Turn-on angle and turn-off angle are the two switching angles that play a major role in deciding whether a switched reluctance motor (SRM) develops positive or negative, high or low electromagnetic torque. Switching angles are function of speed and change with acceleration, but this requires sophisticated and complex digital controllers for real time variation of switching angles as a function of rotor speed. This paper presents a methodology on the determination of fixed turn-on and turn-off angles that are optimum and provide satisfactory performance of the SRM drive during full-load operation. Experimental magnetization and static torque data are used for realistic simulation of dynamic response of a 4 kW, 4-phase, 8-pole stator, and 6-pole rotor configuration SR motor. The simulated performance of SRM drive system is presented to analyze the effect of different switching angles on full-load (25 Nm) starting performance of the drive in terms of speed, current and torque response. An optimum pair of turn-on and turn-off angle that ensures stable and satisfactory full-load operation is recommended.