.357 ammo, economy versus cheap

[fjlee]

I'll soon be buying some .357 ammo.....125 grain, for 4 inch Ruger GP100.

I'm _NOT_ interested in .38 ammunition.

This will _NOT_ be SD or hunting ammo, it'll be for plinking, informal target, and breaking in a new Ruger.

Low velocity/low recoil is fine.

Reasonably clean burning, and average accuracy is hoped for.

Low priced stuff I see is Blazer, Wolf, American Eagle. I know there are others. Is this type ammo to be avoided? Which of these are the worst?

What are some good, low to medium velocity 125 grain cartridges in .357, that would be considered "economy"....?

I need some stuff to tide me over til I get the rest of my reloading equipment up and running. Then I'll be "rolling my own"..........

FJ Lee

 

[pwrtool45]

Blazer is fine, but since you're reloading the aluminum cases are wasted. Never used Wolf in a revolver. AE is Federal's line of "inexpensive" practice ammo. I've seen it most commonly used as range ammo by various PDs; never seen much of it used otherwise. It shoots fine.

In addition to the manufacturers you mention, Miwall makes inexpensive plinking ammo which is usually somewhat downloaded. In the case of the 125gr .357, it's a good bit downloaded (1250fps instead of 1450fps).

http://www.outdoormarksman.com/product_info.php?cPath=65_1_10&products_id=475

Don't think I've used their ammo, but it has a respectable reputation. I have ordered from ODM before and didn't have a problem.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't like the Aluminum Blazer ammo because even though they claim it's the same as the Brass stuff, the recoil is a lot less than anything else I've shot. IMO, the recoil feels like a .38 +P round and that's not good if you want to practice multiple shots. You will not get the same effect from the Blazer ammo that you will with any other "normal" .357 round.

I buy Remington UMC .357 Mag JSP ammo either in the 100 round box or the 250 round value pack. When I buy .38 Sp ammo I also buy Remington UMC in the 100 or 250 round value pack. That ammo is 130 gr JSP. Think that ammo is the best for practice because it's usually the cheapest factory loaded ammo but it's still high quality. When I want 158 gr .357 ammo I buy Independence 158 gr JSP ammo. The price is a little higher than the Remington but Rem. doesn't have 158 gr ammo in their UMC line. The Remington Express stuff is too expensive for practice.

I buy Remington UMC ammo when it's on sale by the case too because Dick's sometimes runs good sales when you buy a full case.

 

[115grfmj]

Sellier & bellot

makes a 158gr jsp, that my 686+ likes, also a 4"er. Does about 1400fps at the muzzle. My 1894c likes it too, pretty accurate, 2" at 100yds. Costs about 13 bucks a box. really good reloadable brass too.