Miwall .357 ammo any good?

[perpster]

A post over in Rifle Country led me to a site that sells Miwall ammo. I've never heard of it before, but it's the least expensive .357 ammo I've ever seen.

They're selling 500 rounds of new 125 JHP (Velocity 1250 fps, Energy 434 ft lbs, Reloadable Boxer Primed Brass Case, Non Corrosive, Made in the USA) for $89.95+shipping in an ammo can.

They're also selling 500 rounds of new 125 grain TMJ (Velocity 1150 fps, Energy 367 ft lbs, Reloadable Boxer Primed Brass Case, Non Corrosive, Made in the USA) for $85.95+shipping in an ammo can.

Is this stuff any good for plinking/range shooting?

Is the JHP any good for defensive use?

 

[trickyasafox]

people swear by it, i've never used it. its factory reloads i thought? kinda like a really good ultramax

 

[perpster]

people swear by it, i've never used it. its factory reloads i thought? kinda like a really good ultramax

I don't see any specs at all on their website

http://www.miwallcorp.com/miva/merchant.mv

although their vendor's page has the specs I posted. It says "new" but doesn't say what the casings are made out of. Anyone know the scoop with Milwall??

 

[George S.]

I shoot a lot of Miwall 9mm, 38spl and .357 mag in both the "factory reloads" and the new ammo. I buy it from Outdoor Marksman in Salem OR. This is the 125gr TMJ stuff I use: http://www.outdoormarksman.com/product_info.php?cPath=65_1_10&products_id=456

It shoots clean and is as accurate as the usual "brand names" out of my 6" barreled Ruger GP100. The cases are a mix of Winchester, Remington and Federal. I save the .38 and .357 cases for reloading and have not had any problems with them.

I haven't tried any of the JHP ammo as my GP100 is not used for defense. If I did, my personal preferance would be for the Remington Golden Saber or Speer Gold Dot JHP rounds. Not to say that the Miwall stuff is any good or not, I just prefer those two brands in a defensive use handgun.

The reload ammo is also a good choice for target and plinking use and is $10 cheaper. The cases are once-fired brass and they are all brand names. http://www.outdoormarksman.com/product_info.php?cPath=65_1_10&products_id=445

For target and general plinking use, I think the Miwall ammo is a great value for the price.

Like any mail-order ammo, the freight charges may make a difference in the total price depending on where you live. Miwall is only 150 miles from me so the UPS charges are not a lot. Miwall also makes the rounds to a number of West Coast gun shows and their prices at the gun shows are the same as the Internet prices although they usually charge local sales tax where required.

Miwall posts their show schedule on their website so it might be worth checking out.

 

[craig]

i've used their new .44mag. the charges vary a little, you can hear it sometimes when you fire. it's not bad for the price and as practce ammo. gonna order some 357 next time i stock up.

 

[Jack Straw from Wichita]

I've shot over a thousand rounds of the Miwall .357 magnum. Good practice/plinking round, reasonably accurate, haven't had any squib loads or other problems. Out of a revolver, there is quite a bit of visible flash, especially out of the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone. Recoil is moderate (actually pretty light compared to the American Eagle ammo, even though both claim to have 158-grain bullets).

As others have said, I'd use another brand for defense, but for punching holes in paper, Miwall is fine.

Regards,
-Jack

 

[perpster]

FMJ = TMJ?; Milwall JHP 125's for SHTF?

What's the difference between FMJ and TMJ? The reloads are listed as FMJ, while the equivalent new stuff is listed as TMJ.

Even with the freight charges ($22.?? for 500 rounds; $33.51 for 1,000 rnds), it comes out to .21/round if ordering 1,000. This is still the cheapest I've found. Not as cheap for just 500 rounds.

Advice please: I've got 1 box of Speer GDHP 357 125 gr for self-defense, which can stoke 2 cylinders full in my 686P. If I'm going to buy two 500 round orders of new Milwall, does it make sense to get 1 of the TMJ for practice/plinking and 1 of the JHP for SHTF, or just 2 of one kind or the other? I'd use the 1 small box of Speer GDHP for street load with a speed loader of the same. After those 2 cylinders would it be safe to rely on the Milwall JHP 125's if SHTF?

 

[kirkcdl]

You should try some of the 160 gr +P+ ...

 

[461]

The have a sale at the plant(Grass Valley) once a year (Fathers Day)and I always go out and buy some plinking ammo to keep on hand for when I just feel like shooting and not reloading. The ammo is in my opinion underpowered and puts out a bit too much smoke for the indoor range, but it goes bang every time and the price is right. Have had no problem with it at all. They are also at most gun shows in the west so you may save yourself some freight by going to a gun show but then you pay for parking and getting in and all that.

 

[The_Antibubba]

I shot my first Miwall today

I put their SWC and Copper HBWC, and I have no complaints at all.

 

[461]

AntiBubba- The .44Mag FMJ you shot of mine was Miwall as well, so was all the 9mm I was shooting. Like I said, bang every time.

 

[carpettbaggerr]

FMJ = full metal jacket. TMJ = total metal jacket. FMJ has exposed lead at the base, the TMJ doesn't. Less lead exposure with TMJ.

 

[chuckles]

Miwall is good ammo. I've never used their reloads but I use a lot of their new ammo. All brass case and reloadable. They have the best buy anywhere on 45 Colt cowboy loads, 250 rds for $50. Good stuff, not high power but accurate and clean. I get it at gunshows because Outdoor Marksman charges sales tax even for Nevada residents,(yes even mail order!). By getting it at the show I can avoid the shipping. Good stuff, Miwall.

 

[kirkcdl]

That's pretty weird,chuckles.I live in Oregon,where Outdoor Marksman is located,and Oregon has no sales tax.Perhaps your state is requiring it in order to sell there...I think I'd call and ask them about that...The best thing,for me,about OMC is that I get the ammo the next day and only pay UPS Ground shipping...