, but not real pleasant out of the SP101. LOL However, as an outdoor load, it's the choice. I do have a Hogue monogrip on the way which should help keep the trigger guard away from my finger. That will be a major improvement. It doesn't bother me much with my 140 grainers, but 158 and 180 grainers are punishing.rdaines
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For my SP-101 I tend to load hot 38 Specials, I don't want to flinch if I ever have to use it. So for that gun I fore-go the .357 Mag and pick a quality bullet in 125 grains.
tubeshooter
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A couple of questions... seems like I remember the manufacturer recommending against 180 gr. for the SP-101. Am I mistaken? And if not... is that still the case?
tubeshooter
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^ I know what you're referring to with the "125gr. only" models. This is something else... I just can't remember if it was something I heard on TFL or if it is something from the owner's manual. I might try to dig mine out of the closet and see what I can find.
[EDIT: Just looked at the .pdf manual from the Ruger website. Mentions the "125 gr. only" guns, but nothing specific against 180 grain for guns not marked as such. Just says they can use "all standard factory" loads.]
[EDIT: Just looked at the .pdf manual from the Ruger website. Mentions the "125 gr. only" guns, but nothing specific against 180 grain for guns not marked as such. Just says they can use "all standard factory" loads.]
wnycollector
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+1 on the 200gr doubletap's in bear country!
MCgunner
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Roscoe, I agree about not worrying about the pounding in a pinch. Adrenalized, the last thing I worry about is recoil. That said, I hope the Hogue grip helps, LOL! I'll practice more with my 158 SWC handload if it does. I don't do much bear country hiking any more, but I will carry the 180 grain load for hogs on my hikes. I could hit a hog out to probably 40-50 yards with it in the boiler room if I got a chance and often, in heavy cover like my place is, you'll get a closer shot, a lot closer. You rarely worry about shooting much over 25-30 yards on a hog. They hole up in heavy rose hedge and such and you'll see 'em sometimes bedded up in there or moving around if you look real close in that cover. Might not be more'n 10 yards. I've shot hogs that close before. When I go down there on my dirt bike, I carry IWB so carrying my Blackhawk is not an option. Texas isn't an open carry state. That's about the only outdoor use I have for the gun, but it's an important one and the heavy bullet loads are what you need for the heavy game.
Well, right now, I have the 2.3" model and it shoots about as good as I can with the short sight radius, about 2.5-3" at 25 yards off a rest. That's about as good as I can do with any 2" snub, so I'm happy with it. I've found my 140 grain load is quite accurate in most every .357 I've fired it. My M19 Smith, my Ruger Security Six, my Ruger Blackhawk, and my Taurus M66s all shoot/shot that load into 1-1.5" at 25 yards off a rest for five shots. That's as accurate as I can shoot any iron sighted handgun. I think it's the Speer bullet. You should try the Speers in factory loads. My handload is a 140 Speer over 17 grains of 2400 it gives over 1300 fps out of the SP101 for about 550 ft lbs. It's pretty hot, but I also shoot it in K frame guns, not THAT hot. It pushes the pressure limits of the cartridge, though I get no real pressure signs with it. It's a top load or near it in the Speer #11 manual.
Well, right now, I have the 2.3" model and it shoots about as good as I can with the short sight radius, about 2.5-3" at 25 yards off a rest. That's about as good as I can do with any 2" snub, so I'm happy with it. I've found my 140 grain load is quite accurate in most every .357 I've fired it. My M19 Smith, my Ruger Security Six, my Ruger Blackhawk, and my Taurus M66s all shoot/shot that load into 1-1.5" at 25 yards off a rest for five shots. That's as accurate as I can shoot any iron sighted handgun. I think it's the Speer bullet. You should try the Speers in factory loads. My handload is a 140 Speer over 17 grains of 2400 it gives over 1300 fps out of the SP101 for about 550 ft lbs. It's pretty hot, but I also shoot it in K frame guns, not THAT hot. It pushes the pressure limits of the cartridge, though I get no real pressure signs with it. It's a top load or near it in the Speer #11 manual.
DWARREN123
Member
The 180gr bullets are more for hunting and not something I would put thru anything less than a 4" barrel.
Just my opinion.
Just my opinion.
MCgunner
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Well, out of my 2.3" Ruger, I'm getting 662 ft lbs at 1306 fps (IIRC on the velocity). That's down from 780 ft lbs out of my 6.5" Blackhawk, but still viable for black bear defense IMHO. Yeah, it's for outdoor use. I carry the 140 grain Speer load, but if I wanna shoot a hog and I'm packin' the Ruger, the 180 is the one. Same for hiking in bear country. And, so long as it shoots to POA (mine does) and especially a 3" gun, they're light weight, powerful, easy to tote all day, and make GREAT hiking guns in bear country. There's room for the heavy bullets in these guns if you spend time in the outdoors with 'em. If you never leave the concrete jungle or carry a bigger gun afield, yeah, no real reason for heavier bullets. But, the gun will handle 'em.
twoblink
Member
Unacceptable pain, but with a big oversized Hogue Rubber grip swapout, it was not too bad..
From the 2.25" 38Spl's in Wadcutters or semi-wads are easy to shoot...
From the 2.25" 38Spl's in Wadcutters or semi-wads are easy to shoot...
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