GP 100 .357 loading, Where to Start?

GP100 are inexpensive. You'll shoot multiple times its worth in any kind of ammos before you need to replace its barrel, unless you do something stupid like use some kind of abrasive paint on bullets. If you manage to ruin it through normal usage, my guess is you'll have enjoyed it so much you'll get a new one.

Enjoy your toy. If you've bought it to shoot it, then do that, if you stop yourself from shooting with it cause it might hurt it, you're not gonna enjoy it for what it is. If you've bought it to look at it, then I don't know what to tell you.
 
Thanks for the link flange. Ok, now for newb question... When you talk about 38sp loads, does that mean using 38sp brass or just the load in a .357 case? I only have 50 38sp brass but about 300 .357...
 
If you are going to be shooting competitions where reloading needs to be real quick, I would think 38 special brass would be better. For me I only really shoot 357 mag brass, light or heavy charge.( different powder ) This way you eliminate the crud ring from the shorter case, when shooting the magnum loads afterwards.
 
Lead hammer said:
If you are going to be shooting competitions where reloading needs to be real quick, I would think 38 special brass would be better. For me I only really shoot 357 mag brass, light or heavy charge.( different powder ) This way you eliminate the crud ring from the shorter case, when shooting the magnum loads afterwards.
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And you don't have to readjust all your dies when switching.

If you have only 300 brass, keep collecting, or buy 200 cases. I don't do batch smaller than 500 at a time, no matter the caliber. Bullets are usually sold by the 500 or by the 1000.
 
lowburb said:
Thanks for the link flange. Ok, now for newb question... When you talk about 38sp loads, does that mean using 38sp brass or just the load in a .357 case? I only have 50 38sp brass but about 300 .357...
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I use 38 brass because it's cheap and plentiful. You can load 38 power level loads in 357 brass. Cuts down on chamber fouling. In my experience concerns over 38 fouling 357 chambers are greatly exaggerated. I just don't find it to be a problem.
 
Hello. I had a GP100 Stls. 4.25" brl. Tested at least 25 handloads for accuracy (do so with all my firearms). Best load (it's hot): 180 gr. hard cast lead (bullet barn) with 12.5 grs. 296 with a Lee factory crimp 1/4 turn. 5 shot group at 25 yds. .825" and at 50 yds. 1.78"
If you are new at reloading, remember one thing;when loading for revolver, always crimp slow burning powders. Hanloads.com is an excellent site Good luck. Smokey123.
 
Thanks Smokey. I just spent the afternoon looking at suggested loads and available projectiles and I am still no further ahead... Lots of good info... I'm going to have to pick one and try it, I guess...
 
lowburb said:
Thanks Smokey. I just spent the afternoon looking at suggested loads and available projectiles and I am still no further ahead... Lots of good info... I'm going to have to pick one and try it, I guess...
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This ^^^. Eventually you just have to jump in. The Brian Pearce articles are probably as good a place to start as anywhere as he has tons of experience and has posted loads from mild to wild. Since you're looking for mid-range loads you have quite a lot of options. Get some Unique or 2400 and 158 gr. and go for it. :)
 
legi0n said:
your mileage may vary but I can't attain that from a rest with weighted bullets.
challenge: 5 groups 5 shot each at 20 yds below 3"
are you game?

with a rest
Campro 158gr truncated cone (I have 1900 left )
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Finally had time to go to the range. I did twice 4x6 shots.

The large outer ring is 8.5'' (6 points) of circumference. The black circle (7, 8, 9 10 points) is 6.75'' of circumference:

For the first group of targets the largest group is 3.756'' and the smallest is 1.908''
https://i.imgur.com/AsQUxUN.jpg?2

For the second batch, the largest group is 3.101'' and the smallest is 1.615''
https://i.imgur.com/5WeG8AZ.jpg?3

Most of my groups are below 3'', but by a hair, and none come really close to 1'', so I guess you're right that I wouldn't make it 5 groups of 5 shots in a row below 3'' unless there was some (a lot of) luck involved.

However, just to show how without handrest I'm definitely the weakest link in the chain, I shot a bunch of rounds (not sure how many, I was having fun)on a large target:
https://i.imgur.com/VHX1gGE.jpg?2
If I count the outfliers, the group is a whole foot large. If we eliminate the 4 ouflyers, then the group is still about 6.5''. Lot larger groups but lot more fun imho.

The whole thing kind of makes it obvious that I can't blame the gun or the cheapo campros for a bad shot. Maybe with a rest the groups would close a bit with better bullets (not even sure tbh), but since I never shoot with a rest and the campros are clearly more accurate than I am, I don't think I'm willing to spend just to figure it out. High-end stuff like the hornady xtp cost about 3 times as much as campros, and I think it makes me more happy to shoot 1000 campros than 333 XTP.
 
thanks for taking the challenge
I tried myself and Campro disappointed me.
I was hoping to be able to consistently hit a 6"x6" steel plate at 50yds.
I can see more money spent in the near future on better bullets :)
 
My advice is Get a reloading book and use book loads. plus when you go buy your powder ask if they have any books for that specific powder.
 
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