Most common .357Mag ammo weight?

[valnar]

Actually, most "common" isn't what I'm asking...but more, what should I buy?

I own a few .357Mag guns, like a Smith 686+, Smith 19-6, Ruger New Vaquero and a Marlin 1894c. Totally different guns. I'm a very casual shooter and not a marksman, so I'm not a good judge as to what would be the most accurate .357Mag ammo for all those guns.

Some guns have adjustable sights so I can tailor the accuracy to a particular load, but some do not. Does anyone know what bullet weight most manufacturers use to zero their fixed sights? I want to buy one kind of .357 ammo and adjust the sights (that can be adjusted) accordingly, but need to buy to the lowest common denominator, which would be my fixed-sight guns.

My ammo of choice in the past was Fiocchi 148gr semi-jacketed HP (part# 357E) but it has been discontinued. I had no rhyme or reason for picking it, only that it was squarely between 125gr and 158gr so I guesstimated it would be adequate for everything. It was also not a Spitzer bullet but still had a semi-jacket, which made it good for my Marlin. If anyone knows of a similar replacement, I'm down to 2 boxes left!


And no, no specific purpose or application. Plinking for now, but want it appropriate for SD too.

 

[amd6547]

158gn is the standard weight bullet for 357mag, and that is what most fixed sight guns are zeroed for.
For a general 357mag plinking load, the American Eagle 158gn jacketed soft point is fun to shoot and accurate with enough power to fairly say magnum. Just saw it at my Walmart yesterday, for $27.99/50rds.
Blazer Brass is a little lower powered, more like a stiff +P 38spl. Still, it's accurate and easy shooting in a full size gun like my GP100 3".
I still have a box or two of Fiochi 142gn TC-FMJ. Seemed to shoot well, and I would think that bullet would penetrate some things.
While I would use either of the first two for SD if that's what I had, my GP is loaded with Critical Defense 125gn.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While the 125gr .357 Magnum round is considered one of the best, if not the best man stopper I always like to use the bullet weight the cartridge was developed with. When I buy I buy 158gr .357 Magnum ammo or 145gr Winchester Silvertips for one of my revolvers because of accuracy.

 

[amd6547]

I haven't seen any 357mag 145gn Silvertips in years.

 

[valnar]

I didn't even realize 158gr was the standard weight. That explains why my POA was close though with 148gr. Thanks.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I haven't seen any 357mag 145gn Silvertips in years.

I wrote Winchester years ago when the last shortage of Silvertips happened. They said the do a run every 2 years or so. About 6 months later it showed up on the sites. I placed reminders or notifications with several sites and when it came in I was told about it. The supply lasted about 3 months and I agree, it has been years. I expect the next run is due any time now. I bought several boxes last time and will probably buy a few more next time. I like the 145gr .357 Magnum Silvertip ammo lot.

 

[il.bill]

Prvi Partisan PPU 158 grain Semi-Jacketed Hollow Points are my factory standard .357 magnum load, the first I shoot out of a new acquisition to see where it hits. Two times, with a S&W 681 and a S&W 65, my very first shot at >10 yards was dead center in a 3/4" bullseye. Other than my own reloads the PPU SJHP 158 grain is all I shoot anymore.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I mostly use 158 gr ammo also. I do shoot 125 out of my SP101 though to reduce the felt recoil.

 

[Wildfire]

Plus 1 on the 158s

I have fired and cast the 158s for many years. They just work.
They should work well in any rifle also.

 

[amd6547]

Does the PPU 158gn seem full powered?

 

[I6turbo]

I haven't shot anything but 125 grain JHP from my .357s for years, but in case you are also interested in .38 Special... The target below is from my 4" Model 67. As you can see there's no meaningful difference in the POI at the same sight settings and same aiming technique when shooting PPU 130 grain and PPU 158 grain. (I'm not a great handgun shot but these two rounds seem to have the same POI out of this gun based not only on these two targets but also on other shooting the same day.) Notes say 10 yards but I actually measured it afterwards and the target was set at 12 yards.

 

[Wildfire]

I agree. My .38s and .357s have the same POI at 20 yards.

 

[Edcnh]

I use 158's in my 357's. I have a "Keith' 170g lead semi wadcutter that I use in my Ruger Blackhawk for a "woods" load.

 

[joem1945]

I reload mostly 158 SWC's but I have loaded some 180 LRN for my .357's.

 

[il.bill]

Does the PPU 158gn seem full powered?

It does to me.