SP101 shoots low?
KEVIN BAKER
recommend a 6-o'clock hold sight picture, which to me indicates that the gun
should hit a bit high. I'd expect, say 3" at 15 yards? The manual doesn't
indicate what the zero point would be - reasonable since it would depend on
the ammo.
However, I tried some 125 gr JHP handloads over 7.5 grains of Unique which
should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7 yards.
This is a bummer, because I don't think picking up the powder charge another
0.5 grain is going to help, and 125 JHP's are what I plan to carry in this
thing.
What can be done about this?
Kevin
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but it beats what the government is using now.
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Dwight E Keck
higher.
Dwight
Louis Boyd
#
# I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357. According to the manual, they
# recommend a 6-o'clock hold sight picture, which to me indicates that the gun
# should hit a bit high. I'd expect, say 3" at 15 yards? The manual doesn't
# indicate what the zero point would be - reasonable since it would depend on
# the ammo.
#
# However, I tried some 125 gr JHP handloads over 7.5 grains of Unique which
# should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7 yards.
#
# This is a bummer, because I don't think picking up the powder charge another
# 0.5 grain is going to help, and 125 JHP's are what I plan to carry in this
# thing.
Bullet weight has the primary effect on the vertical bullet placement in
a handgun.
The powder charge (and resultant velocity) has little effect on angle of
departure of the bullet from the barrel. A heavier bullet will shoot
significantly higher, at least at reasonable distances. For a detailed
discussion of why see "Hatcher's Notebook". Try some 158 gn bullets and
see if they come closer to your pistol's point of aim.
You can also bring up the point of aim with a file on the front sight
but it's difficult to bring it back down later. Not a problem if you'll
never shoot 158's.
Anticipating recoil (aka flinching) can also cause you to shoot low. I
assume you've checked for that.
--
Lou Boyd
Gene Paul
news:9f1v47$357$1...@xring.cs.umd.edu...
# I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357. ... [snip]...
# However, I tried some 125 gr JHP handloads ...[snip]...
# ... and they hit 6" low at 7 yards.
# What can be done about this?
My 3.16" SP101 in .357 shot low, but not THAT low (6" low at 7 yards sounds
pretty severe.) You need to lower the front sight. Here's one way to do
it, without any calculations or fancy tools:
Pick the load you want and carefully lower the front sight while shooting
groups to check progress. Go easy at the end so you don't lower it too
much.
The load I picked was the best-grouping (and *hottest*) factory load I
tested (125 gr JHP, shot about 5" low at 25 yards.) I wanted to have the
top of the front sight nice and flat and true to the rear sight notch, so I
took a flat piece of glass and affixed a nice flat piece of sandpaper to
part of it (IIRC 240 grit, nothing too coarse.) To lower the front sight a
bit I just put the front sight on the sandpaper and made very sure the rear
sight area stayed flat on the glass while I moved the gun forward and back.
I'd just shoot a group, take the front sight down a little, shoot the next
group, etc. I started cautiously, so as to not take off too much, but
quickly found out how much was needed to move the group up some. After a
while it was really close to point of aim.
The front sight is flat on top, and has nice sharp edges. It gives a crisp
sight picture that shoots to point of aim with the selected load.
Worked for me,... hope this helps.
Gene
Gene Paul
# recommend a 6-o'clock hold sight picture, which to me indicates that the
gun
[snip]
# should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7
yards.
In another post, I mentioned that 6" at 7 yards seems severe - it is WAY
severe. With a 4" sight radius that means you'ld have to lower the front
sight (4/36)*(6/7) inches - almost 1/10 inch! IMO that's too much for an
SP101. What size bullseye are you using for the 6-o'clock hold? Try a 1"
bullseye, or use a center hold (on silhouette targets you won't have a
bullseye of a given size.)
Lowering the front sight worked on my gun - but 5" low at 25 yards with a
sight radius under 5" meant the sight needed to be lowered less than 1/32
inch, and that's more reasonable.
Gene
Ken Marsh
Shooting a heavier bullet, like a 158 grain, might fix it. Longer time
in bore (lower velocity) and higher recoil (due to more bullet momentum)
mean the muzzle position will be higher at bullet exit.
Another alternative is to file the front sight. I would decide on what
ammo you want to use before doing this. If it is new, you can ask
Ruger to do it for you. Despite the lack of warranty, I've heard they
generally have good service.
Ken.
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Mail: kmarsh at charm dot net | Using a computer should not
WWW: http://www.charm.net/~kmarsh | be a test of manual dexterity.
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mrus...@ix.netcom.com
around $200 and ignore the sights. I've got them on my carry gun S&W
M/48 and my 686 even tho the sights are OK on these.
Doug R
Tim
bullets, unless you got an early .357 SP that was specifically
designed for 125 gr. bullets. Try heavier bullets and I'll wager your
point of impact will raise. This is due to staying in the barrel
longer, giving the muzzle time to rise more.
Regards, Tim sends
"KEVIN BAKER" <khb...@flash.net> wrote in message news:<9f1v47$357$1...@xring.cs.umd.edu>...
# I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357. According to the manual, they
# recommend a 6-o'clock hold sight picture, which to me indicates that the gun
# should hit a bit high. I'd expect, say 3" at 15 yards? The manual doesn't
# indicate what the zero point would be - reasonable since it would depend on
# the ammo.
#
# However, I tried some 125 gr JHP handloads over 7.5 grains of Unique which
# should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7 yards.
#
# This is a bummer, because I don't think picking up the powder charge another
# 0.5 grain is going to help, and 125 JHP's are what I plan to carry in this
# thing.
#
# What can be done about this?
#
# Kevin
FBC3
problem. Then cold blue. Fixed sights are rugged but some work to regulate.
Fred
Ben Magista
are the same.
Jason Mitchell
Guns and Ammo Mag several years ago about effecting point of impact by
varying your grip. I can't remember how it moved it but the point of impact
changed with a high or low grip.
arn_werks
The laws of physics being what they are, you are either going to
have to cut your front sight way down or go with a heavier
bullet. That is such a short barrel, you may have to do both,
but if you can stand a either a fairly slow 158 grain Speer Gold
Dot or forget expansion and go with a Speer 180 or 200 grain FMJ
silhouette bullet, you may have time for the muzzle to rise in
recoil to make up for the high sight. Unfortunately, they may
be too long when loaded for the SP101 if you have an early short
cylindered version.
Good luck,
Cordially,
Red
KEVIN BAKER wrote:
> ...
Kevin Baker
"Gene Paul" responded to > "KEVIN BAKER" <khb...@flash.net> wrote in
message
# news:9f1v47$357$1...@xring.cs.umd.edu...
# # I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357. According to the manual, they
# # recommend a 6-o'clock hold sight picture, which to me indicates that the
# gun
# [snip]
# # should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7
# yards.
#
# In another post, I mentioned that 6" at 7 yards seems severe - it is WAY
# severe. With a 4" sight radius that means you'ld have to lower the front
# sight (4/36)*(6/7) inches - almost 1/10 inch! IMO that's too much for an
# SP101. What size bullseye are you using for the 6-o'clock hold? Try a 1"
# bullseye, or use a center hold (on silhouette targets you won't have a
# bullseye of a given size.)
#
# Lowering the front sight worked on my gun - but 5" low at 25 yards with a
# sight radius under 5" meant the sight needed to be lowered less than 1/32
# inch, and that's more reasonable.
#
That's exactly the problem. To compensate for it hitting that low I'd have
to RECESS the front sight into the end of the barrel. I was shooting at a
3" stick-on target dot, holding at 6-o'clock. I'm a pretty fair shot (IHMSA
shooter) and the groups were decent for a 2" snubbie, but LOW.
I don't really WANT to shoot 158's in this gun, though I might end up having
to do that. However, as low as this thing is shooting, I'm not sure even
158's would correct the problem.
Can the barrel be removed and remounted somehow to correct this? Should I
consider it a factory defect and consult Ruger? Am I SOL?
--
Kevin
--
The Constitution may not be the greatest idea ever set to paper,
but it beats what the government is using now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thomas N. Robeson
# I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357. According to the manual, they
# recommend a 6-o'clock hold sight picture, which to me indicates that the gun
# should hit a bit high. I'd expect, say 3" at 15 yards? The manual doesn't
# indicate what the zero point would be - reasonable since it would depend on
# the ammo.
#
# should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7 yards.
#
# This is a bummer, because I don't think picking up the powder charge another
# 0.5 grain is going to help, and 125 JHP's are what I plan to carry in this
# thing.
#
# What can be done about this?
I bought an SP101 4" stainless adjustable sights model that shot high.
Adjusting the rear sight was not enough. Ruger had to send me a
replacement front sight with a higher blade. Doesn't suggest good QC.
I have wondered if the guns that don't get put together quite as straight
end up in the adjustable sight bin.
Tom
Steve Thomas
# # I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357. ... [snip]...
# # However, I tried some 125 gr JHP handloads ...[snip]...
# and they hit 6" low at 7 yards.
# # What can be done about this?
I have a similar problem with a S&W 649. I couldn't be sure that I wanted
to file the front sight, and I still don't want to - even though I've yet
to find a load that will shoot as high as the factory setting.
I've tried and regularly use 158 grain 357s - but I have found that there's
quite a bit of difference in the ammunition I use and where the group goes.
For example, +P 129g Hydroshoks give a really tight groups but shoot way
low for me. 130 g American Eagle 38 Special FMJs shoot almost to point of
aim. 158 g UMC 357 SWCs shoot low. All of this at about 8 yards.
My "solution" is "white out" on the top of the front sight. This is not
perfect (of course), but it's not permanent. I can change it when I want
to.
Good luck,
Steve Thomas
Michael Brady
# I just bought a 2.25" Ruger SP101 .357.
# I tried some 125 gr JHP handloads over 7.5 grains of Unique which
# should be a reasonable mid-range .357 load, and they hit 6" low at 7
yards.
# What can be done about this?
The .22 rimfire SP101 revolver has a higher rear sight that is adjustable
for windage. If all else fails I wonder if one could be installed on the
centerfire fixed sight frame by the factory or a skilled gunsmith?
Gene Paul
news:9f5h1b$acc$1...@xring.cs.umd.edu...
# That's exactly the problem. To compensate for it hitting that low
# was shooting at a 3" stick-on target dot, holding at 6-o'clock.
# I'm a pretty fair shot (IHMSA shooter) and the groups were
# decent for a 2" snubbie, but LOW.
Looking at my (3.16") SP101, the top of the rear sight is high enough above
the flat on top of the barrel so that the front sight could be lowered
enough to make the sight axis parallel to the bore axis. That would be very
low, but it could be done. Then there would be no way the gun could shoot
low, since there will always be some muzzle rise before the bullet leaves
the barrel. You definitely would not have to lower the front sight that
much to hit point of aim with whatever load you choose.
# I don't really WANT to shoot 158's in this gun, though I might end
# up having to do that. However, as low as this thing is shooting, I'm
# not sure even 158's would correct the problem.
You shouldn't have to shoot 158s. There should be good 125 gr JHP factory
loads that will group as well as the 4" sight radius will allow. When I
tested loads for group, I shot off the bench, normal two-hand hold, single
action. I wanted both to see what the gun/load would do and to rule out any
flinch or anticipation affecting point of impact.
Once you pick your load, it's simple to see how much the sight will need to
be lowered (how much too low you are hitting multiplied by the ratio of
sight radius to target distance.)
> Can the barrel be removed and remounted somehow to correct this?
# Should I consider it a factory defect and consult Ruger? Am I SOL?
If the front sight needs to be lowered too much, contact Ruger and explain
the problem. The front sight looks to be pinned in - I wonder if they have
replacement sights of different height. I know others have used 2.25"
SP101s with 125 JHPs. I always assumed that the reason I had to lower the
front sight was because my chosen load was so HOT.
Good luck.
Gene