Ruger SP 101 357 Mag.

[9.3X62AL]

The Ruger SP-101 in 357 Magnum is the single best compact 357 Magnum revolver available today that is still in production. It is stronger than my next-closest choice--the out-of-print S&W Models 13 and 65 x 3". The ONLY reason I have not bought an SP-101 in 327 Federal x 4.2" is that I would prefer an actual small-frame Colt or S&W in 32 SWL to bringing on another caliber to ride herd on. I have 1K+ 32 SWL cases/loads on hand already, and a FINE 32 H&R Mag that can do all the 327 can accomplish for me.

 

[Ben]

The 327 Fed. today just didn't appeal to me.
Don't get me wrong, I really like my T/C Contender 32 H&R Mag., but in a small
" Kit Gun " type revolver, I decided to go with the 357 Mag. model.

Ben

 

[Ben]

Please keep us in the loop how it shoots.
I have been eyeing a new Smith 686, Ruger GP100 Match Champion, and that very gun you just bought.
They are all sitting side by side in the local gun shop and have not been able to decide!
I have an N frame smith, Security six, custom shop smith 642 and a cheapo rossi smith copy.
They all shoot verry well even the rossi I just have a wheel gun itch in the 38/357 range that I just like to keep scratching

Will do !

Ben

 

[Dale53]

That's a one inch Bushnell Red Dot. It works quite well. It's not for the "Big Boomers" but works fine with the lesser recoil calibers. I have several of those and probably a half dozen Simmons 30 mm Red Dots. For the Big Boomers, I have a couple of Ultra Dots.

My pistol smith thought I had lost my mind when I took the SP101 in for him to install a Weaver Rail. I am quite pleased with the performance of the SP after getting decent sights on it. Ruger should have put the same sights that Ben has on his new SP101 but they hadn't yet been put into production, I guess.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[quicksylver]

Just a side point ,when I went to buy my 686 for PPC,Bullseye etc.,I asked my Pistol smith
If he would check out a couple with his alignment rod.
I am glad he did.
All chambers line up perfectly, each is numbered,ever so slightly beveled,the cylinder and crane are shimed and an extra ball stop was installed to insure tight lock up.
Best of all I had an adjustable trigger stop installed.
The adjustable stop allows me to adjust the main spring so that I achieve a double action pull that equals the LDA found on some semi's.
You can also stage the trigger, that is pull the trigger so the rubber stop hits the frame, then lightly pull more to fire.
It requires the use of Federal primers when set up properly, but can easily and readily be returned to factory specs.
Don't know if you can do this with a Ruger or not, I think they have coil spring.
All that said I haven't met a wheel gun I did not like. Single or double action.
Scoping mine pretty soon.

 

[freebullet]

Very nice, Ben.

Been looking for a 2-3" sp101 in 357 &/or 9mm for some time. Hard to find a deal on them. My gp wants a little brother or sister.

Can't wait to hear your results.

 

[Ben]

I thought it was a good day to get out my old Lyman 357446 HP and cast a few for my new SP 101. Expands real well even at 38 Special velocities.

 

[Tazman]

Nice looking bullets. What alloy are you using for the 38 special hollow points?

 

[35 shooter]

Love the sights on the 101. It's a slim and trim all around carry gun, but also has that Ruger "beef" built into it at the same time.
I've always been a S&W man, but if i were buying tommorrow, the 101 would get the nod against a like weight or framed Smith for me.

There's just something about the 101 overall that i really like! I would love a GP too, but with the same sights as on the 101.

 

[Ben]

Nice looking bullets. What alloy are you using for the 38 special hollow points?

Straight WW's cut with a little pure PB.

Ben

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

If you are interested in a gp100 with those sights take a good look at the match champion it is one slicked up revolver!
It is custom shop quality!

They recently came out with an adjustable rear sight also.

 

[KHornet]

Dandy pics Ben. Have a couple of .358 HP molds that I may have to take out of mothballs one of these days.

 

[Ben]

Seems the poor old Lyman 357446 is cursed by many and praised but by a few.

I guess that I'm in the " few ".

Ben

 

[RicinYakima]

It was Lyman second design for the 357 Magnum in about 1938-39. Short nose to fit into the N frame cylinder and thick base band, suppose to reduce leading. It has always been a good 38 Special bullet as it reduces case volume and improved powder burn with Unique. Ray Thompson's great '156 design solved so many full "pedal to the metal" 357 loads issues, that it made gas checked bullets popular to this day.

 

[Ben]

Yes, you clearly know your Lyman 38/357 cast bullet history.

 

[Ben]

I'll load these 357446 HP's in some new unfired Starline 357 Brass.
Load is 4.0 grs. B'Eye. I thought I'd start with something mild .

 

[RicinYakima]

Ben, there isn't much new in reloading. If you study the past, you don't make the same mistakes over and over. Like when I was testing loads and said to myself "you'll remember that data"! Right. Since the first real reloading book was written in about 1927, we recycle the same ideas over and over.

 

[9.3X62AL]

My only exposure to Lyman #358446 was via samples sent by a fellow hobbyist 5 years ago. I ran them in 38 Special and 357 Magnum, the latter to about 1100 FPS with good accuracy and no leading. Nothing not to like about the mould design, other than being out of print at Lyman. I am a big fan of thick base bands on plain-base revolver bullets, a thing my current Lyman edition of #358429 does NOT have. It runs 162 grains in 92/6/2, and the base band is thinner than the middle band. Very un-Keith-like for a Keith design.

 

[Ben]

I finally shot my SP 101 today.
I'm a happy camper !

 

[Wasalmonslayer]

Congratulations and great shooting!

That would make my camping happy too

What NOE swc is that?
Is it the one with 2 crimp groves?