Opinions on .357 Magnum revolvers for higher power loads

[ECVMatt]

UPDATE:
I am now the proud owner of my very first Ruger double action revolver.
I bought a used Ruger GP100. The young man I bought it from claims he only fired l as than 50 rounds through it. He gave me what he had left of his ammo, which is 54 rounds of what appears to be remanufactured.38 Spl ammo. In our conversation he said he only bought 100 rounds of ammo when he got the gun because that was all he could find. I choose to believe him. I am pulling that ammo apart. I don’t trust reman ammo.

I had to drive 86 miles to do the transfer and now my gun is in CA Purgatory for 10 days. I pick it up on Feb. 22. I paid $700 for it. I am happy with the purchase and can’t wait to shoot my new toy.
I know early on in this thread I said I wanted a longer barreled .357, but this thing just spoke to me when I saw the photos.

You did great! I am a long time GP shooter and love design. All of mine have been very accurate, shoot everything, and take serious abuse in the field. Be careful when you take it apart the first time and don't pull the trigger when it is out of the frame or the cylinder latch plunger will go flying!

Post an update once you get some rounds down the pipe.

Congratulation!

 

[Pat Riot]

You did great! I am a long time GP shooter and love design. All of mine have been very accurate, shoot everything, and take serious abuse in the field. Be careful when you take it apart the first time and don't pull the trigger when it is out of the frame or the cylinder latch plunger will go flying!

Post an update once you get some rounds down the pipe.

Congratulation!

Thank you, and thank you for that piece of advice. I have played gun parts hide and go seek many times. I don’t enjoy that game.

I am taking Feb. 22 off from work to go and get my GP100. It’s nearly 90 miles to the FFL. I am taking it to the range with my other 2 .357 magnums, my models 19 and 8327NG and I plan to shoot them all with moderate 158 grain .357 loads to see how the GP100 feels against the other 2.

My Grandmother always told me not to wish my life away, but I sure today was the 22nd.

 

[Pat Riot]

Well, I picked up my Ruger GP100 today. It ain’t pretty. It ain’t sexy. But, Man, I really like this gun!


I fired it with hand loads that my S&W models 19-4 and 327 Night Guard like and I was not disappointed for the first time shooting this gun. Both SA and DA firing went pretty well. I am no great marksman with a handgun but I was pleased with the targets today.
My load is 158 grain TMJ FP Xtreme bullet over 6.1 grains of W244. It’s a nice magnum load but not a real barn burner. The GP100 liked it just fine at 10 yards. The two bullseyes on the left are with the GP100.


When I first fired the gun it was hitting to the left. I hadn’t noticed the rear side was moved all the way to the left. I adjusted it to shoot the targets above. Also, the gun has an all fluorescent green front sight blade. You can see it in the photo below. Not sure if I dislike the front sight yet. It was had for me to see.



All in all I am very pleased with my purchase. Very pleased.
The gun has enough heft that my magnum loads feel like .38s.
I even brought my model 19 and the 327 NG to compare.
I did discover Berry’s isn’t kidding about not exceeding 1200 fps with their bullets. I had some loads using their bullets and 6.2 grains of W244 and shot them from my 19. Something blew back and put a hole in my cheek. I am guessing it was bullet jacket material and it also may have occurred because I put too much crimp on them. The loads with Xtreme bullets worked great. I think I will leave the Berry’s .357 bullets for .38 Special loads.



Today turned out to be a pretty good day.
Now I need to do something with that front sight.

 

[Mike in Western Oregon]

Thanks for the range report! I for one think all revolvers are are beautiful including yours. I love my Gp100 as well. Enjoy your new to you revolver!

 

[Pat Riot]

Thanks for the range report! I for one think all revolvers are are beautiful including yours. I love my Gp100 as well. Enjoy your new to you revolver!

Thank you Mike.

I took a nicer photo of after cleaning it up. I kept hearing a rattle in the gun that was bothering me. Pretty sure the previous owner must have handled it with eating Cheetos and hamburgers. The Monogrip screw wasn’t secured and the hardware was flopping around and I think the only thing holding the grip on was Cheeto-hamburger sludge.

It looked so nice I had to take it the range and dirty it up again.

 

[Mike in Western Oregon]

Good for you Pat. Looks great. Ha ha- I once purchased a former prison guard old S&W 64 and I don’t even want to know what was packed under those grips. Have fun blasting with the GP!