New to "The Gun Locker"

[stinkboto]

Hi guys and gals, after a 18 year hiatus from firearms, (I sold my guns before I made a big move to another state), I finally picked up my new gun..a Ruger SP101 in .357
Anyone out there have suggestions on target and home defense ammo? Also looking for an upgrade on my grip...no need for a holster, I live in California! No chance of a carry permit here! Thanks!

[MadCity]

Originally posted by stinkboto
I live in California! No chance of a carry permit here!

Well, you stand a better chance than I do. Wisconsin is one of just two states that completely prohibit concealed carry (Illinois being the other one). I do believe California is a "may issue" state. I used to live there too. And, yeah, I'm sure it's not easy to get a CCW in California. Welcome to the gun locker anyway.

[stinkboto]

Thanks Mad....I have no friends in the police dept.....thats pretty much the only way an average joe would get one.....
I'm taking a road trip to Texas soon....I drive a Suburban with a center console/armrest....can I keep my gun in there unloaded of course in a case without breaking any laws? I would of course keep ammo seperate..

[chuckfw]

Originally Posted by stinkboto

I'm taking a road trip to Texas soon....I drive a Suburban with a center console/armrest....can I keep my gun in there unloaded of course in a case without breaking any laws? I would of course keep ammo seperate..

No need to unload the gun while in Texas, you can carry a loaded firearm inside the vehicle without any special license. Great state!

[kevsett]

There's always a Florida out-of-state CCW license. But remember that some states such as Kansas and Colorado do not honor OOS permits; it has to be a permit from the state the person lives in.

On .357 I would stick with any of the main manufacturer hollowpoint loads such as CCI, Federal, Remington, Winchester, etc.; but they charge a bundle for hydrashoks, golden sabers, silvertips, etc, etc, so extensive practicing with them can become expensive.

[chuckfw]

Originally Posted by stinkboto

Anyone out there have suggestions on target and home defense ammo? Thanks!

Home defense... How about 3 38 spl. Winchester lead 158 gr. +p hollowpoints (X38SPD) staggered with 3 38 spl. glasers? First shot should be the glaser, then a hp, then a glaser, then a hp, etc. Very good rounds that will do the job in a home defense situation without the overpenetration and blast of any magnums.

Target loads..... any thing that won't lead the barrel, ie: jacketed or GOOD gas checked hard cast reloads. Leaded barrels are no fun to clean. These can be either 38 spl. or .357 mag., depending on how much recoil you want.

[DBotkin]

I use 158 grain LaserCast SWC from Oregon Trail for everything. Well, except when I pack it on the bike, I load it so the first round is birdshot for snakes & such. After that things get serious.

No leading with those bullets, by the way, and they're loaded pretty stout.

[stinkboto]

Thanks for all suggestions....any bad-good comments on Independence loads? I was suggested .357 magnum 158 gr JSP
and .38 special 130 gr FMJ for my Ruger .357 magnum SP101 by my local sportsmans supply.....I have never heard of Independence! They want $16 for a box of 50 in .38 and $21 for a box of 50 in .357

[chuckfw]

It looks like the Independence line of ammo is from a company called ATK who has a contract with the Department of Defense to manage the Lake City (LC headstamp) Army Ammo Depot located at Independence, Missouri. Federal also sells some of the same ammo. I have never fired any of it, but then I reload 95% of the ammo I shoot.

I wouldn't think there is anything wrong with the ammo, but I would not recommend the 38 Spl. 130 gr. FMJ load for too much of anything. That round is (was) used by the government for years in the 38 Spl. revolvers in use by various agencies, largely the Air Force. I scrounged some a long time ago and If I remember correctly, it was not very accurate since it was actually a .355 bullet rather than the standard .357 diameter bullet used in the .38 Spl. and it didn't have much to offer in stopping power. It also will ricochet pretty easily off of various materials such as wood and glass and does not give a decent "wad" hole in paper targets. It did satisfy the requirements of the Hague convention for military ammunition, namely FMJ non-expanding and it was waterproof sealed.

I know that you want a basic plinking round, but why sacrifice accuracy when doing that? To plink with, I would use a 158 gr. 38 Spl. round, whatever you can find within your budget. Winchester, CCI, Federal and others make good plinking ammo, it's ok stuff but may smoke more and leave more fouling residue than quality ammo. Cabela's has a bulk ammo they sell http://www.cabelas.com/information/H...on0022869.html that you may want to look at as far as price. If you want a comfortable easy 38 Spl. round to punch holes in paper, 148 gr. lead wadcutters will give a nice hole you can see easily , it's also pretty accurate and low recoil.

Hope this helps some.

[stinkboto]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Chuck!