Best .357 Magnum Defense Loads?

Right now seems a poor time to be choosy. Honestly, if it's a 125gr jhp, it'll do. Get what's on the shelf.

Winchester Silvertips 145gr. STHP are very good intermediate rounds.

Not sure if you know what you want. The 1,400 to 1,450 fps 125 gr JHP IS the maximum full power load from the big ammo companies and has the reputation as the no. 1 stopping power handgun round from a 4" service revolver. Frankly any .357 mag JHP load is more than adequate for self defense. Personally I use the Remington Golden Sabers which is loaded to a medium velocity of 1,200 + fps that is a lot more potent than any .38 spl load or any other .357 mag 125gr JHP loaded to full power but expect lots of muzzle blast and flash.

Water-Man said:

Winchester Silvertips 145gr. STHP are very good intermediate rounds.

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I agree, I really like the 145gr Winchester Silvertips too. It's even my favorite load in my M640.

The 38+p loads are a good balance of power,shot recovery ,flash & somewhat easier on the ears . Indoors the noise is precieved to be `bout the same.

I load my SD ammo with a HP 358156 that weighs 152gr. over 4.8 gr CLAYS.
in a 357 case , they chrony at 1100-1150 fps, they do very well in soaking sand.

If you dont want to use the master blaster 125's from Remington or Federal, then I would say use the Remington 158 grn sjhp in the green /yellow box.
This is an awesome round in itself. It is less in recoil and still will get the job done.
Silvertips are a good option also.

125's are a hoot to shoot, but do give that Magnum blast. If you are looking to reduce that somewhat, then the advice above on the 140gr bullets is a good choice. I haven't tried the Silver tips yet, but the Hornady 140gr XTP do just over 1300 fps from my 3" SP101, that's over 529 ft-lbs. 6" runs 1425 fps. These are full power loads.

Buffalo bore makes a 'standard load' using a 140gr bullet as well with just a little less blast and velocity. They ran 1200 and 1330 fps from the 3" and 6".

I personally like the heavier grain bullets. I'm in the process of developing my own load with 140gr Hornady JHPs. Until then I carry the Remington 158gr SJHPs.

Let me tell you my experience with the Winchester 145gr SilverTips, as I used them for deer hunting for a few years. First deer I shot was hit in the spine and went down, which allowed me to walk up and finish it off. With the 2nd deer, I was in my tree stand in the morning when I heard another hunters shot. A deer approached me with a bad hind leg and proceeded to lay down beneath me about 25 feet away. I figured I would put it down for the hunter who had shot it, and shot it in the back angling down into the chest with my 6" M686. At the shot, the deer got up and hobbled off. Couldn't believe it. Anyways, in the afternoon I was hunting nearby with my shotgun when a limping deer comes along. So, I shot it and took it home. Field dressing it showed that it had a mushroomed .357 caliber bullet in the fat and gristle which never penetrated into the chest cavity. I quit hunting with them after that. YMMV, but the lack of penetration with that load turned me off from ever considering using it for serious work. Just MHO.

Don

I've had the exact opposite experiences hunting hogs with the Silvertips.

I'm a silvertip fan, myself. That's what's in my model 13 currently. I am reminded, however, of a quote attributed to Clint Smith roughly along the lines of "if it's hollow on one end and says '.357' on the other, you're probably OK".

Yes, a good load for a 13.

I load mine with Monarch 158 gr SJP bought from Academy. That should be enough to blow through 14 inches of flesh and bones at 7 yds or closer.

I don't know. They're making animals, two and four legged, tougher these days, aren't they?

not the watered down "short barrel" loads either...a 125 grain, 1450 fps load would be preferred

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You might want to look at Buffalo Bore. Their "watered down short barrel load" shows their 125g JHP at 1,445 fps from a 4" Mountain Gun, just what you asked for.

I prefer their 158 grain load which I can confirm is dead on for velocity when put over the chrono in my own guns, just like everything I have ever bought from them. And it really is low flash, controllable recoil as advertised. The only thing I would caution on is (at least on my last order) they used a semi-jacketed hollow point for the 158 grain instead of the JHP shown in the picture if that is something you would object to.

LouisianaGunner12 said:

I've been carrying my 686 4" loaded with .38 Special +P, but I'd like to move up carrying .357 Magnum ammo in it. I practice a lot with .357 anyway, so it would be smarter.

I'd like to carry a load that isn't so hot that follow up shots are difficult, but not the watered down "short barrel" loads either (not any better than .38 +p, IMHO). A 125 grain, 1450 fps load would be preferred, but not the "barn burner" loads. Something with the stopping power that the .357 Mag is known for.

.357 carriers, what ammo do you use? What would be a reasonable load for a 4" 686?

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Actually it would NOT be smarter at all. I use 10x25 and my fav defensive load is Federal 180gr JHPs at about 1100fps which is about equal to .40S&W loadings.

In a self defense situation, my idea is that I DO NOT want a pass through, but as much 'energy dump' as I can get. Therefore, I'd use light, fast, JHP's made by a good manufacturer. I'd have to think that, absent armor or some such, that you'd get plenty of penetration to be effective-QUICKLY-which is what you want.

I've used them on small vermin and seen what they do.

I keep my 4-inch GP100 loaded with .357 Golden Sabers.

The 158 bonded gold dots are my choice. Outstanding performer. TNToutdoors did some great ballistic testing on them on youtube.

Why would someone use a hollowpoint on a deer anyways? Soft point, I repeat, SOFT POINTs all the way. Save the hollowpoints for bad guys and varmints

Here is some data that might help you.
It's the muzzle energy from a 4" barrel:

Rem. Golden Saber 125g = 413 ft.lbs.
Blazer 3542 JHP 158g = 464
Win. PDX1 125g = 487
Fed. Hydra-shok 158g = 494
Sellier & Bellot soft-point 158g = 500
Fed. Hydra-shok 130g = 511
Corbon JHP 140g = 525
Speer Gold Dot 158g = 535
Rem. P&R 158g = 535
Win. Silvertip 145g = 535
Win. Super-X 158g = 535
Corbon JHP 125g = 544
Rem. P&R 125g = 583
Rem. UMC 125g = 583
Win. Super-X 125g = 583
Speer Gold Dot 125g = 584

The data is from the various maker's websites.


And just for a comparison, here are some .38 Special +P muzzle energy numbers, from a 4" barrel:

Speer Gold Dot 125g = 248
Win. Super-X 125g = 248
Win. Silvertip 125g = 248
Fed. Hydra-shok 129g = 258
Win. PDX1 130g = 260
Rem. Golden Saber 125g = 264
Win. Super-X lead semi-wadcutter HP 158g = 278

I hope this helps.

Easy

Here is some data that might help you.
It's the muzzle energy from a 4" barrel:

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Muzzle energy is merely a calculation involving bullet mass and velocity. Have to laugh when guys say "I want the bullet to not exit so that it expends all the muzzle energy". When dealing with flesh and bone, it's all about penetration and destruction. If a bullet fails to penetrate, it fails, period, and it doesn't matter what the E=1/2mv^2 number is. Just MHO.

Don