First experience with 357 Magnum

[fordfan485]

Went to the range today and tried two loads of 357 mag with my S&W 686 SSR for the first time. Previously I have only shot 38 Special in this particular gun in a few IDPA matches with it back in May. So I get to the indoor range and get assigned to bay 8 which is the last one on the right , next to the wall, you can probably tell where this is going...

First cylinder I drop in some cheapo Independence 38 spl to warm up. No big deal.

Second Cylinder: Winchester White Box 110 gr JHP rated at 1295 FPS and 410 Ftlbs. Recoil is a lot stiffer than the 38 but not too bad but man was that thing loud and had a big muzzle flash.

Third Cylinder: Took it up a notch and put in 6 Federal 125 gr JHP @ 1440 FPS and 575 ft lbs. that was LOUD. I had on ear plugs rated at 32 NNR and ear muffs rated at 30NNR and i felt like I could have used more hearing protection. The recoil was intense along with a huge muzzle flash. Judging by the looks on the other shooters faces next to me they were not to happy with me. I do not think I will ever shoot 357 indoors again. First shot hurt the hand a little big since I had such a high grip on the revolver. I was possibly considering using this gun as a new nightstand gun before this trip. Now I don't ever want to shoot this thing indoors again. Cant imagine would it would be like with no hearing protection at all.

I can't imagine ever shooting these things in a J frame Airlite 357mag that must be like having someone swinging an aluminum baseball bat and you trying to catch it with your bare hand. Was thinking of in the future getting a 340pd to replace my 642. That is gun is now off my wishlist.

Ended up doing another cylinder of the WWB and 2 more cylinders of 38 spl before putting the 686 away for the day. Cant imagine what a 44mag or 500 mag would feel like.

Got to say though after messing with the 357 when I picked up my Beretta 9mm afterwards it felt like I was shooting a 22 other than the muzzle flip LOL

 

[back40]

perhaps your recoil perception has to do with the particular grip on the gun. grip comfort is a subjective thing and changing grips out can make a world of difference.

you can still use it as a nightstand gun, just load with the .38+p fbi load.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I can't imagine ever shooting these things in a J frame Airlite 357mag that must be like having someone swinging an aluminum baseball bat and you trying to catch it with your bare hand.

Yeah, that's about right.
I shot 5 rounds of the Remington version of that load from a friend's scandium (IIRC) J frame, that's enough.
IMO loads like the .38 spl +P 158 LSWC-HP ('FBI load') are far more pleasant to shoot but are still stiff enough to do the job.

 

[MCgunner]

I had an SP101 that was easy to control with a Hogue grip on it. The stock grip on it, the thing battered my middle finger. The SP101 has some beef to it, about 27 ounces. The 3", what I'll get if I ever get another, is 28 ounces. My 3" 6 shot Taurus 66 is about 34 ounces. Makes all the difference. I've fired a 340 with hot loads, came to the same conclusion, don't need one.

I've fired .357 from the Taurus's 3" barrel to kill a hog, pretty loud, but I survived it. If my life were on the line, I'd really love having that weapon in my hand. It's very powerful and very accurate and reliable. I do much prefer 3" barrels on .357s. .38s don't lose all that much from a 2", but .357s do, most especially with light bullets. I don't shoot a 125 JHP. Out of the 2" SP101, a hot 125 grain load didn't even match with my 9mm +P from my Kel Tec. The 9 makes 410 ft lbs, the SP101 was under 400 ft lbs. Moving to a 140 grain JHP, I got 550 ft lbs from the SP101 and get 600 from the Taurus, more justifies the term "magnum". I also have a 4" Taurus 66 and a Ruger Blackhawk with a 6.5" barrel. These guns with their weight, especially the Ruger, really tame the recoil. They're still loud, of course. I've taken a couple of deer with the Ruger and a 165 cast SWC over 14.5 grains of 2400. That load makes 760 ft lbs from the gun near bouts, velocity is 1470 fps.

 

[788Ham]

You'd mentioned about a 44 mag, not knowing what it would feel like. I have a S&W 629 6" revolver, took some hand loads, 240 gr., to the indoor range, only range open in winter time. I set up, put target downrange, loaded up and blazed away. WHOA ! No we'll talk about recoil and flashing blazes coming out of a revolver! HA The lady, and the guy next to me about flipped out when the first round went off, the recoil wasn't too bad, I have some Hogue grips on it. You might invest in a set of these grips, they'll make a world of difference, either 38's or 357's.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have shot the hottest factory .357 Magnum ammo and some of my own 180gr full power .357 Magnum ammo in my M686 and the recoil didn't feel all that bad in that revolver. That is one of the better revolvers for shooting full power ammo, IMO of course.

As for the 12oz J frame and full power .357 Magnum ammo, no thanks. It's not bad in a 23oz Steel J frame but the Airlites, not so much!

 

[Old Fuff]

Be sure to wire-brush clean the chambers before you shoot any more .357 cartridges, otherwise you may get some serious extraction problems. The fouling left by shorter .38 Special's can cause the dirty deed.

And consider that the performance of .357 ammunition has been reduced below what it once was. As a rule of thumb I usually don't shoot it in indoor ranges, and sometimes it's outright prohibited.

 

[MCMXI]

I have a Ruger KLCR that weighs 17oz unloaded and I find it quite pleasant to shoot Remington GS 125gr ammunition. I have a bunch of UMC 125gr SJHP and JSP which runs 230 fps faster so I plan on trying some of that. The UMC 125s are no big deal out of my SP101 but it's 10oz heavier than the KLCR.

 

[spectralman]

I've shot some Underwood 125 gr .357 mag rounds rated at 1600 fps and 711 ft-lbs out of my 4" M28-2. Even through that heavy revolver, they were a bit stout. To me, the recoil was sharper than some hot .44 mag reloads (240 gr FMJ over 14.3 gr of 800X) I've sent downrange through my 29-2.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Try some 158gr .357 loads. My brother gave me a box of CCI Blazer Brass in 158gr JHP/.357 Magnum a few years ago that were quite controllable, even from my K-frame M-19. I can't remember but I suspect I shot the last of them up in my 4" 586.

Otherwise, those full-power 125gr JHPs are quite unpleasant to shoot IME, even in a full-size steel revolver like your 686.

 

[RealGun]

So I get to the indoor range and get assigned to bay 8 which is the last one on the right , next to the wall, you can probably tell where this is going...

I have the luxury of a nearby outdoor range for my magnums and rifles. Indoor ranges are a bit of a drive, but I guess I won't take the magnums along next time I go. However, I have been close by when a S&W500 was shooting bowling pins (indoors). Electronic ear protection took care of it, and my Cabela set only cost about $35.

 

[Fiv3r]

Yeah, hottish .357 can be uncomfortable. I generally save the .357 for woods carry and load up .38 +p for general use. I really like the round for powerful controlled outdoors shooting. I have a 6.5" blackhawk that is a tackdriver. Even my sub 5" New Vaquero with old school non adjustable sights puts the rounds where I want them.

But I agree, a few cylinders of the hot stuff tames even the snappiest auto. I went from .357 in the Vaquero to basic .40 out of my FNS at my last range trip, and it felt like I was shooting a 9mm. My heavy 1911 had the recoil of a mousefart compared to the wrenching roll of .357 out of a SAA style of gun. Still, the .357 is probably my go-to round.

 

[jrdolall]

I started shooting 38 +P a couple of years ago in my Colt Trooper and have been happy with them. I have 3 guns in 38spl and only the one .357 so I consolidated a bit and rarely shoot .357 anymore. Recoil is not as bad with the .38 though it was not really that bad in the first place with this gun.

I only shoot outside but that gun is loud!

 

[Walkalong]

I do not think I will ever shoot 357 indoors again.

It's bad enough just under a cover outdoors with hearing protection, I never would never shoot one indoors without hearing protection. I'll take the low Hz boomers every time.

 

[oldbear]

Third Cylinder: Took it up a notch and put in 6 Federal 125 gr JHP @ 1440 FPS and 575 ft lbs. that was LOUD. I had on ear plugs rated at 32 NNR and ear muffs rated at 30NNR and i felt like I could have used more hearing protection. The recoil was intense along with a huge muzzle flash. Judging by the looks on the other shooters faces next to me they were not to happy with me. I do not think I will ever shoot 357 indoors again.

Welcome to the wild and wacky world of being a .357 Magnum shooter. Shooting a full .357 Magnum round is like drinking good scotch, it's some what of an acquired taste, but well worth the learning curve, and within reason will provide you with years of pleasure.

 

[shockwave]

The first time I tried shooting 158 gr .357 rounds in my 686+ I didn't want to shoot all 7 of them. About 5 was enough. Very hard recoil.

Nevertheless, this is my go-to gun when there's a bump in the night. Short of the shotgun, this is as much firepower as you can command.

 

[jad0110]

Personally, I don't find .357 recoil, even 125 grain loudenbangers, to be all that bothersome in square butt K, L and N Frame S&Ws. It is noticably stiffer in a round butt K frame as well as my Ruger Service Six. I'd say the 2 1/4" SP101 is about as light as I care to go. I've never fired .357 in a J Frame S&W. I'd consider doing it in a steel frame version, but nothing lighter.

No worry, I keep my bedside 4" 686+ loaded with the FBI Load, specifically the Remington LSWCHP +P, 158 grain. Good all around, solid peforming load for home protection. If you want to try other magnums, you might look at the Speer Gold Dot offerings, as I hear some describe them as splitting the noise and recoil difference between a .38 +P and a moderate magnum load.

As for .44 Magnum, it depends on the gun. My 4" Model 29 isn't too bad, even shooting the 240 grain Wallie World White box, which many agree is a pretty stiff load. I can manage a few cylinder fulls before I call it quits. And I think I could probably shoot a box + through my 5.5" Ruger Redhawk. I imagine .357 in that gun would feel like .38s in a 686.

 

[BYJO4]

It's amazing how recoil effects people differently. I am very recoil sensitive while I have friends that can shoot anything without any discomfort. Since I reload, I keep all my range loads on the mild target side.

 

[jim8115]

Oh Please.... my wife shoots full bore 357's from her 2 1/2 686 + all day long. Either you are holding it wrong, or you just need to shoot enough to get used to it

JIM

 

[fordfan485]

Oh Please.... my wife shoots full bore 357's from her 2 1/2 686 + all day long. Either you are holding it wrong, or you just need to shoot enough to get used to it

JIM

I was holding it wrong as I said in the original post for the first shot. It wasn't the recoil that bothered me it was the incredible loudness of the gun which was amplified by being indoors and shooting right next to a cinder block wall.

 

[jim8115]

I was holding it wrong as I said in the original post for the first shot. It wasn't the recoil that bothered me it was the incredible loudness of the gun which was amplified by being indoors and shooting right next to a cinder block wall.

Yea, they are loud , and produce a lot of concussion at an indoor range. I suspect being stuck in that little space with a wall on both sides of you, is MUCH worse than if you set it off in your bedroon

 

[smkummer]

Magnums indoors-not if I can avoid it.

Even outdoors shooting 7.62X25, full .357 or 44 magnum, I use foam and outer ear muffs. The only time I shoot full power .357 or 44 magnum is for hunting or sighting in while getting ready for hunting and that has not happened in over 7 years as Indiana now allows pistol caliber rifles. While the shock factor to the bad guy would be a bonus firing a full power .357 even if it missed the target, over penetration may also come into the picture in a crowded environment.

In reality my .357 loads are downloaded to 1100-1150 FPS with a 158 LSWC and provide ample power with less muzzle blast and recoil. These are shot in medium frame Colts such as troopers, single actions and Pythons. Comfortable to shoot as well.

 

[ATLDave]

I suspect being stuck in that little space with a wall on both sides of you, is MUCH worse than if you set it off in your bedroon

Huh. MY bedroom has walls on all sides... you sleeping in a lean-to?

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

You might want to take a look at the Speer 135 grain .357 Magnum "Short Barrel" load for night stand use. It's my off-duty carry ammo in a S&W Model 13-3. My issue duty ammo for my S&W Model 686-4 is Federal 158 grain .357 Magnum HydraShok. Neither one are terrible for blast and flash, but the 158 grain load has a bit more thump to it.

ECS

 

[stressed]

I'd rather have someone firing .357 next to me then the guy firing the short barrel mosin nagant next to me yesterday. Sighting in a .22, watching my breathing, trigger squeeze, etc. Slowly start pulling the trigger then BOOM with concussion before my little pop screwing up my shot. ***.