Looking for help with 357 Mag ammo

[Desertrat357]

I recently picked up a Ruger SP-101 Wiley clapp revolver and am having a tough time decided which ammunition I want to use for carrying concealed. I like hornady's critical defense. But the Speer gold dot short barrel looks good because of the slightly heavier(135 gr) bullet. But looking at buffalo bore's offering they have quite a few to choose from. Just looking for some opinions and experiences with what you guys carry/shoot in 357. Thanks!

 

[Bezoar]

so far the only 357 magnum ammunition i use is that nice heavy 158 grain jsp in the federal champion box. its FUN and rather accurate. just makes noise.

otherwise is 38+p goodness.

 

[Desertrat357]

I agree. I'll spend most of the range time with this and some light 357 handloads. I want to have fun while I shoot it! But at 26 ozs it barely has just enough heft to make magnum rounds possible. Occasionally.

 

[moxie]

I prefer the Golden Saber 125.

Decent deal here:

http://www.ammunitiondepot.com/Remington-357-Magnum-Golden-Saber-125-Grain-Brass-p/gs357ma.htm

 

[Robert B]

Speed 125 gr .357 Mag

Product 53920. Available at SG Ammo online in 50 round boxes. My 2008 Speer catalog shows it opens at 1189 fps. Your 2.25 inch bbl will work for that. This round is a penetrator. 15-23 inches through barriers.

 

[steveracer]

Double Tap:
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=126_140&product_id=380
It used to be much cheaper, but so was .22lr back then.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I used two carry loads in my SP101, the remington golden saber which when tested out of a snubnose offered excellent perfermance, the other is the 125 gr Semi jacketed hollow point also of remington manufacture.


Although other companies make great loads , I preferred these two in my .357s for our societal problems than any other load, after the all the remington 125 gr SJHPs were hailed(as well as the equal federal load) as the One Shot Stop load in the marshal and sanow studies.

But again any quality load from the the major guys will work and work well i.e. Winchester,Federal(I count CCI/Speer with federal),Remington,maybe hornandy.

 

[PistolPete45]

158 not exclusively but 95% of what of shoot just bought some 180 semi wad cutters . I am looking forward to my next 357 reloading binge....

 

[Desertrat357]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll see what I can find on the shelves. But ideally I would like to try a few different brands and find the one that shoots closest point of impact to the point of aim.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll see what I can find on the shelves. But ideally I would like to try a few different brands and find the one that shoots closest point of impact to the point of aim.

Mine shot best with the winchester pdx1 if that helps.

 

[nathan]

Good loadings on Underwood for self defense.


http://www.underwoodammo.com/357magnum.aspx

 

[joebiker]

the real question..

should be What round can you shoot most accurately ?

Have you tried different brands, & bullet weights to determine which is your best brand/ weight for accuracy ?

What some else, or someone elss gun, shoots well may have little to do with what you can shoot accurately. A 125g. bullet @ 1400 fps or 158 gr @ 1200 fps
makes little difference if neither hits the intended target.

Up to you to try what you shoot best (most accurately) from your pistol...IMHO

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

Lately I have been shooting Fiocchi 158gr HP ammo. I can find fiocchi ammo for a little more than $20 a box of 50. Use the ammo search engines to find the best price on ammo.

 

[Water-Man]

I use Cor-Bon DPX 125gr. It's accurate, controllable and penetrates well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I carry mostly a .38 Special +P round but when I do carry a .357 Magnum round in my S&W M640 it's the Winchester 145gr Silvertip.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I usually carry Speer 158 gr gold dots in my SP-101 when out in the woods. However I really don't enjoy shooting 158 grain loads out of that gun. I want the weight though if confronted by a furry beasty.

 

[gotboostvr]

The federal half jackets in 125 and 158 grain have been great shooters in a few 357's of mine.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Please see my review of the BB short barrel low flash 140 XPB

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=729484

I really like the 140 xpb right now. I am fond of Barnes bullets and BB has never let me down with inconsistency, lack of available, or exaggerated loadings. My primary criteria for using a round is accuracy, reliability, perceived recoil, and penetration, not necessarily in that order.