Fly Navy
Member
I just bought a Ruger GP-100 Stainless with 4" barrel. It's GORGEOUS. That being said, what's a good defensive load for a 4" .357 Magnum? I currently use Ranger-T in my 9mm and my .40. Any opinions?
.357 Defensive Load
- Thread starter Fly Navy
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P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
I tend to favor the CorBon 140 grain JHP offering but - to be honest - there is one heck of a lot of choice out there. 
Preacherman
Member
My standard .357 load is the Winchester 145gr. Silvertip JHP. I would go with P95's recommendation of the 140gr. Cor-Bon as being equally good. To my mind, these "mid-weight" loads have the best of both worlds: enough velocity to ensure reliable expansion, and enough weight to give adequate penetration.
axeman_g
Member
recomendation
I think you would like reading this. I have a 3" gp100 and love it. I find Mr Camps reviews very insightful.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Range Evaluation - Ruger GP100.htm
I think you would like reading this. I have a 3" gp100 and love it. I find Mr Camps reviews very insightful.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Range Evaluation - Ruger GP100.htm
bpisler
Member
I have PMC 150gr 357mag starfires in my 3"65-3,easy to shoot and very accurate.I don't have a carry load for my 4" 586 yet,the starfires were not really accurate.I will be trying the 145gr silvertips,158gr gold dots and 140 and 158gr XTP's.
I'll use which ever is most accurate.
I'll use which ever is most accurate.
jeff-10
Member
It is almost impossible to find a 357 magnum hollow point made my a reputable manufacturer that wouldn't be more than sufficient for self defense. That being said the 125gr hollow points from the big ammo companies have been known for decades as being top notch rounds. Some people will tell you they tear up revolvers faster or have more muzzle flash than the heavier ones but its not something I would worry about. Especially with a 4 inch Ruger.
Kamicosmos
Member
I run 158 grain SP or HP through my Desert Eagle Mark I, Taurus 669, and SP101.
DHart
Member
I'm with Preacherman... Winchester 145 gr. Silvertip HP... hot but not too hot, fast enough to expand, heavy enough to penetrate. Most likely easier on the gun (and the shooter) than full-house 125 gr. maggies as well. An excellent choice.
sm
member
Win 145 STHP
Fiocchi 357E
Fiocchi 357E
EghtySx
Member
I keep a 6" Colt Python on my nightstand loaded with 130gr Federal Hydrashocks
CTI1USNRET
Member
Hey Fly Navy, I used to fly with VQ-2 out of Souda Bay over the FRY in the mid 90's. I was one of the guys in the back (position 17). Had a heck of a good time in Xania between flights.
When I carry my Ruger SP-101 it's loaded with 158 gr JSP. My brother uses this bullet for deer hunting with good results. From his 6½" Blackhawk at 25 yards it completely penetrates unless it's a quartering shot and then the bullet ends up just under the opposite hide showing good expansion. Outa my 3" SP-101 the wide meplat should do the job whether it expands or not.
When I carry my Ruger SP-101 it's loaded with 158 gr JSP. My brother uses this bullet for deer hunting with good results. From his 6½" Blackhawk at 25 yards it completely penetrates unless it's a quartering shot and then the bullet ends up just under the opposite hide showing good expansion. Outa my 3" SP-101 the wide meplat should do the job whether it expands or not.
158gr. Gold Dot JHP. It comes "pre-expanded" compared to the cavity on an auto round.
180gr. Winchester Partition Gold
"WW's .357 Magnum PG JHP penetrated 17 inches of ballistic gelatin when launched at 1,000 fps from a 4-inch Ruger GP 100."
OUCHIE!
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For home and city carry, I used 38+P ammo with a 158 grain lead SWC-HP bullet. Some call it the old FBI load. This was in .357 (model 19 S&W 4" barrel, ruger gp-100 4" barrel and sp-101 2.5" barrel) and 38 revolvers. Properly placed, this ammo will do about as well as anything else IMHO. The key is shot placement with adequate penetration. I'd be comfortable with one of the better 140-160 grain jacketed bullets in 38+P loading IF quality gelatin testing showed consistent, predictable expansion and reasonable penetration.
My reasoning for 38+P vs. .357mag was mainly control (much faster repeat shots due to less recoil and easier shot placement) and, to a lesser degree, noise/blast control. Firing a .357 indoors is a quick way to permanent hearing damage IMO, not that 38 specials are good for the ears, but magnum pistol rounds are real "bell-ringers" indoors. Magnum level muzzle flash is also a problem.
There has to be at least one contrarian in every group
My reasoning for 38+P vs. .357mag was mainly control (much faster repeat shots due to less recoil and easier shot placement) and, to a lesser degree, noise/blast control. Firing a .357 indoors is a quick way to permanent hearing damage IMO, not that 38 specials are good for the ears, but magnum pistol rounds are real "bell-ringers" indoors. Magnum level muzzle flash is also a problem.
There has to be at least one contrarian in every group
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tbeb
Member
I would use the .357 magnum Winchester Silvertip 145 gr. JHP. If I wanted a load with less recoil (actually a lot less) then I'd use the .38 special+P Federal or Remington or Winchester 158 gr. lead hollowpoint.
DHart
Member
The 158 gr Gold Dot is an excellent cartridge, but the construction of the 158 gr. Gold Dot is tougher than lighter weight Gold Dots because it's designed more for hunting. It's designed to not expand too readily, but to penetrate deeply in game. It's a very good choice for game with tougher hide than we humans have because it won't open up too readily. This would make it a good choice if your adversary is wearing many layers of heavy clothing, as might be expected during a very cold winter.
But when your adversary is human and most likely wearing light clothing, the 158 gr. Gold Dot is likely to underexpand and over penetrate. In this scenario, the 145 gr. Silvertip is more likely to expand well and provide deep penetration.
The 125 gr. Gold Dot and other 125 gr. JHP's would be expected to expand even more and penetrate less. Ditto in spades for the very light 110 gr. JHP's. The lighter .357 loads are also harder on the forcing cone of your guns.
Penetration is more important than expansion. But ideally you will have good expansion and deep penetration. But there are many other variables which you cannot control or forsee. Like having to penetrate limbs before your bullet reaches the vitals. Or having to penetrate heavy or leather clothing. This is where the mid to heavier weight bullets have great advantage and the fast lightweight bullets can fail miserably.
For these reasons, I think the mid-weight 145 gr. Silvertip is the ideal defense load.
This isn't to say that the 158 gr. Gold Dot is a poor choice... it would be my close second choice after the 145 gr. And of course, I'd not like to be on the receiving end of any of these .357 loads!
But when your adversary is human and most likely wearing light clothing, the 158 gr. Gold Dot is likely to underexpand and over penetrate. In this scenario, the 145 gr. Silvertip is more likely to expand well and provide deep penetration.
The 125 gr. Gold Dot and other 125 gr. JHP's would be expected to expand even more and penetrate less. Ditto in spades for the very light 110 gr. JHP's. The lighter .357 loads are also harder on the forcing cone of your guns.
Penetration is more important than expansion. But ideally you will have good expansion and deep penetration. But there are many other variables which you cannot control or forsee. Like having to penetrate limbs before your bullet reaches the vitals. Or having to penetrate heavy or leather clothing. This is where the mid to heavier weight bullets have great advantage and the fast lightweight bullets can fail miserably.
For these reasons, I think the mid-weight 145 gr. Silvertip is the ideal defense load.
This isn't to say that the 158 gr. Gold Dot is a poor choice... it would be my close second choice after the 145 gr. And of course, I'd not like to be on the receiving end of any of these .357 loads!
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Mannlicher
Member
In the .357, my defense load of choice is my own stuff, with the 146 grain Speer swchp and SR4756 powder. I have been shooting that load for probably 35 years or so.
For factory loads, I like the 158 grain HydraShock and the Georgia Arms loading with the 158 grain Gold Dot.
For factory loads, I like the 158 grain HydraShock and the Georgia Arms loading with the 158 grain Gold Dot.
Jeff Timm
Member
Another vote for the 145 Winchester Silvertip, for a light bullet the 125 gr Remington.
R357M1 Remington® Express™
125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point
4" Vented barrell
1450 ft per second Muzzle Velocity
583 ft/lb Energy at the Muzzle
Geoff
Who doesn't feel totally disarmed with six of either in his Security-Six 4" HB.
R357M1 Remington® Express™
125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point
4" Vented barrell
1450 ft per second Muzzle Velocity
583 ft/lb Energy at the Muzzle
Geoff
Who doesn't feel totally disarmed with six of either in his Security-Six 4" HB.
Fly Navy
Member
Well, looks like I'll try some Winchester Silvertips then
I wonder why Winchester makes a Ranger-T load in .38 Special, but not .357 Magnum.
I wonder why Winchester makes a Ranger-T load in .38 Special, but not .357 Magnum.
Cosmoline
Member
I go with 180 grain federals or cor-bons. I'm not even sure if Federal is still making their load, but I really like it. I have no confidence that little 125 grain bullets are going to be able to drop a 250 lb. Alaskan with winter clothing on. Indeed I know of one case where such a round from a .357 Sig. simply bounced around in a large man's fat layer. A few stitches and some antibiotics and he was fine.
Fly Navy
Member
Well, winter clothing isn't much to worry about down here, especially since it's getting warm again. But I'll definitely keep that in mind if I move somewhere cold again (originally from Massachusetts).
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