Author Topic: Best all around ammo for gp100 & sp101? (Read 4207 times)

oldfart · « **on:** May 17, 2009, 09:59:37 AM »

I just got a gp100 and sp101, what would be a good all around cartridge for it? I'll be packing on the farm for 4 legged critters,(coyoties mostly with a outside slim chance of a black bear), and two legged varmits at home and outside.

helotaxi · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 2009, 02:56:49 PM »

125gn Gold Dot for self defense. 158 soft point for animals. 38spl for practice.

If you have to choose only one, pick which is more important, animals or bad guys, and get that one. The Gold dots are going to run about $30 for 20. The 158gn soft points will run about $30 for 50. No reason to use up either so that $60 would keep you in ammo for defensive purposes for pretty much ever.

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:07:46 PM »

While not the best pick for self defense as a farm loading in the 357 Magnum I would pick a good name brand 158 grain JSP. Federal loads a good one in their American Eagle line.

archivist · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:29:57 PM »

Your own custom reloads of course. I like to reload a light .357 (lead 158 gr) for practice instead of a .38

Tinker with different powders for selfdefense or varmints.

oldfart · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2009, 08:14:22 AM »

i just got back from the gun shop, went to get some ammo any ammo. well all he had but had a good bunch of was the hornady 140 ftx load, leverevolution they call it. how will this perform in my sp101, and gp100?

KyBeast · « **Reply #5 on:** May 29, 2009, 05:38:54 PM »

Those are great hunting loads. In leverguns, they eek out a bit higher velocity, and if you're not eating what you're shooting, then the hollow point is a good choice. I packed the LeveRevolutions in my Taurus Tracker .44 Mag for defense to start out with before I traded it for my GP100. They're pretty accurate in a handgun, not really feasible IMO. I now only use them in my 1894 Marlin .44.

My choice for an all around load in the .357 mag is the Remington 158gr. SJSP. Nice expansion... Not to mention you can probably find them at your local Walmart.

Harder to find, but these Corbon Hard-Cast Flatnose's will knock the crap out of anything too... I just wouldn't expect much for range.

Sell the Sp101 and get a Marlin 30-30 for the field varmits!

Old Griz · « **Reply #6 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:19:42 AM »

Heck, you can shoot anything out of the GP100. As far as the smaller SP101 goes, I've started using the 110-gr. .357 loads. The 125-gr. JHP are supposed to be the best, but it can sure give you a good deal of recoil in the small Ruger and S&W K-frames. The 110-gr. still gives you great .357 velocity, but without the punishment.

KyBeast · « **Reply #7 on:** June 01, 2009, 10:42:23 AM »

Quote from: Old Griz on June 01, 2009, 02:19:42 AM

The 110-gr. still gives you great .357 velocity, but without the punishment.

For in-home defense, just use 158-gr. .38spl +P rounds. Bigger chunk of lead, lot less recoil than a magnum load. Plus it'll be easier for the wife (if you're married) to shoot.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** June 01, 2009, 10:45:25 AM »

125 gr JHP for the two of them . If the bear becomes a threat get a shotgun or rifle or load either with 158 gr JSP .

Skunk · « **Reply #9 on:** June 01, 2009, 11:25:25 AM »

Quote from: KyBeast on June 01, 2009, 10:42:23 AM

For in-home defense, just use 158-gr. .38spl +P rounds. Bigger chunk of lead, lot less recoil than a magnum load. Plus it'll be easier for the wife (if you're married) to shoot.

That's what I've been using in my .38 Special (SP101). They work great. Wife won't shoot the .38, but she can't get enough of her (she calls it hers) .32 H&R Mag.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #10 on:** June 01, 2009, 11:37:08 AM »

There are 2 different 125 grain loads.
there is the original Semi Jacketed Hollow point that is the #1 man stopper of all time.
Then there are the home defense 125 grain bullets that are milder in velocity and use bullet technology. They are reduced loads to be able to make multiple hits. Be they the Fed Hydro shok, golden sabers, or winchester silvertips or SXT's.
For coyote 38 specials are fine. Even the cheap lead round nose will stop and turn a coyote. Heck I have turned them with a 22LR as they are running to attack a dog on my walks.
For black bear... I would carry 158 grain JSP or some of the 180 grain hard cast buffalo bore stuff that are real wrist twisters. But for hunting. As self defence against bear.... what ever is the most powerful you can shoot rapidly and well. You may have or want to make multiple hits to break bone or hit something or multiple things that will be fatal. A single heavy recoiling round may not allow you to do this. Again in hunting you are the preditor and will take your shot. In self defence you are the prey and need to be able to react with the most force posible. 3X 125 is more energy than a single 180 grain plus three times the wound canal.
I suggest that you get what ammo you can and go out and shoot it. see what is your personal power level. If you can shoot 5 or 6 of the 180 grain hard cast heavy mag loads into a 1" groups at 25 yards in under 3 seconds then great, carry what ever you think is best.
Other than that carry what you can reasonably shoot well and has the power to penitrate. If you are worried then maybe a stagered cylinder of 38's for Coyote and Mags for Bear may be your way to go. Lining up a mag under the hammer will give you a first round of a 38 for coyote if that is your main fear.

Anduril · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2009, 12:49:20 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on June 01, 2009, 11:37:08 AM

...............maybe a stagered cylinder of 38's for Coyote and Mags for Bear may be your way to go. Lining up a mag under the hammer will give you a first round of a 38 for coyote if that is your main fear.

kind of what I was thinking. Make the first two a hollow point and the next 3 or 4 a heavy SWC or FP.
..

Mohawk · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2009, 01:47:18 PM »

I think the .357 Remington 158gr SJHP is a good all-around load. To me very marginal for an attacking bear, but fine for everything else you mentioned. God made slug guns for bears. Anyway, the .357 SJHP's expand very, very well and punch through nicely on deer size game. On a deer last year I had one complete over a foot of penetration and still break the deer's leg as the bullet exited. Left a blood trail 3 feet wide.

schoolmaster · « **Reply #13 on:** June 09, 2009, 04:50:31 AM »

I believe I would get a can or 2 of bear spray and keep it handy for bears and bad guys. I would only use potentially lethal means if the repellent failed. Yeah, a can of bear spray in one hand and my .357 mag in the other loaded with the biggest bullet I could handle. I would pactice shooting double action a lot with lighter loads and work my way up to the stompers. Also make sure you know the in and outs of when you can use lethal force to defend yourself both from bears and bad guys. Most farmers I know have some sort of vehicle close by them out on the farm, be it a tractor, truck, or four wheeler. Most of them carry a long gun with them. The pistol is just to allow them to get to their rifle or shotgun. My brother in law farms several thousand acres and his truck gun is a 30-30, his combine gun is a 12 ga pump, and his four wheeler gun is a mini-14. He carries a hi capacity 9mm everywhere. Nobody messes with him.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2009, 07:38:30 AM »

If you are going to carry a can of Bear spray like Schoolmaster said and have one in each hand.
Practice that way. Get a can and practice holding both while shooting. Figure out what works best for you to hit at 7, 10, and 16.5 Yards. yes practice with the light stuff but at the end of the practice session toss a couple of the things you are going t ocarry in the gun through it making sure you can hold on to it one handed.

KyBeast · « **Reply #15 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:06:08 AM »

Quote from: schoolmaster on June 09, 2009, 04:50:31 AM

Also make sure you know the in and outs of when you can use lethal force to defend yourself both from bears and bad guys.

Yeah, it's funny that if a man points a finger at your chest, he's threatening you, shoot him... but when a bear charges, he's only threatening you when he bears his teeth.

Dand · « **Reply #16 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:04:10 PM »

If you go the bear spray route you might want to know the ins and outs of it and practice with it too. Its tricky stuff and plan on getting some on you. I had a little training session last year. My eyes were smarting and my lips burning mildly for a couple hours afterward.

Seems like some of the advice here is a bit complicated. I have a 2.25 SP 101 and it will handle most any load though the 158's and heavier do have a pretty strong recoil. But seems like a good basic 158 gr 357 soft point would do in most cases.

Tallwalker · « **Reply #17 on:** June 13, 2009, 05:53:16 AM »

I had an SP-101 3" .357, and really liked it until I began having trouble seeing the sights. My favorite load was the Lyman 358156 SWC over 10.0 grains of Blue Dot. It is near max, so work up to it, but muzzle flash was minimum, and I found it quite controlable. Noise with Blue Dot in short barrels is quite a bit more pleasant than it is with the slower powders, and I suspect most factory ammo too.

gp911 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 13, 2009, 03:34:03 PM »

My SP101 did best with heavier bullets, 158-180. It really liked the Hornady 158gr (XTP I think, had a deer on the box). That would work on varmints and bad guys, bears would be greatly upset by it as well. My gun wasn't as keen on the lighter stuff, but it was usually okay with 125s.

gp911

kiddekop · « **Reply #19 on:** June 14, 2009, 05:32:41 AM »

Quote from: oldfart on May 17, 2009, 09:59:37 AM

I just got a gp100 and sp101, what would be a good all around cartridge for it? I'll be packing on the farm for 4 legged critters,(coyoties mostly with a outside slim chance of a black bear), and two legged varmits at home and outside.

www.buffalobore.com www.grizzlycartridge.com have good ammo I've load my own 357 pocket rockets for ammo price comparison go to www.ammoengine.com