jdmb03
Member
I've shot .357 magnums in 110 and 125 grain but never in 158 or 180 grain. Is the recoil and flash more or less in the heavier loads? I was thinking maybe trying the 158 grain for ccw, good choice?
.357 magnum questions
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BryanP
Member
The recoil will be heavier with the heavier bullets. I've never fired the 180 grain rounds. I think those are all hard-cast hunting rounds, not self defense rounds.
If you're CCW'ing a 2" .357 snubbie I'd stick to 125 grains, but that's just my opinion.
If you're CCW'ing a 2" .357 snubbie I'd stick to 125 grains, but that's just my opinion.
stans
Member
I will say that the recoil impulse is different between the light weight and the original weight 357 magnum bullets. I find the 110 and 125 grain loads to be very loud and the recoil very sharp, but the 158's while still very loud tend to have a little more of a rolling recoil impulse, have less flash and the report seems to be a little less sharp.
Mannlicher
Member
I often carry Speer 146 grain handloads, or Winchester 145 grain Silvertips in my lighter .357 revolvers. I usually carry 158 train Speer Gold Dots or 158 grain Hydrashocks in my full size guns. I don't see a lot of difference in recoil, but that is probably because the are so close in bullet weight, and the heavier bullets are in the heavier guns.
jdmb03
Member
I have a GP100 3" and I'm considering the Winchester 145 grain. They seem like a good choice.
Preacherman
Member
I've standardized on the Winchester 145gr. JHP Silvertip as my carry load in .357 Magnum. There are three reasons for choosing this load:
1. The 125gr. JHP's in this caliber have an absolutely awesome reputation as "stoppers", but they are known to have penetration limitations. If I have to shoot through someone's arm to get to their COM, or through heavy winter clothing, or something like that, there is a reasonable chance that the bullet won't penetrate deep enough. The 158gr. JHP's, on the other hand, while having a very good "stopping" reputation, have an equally good reputation for over-penetrating the human torso and going on their merry way, to the detriment of anything (or anyone) behind the BG. The 145gr. penetrates more than the 125gr, but measurably less than the 158gr. - best of both worlds!
2. The Winchester round has been through three iterations of development, and has a reputation for being very consistent in its performance, whether it hits soft tissue, bone, or anything else. It also does pretty well at penetrating hard cover, such as auto glass or metal, etc. I like consistency in a defensive round.
3. It's gained a well-deserved reputation for accuracy. I've found that no matter what gun I shoot it in, I can get decent groups at 25 and 50 yards with it. Other rounds (in my experience) tend to shoot better in some guns than in others. I like accuracy.
1. The 125gr. JHP's in this caliber have an absolutely awesome reputation as "stoppers", but they are known to have penetration limitations. If I have to shoot through someone's arm to get to their COM, or through heavy winter clothing, or something like that, there is a reasonable chance that the bullet won't penetrate deep enough. The 158gr. JHP's, on the other hand, while having a very good "stopping" reputation, have an equally good reputation for over-penetrating the human torso and going on their merry way, to the detriment of anything (or anyone) behind the BG. The 145gr. penetrates more than the 125gr, but measurably less than the 158gr. - best of both worlds!
2. The Winchester round has been through three iterations of development, and has a reputation for being very consistent in its performance, whether it hits soft tissue, bone, or anything else. It also does pretty well at penetrating hard cover, such as auto glass or metal, etc. I like consistency in a defensive round.
3. It's gained a well-deserved reputation for accuracy. I've found that no matter what gun I shoot it in, I can get decent groups at 25 and 50 yards with it. Other rounds (in my experience) tend to shoot better in some guns than in others. I like accuracy.
Charles S
Member
What Preacherman said.
Charles
Charles
my experience has been more boom and muzzle flip with the 158gr and more flash and crack with the 110/125gr.
my load of choice for my colt python has long been the speer lawman 140gr jhp (pentagonal cavity) for it's combination of accuracy and speed of followup shots...yes i can feel the difference in recoil between it and the 158gr loads.
i save the 158gr loads for my 8.375" barreled smith m-27...i think it's slower twist stabalizes the heavier slug better
my load of choice for my colt python has long been the speer lawman 140gr jhp (pentagonal cavity) for it's combination of accuracy and speed of followup shots...yes i can feel the difference in recoil between it and the 158gr loads.
i save the 158gr loads for my 8.375" barreled smith m-27...i think it's slower twist stabalizes the heavier slug better
ChristopherG
Member
That's exactly right. And add to that the vital consideration of what actually shoots best in your guns and your hands. I've yet to meet a 357 that isn't more accurate with 158 bullets than 125s or lighter (given equal quality loads).
The 158 Golddot is a superior load as it is rolled by several companies at around 1250 from a 4" barrel. In a snub, I'd want to test to verify I was getting over 1100 fps; but in a full-size or even 3" barrel, that would be (and is, in a home-rolled variant) my go-to .357 load.
Though more and more, I'm inclined toward the faster recovery time of speer's 147 gr 38+p Golddot (again, in a home-rolled variant).
BluesBear
member
I too have been a huge fan of the Speer 146gr short jacketed semi-wadcutter for a long time.
I discovered it back around 1977 when I first started reloading and I have used it ever since. It has enough weight for efficient penetration and the exposed lead nose always expands well.
I haven't tried the new Gold Dot in the similar weight but it too should make an awsome all around load.
I discovered it back around 1977 when I first started reloading and I have used it ever since. It has enough weight for efficient penetration and the exposed lead nose always expands well.
I haven't tried the new Gold Dot in the similar weight but it too should make an awsome all around load.
gulogulo1970
Member
I find the blast and flash much harder to live with in the 125gr loads. Never shot the 145's. I like the 158gr loads in my Ruger Sp-101.
Oldoperator
Member
Several years ago I bought a few hundred rounds of 180 gr Black Talon 357's. I don't use them often because I worry about over penatration with my carry piece, but they are just the ticket for hunting medium size game. Although the 180's do kick a little bit harder than the 125 gr Federals that I normally use, it's not at all unbearable, and muzzle flash is typical 357. I think they would be more at home if used in a carbine or a 14" T/C Contender for hunting, or for back packing, as an emergency predator protection round. Just my 2 cents.
BluesBear
member
Oldoperator, Welcome Aboardâ„¢
That Black Talon has become a collectors item and is bringing an obscene price on the auctions.
Hopefully someday Winchester will decide to thumb their nose at the media and blisninnies and produce it again. Even if it's just one run for spite.
That Black Talon has become a collectors item and is bringing an obscene price on the auctions.
Hopefully someday Winchester will decide to thumb their nose at the media and blisninnies and produce it again. Even if it's just one run for spite.
Rob96
Member
My 4" GP-100 and 2.25" SP-101 are both loaded with Winchester 145gr Silvertips.
birddog
Member
I know that recoil is very very subjective, but I have to go with Stans on this one. To me, there's more snap -- whether in a snubbie or in my Dan Wesson 8" from that light bullet sizzling out of the barrel than from the 158. I'd stick with the heavier bullets. In fact, that's all I reload now. 158 SJSP's in Speer or Magtech bullets.
Greybeard
Member
The the 5'th of 5 Silvertips had slipped the crimp a bit when I tested in 12-ounce 340. 
Federal 125g JHP's held tight, so it's most common "go-load". Except tomorrow a.m. when I'll drop 5 180 grainers in it as "backup" during little hog hunt. I *do not* want to have to light off one of the 180s in that gun!
Federal 125g JHP's held tight, so it's most common "go-load". Except tomorrow a.m. when I'll drop 5 180 grainers in it as "backup" during little hog hunt. I *do not* want to have to light off one of the 180s in that gun!ChristopherG
Member
I lit off a cylinder full of 170 gr Speer Gold Dot JSPs over a max load (speer's data) of 296, to see what they would feel like in my 340pd. Didn't jump crimp (Thank you, Redding Profile crimp die), and didn't bust anything in my hand. That was with a bootgrip; and I'm no tough guy. They would be quite tolerable with a little more handle, like the Pachmayr Compacs for J-frames (GREAT recoil tamers for Airlite fanatics).
Really, I think the heavy bullets--to a point--are more pleasant per ft-lb of recoil force generated.
Really, I think the heavy bullets--to a point--are more pleasant per ft-lb of recoil force generated.
In medium or large frame revolvers.....
I find the 158 grain .357 magnums to have the most pleasant recoil. I'm not saying its the lightest recoil (since heavier bullets typically have more measured recoil), but the type of recoil in the 158 grain is very tolerable. IMO, the 158 grains are typically more of a long rolling push, while the 125 grain IMO is a lot sharper/snappier. In a medium frame revolver, I find most 158 grain loads (even defense loads) to be pleasant to shoot.
I've yet to find a 158 grain load that bothers me at all in a medium or large frame revolver (ex: medium: GP 100, S&W 66, S&W 686; large: Ruger Redhawk .357).
The 180 grains I've shot tend to be heavy period (in terms of .357 magnum at least). When I've shot the 180 grain loads, it FEELS like a legitimate medium game load.
In small frame revolvers (like the SP 101), its another story. I tire out quickly with ANY .357 magnum load in a light revolver with small grip.
I find the 158 grain .357 magnums to have the most pleasant recoil. I'm not saying its the lightest recoil (since heavier bullets typically have more measured recoil), but the type of recoil in the 158 grain is very tolerable. IMO, the 158 grains are typically more of a long rolling push, while the 125 grain IMO is a lot sharper/snappier. In a medium frame revolver, I find most 158 grain loads (even defense loads) to be pleasant to shoot.
I've yet to find a 158 grain load that bothers me at all in a medium or large frame revolver (ex: medium: GP 100, S&W 66, S&W 686; large: Ruger Redhawk .357).
The 180 grains I've shot tend to be heavy period (in terms of .357 magnum at least). When I've shot the 180 grain loads, it FEELS like a legitimate medium game load.
In small frame revolvers (like the SP 101), its another story. I tire out quickly with ANY .357 magnum load in a light revolver with small grip.
Coltdriver
Member
My .357 weighs 45 ounces and the 158's are as easy as the 125's. I have not tried a 180 yet but I bet it is manageable.
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