For those of you that have a GP100 4.2" barrel, what factory ammo are you using and how's the accuracy/consistency? I've tried a couple different brands in mine but 6 shots looks more like a buck shot pattern. When I use .38 ammo it shoots fantastic.....
Ruger 357 ammo
- Thread starter Joe549
- Start date
Beauvais98
CGN Regular
- Location
- Greater Ottawa Area
I did a nice clover pattern at 15 meters yesterday out of my GP100 4.2"
When I first posted my response, I was thrilled to report on my own success with budget-priced Blazer Brass .357 Magnum 158 gr ammo, but now that I think back, it may have been with Blazer Brass .38 SPL 125 gr...
While yesterday's results (4 rounds touching) were a first for me, what I can report for sure is that I usually have comparable results with either .357 Magnum or .38 SPL.
When I first posted my response, I was thrilled to report on my own success with budget-priced Blazer Brass .357 Magnum 158 gr ammo, but now that I think back, it may have been with Blazer Brass .38 SPL 125 gr...
While yesterday's results (4 rounds touching) were a first for me, what I can report for sure is that I usually have comparable results with either .357 Magnum or .38 SPL.
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With the proper load either one should group well in a good gun . Factory 357 loads tend to intimidate some people . Handloaded 357 wadcutters are fun to shoot and more than hold their own against the 38 . The 38 caliper is a perfect match for reloads get set up with a easy to load friendly caliper and eventually save some money.
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No mind games going on, I'm not intimidated by the recoil, which isn't that bad. The results have been the same with other shooters, tight groups with 38, buckshot patterns with 357... I've only tried a couple different brands so far but both have been the same.
You must be made of steel a 4inch revolver with a 357 factory load is not a fun load by any means .
It's not as pleasant as the 38s, and when I first got it the larger grips made it very unpleasant to shoot but with the smaller set I have on now it is a hell of a lot more tolerant. I still wouldn't want to shoot it all day with the magnums though...
Who has it? All I've seen is 9mm and 38spc. I've used the 38 and it was good...
Are the tight groups shot with 38spl lead bullets and the .357 jacketed? My GP-100 had very tight cylinder throats. A lot of Ruger revolvers do. I reamed the throats on my GP100 to .358 and had the forcing cone cut to 11 degrees. 'While I shoot primarily lead bullets in either caliber, my gun now shoots very tight groups off a rest and it sometimes manages them when I am shooting freestyle. :>). I f you have tight cylinder throats I would think jacketed bullets are going to have a tough time being accurate if any of your cylinder throats are as tight as mine were. I had three that would not allow a .356 bullet pass through the cylinder and three that would not let a .357 bullet pass through them.
Take Care
Bob
SFRC used to have it in 158gr FMJ and 158gr JHP. I don't know if they'll ever get some again or if anyone else carries it at the moment.
The 38 has all been jacketed, the 357 has been both lead and jacketed.
Then it likely is you given how well you shoot the 38spl in your gun. The accuracy shooting one caliber over another should not give you the results you show due to a mechanical issue with the gun. I could see the point if impact being different with different bullets and caliber but not the pattern indicated. I would check the throats though. If they are tight then get a gunsmith to ream them out to .358 and get your forcing cone cut to 11 degrees. Easy to do, doesn't take but a minute or two. Rugers are great guns but they tend to be kit guns needing a bit of TLC.
Take Care
Bob
