.357 Loads

[Nightcrawler]

So what's the range on .357 loads? Revolver in question is a GP100, which I've decided that, lacking a .357, I need to get.

I generally like heavy bullet weights, and that stems from learning to shoot pistol on a .45. Most of the defensive loads in .357 are 125 grainers, but I've heard those have lots of flash and noise.

I like what I hear about Georgia Arms' "Deerstopper" loads. They replicate the original powerhouse .357 loads, and the GP100 is easily as strong as the old N-frame revolvers the .357 Magnum round debuted in. Must be fun to shoot, and I can't wait to try some.

But what about 180 grain and up? What's out there? I know there are a few hunting loads. Anybody handload these? Anybody make a "defensive" load using a 180grain or heavier bullet? What kind of velocity do you like?

180 grains at 1200fps or so sounds good. That's what your typical, lukewarm 10mm 180grain load is, and that generates 575 foot pounds of energy.

Your basic .45 Super 230 grain load pushes the bullet to 1150 feet per second, which beats the 180/1200. Is there a .357 load comparable to that? 200+ grain bullet at 1200+ FPS?

 

[GW45]

I know Cor-Bon makes 180gr and 200gr .357 Mag loads, shot them in the Blackhawk - that was fun.

Trying to load some .357 Mag with heavy bullets - just can't get the time.

I know there are 158gr PD loads out there - have some on my ammo cabinet - just have to go home and look and see what they are.

I have the GP100 with a 6" bbl also, haven't tried the heavy loads in it. Mostly 158gr Winchester and PMC.

If I find any 158gr PD - I'll post who they are and the vel on them.

 

[mtnbkr]

I use 180gr bullets in my handloads. In my 4" GP100, I get 1200fps without stressing the gun at all. I've used 2400 and H110 to get this performance. WESHOOT2 can give more info.

Also, check out www.sixgunner.com and look for Paco Kelly's articles. He has a good article or two on heavy 357 loads.

Chris

 

[foghornl]

Don't have the specs, but my defense load of choice in my Vaquero is the Speer Gold Dot in 158 Gr. [I know, I know "...A single-action for defense... ? ? ? ? ?...."

(The Vaquero is the only 357 I have) "....I NEED a GP-100...Waaaaaaaaaaaahhhh.....":banghead:

 

[Jim March]

The deerstoppers were designed to punch too deep for bipeds. It's a quadruped load. Humans are bipeds.

The best heavyweight personal defense loads are anything based on the 158grain Gold Dot. Proload's version, or the CCI, whatever. That thing is gaining a very good reputation for reliable expansion, which is unusual for a heavy 357 slug.

 

[mec]

Recent corbon data from ruger da s

Load VEL Energy 2.25 Vel Energy 4†Vel Energy 6â€
110 JHP 1466 525 1635 653 1725 726

125 JHP 1357 511 1513 635 1526 646

140 JHP 1225 416 1355 570 1388 599

180 Soft Point 1142 521 1287 662
1370 750

200 Truncated Cone not shot sp101 1265 710 1307 710

 

[braindead0]

180gr XTP - 15gr LilGun, 1400+ FPS (only got one chrony reading, before shooting my chrony with this load ;-).

Hot hot hot...GP100 handles it without a whimper, don't think I's shoot this in much else.

 

[Thirties]

mtnbkr,

Thanks so much for posting Paco Kelly's link: http://www.sixgunner.com/paco/Default.htm

I looked at his material and found two pieces where he explains a quiet load for the centerfire rifle.

Powder Profiles -Introduction & Bullseye

Powder Profiles - Bullseye & Clays

Look around in there for more good stuff . . .


That's something I've been looking for . . . none of the reloading books ever talk about silent loads. Most posts in gun forums never want to have silent loads.

In these articles is also one where he explains the "flying ashtray" load in a .38 special. He doesn't use the term flying ashtray, but he explains the hollow base wadcutter loaded with the hollow base forward like a big ol' hollow point. These are known as flying ashtrays for good reason. He explains this load in the article called Favorite Loadings (not no.2) look down at the section on ".38 special and .357" in that article.

This guy Paco is my man! I'm going to buy his CD Book (order form at that web site).

Wow, you made my day!!!

 

[mtnbkr]

You're welcome. He's a great writer and shooter. Apparently, he has worked with some companies doing ammo and pressure testing. Find the "back issues" section, you can download old articles he's written as well.

Chris

 

[mikey357]

...err, Jim, I BELIEVE that the Ga. Arms' "Deerstoppers" ARE loaded with 158-gr. "Gold Dots"...let me know if my recollection is faulty...could be....mikey357

 

[Kilgor]

Georgia Arms .357 magnum Deerstopper is indeed a 158 grain Golddot at 1,475 fps from a 6" barrel.

www.georgia-arms.com

 

[Slow]

It depends what you want the .357 for.... For self defense get a 158 grain JHP in Speer, Georgia Arms,Winchester (Silver tips ok as are 140 Grain Corbons) just get larger than 125 Grain. My GP100's like bigger bullets. If it is to be used for hunting Whitetails etc. then I can't recommend heartily enough Winchester Partition Gold Supremes 180 Grain. I took a large doe this past Fall at 63 yds. ... One shot and it dropped like a rock!