357 Magnum Snub Nose

[x101airborne]

When I am not carrying my 45 Colt SA I am carrying a 2 inch barrel Ruger SP101. Looking over Load Data dot com, I am seeing a lot of data but none specifically for a snub nose revolver. All well and good to get near 1300 FPS with a 6 inch barrel but I am sure my weapon will turn out substantially lower velocities. In my stash I found a couple boxes of Hornady 140 XTP bullets (these do not specifically state XTP Mag) so I plan on using them.

I figure I should probably stay with mid-range powders instead of the full Magnum performers such as H-110, WW-N110, etc.. Found a load of HS-6 producing somewhere near 1250, but again, from a 6 inch barrel. I dont know if Unique would burn in the short barrel cleanly. There was a load using Bullseye but even in a 6 inch barrel it was only like 1020 fps or so. 

You experienced folks with snub nosed revolvers who load specifically for them have any suggestions?

[bula]

Think you are already on the right track. Similar advice given to a nephew with SP1o1 357. Since you can't make velo pay off, go heavy. Advised him then to look at the 140gr rather than the 125;s touted. Since you can't burn off slow powders, go to mediums. Helped Dad-n-Law and nephew load for theirs, not fond of that bore myself. Look at Power Pistol, think flash suppressed.

[bula]

Hopefully Ezekial38 and Paul105 and such will chime in. 

[bigbrowndog]

I get 1225fps with a 140jhp from my 3” K frame 357, with 8.0gr Uniq. It’s accurate and nice shooting from the gun.

Trapr

[x101airborne]

Dang! 1225 would do nicely! I know I have an inch shorter barrel than you, but even 1180 would be sweet!

[dougader]

I don't go slower than Accurate 9 with snub nose revolvers. I still have old Hercules Blue Dot I am using up, but Longshot and Power Pistol are good newer powders without the finicky nature of BD.

Speer 14 shows their data with some bullets in both 6" and 2.5" barreled revolvers.

[Fowler]

I have had good success with a stout load of 2400 in my 2 1/2" S&W 19 and the 140gr XTP, I don't know what the velocity is, never chronoed it. I will say it barks loud, recoils sharp, and produces a doozy of a fireball in low light conditions.

That said HS6, Power Pistol or Longshot would probably be the first powders to explore if I was to develop a load now...

[x101airborne]

I loaded 15 rounds of 8.6 grains of HS-6 over a CCI 550 primer today to give it a whirl.

[matt56]

I’ve also loaded a stout 140gr load with 2400. It really barks out of any length barrel.

Also longshot and Accurate #9 are good performers in a short barrel. I believe Speer gives the top velocity to #9 with a 135gr GD in a short barrel.

[x101airborne]

I dont have Accurate #9 unfortunately. This shortage has almost got us playing a "pick-a-powder" game. Even if I found a couple pounds in stock, tax and haz-mat would knock me out the game.

[x101airborne]

Ok Ladies and Gents.. A lesson in what NOT TO DO!!!
Bought a 20 round box of Hornady 135 grain flex tip ammo, 35.00 per 20. Box doesnt say "for self defense" or "for rifle" or anything that I remember.

I loaded 5. I fired one. Weapon survived well, hand did not. Like ET said, "Ooouucchh".
Spielberg would have my tail for what I would do to that puppet if I could get my hands on it.
Nice thing was, I did hit near center of the 8 inch bull at 25 yards with a 2 inch barrel revolver loaded with a Claymore mine shooting double action.

My HS-6 loads did VERY well. I did not Chrony them today but I have 100 loaded up, so planning on another range session after I heal up. "Is there a doctor in the house?"

[Fowler]

Dec 4, 2021 0:54:48 GMT -5 x101airborne said:

Ok Ladies and Gents.. A lesson in what NOT TO DO!!!
Bought a 20 round box of Hornady 135 grain flex tip ammo, 35.00 per 20. Box doesnt say "for self defense" or "for rifle" or anything that I remember.

I loaded 5. I fired one. Weapon survived well, hand did not. Like ET said, "Ooouucchh".
Spielberg would have my tail for what I would do to that puppet if I could get my hands on it.
Nice thing was, I did hit near center of the 8 inch bull at 25 yards with a 2 inch barrel revolver loaded with a Claymore mine shooting double action.

My HS-6 loads did VERY well. I did not Chrony them today but I have 100 loaded up, so planning on another range session after I heal up. "Is there a doctor in the house?"

Reminds me of firing 125gr defensive ammo in a Scandium framed 357 snubbie. Thought my fingernail had been torn off! Most brutal handgun I have ever shot. 2 rounds and I gave it back.

[x101airborne]

Yessir, I couldnt imagine now firing my once dream gun... a Scandium 29 with full house 240 44 Mag ammo. Those who can and enjoy it, I will just tip my hat and walk across the street when they come by.

Even in a full steel Ruger, I wish yall could experience those Hornady rounds. BRUTAL is a condescending term.

[x101airborne]

Dec 4, 2021 22:38:02 GMT -5 Fowler said:

Dec 4, 2021 0:54:48 GMT -5 x101airborne said:

Ok Ladies and Gents.. A lesson in what NOT TO DO!!!
Bought a 20 round box of Hornady 135 grain flex tip ammo, 35.00 per 20. Box doesnt say "for self defense" or "for rifle" or anything that I remember.

I loaded 5. I fired one. Weapon survived well, hand did not. Like ET said, "Ooouucchh".
Spielberg would have my tail for what I would do to that puppet if I could get my hands on it.
Nice thing was, I did hit near center of the 8 inch bull at 25 yards with a 2 inch barrel revolver loaded with a Claymore mine shooting double action.

My HS-6 loads did VERY well. I did not Chrony them today but I have 100 loaded up, so planning on another range session after I heal up. "Is there a doctor in the house?"

Reminds me of firing 125gr defensive ammo in a Scandium framed 357 snubbie. Thought my fingernail had been torn off! Most brutal handgun I have ever shot. 2 rounds and I gave it back.

Mr. Fowler,  do you have any advice loading for a snubbie? I know you have been round the block a time or two. 

[Fowler]

Dec 5, 2021 0:17:31 GMT -5 x101airborne said:

Yessir, I couldnt imagine now firing my once dream gun... a Scandium 29 with full house 240 44 Mag ammo. Those who can and enjoy it, I will just tip my hat and walk across the street when they come by.

Even in a full steel Ruger, I wish yall could experience those Hornady rounds. BRUTAL is a condescending term.

My brother just got a 329 and is picking it up today in fact. I’m going to have a buddy tune it, switch the grips to Hogue Xframe grips, the type that cover the back strap, a Bowen rear sight, and then he is going to decide later about the front sight. He guides a ranch in western Colorado and he wants a new ranch gun for packing, I can’t think of a better pack a lot, shoot very little working ranch gun than that one. Having said that he will be repeatedly advised to feed it a steady supply of mild target loads and only shoot heavy stuff enough to prove POI out to 50 yards or so.

Really that’s my philosophy with most of my handguns, I develope a mild to Mid level load that will see 95% of the shooting and a working/hunting load that will see 95% of the packing duty.

With snubbies in general I am not looking for precision target ammo, if they are employed in duty the target isn’t likely to be very far away and hits are all that count. In my 2 1/2” S&W 19 I run a 158gr Kieth style bullet or a 148gr MIHA hollowpoint at 900ish velocity for a everyday fun shooting load. Accurate enough that in a good day I can keep them all on a 8” gong at 50 yards double action without hurting my hand or developing a flinch.

In my S&W 442 snubbie I run the same loads (shooting 38sp brass for both) and can keep them on a 6” gong at 15 yards shooting pretty quick cadence and in the A zone of a USPSA target at 50 working the trigger a bit slower.

For self defense I load them both with factory 140gr ammo that honestly I have shot just enough to know they’ll where they hit and that neither load is as stout as you would imagine they would be strictly judging from recoil.

If I was developing a handload for working a ranch in either gun I’d probably run a 158gr, 173gr Keith or a quality jacketed bullet over a moderately stout load of medium speed powder, HS6, Longshot, 2400, AA9 come to mind. I’d run only as stout as I am comfortable shooting well and be happy. I don’t really have those loads in the recipe book because for that sort of duty I honestly reach for 44/45 guns.

Naturally what problems you are likely to encounter matter greatly. Here in Colorado back country/ranch work likely would be coyotes, smallish black bears, mountain lions, wounded big game needing a merciful end or two legged problems. If I was in Texas snakes and pigs are probably the likely problems and bullet requirements are a bit different there.

YMMV