Don't know if this is reloading or handgun question...

[Land_Owner]

I recently acquired a stainless 357 Mag. Ruger SP101 w/2.5 inch barrel (5 round revolver - weird).  Ruger is supposed to make very stout guns (at least my Super Blackhawk is in 45 LC ) and the 357 Mag. factory bullets I have fired (one box) seemed pretty stout too. 

It is sporting an aftermarket roughened exterior "three-finger" Hoage grip.  I can feel why some would get tired of shooting it on the range all day; or over about 50+ rounds.  It would wear out your wrist pretty quickly.

The question is, are their specific Ruger 357 Mag. loads formulated specifically for stout Ruger 357 Mag. handguns as there are for its Blackhawk 45 LC's?

The question is academic really, as I intend to load 38 Special for routine target shooting and plinking.

[Lloyd Smale]

yes the gp100 is a very stout gun and will take any sane load.

[Scibaer]

No, not that i am aware of. load levels for the .357 Mag. do not exist like they do for the  .45 LC or the .45-70 Govt.

[cwlongshot]

No, a full house 357 mag is a top load.

 Don't be confused, some old time popular chamberings where "modernized" with +P loadings. These old time calibers where loaded for the steels and action strengths of the time. (Not so strong) Today things are stronger because of modern steels and advancements in action design. Allowing higher pressures and better ballistics. In 1935 the 357 Mag was thought to be the most powerful pistol caliber and able to shoot thru an engine block!
 Some calibers that have been loaded hotter are the 38 Sp, 45 Colt the 44SPL became the mag the 257 Robers etc. Generally its the older, more popular loadings.

When the SP101 first was offered in 357Mag, it was listed as only being able to fire 125Gr loads. This was not for strength, but rather for safety, as heavier loads made this Lil revolver a hand full!! A short barreled 357Mag can be quite intimidation for many shooters.

[Land_Owner]

...heavier loads made this Lil revolver a hand full!! A short barreled 357Mag can be quite intimidation for many shooters.

I'LL 2ND THAT.  I shot the Smith & Wesson made Walther PPK in 380Auto  just ahead of the 357.  When I picked up the Ruger I was in "relaxed" shooting mode thanks to the Walther.

Dang Magnum just about jumped out of my grip.  And the muzzle blast is tremendous!  Oh yeah!  That livens up the Firing Line.  Thank God for hearing protectors.

[Glanceblamm]

Just to reiterate a little, I think that the older popular chamberings were a 158gr @ 1500fps while most of todays loadings for that bullet weight are around 1350fps range?

I never really heard of the older guns coming apart but perhaps loosining up quickly?...I do know that when Dirty Harry entered the scene with that Smith model 29, the mag's quickly denounced it as being kind of light for those magnum loads.

[stimpylu32]

This is were the problems come in , these little guns may have the strength it takes to shoot the full on mag loads , but most of your casual shooters don't understand what the recoil will do with them , making them almost uncontrolable . 

Myself , I try to keep my loads for these style guns to standard or even low end loads , just to keep them in my hand . 

stimpy

[spruce]

Small, light .357 mags were never intended for long plinking sessions at the range.  They were designed to provide maximum power in the smallest, lightest, most concealable package and they serve that purpose very well.
Shooting .38 specials in them makes for a MUCH quieter, pleasant plinking session.  The magnum loads can be reserved for serious training sessions and carry - if you're scared enough you won't hear the noise or feel the recoil!

[Dave in WV]

As stated before, .357 max loads are just that. Your Ruger can digest many more max loads without shooting loose than any other .357 in it's size class.

[Land_Owner]

Yesterday at the Firing Line, I was subjected to the abuse of a Taurus CIA MODEL 850 in 357 Mag. while using 158 gr., FMJ, S&B loads, reported as 1394 fps.  That little gun, according to Taurus, weighs in at 16 oz. before its 5 round loading. 

It bites the hand that feeds it and it jumps half an arm's length straight up when unleashed.

In 38 Special loading, it isn't much nicer.  Its owner says it is not for extended range sessons and is 100% for that desperate moment of personal protection need.

[SHOOTALL]

 land-owner , if you wish to read about 357 mag. loads for academic reasons try and locate the loads used in Ruger and other stout hand guns by IHMSA shooters They were listed in some of their publications in the 80's . These loads approach 357 max. or 357 super mag. loads . Some of these loads were very hot . Some destoyed cases in a very few fireings . One thing people noticed right off was frame cutting . I used some of these loads in a SS black hawk and had to replace the 5 screws in the gun every so often , had to tighten them every 10 shots .
One thing to consider with a 2.5 inch bbl you won't get what a 7.5 inch bbl would give in most cases . I have an SP-101 and it appears to be every bit as well built as the BH . That said I stick to standard loads in mine .
If you get a chance fire a S&W 340PD with 357 mag. loads . You will love how the SP-101 tames them 357's

[Land_Owner]

Just thinking out loud shootall, would those "hot" loads be useful in a 357 Mag. caliber rifle?

[Dand]

I have a 2.25 Ruger SP101 and I have shot all sorts of factory loads in it including the Federal 180 gr cast core. I have the crimson trace grips on it which probably provide more of a handhold than the little Hogues. What I like to shoot are moderate 158 gr cast loads or moderate 140 gr jacketed loads - they are noticeably stiffer than 38 special loads but still not bad. I feel these middle road 357 loads are probably potent enough but much more manageable for practice and follow up shots. Full house factory 158 jacketed and heavier do wear me out pretty quick and second shots are harder to keep on the target. I do carry them now and then, especially the 180's if I have some concern for bear but not enough worry to carry my 41 mag. I also carry the Speer 135 gr 38 special loads designed for snub guns.   You might look at the Winchester 145 gr silver tips if that ammo is still around. I mostly load the 140 Rem HP or cast 158 gr over middle or upper middle loads of Bulls Eye, Unique, Green Dot other appropriate powders. So I'd say you have a reloading and handgun question - hope I helped a little on both.

[bilmac]

I believe that lever actions are considered to be less strong than the better six guns.

[Default]

Land,

  The 45 LC and 45/70 are rounds from our nations black powder days as im sure you know , it took mordern manufacturers to let those old war dogs come into their own full house power wise ... Both born into service in 1873 , 136 years young ..

 Hence the multiple load datas for the two 45s... Our trust dusty 357 mag was of alot newer generation of metaligury ( think i butchered that word heh) and powders in better engineered guns for the pressure ...

 Enjoy that new little bad boy , as I too enjoy all my Rugers and mourn the ones that have passed on , Well passed on to other hands then mine You all know you cant kill a Ruger 

  Shoot safe ,

    Default

[SHOOTALL]

I guess it would depend on the rifle , off hand a mod. 94 might be to weak , a rifle that could digest 454 maybe . But a 357 max. or 357 super mag. ( same round ) would be better in a rifle IMHO.

[45-70.gov]

you ruger  is heavyer  and more heavy dudy  then my smith j=frame  640 357

full power is all i shoot in  it     125 rem  now  cronographed  at  1250 fps

that is what  i carry  and practice with,,,,,got other guns  to plink with

next time i get down there,,,,allow me to show  off what this little gun can  do

i  like  the hand held flash/bang  for carjackers [if i ever really see one]
i  know  its  comeing  and blink and  finger my ear......they won't expect it
38  is a waste of time compared  to the  357........just takes more practice

i  do construction  work and my hands are  much harder tham  most

try  this  link



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSYuOr_zfYw

you made  need it to shoot the little 357s

[SHOOTALL]

I shoot a 340pd some and the SP101 is a cream puff after that.

[Land_Owner]

try  this  link

Both of my palms already hurt from carpel tunnel syndrome (pushing computer keys all day long) and I am not going through that training exercise routine!  BTW...there are STILL no hogs at my place.  We're just now getting 2" of rainfall...first appreciable in 3 months...but you are more than welcome to revisit when they do come back.  I will let you know.  And you know we won't be showing off and shooting our 357's prior to any hunt...

I shoot a 340pd some and the SP101 is a cream puff after that.

You are 100% correct and I don't envy you "exercising" that.  It is a "both hands" weapon.

[45-70.gov]

i  here that  340  is   THE MOST BRUTAL thing on the market

more so than  the  500snw

next time your in  jax  i will  pick up the tab  at  floridas  biggest  range  here

rugers  original recomendation  for the  125 grain slug
was  because of inertia pulling out the slugs on recoil with heavy slugs
         never  seen it happen  even  with  limited 180 grain

if  recoil  bothered  me  i would use lighter slugs
but  keep  my flash bang  intimidator

[SHOOTALL]

Two hands , but only room for one .
the 340pd says on the bbl not less than 120 gr. bullet . I thought the first rugers had short cylinders ? After it was proven there was a market they retooled. I had a friend that had one of the first and traded it away , got some extra cash and got a new one . He tried to use his old holster and could not get the strap to snap closed . It appeared the cyl. was not allowing the gun to go in all the way .

[john keyes]

I have been carrying an SP101 for about ten years. it is my primary CCW weapon.  the little bianchi #1 I believe clip on is how I carry.  Things can get rough in a hurry with W296 or H110.  I load blue dot and 158 hps.  havent had to draw it fortunately.

Landowner you need a 686 or GP100 or blackhawk to play with.

I believe any revolver will start to suffer from top strap and forcing cone cutting if you push it.

If I am not wrong, I believe the 357 still holds the record for LEO etc documented most one shot incapacitations

[Land_Owner]

I purchased Hodgen Clays and IMR 700X powders to replace the dirty and incomplete burning Unique.  I believe I can use these two for each of 380 Auto, 357 Mag., 45 ACP, and 45 LC, but I will certainly verify prior to trying to load in any of the aforementioned calibers.

With all of the lead and jacketed bullets I have acquired, plus extra cases and primers (yeah, I'm solely responsible for Mfg's shortages), I am thinking I need a 357 Mag. rifle too. 

There is another thread in the Hunting and Trapping Forum under the Hunting and Shooting General Discussion board for my 357 rifle post.

[45-70.gov]

i  like  my handi 357   2-7 nikon prostaff...and  dual tactical lights
real quiet with  180 grain 38s

they can be had for little over  $200

good compaion gun for your new ruger