Author Topic: Another new toy feeds the addiction... (Read 1573 times)

WNY_Whitetailer · « **on:** September 16, 2007, 08:27:41 AM »

Yup...The 357 Magnum bug has been nipping at my heels for some time now...Well, it finally bit...I went to the Buffalo Gun Center and picked out the Ruger GP100. It has a 6" barrel, weighs 45 ozs, has a rubber grip with a rosewood insert, and is satin stainless steel. It came with adjustable sites.

I will use it for up close and personal deer hunting...Probably not more than 30 yards...And, I will not be scoping it. I will be using the factory adjustable sites for the time being.

This gun is going to have to split time in the field with my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in 44 Rem Mag...

I'll be shooting some 158 gr Jacketed Soft Point ammo at whitetail this fall...Well, hopefully...

Davemuzz · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2007, 11:05:01 AM »

Of course you know, the rumor is the 357 mag is no longer good for deer. Deer will no longer die when shot by a 38 caliber bullet fired by the 357. I know i wish I'd have know this before I bot my 357, invested in dies, powder 'n such.

Of course, like any merchandise that goes on sale, an deer that have previously died by a 357, this exclusion doesn't apply.

Nice gun.

Dave

warrior1 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2007, 02:19:16 PM »

wny,nice gun , you'll be happy with it. iv've gata blue 6" with a bushnell 2x6 on it and i am trying to find a reason not use it for deer hunting.i also got 2 4" blue and ss,these are riot to shoot.the group is very accurate.i am waiting for some 170 cast to use for a hunting load and i have 180xtps also.

when you are ready for a scope let me know,i may be to run down a mount like mine . drill and tap not required and it mounts solid.

good luck ,dan

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2007, 06:02:59 PM »

Thanks Dan...I'll let you know if and when I might be inclined to scope it...

corbanzo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2007, 09:39:48 PM »

You know what you might have to do since it looks so good without the scope.... get another one and scope it

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2007, 10:38:08 AM »

WNY_Whitetailer: Now that's just a nice looking revolver. You should have fun with that. Mikey.

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2007, 10:38:45 AM »

Hold on Corbanzo...That's a great idea...I like your style...

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2007, 01:11:39 PM »

You dun good, boy!

WNY_Whitetailer · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2007, 03:00:21 PM »

I've got a soft spot in my heart for Ruger revolvers...They just look tough...Maybe a nice SAA or Super Redhawk in 454 Casull or 480 Ruger will be added to my collection down the road...I think I am addicted. Oh well, better guns than gambling or drugs...

corbanzo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2007, 09:10:16 PM »

Ain't that the truth... The GP100 is IMO the best looking 357 ever made. And I still don't have one... gotta fix that problem....

nickE10mm · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2007, 10:22:31 AM »

Quote from: corbanzo on September 17, 2007, 09:10:16 PM

Ain't that the truth... The GP100 is IMO the best looking 357 ever made. And I still don't have one... gotta fix that problem....

+1 same here.

I will have to pick one up.

warrior1 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2007, 04:32:59 AM »

i may list a blued 4" in the near future. still debating.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2007, 10:06:19 AM »

That "best looking 357 ever made" might be stretching it a bit.

Dave

corbanzo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2007, 08:18:35 AM »

I'm still thinking the GP100 has more style.

EDELWEISS · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2007, 02:10:00 PM »

Dave, Im a HUGE fan of the Python. Its my "grail" search; but thats just the problem they arent made anymore and what was a great field and duty revolver is now a "safe queen". The beauty of the GP100 is that they are available!!! On top of that, Ruger has through some sparkle of insight, the good sense to keep making them in Bluw as well as Stainless. Now if only S&W would wake up to that concept and bring back the 586, Highway Patrolman, and maybe the Model 19, then Ruger might have some worries. Until then I'll keep dreaming of a Python and shooting my Rugers and 686.

kennisondan · « **Reply #15 on:** September 20, 2007, 03:19:14 PM »

Really nice gun, you will no doubt be able to put it to good use, too... and do not worry about the three five seven not killing deer any more.. that is just newly manufactured deer that will not interest you anyway, the older model deer are still vulnverable to the three fifty seven from all my research.
dk

Davemuzz · « **Reply #16 on:** September 20, 2007, 05:28:06 PM »

Edelweiss,

Yeah, there is no doubt the Python is one of those "icon's". My only comment was the GP100 may not be the best looking 3-5-7 ever made. However, it is a good looking and affordable gun, and made with quality.

Kennisondan,

I dunno about them new deer. Are you sure it's the new deer with the older 357's or the old deer with the new 357's or is it the new deer with the new 357's or the old deer with the old 357's? OR.....was it the new deer with the old 357's that have been rebuilt to look like new 357's....but they only effect new deer birthed before the first of the year....or was it after the second tuesday in February?

Dave

EDELWEISS · « **Reply #17 on:** September 20, 2007, 06:24:35 PM »

How'bout we agree on this, the Python is probably the best looking and maybe best all around revolver of the modern class. Consider this, have you noticed that since the Python faded into history sooo many of the "other" manufactures have done their best to "copy" it. First it was Dan Wesson with the heavy vent barrel shroud, then all the rest. Except for the vent rib, what manufacturer hasnt added or totally switched from the tapered barrel with no ejector shroud to a full heavy lug and flat top rib?

Maybe it started with the Colt Trooper but it hasnt stopped with the 686, even the 629 has a barrel lug now. Seems you almost have to go with the "Classics" to avoid the lug. Slim the GP100 a bit, round the lug and ventilate the rib, then your well on your way to a Python. To top it off its about 1/3 the price AND its NEW!

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #18 on:** September 20, 2007, 08:38:24 PM »

WNY,

Congratulations on your new toy. It'll serve you very well for hunting, plinking, and, if you're like me, just holding, and admiring it. LOL!

You're on the right track with your bullet selection. The 158g SP's( I prefer Remingtons) are hands down the best over all choice for deer in the 357 magnum. I've killed a butt load of deer with a 357 rifle, and 11 with my 357 Blackhawk. I've tried literally dozens of load combo's ranging from 125g to 180g, and the 158g SP's either slightly edge out the others, or just plain out stomp'em as far as terminal performance. It's common for the Remington 158g SP's to bust a facing shoulder, tear the vitals up very nicely, then bust the off side shoulder, and exit. I've done it a bunch of times with them even at impact velocities in the 1700fps range which can tear other bullet designs apart to the point of never reaching the vitals. The beauty of it is that they also work very well at normal revolver velocities too.

If you haven't tried it yet, I highly recommend that you push that bullet with a full house charge of Lil' Gun. It pretty much stands alone in extreme velocity performance in the 357 magnum in either a revolver, or a rifle.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Davemuzz · « **Reply #19 on:** September 21, 2007, 02:25:41 AM »

Quote from: EDELWEISS on September 20, 2007, 06:24:35 PM

How'bout we agree on this, the Python is probably the best looking and maybe best all around revolver of the modern class.

Maybe it started with the Colt Trooper but it hasnt stopped with the 686, even the 629 has a barrel lug now. Seems you almost have to go with the "Classics" to avoid the lug. Slim the GP100 a bit, round the lug and ventilate the rib, then your well on your way to a Python. To top it off its about 1/3 the price AND its NEW!

(1) Agreed (2) Yup (3) Yup (4) Yup (5) Yup. ....... I think we agree on all points!!!!

Dave

S.B. · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2007, 04:44:17 PM »

Best of luck this deer season. Don't know who Davemuzz is quoting or from where. Several here have stated that they wouldn't use a .357 but, can't remember any saying what he quoted?
Davemuzz, could you please list a link to the thread where this was stated?

Davemuzz · « **Reply #21 on:** October 02, 2007, 06:33:38 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on October 01, 2007, 04:44:17 PM

Best of luck this deer season. Don't know who Davemuzz is quoting or from where. Several here have stated that they wouldn't use a .357 but, can't remember any saying what he quoted?
Davemuzz, could you please list a link to the thread where this was stated?

S.B.

It's been awhile now. Somewhere on one of these forums....I do believe it was under the handgun hunting one.....there was a member who referenced some article that stated the 357 wasn't enough to down deer. Of course, me and most of the free world jumped on that silly notion. If I find it, I will post the link.

Dave

44 Man · « **Reply #22 on:** October 02, 2007, 07:02:01 AM »

I can say that the .357 IS enough! I normally like a revolver with a big enough hole to stick your finger into, but this one year I used a 6" barreled S&W K frame to bag a nice buck. The deer was walking, quartering away from me, and I had a solid rest against a tree trunk. One shot, 80 yds, through the lungs and the top of the heart. He ran about 75 yds and piled up. I used a factory Win 140 gr Silvertip HP that year. I don't know what it would have done had it struck a bone, but the lungs were just pulp. There was no exit hole and I could find no bullet to recover. Don't every under rate the .357! It WILL do the job. 44 Man

Gene R · « **Reply #23 on:** October 03, 2007, 03:43:52 PM »

I agree, my 19 year old son uses a Black Hawk 357, he hasn't killed a deer with it YET but he has killed about 5 wild hogs with it. using Seller&Bellot 158gr jsp. One was 200lb shot it behind one shoulder came out through the other shoulder bone and all @ about 60 paces, all the other hogs were 65-125lbs 10 yrds - 50 yrds all pass thrus. My 15yr old has a GP 100 6'' he hasn't killed anything yet, but sure has shot a bunch of ammo.

Happy hunting with your new Ruger........