Author Topic: .357 is good for ? (Read 1232 times)

GrizzLeeBear · « **on:** November 20, 2003, 04:43:05 AM »

I have a 6" Ruger GP-100 on layaway and was wondering what I could use this for to get started in some Handgun Silhouette? I have read through the rules on the IHMSA site, but am not sure how the different events are broken down. Do they have separate events for revolvers, no scopes,

I have done a lot of other competitive shooting with rifles, but I'm pretty new to handgun shooting so I'm not looking to be real competitive for a while, just to have some fun knocking over some steel and learning the ropes. I know if it is something I want to dive deeper into, I will want to step up to other "race guns" for those events, but I thought the .357 would be a good gun to start out with. I do reload, so any suggestions on good loads for the different events I could participate in would be appreciated also.
Also, I will be moving in the next couple months to the Bay City, MI area, and I see that there are 2 or 3 silhouette clubs "in the neiborhood".

Do any of these clubs do anything over the winter months, or do they pretty much shut down until spring?

braud357 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2003, 01:32:39 PM »

Your 357 could be used in 2 categories - Field Pistol and Big-Bore Standing. The short barrel would make it virtually impossible to shoot from a freestyle position such as Revolver class. Field Pistol is shot at distances of 25 - 100 yards on the 1/2 scale targets - Standing (offhand) only ! And you do not need full-power loads either! Loads in the 38 Special velocity range will be adequate. To shoot Big Bore, you will need to shoot full-power loads, with 158 grain bullets being the lightest that will consistently knock down the targets. Go ahead and get your feet wet ! I always encourage people to come out and "shoot what they have". I have been active since 1980 and you will not find a better bunch of people. Whenever you get settled in after your move, call the match directors at those ranges - I am sure that they will welcome you with open arms, and offer any advice or help that you may need. And don't be intimidated by some of the high-dollar guns you may see at the matches. Just shoot and have fun !!!! ---- Philip Braud Louisiana Director IHMSA

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2003, 04:14:32 AM »

Silly-wets! GrizzLeeBear - you can definately shoot 357s and knock over the rams at 200 yds with the 357, and don't let anybody fool ya. Some areas/states/clubs have rules as to which calibers can be used in which games but when I shot silly-wets in the late 70's, the 357 was right on line with the 41s, 44s and the monster single shots.

I used to have a buncha fun with a 4" Model 19 and 200 grain cast round nose, round nose flat point (or now the SWCs). There is an IMR 4227 load of 12.2 grains to get you (only) 1020'/sec but it topples the ram at 200 yds and is easy to shoot. How so ever, my favorite all around 357 load for the 200grn SWC is 12.4 grains of WW 296 for what Winchester cliams to be 1335'/sec with only 35K psi - an easy shooting load. Your 6" Ruger should do well. Have fun and HTH. Mikey.

GrizzLeeBear · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:17:06 AM »

Thanks guys! Those were the two events I figured I would be able to shoot in.
At an estate auction this summer I picked up an un-opened 8 lb. keg of Unique for about 50 bucks :grin: , so I will be using that for some lighter to midrange loads. It is actually Hercules powder (when did alliant buy them anyway?), but it looks and smells fine. I also picked up 3 .357 Lyman molds, 3 .44 Lyman molds and one .45 RCBS mold and 2 Lyman handles for a total of 16 bucks! The 357 molds are a 148 WC, a 158 RN and a 162 SWC. I figure the 162 gr. SWC would make a descent Big Bore bullet. Would a smaller bullet be better for the Field Pistol (higer velocity, less recoil, flatter tradjectory)?
I don't have any other casting stuff yet, so I may just start out with "store bought" bullets until I can get started casting. Would you recomend jacketed bullets or commercial cast bullets that work well for this gun in silhouettes?

IHMSAeditor · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2003, 05:24:43 AM »

Actually, you can shoot three events with that revolver. The third is Big Bore Revolver. Just shoot it from the Standing position. Remember that you are only competing against yourself. Entering the Ruger in 3 events will certainly improve your Standing scores. Steve

K2 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2003, 03:03:15 PM »

Hi grizzley bear

I would have no problem shooting a 6 inch GP100 freestyle but I am very flexable and have relatively long arms. If you can keep the barrel out in front of your body the shorter barrels are not that big of a problem.

Personally I think the 6 inch revolvers are very overlooked and would like to see more of them participating!

.357 is absolutely adequate. If the targets are not falling to that cartridge then the target setting is questionable.

The main thing is to have fun and try to beat your last score ;~)

GrizzLeeBear · « **Reply #6 on:** December 02, 2003, 04:57:59 AM »

Great info. guys! I will have no problem jumping right in and "shooting what I have" without being intimidated by the "race guns". I have competed in small bore, high power, muzzleloader and tried to be helpful to newcomer to those sports when at matches and such. We all start somewhere.
Big Bore revolver is shot "freestyle" isn't it? I could shoot it standing, but I could shoot it in a sitting position with my elbows on my knees couldn't I? This wouldn't be as stable as the laying on my back position (what do they call that anyway?), but I figure it would be better than standing.

Oh, I did pick up the gun this weekend. Early CHRISTmas present. :grin: Loaded up some 125 gr. SPs with 7 and 8 gr. of Unique. Man I think I'm going to really like this gun! Was able to keep 25 offhand shots in the 8 ring of a 100 smallbore target set at 25 yds. SAWEEET!

IHMSAeditor · « **Reply #7 on:** December 02, 2003, 06:09:56 AM »

Hi Griz! You are correct that Production, Revolver & Unlimited are shot freestyle. Laying on your back is called Creedmoor. If you're interested in why, here's a link. http://www.lrml.org/gazetteer/creedmoor/story.htm

You are also correct that sitting is a valid & legal freestyle position. Now, your revolver is good for Production, Revolver, Standing & Unlimited Standing plus the two Field Pistol events.

I'd say (pardon the pun) that you've gotten a big bang for the buck spent. One gun, six events.

Hope to see you on the range somewhere!

Steve