.357 Mag. in 3" SP101 ?

[68FAN]

I'm looking for load data for a 180 gr. Rem. JHP in .357 cases that will get around 1075 FPS out of a 3" barrel. All the load books I have indicate a 6" or greater barrel for their data. Powders on hand are W231, H. Universal, Unique, Red Dot, Green Dot, H110, Herco and Power Pistol. Want to stay sub-sonic with the heavy bullet in case I have to shoot without ear protection. Anyone chrono. some loads like the above out of a 3" barrel?
Also want to make up some 158 gr. loads like above with Berrry 158 plated bullets. Any help appreciated thanks!

[AlaskaMike]

Well, if you want to stick to the powders on hand, I'd go with either Power Pistol or Herco.

One thing you should do is verify whether those 180 grain JHPs will open at around 1000 fps. They'd probably do fine at that velocity, but it would be good to check.

Mike

[joneb]

I don't know about finding data, but I would use 2400 or AA#9 for this.

[qualfang]

If you are looking for the highest velocity, i have found in general, the slow burning powders do the best of course, but for lighter bullets, choose a flake powder with larger surface area, like Blue Dot for 125-140gr bullets, and a ballpowder like VVN350 or N110 for heavy bullets like 158-200gr.

Pay CLOSE attention to the bullet's Over All Length (OAL), keep it as long as practical. And put in a good heavy roll crimp for .357. Set the dies up like this, then slowly work up the load. Flattened primers or sticking cases mean you have EXCEEDED the max pressure- drop back to the previous load, and you have an excellent load.

Be advised, the bowder will still be burning when the bullet exits the barrel- you will have a fireball out of your gun. This can be fun, and is a good training distraction, but be aware of its disadvantages too.

[68FAN]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll use the start loads listed in the manuals and work up with the above powders, chron. as I go. I do have Blue Dot that I use in my .40 loads, just thought it would be too slow for the 180's. Not looking for the highest velocity, just want to get about 1075 FPS or so with good accuracy out of the 3" barrel.

[AlaskaMike]

Blue Dot is definitely not too slow for 180s in the .357 mag. However, in my experience it strongly prefers bullet weights that are light for caliber. I've had particularly bad results from it in .357 mag in my S&W model 28. I found that 10.2 grains with a 158 grain cast SWC was an adequate load--not exceptionally accurate, but not bad either. But bumping the load up just .2 grains to 10.4 gave me really erratic performance with large ESs. That was enough for me to quit using it in handgun loads.

Mostly I use either 2400 or H110/W296 now, and would normally recommend those except you'd mentioned your desire for subsonic velocity, and along with that I'm inferring a desire for less muzzle blast. I still think your Power Pistol or Herco would do best given your goals.

Mike

[Don P]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll use the start loads listed in the manuals and work up with the above powders, chron. as I go. I do have Blue Dot that I use in my .40 loads, just thought it would be too slow for the 180's. Not looking for the highest velocity, just want to get about 1075 FPS or so with good accuracy out of the 3" barrel.

For accuracy start at the starting grain weight loading 5 rounds and increase you weight by 1 tenth of a grain again loading 5 rounds and continue to do so until you reach the maximum charge weight. Shoot off a solid support bench rest. Curious as to why the 1075 fps?

[68FAN]

Don P, 1075 FPS is sub-sonic at 32 degrees or greater. I want to decrease the decibels if I have to shoot without ear protection yet still have the performance of a heavy for caliber bullet. Gonna try the Herco and Power Pistol powder. I have a good load for the .40 (G22) with 180 gold dots @ 1060 FPS and want to have a similar one out of the 3" SP101.

[Brian Pfleuger]

Shooting a 3" barreled 357mag without hearing protection is a VERY bad idea. Sub-sonic or not. The sonic "boom" is a fractional percentage of the noise.

[bkhann]

I have a SP 101 2.25" barrel.

Try the following load:

Cartridge: Various
Bullet: 124 gr FMJ
Powder: W231
Primer: SP Mag
Charge: 8.1 gr
COL: 1.590"
Chrono: 1072 FPS

This is a very reasonable load. It feels like a 357 Magnum without being overly harsh. It is suitable for practice or IDPA.

Another similar load is:

Cartridge: Various
Bullet: 124 gr FMJ
Powder: Power Pistol
Primer: SP Mag
Charge: 9.3 gr
COL: 1.590"
Chrono: 1100 FPS

I prefer keeping all of my 9mm and 357 Mag loads to 1000 to 1100 fps. These are good power levels that are both safe and fun to shoot. Over the years I have never found hot loads to be advantageous in feel or performance. These are loads that I have developed and personally chrono'd and I use them on a regular basis.

[Don P]

Don P, 1075 FPS is sub-sonic at 32 degrees or greater. I want to decrease the decibels if I have to shoot without ear protection yet still have the performance of a heavy for caliber bullet

Again just curious as to why you would shoot without ear protection? Is this about reloading for self defense use? That's the only reason I can see why one would shoot without ear protection.

[SSgt Facebreaker]

Shooting a 3" barreled 357mag without hearing protection is a VERY bad idea.

Agreed. I value my hearing far too much to shoot my SP101 without foam earplugs at the very least.

[margiesex]

I have found out that over the years all of the .357's I've ever had - from S & W 19's to my step-daughter's Taurus 665 (? - little bitty thing with a 2 inch bar - all black - sharp little carry piece) all have shot the best with:

15 grains of 2400, with a mag. pistol primer, pushing a 158 grain JSP. I don't have a chrony :-( - but with the little Taurus - let's just say it backs you up a bit, and no one stands really close to you at the range!

And, this load will put them all in a 4" (or smaller) circle at 7 yards. I can't hold it better than that, sorry, I'm sure some can, but it gets the job done and I'm VERY pleased with the accuracy for a 2" bar.!!

God bless.

Margiesex, NRA Life Member

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - 'cause he's coming for them both, and sooner than we think!

[AlaskaMike]

Again just curious as to why you would shoot without ear protection? Is this about reloading for self defense use? That's the only reason I can see why one would shoot without ear protection.

In the first post he mentioned, "...in case I have to shoot without ear protection..." which I took to mean he was talking defense loads. In a case like that, whether you have proper ear protection is totally irrelevant.

Peetzakilla makes a very valid point in that the sonic boom is very little of the overall noise of firing off a round. However, I think loads worked up with the Power Pistol or Herco he has on hand will make for slightly less muzzle blast than the typical magnum powders like 2400 and similar.

Mike

[Snobal]

Please forgive my ignorance but....

As I remember, "supersonic" is about 1080 fps.

An "excellent" load will have 20 fps (or more) shot-to-shot velocity variation. At 1075 fps, your load may result in one shot going "Boom!!!" and the next going "pop."

I've tried to avoid loading at around 1080 (because the accuracy can really suck) and prefer to load either below 1000 fps (for target, plinking, small game, etc.) or slightly above 1200 fps (for deer-size critters).

Also, I've had a chronograph since the 1970's and have noticed wide changes in velocities with good "standard" loads when the temperature changes (as in I worked up a hunting load in the warm summer, then took it deer hunting in the fall in sub-zero temps).

Please help me understand why you want to shoot a heavy bullet (for the caliber) out of a 3" gun?

Just my humble opinion.

[crowbeaner]

I hope you have strong wrists shooting a 180 out of that lil bitty Ruger!
WW brass, CCI 500, 11.0 of 2400 and a Speer swaged lead 158 grain SWCHP.
Heavy loading: same brass, CCI 550, 14.5 of W296, same bullet.
First load about 950 fps. Heavy load about 1100 fps.

[rogn]

My wife has one of these cute little revolvers w/laser, as factory sights are nearly invisible. Firing a factory 125gr HP is very unpleasant for 1 shot. Firing a heavy 140gr handload is memorable. The load we settled on is a 125gr XTR at about 1100 fps. She can shoot it w/o discomfort and followups are reasonable. As Snobal and CB pointed out180s would be brutal, and if you didnt dropthe gun follow up would be slow. And even painful

[bkhann]

I agree on the heavy bullet/heavy loads, not so pleasant to shoot.

For practice it is good to use 38 specials, much easier shooting. With 38 specials you can burn through boxes of amo until you get you muscle memory down. Once your hands are completely familiar with the SP 101, and you your accuracy is at an acceptable level, you can sub the 357 rounds.

With 38 specials a carbon ring will develop in the barrell, but with a little scrubbing it will come off and all will be well.

[margiesex]

However, I do love introducing 9mm shooters (who ASK ) to the little Taurus with my .357 loads! Let's them know there's a whole other world out there!

God bless.

Margiesex, Life NRA Member

And remember: Hug your God and your guns - ' cause he's coming for them both, and sooner than we think!

[68FAN]

The only time I would shoot ANY firearm without ear protection is in a hunting or defensive situation. Still, future hunting will be with amplified and noise cancelling ear muffs.
The speed of sound is 1125 FPS at 68 degrees F., and about 1085 at 32 degrees F. I live in Florida where 40 is a cold day. I have noticed the difference in noise between the subsonic .22 and Hi-Velocity loads and want to stay just below the speed of sound with a heavy bullet in .357. I have fired some Fed. 180 gr. JSP loads out the 3" Ruger and the recoil is not that bad compared to my 250 gr. .41 Mag loads out of the 4 5/8" Ruger. The .357 is just a better to carry/conceal gun than the Blackhawk.
bkhann, thanks for the 124 gr. loads, look like good plinking rounds.
Drop the gun? Only to pick up my rifle!

[bkhann]

You are welcome!!!!