.357 ammo question (search feature is broken)

[hyphen]

hey all, i tried searching the forum (as i'm sure that there are numerous threads on this topic) but i think the feature is broken atm. i keep hanging at a blank screen.

anyhow, i'm picking up my GP on tuesday and plan on picking up ammo and a cleaning kit there. question is, what would you recommend for relatively inexpensive (but not cheap) .357mag ammo? i'd specifically like to fire .357 so i can get accustomed to the recoil. i mean, should the event arise that i need to use it at home i want to know what to expect.

i'll pick up two types, one for SD and one for the range...question is, i don't know what's best for either. what grain for what application, what brand and what type of bullet?

it's my understanding that lead bullets create a mess and jhp would be too expensive for the range. should i be aiming for fmj? oh yeah, did i mention that i'm not at all familiar with ammo?

 

[rcmodel]

I'd suggest you burn up some plain old .38 Spl. LRN ammo learning to shoot your new gun.

If you try to learn starting with full-power .357, you will quickly learn some bad habits that will require vast quantities of .38 Spl later to break.

Any name brand .357 JHP is good for SD use. But don't blow your bank account, and your nerves, trying to learn to shoot well with it.

Lead bullets are a little dirtier then jacketed bullets due to the bullet lube, but it cleans off easily.

Don't get hung up over it and miss out on some very good cheap practice ammo.


rcmodel

 

[ArchAngelCD]

To start out go with .38 Special ammo like rcmodel said.

Later on since you are new to shooting a snub nose try to buy practice and SD ammo that will feel the same when you shoot it.

Something like Remington UNC .357 Magnum practice ammo and Remington Golden Saber ammo for SD. You can do the same thing with Federal American Eagle for practice and Federal Hydra-Shok for SD. Speer, Winchester and other companies have similar combinations.

 

[BikerRN]

WalMart has Remington UMC 38 Special 125 Grain +P SJHP's that work well out of a "snubbie". They also have 357 Magnum 125 Grain SJHP's that work well for defense. Both of these are 100 round Val-U-Packs.

I agree with the other posters, shoot a lot of 38 Special or 357 Magnum "Cowboy" loads as they are "softer" than 357 Magnum defensive loads.

Personally I don't shoot 357 Magnum out of J-Frame guns, I find it hurts too much.

Biker

 

[Fumbler]

Federal American Eagle 158gr JSP is a nice plinking load that is cheap.
Winchester white box or Remington UMC is good.

Word of advice, don't get 110gr bullets. Shooting a lot of very light and extremely fast ammo can cause gas cutting on the underside of the top strap where the cylinder/barrel gap is. It can also cause excess erosion at the forcing cone.
Also, a 110gr HP bullet going at 357 mag velocities will tend to fall apart and won't penetrate enough to hit vitals.

I say pick a 125 or 158 gr plinking ammo and the same weight self defense ammo, that way the recoil will be the same and the point of impact will be the same or close. Using similar practice and self defense ammo is a good thing.

There're lots of good hollow point self defense ammo in 357. Pick something in 125 or 158gr such as Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Sabre/Golden Sabre Bonded, Federal HST or Hydrashock, Hornady XTP. XTPs tend to penetrate more than the others, so you'd probably want to stick with 125gr in those bullets...unless you expect to run into really fat bad guys.
Just stick with the major ammo brands and just about anything will be good.

If you find that 357 recoil is too much then get some 38 Special +P self defense loads.

I agree with the others, if you've never shot 357 then pick up a box of 38 Special first. It'll let you get acquainted with the gun. After that, a box or two of 357 will get you used to the recoil. A few range trips and you should be shooting full power 357 with no problems.

I used to think 357 kick a bunch...til I got my 480.

 

[DWARREN123]

It's a GP so probably 4 or 6 inch barrel. I would go for 158gr ammo, 38 spl for the first box then a standard 357 158gr JHP ammo to get the feel for it. The GP really tames recoil.
It is a good revolver platform and the trigger will improve with use, stick some snap caps in it and set and use the trigger while watching TV.

 

[Quoheleth]

"cheap" .357

Cheap is relative. I have better luck at my local Academy Sports - CCI Blazer (aluminum) and house-brand Monarch is between $15-18/box (of 50). Both are JHPs, so if your gun shoots them well, you could use them as SD. My GP likes both, so I keep that around. I have a box of Remington (not UMC) 158s that's in the trunk to try out, but that was over $40 at Wal-Mart (box of 100). I also have a box of .38spcl Winchester USA on my table - picked it up earlier - that's about $38 or so also from WalMart.

I would suggest using the telephone and call around - ask what places have for target and plinking ammo in both .38 and .357. Use the 'net to price-shop. Remember - if you order on-line, you pay out the nose for shipping. You'll be surprised how heavy a box of 50 rounds is!!! And US Post Office won't ship ammo, so you can't do the "all you can stuff into this box for $10" shipping rate.

ANyhow, enjoy the GP. Great gun. Love mine - in fact, because of it, I'm seriously considering switching from autos to revolvers. Seems to just "work" better for me!

Q

 

[Gary A]

Fumbler, I totally agree about the negatives of light, extremely fast ammo. However, many current factory loads at 110 grains are light but not extremely fast. Winchester white box 110 loads are spec'd at 1295 fps from a 4 inch barrel and Remington (which "feels" a bit hotter) is spec'd the same. I have a hard time believing these loads are particularly hard on guns. CorBon, on the other hand, has a traditional JHP at 110 grains spec'd at 1500 fps from a 4 inch barrel. I think that is the power and weight range you are talking about.

 

[hyphen]

i guess the general consensus is that firing some .38 to start is good, and im not going to contest that. i think it just means that i'll have to shop around.

i had a question on what role grain plays in ammo? i expect that more grains means more power.. what application would the 180gr buffalo bore rounds be applied to?

 

[Haywood]

All I shoot out of my SP101 DAO is full house 357s. I have never shot a 38spl. out of it. The Sp101 is the best Five shooter to handle the 357 because of its heft and its excellent grips.
Wait a minute, I'm sorry, If you are not used to 357 recoil you my want to start out with 38s. I seem to forget how long I have been addicted to the 357.

 

[hyphen]

i'm not really sure what to expect as far as recoil is concerned really. i think it's a little foolish of me to buy a gun without actually firing it, but i have a gut feeling that this gun is for me, i could tell from when i first held it.

i have fired up to .40 (the springfield XD) in handgun caliber but something tells me that the .357 will pack more of a wallop than that.

i forgot to mention that my girlfriend will also probably let loose a few rounds. she's not frail, but shes also not used to firing guns. any precautionary words i should give her?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

i had a question on what role grain plays in ammo? i expect that more grains means more power.. what application would the 180gr buffalo bore rounds be applied to?

A heavier bullet will produce more felt recoil but I'm not sure what you mean by "power." A 180gr bullet is more suited for hunting than Self Defense. A heavier bullet will translate into more energy being transfered to a target but that also has it's limit since a heavier bullet will drop faster and lose velocity quicker. The classic SD .357 round is a 125gr bullet. Many like to carry a round with a 158gr bullet because of the energy transfer I spoke of although at SD ranges a 125gr bullet will also hit very hard because of it's high velocity. (over 200 fps faster than a 158gr bullet)

I'm no expert and some of what I said isn't technically correct but does relate the general idea.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

If you don't mind frequent cleanings to avoid lead fouling, go with 158gr lead semi-wadcutters for both defense and target use. Remington 158gr.JSP also works well for dual usage. 125gr .38 Special +P wouldn't be a bad choice either.

 

[hyphen]

ah okay, so grain refers to the weight of the bullet and not the actual black powder. i was under the impression that black powder was measured in grains, hence why i thought the higher the grain meant the higher the "power". and by power i meant velocity. this stuff is really new to me so please excuse the ignorance.

another question, i read that i should clean after every trip to the range but some people say you can clean less frequently? i don't mind the cleaning but i'd like to know how often i should do it.

 

[AZ_Rebel]

"Grain" is a unit of weight = to .002285 ounce. There are 7000 grains to a pound. Both bullets and powder are measured in grains.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Remington UMC 125 gr JSP is NOT a round I'd recommend for starting out... its HOT stuff from a snubby, hotter still from a full sized revolver.

Federal (as American eagle), Winchester (White box), Remington (UMC), Wolf, Privi Partizan all have inexpensive 38 special ammo... I don't like the 38 special FMJ stuff, you should consider lead wadcutters or semiwadcutters in 38 special (148-158 gr bullet) before moving up to the more powerful .357 ammo.

 

[hyphen]

it's a 4" barrel, for what it's worth. not sure if that's considered a snubbie or not, but i thought snubs were 3" and below.

 

[rcmodel]

i forgot to mention that my girlfriend will also probably let loose a few rounds. she's not frail, but shes also not used to firing guns. any precautionary words i should give her?

You both will need some high quality ear protection.

The .357 Mag makes a lot of very loud, high-intensity noise, and ear damage will result if you are not wearing ear-plugs or muffs.

Most people will find the noise & muzzle blast of a .357 more objectionable then the recoil.


rcmodel

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I kinda like the recoil but I'm told I'm a little strange at times!! LOL

BUT, be very careful with your hearing and eyes when shooting ANY gun, especially high powered handguns. Once you loose either you can't get them back.

 

[TYY]

Here's my advice (as a fellow angelino with a 4" GP):

Get a bunch the cheapest 38 ammo you can get- I get reloads in bulk at the glendale gun show (used to be $60/500, last show was quite a bit more). This is great for improving your shooting skills. Lots of shooting, little recoil or cost.

My pick in target "full power" 357 loads is magtech. Its about $18 a box. I have 125 and 158 grainers- though I mostly shoot 158 as its easier on the gun. The 158 thump a little more which is good for practicing quick follow up shots.

I keep my GP in the nightstand loaded with 125 gold dots. The 125 gr 357 loading is pretty legendary when it comes to stopping a man, and the gold dots are known as reliable expanders that stay together very well.

 

[hyphen]

so i picked up my wheelgun today and i'm anxious to let some fly this weekend. i picked up 2 boxes, .38 130gr remington fmj. also got a box of fiocchi 142gr .357, also fmj. i figure ill pick up the gold dots from the range to take home. i also wanted to get a speed loader but it totally slipped my mind because i was in a rush to get back to work.

i asked for some 158gr but he said that they were all out total came out to around $30ish, topped off with a cleaning kit for $12 or so.

heres a pic (sorry about the crappy quality)

 

[Fumbler]

Yall are paying too much for 357.
Dick's sporting goods has Federal Americal Eagle 158gr JSP for $14/box.
Better yet, learn to reload and get Hornady XTPs for $8/50rds.

CorBon, on the other hand, has a traditional JHP at 110 grains spec'd at 1500 fps from a 4 inch barrel. I think that is the power and weight range you are talking about.

Yup

i had a question on what role grain plays in ammo? i expect that more grains means more power.. what application would the 180gr buffalo bore rounds be applied to?

Factory 357 ammo comes between 110-180gr (bullet weight).
The most popular weights are 125 and 158gr.

In general, emphasis on in general:
-the lighter the bullet the higher the velocity
-light bullets + high velocity = lots of expansion but little penetration
-heavy bullets = more penetration (almost regardless of the velocity)
-heavy bullets are used mainly for hunting.
-heavy bullets will "shoot higher" than lighter bullets in handguns. This is because the recoil of heavier bullets moves the gun's muzzle higher before the bullet exits the muzzle. This is also why it's important to pick practice ammo that is similar in bullet weight and velocity to your self defense ammo.

Nice gun, you'll love it

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Hmmm... I had a Dan Wesson Model 15 that CONSISTANTLY shot 4 inches HIGHER with 110gr Super-Vel ammo than with Remington 158grJSP ammo. I agree about practicing with what you will use, regardless of the application.

 

[Fumbler]

In general, emphasis on in general

Some lighter loads may shoot higher.
If you load max loads in 110 and 180 gr then you should see a difference, with the 180 shooting higher.
It's obviously not always the case. If you take a max 110gr load and a very slow 180gr load then the 110 may be higher because the recoil in the 110gr load may be higher. That seems like what you noticed in your gun.
Factory 158gr loads aren't known to be loaded hot.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Agreed. I'm not arguing with you. Just pointing out an exception.