Posted: 6/7/2004 4:53:30 PM EDT
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In a couple of months, I will have a significant job change requiring me to spend a fair amount of time visiting an unfriendly environment from time to time. By no means as difficult as our brave soldiers and Marines are facing in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is nonetheless a difficult situation for a regular guy like me. The company I work for is very accomodating, and has given me a solid, no-holds-barred picture of what's to come. Kidnappings and various assault/robbery scenarios are the problem, and they understand the threat very well. We have good in-country LE relationships and savvy BG-types alongside us. I've asked if I can attend training for their chosen weapons (one Model 92 Beretta user, the others M1911-types, with more-or-less standard M870s as the primary -- no SMGs except for the gendarmerie that moonlight with our guys) in case we get in a bind and I can help out. Answers are positive (with the caveat that they are the shooters, I'm supposed to duck and cover), so I'm going to do it. Now, my specific problem is that I can't tote around a full-size service auto in my job, but I do want to be armed at all times. The office/formal business environments I'll be in complicate the matter: customers, partners, and local regulatory agencies will freak out at a visible firearm on me. So, I must take the old route of "better to have something than nothing", and have settled on a Ruger SP101 in .357 in fairly deep concealment. Most any encounter I'm likely to have (where I can't lend a hand using 870 or service pistol from a BG team member) will be VERY up close and personal; contact range is likely (hence a key reason in the choice of revolver), with no body armor on the bad guys. Shot placement at >15 feet or so is generally not an issue, based on the profile of all the recent incidents there. I can handle stiff recoil. Also, flash signature is not as big a deal, but I wouldn't mind keeping it down. I have purchased two revolvers and had both smoothed over (edge rounding, actions smooth at 10# and modified to DAO, hammers bobbed) and changed grips. Both have had 200 rds +P 38 put through them for general proving and checkout. One stays here for weekly practice, the other stays with the protection team, to be supplied to me during my frequent 1-2 week trips over the next year and a half. I'm off for the first time in late July. What load do all you folks on the board recommend for this 2 1/4" barrel. Again, I'm interested in close-range effectiveness only. Sorry for the ramble -- many thanks!! |
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Many thanks to both of you for your answers. I have always believed the same as you, six, about the use of heavier bullets in shorter barrels. Makes sense to me, too. Rangie, the Buffale Bore numbers are indeed impressive; thanks for the tip. I have ended up choosing Hornady 158 JHP as it penetrates reliably, but seems to expand to about 1.5x caliber even at .38 +P velocities, so it seems the right choice in a .357 load in a short barrel. Had to drive quite a ways to find some just to test today. All I can say about this load in a 21/4" bbl, 25 oz revolver is DAMN!!! By the fifth cylinder, I could manage Cowboy Match plates in fairly rapid fire at 20', but I think I'll wear out this piece getting good enough by late July/early August when I first might need them. Hope I don't wear out my hand first... You need plugs AND muffs with this gun/load combo as well. Were I an optimistic soul, I'd guess you could expect to frighten away marauders without a hit, owing simply to the muzzle blast. |
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Since every gun is different as to what it will eat, I'll try to keep it general. Every test I've seen using ballistic gelatin, covered or otherwise, has indicated that the shorter the barrel, the heavier the bullet needs to be. This is due simply to the fact that the heavier bullet will penetrate better given a lower muzzle velocity, simple momentum. If you can get a 158 gr. LSWC-HP loaded in a .38 Spl +P, it ought to do the job. Any serious .357 Mag load ought to do, though I'd probably stick with loads pushing bullets 140 grains or heavier. |
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My choice would be Buffalo Bore 125 gr. JHP-- 1400 fps out of a 2" barrel. Blast and recoil are going to be rough but if you only get five better make them count. www.gunblast.com/MilesFortis-AKChurch_BuffaloBore125-357.htm |