Best self defense .357 ammo?

[Gary A]

BrownsFans - I have had pretty good experiences with the Blazer 158 HP for a fairly mild and accurate range load. It isn't much of a hollow point these days, more of a dimple, but the price is usually good and CCI claims it to be about 1150 fps from a 4 inch barrel which is about 85 fps less than claimed for most 158 grain loads. I haven't chronographed it but recoil suggests it is less hotly loaded than S&B (hot) or MagTech, or certainly the premium loads like HydraShok, etc. It usually doesn't extract quite as well, no doubt due to the aluminum cases.

 

[Browns Fan]

Does Blazer make 125 gr or lighter? Thanks, Gary.

 

[Gary A]

Browns Fan - It only comes in one loading of 158 grains according to their website. I've never seen anything else. Check them out at the following:
http://www.cci-ammunition.com
Good luck. Gary

 

[mustang45]

geeze folks

Your hearing will go bye bye if you shoot .357 magnum inside the house. It is super loud. I am not even sure if you can stand straight after the first shot due to the loud effect of the noise.

I think a .38 special in hollow point will do. I never have to use a gun inside the house so I can't tell how loud it will be but I had to use guns outside in the farm to take out foxes and racoons before I ruin the hens. I couldn't believe how loud .357 magnum was. The horse almost kicked me to the ground. My ears rung for 2 weeks. Luckily, it was winter and I had some ear protection for the weather and that eliminate any possible permanent damage to my ear.

I suggest a super slow moving .45 acp for in door. It is slow but it will kill most 2 legs creature within 2 shots.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've shot .357 in the house without ear protection, and once from inside a pickup truck (don't ask, it's not nearly as interesting as it sounds). Sure your ears ring for awhile, and I wouldn't recommend it as a regualr practice, but it's not that horrible and far from disabling. Plus, if I'm shooting my .357 inside now, the least of worries is how's my hearing going to be after this. Not sure how the .45acp compares with the 357 in the decibel dept, but I'm betting it's no slouch. Now how it compares in the stopping power dept...There's a thread that could go on forever.

 

[foghornl]

My only .357Mag is a Sheriff's Model (very short barrel) Ruger Vaquero. Best Load I have found so far is the Speer 158 Gr Gold Dot.