Favorite 357 Mag Factory Load?

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Corpral_Agarn

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Now that I have purchased a sweet 357 Mag (vintage 586), I need to pick a box or two of some sweet 357 Mag ammo.

Looking for a factory load that I can get off the shelf (not reloading 357 yet).

I plan to use this for woods carry.

Suggestions?
 
I've always liked 158 gr Speer HPs, but the recent Luckygunner tests did not reflect good expansion. So I'm questioning that.
 
For woods carry, Buffalo Bore makes a wide flat point hard cast 180g. solid which would give you serious penetration.
 
What I used to carry as a duty load (not even sure they make it anymore) was the Speer 140gr JHP (the cavity was a pentagon). It was much more accurate in my 4" Python, with it's faster twist, than the 158gr slugs. The slower barreled S&W seemed to stabilize the 158gr slugs better.

There is no arguing that the 125gr JHP had a better track record of stops on the street, but it was vicious in blast and recoil...and wasn't all that accurate
 
What I used to carry as a duty load (not even sure they make it anymore) was the Speer 140gr JHP (the cavity was a pentagon). It was much more accurate in my 4" Python, with it's faster twist, than the 158gr slugs. The slower barreled S&W seemed to stabilize the 158gr slugs better.

That's the opposite of what one might expect. Faster twist rates seem to be better with heavier/longer bullets in rifles.


There is no arguing that the 125gr JHP had a better track record of stops on the street, but it was vicious in blast and recoil...and wasn't all that accurate

That probably depends on the gun and bullet. The most accurate 357 factory load I've tried from my Ruger is the Remington 125 SJHP. 24 shots in under two inches at 25 yards is hard to beat.
 
Have Four(4) primary .357 Mag. Handgun loads:

FM 158 gr. T-FP - Range
AE 158 gr. JSP - Woods
HDY 158 gr. XTP-HP - Hunting/Woods
Barnes 140 gr. XPB - Hunting




GR
How do those Barnes bullets perform? Good penetration? THey hold up when they hit bone?
 
How do those Barnes bullets perform? Good penetration? THey hold up when they hit bone?

They are energizer bunnies. Run them in my carbine as well. May lose a peddle now and then, but probably not at pistol velocities on game. At 140 gr. they are fast and hit hard, expand and retain their weight, and really burrow through.

Spendy though. Mainly use them out West, in the Soviet Provinces.

Very pleased w/ the XTP-HP at pistol velocities (6.5" BH).

The AE/JSP is a good common round for both pistol and carbine, but try to put them into the off shoulder.




GR
 
I see you are in Northern CA. I dont know what you mean by a sweet load. But if you are doing factory ammo only. I myself would carry 158gr semi wadcutter ammunition. It will work just fine for plinking, black bear or cougar if needed. And of course for the 2 legged dangers as well it will take care of. Federal 1st choice followed by Remington.
 
I have a 357 mag with a 2.75" barrel w/a 1/18.75 twist barrel. It seems to prefer a 158gr bullets over 180 ish bullets. My carry load for camping and hiking is a 158gr Hornady XTP FP with Accurate #9 or 2400, or a 140gr XTP HP with #9. I haven't found any factory ammo that I cared for in this gun.
 
I'm with the try multiple brands and bullet weights people.
I've killed one bull with a 110 jhp, so I know they work. My preferred bullet is a 158 JSP.
Sellier&Bellot makes one that did very well for me.
On a side note, doesn't CA mandate non lead bullets now?
 
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