Most Modern .357 Ammo

[Texasred]

I was looking up some .357 ammo on ATG and it seems that the selection is really slim. While most available ammo is not really full power either.

Rem 125gr. Golden Saber: it's midpower right? (about equal to a 9mm?)
Speer 125 gr. & 158gr. Golddots: is this fullpower? Do they expand well?
Hornandy XTP/FTX/LEVEROLUTION: What's the best pick?
Rem UMC 125gr SJHP: I don't know what the spec's are...but it screams!

Right now I'm carrying the Hornandy Critical defense FTX in my LCR and my SP-101 have the Golden Sabers.
The Critical Defense has an advertised 1500fps and 1301fps at 50yds. Well I'm sure that's out of a long bbl like 6" or 8".

I was looking at a couple of pictures where a guy shot a Hi-Power with the 127gr. +P+ Ranger ammo and the 125gr ( doesn't say what brand) load out of a Smith model 28 I'm guessing the 6" into some phone books. The .357 made an entrance almost three times the size of the 9mm and penetrated about 3/4" more.
BUT, the expansion on the 9mm bullet was much greater and flowered very nicely.
So what is the most developed .357 load right now, should I look to DoubleTap or Buffalo Bore?
Is the .357 Magnum dead in factory form? I know it's taken a backseat to the .40 and 9mm and even the imitation .357 sig in R&D.
http://glockpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7292

 

[Waywatcher]

The reason .357 hasn't advanced recently is twofold:

1.) They already found the best, 125 JHP at full velocity.
2.) Ammo development moved onto auto calibers since that is what is used.

I have seen 100 round packs of Remington 125 JHP at Wally World for a very reasonable price. (Rem UMC 125 SJHP)

 

[Water-Man]

Do look into Double Tap & Buffalo Bore and you'll see that the .357Mag still outperforms the other calibers you mentioned.

 

[Texasred]

Yeah I have two of those packs they are really great. They are very accurate and while I haven't done any formal tests they literally blow huge chunks of the ground out and blow dirt all over the place like mortar shells. 9mm and .45 just sink in or make simple holes.
One day however me and my BIL were shooting at a steel plate about 35yds away (too close I'll never do that again) with an assortment of guns'
M1 carbine, AR, AK, Mosin 91/30, M1A, SRH .454, GP100 6", Glock 17, 1911, and Vaquero.
Very informal I know but the .223, 7.62x39, and .454 made significant craters in the plate with the .30 carbine actually making a less deep crater. The 9mm, .45 and .45 LC only made smoke marks as well as some buckshot we brought along(on the limit of buckshot). The .357 was the only realistic handgun cartridge that pockmarked the steel plate.
The plate was 3/4" thick and not even a .308 or 7.62x54R would penetrate it. They would peel the steel almost open but never clean through. Maybe if we had penetrator rounds or something else.

 

[Texasred]

I really wish the Remington UMC packs were nickel plated though that would be really cool.

 

[hardluk1]

Texasred What are you looking for the 357 bullet type to do? Also dinking a steel plat as more about the bullet design than what is shooting it. A 308 hunting load is going to slatter but curent mil loads might be a different story. same with a 357 125gr compaired to a 200gr. 3/4" is more in the 50cal class to. watch out for ricochets.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Do look into Double Tap & Buffalo Bore and you'll see that the .357Mag still outperforms the other calibers you mentioned.

Very true!

And DPX .357s, being all copper, expand even if they go through coats, jackets, leather, etc...

So there are some real good loads for .357s.

If I was to hunt with one, the Buffalo Bore 170/180s would be the ticket.

If self-defense, Cor-bon DPX.

Deaf

 

[Waywatcher]

I really wish the Remington UMC packs were nickel plated though that would be really cool.

Be glad they aren't!

Brass cases are far superior for reloading, and are cheaper!

 

[Texasred]

Yeah I realized that it was not for bullet effect but for energy levels. Plus like you warned it was dangerous and I won't be doing it again.

Yeah I'm just interested in bullet design and max loading. Some kind of edge over a semi-auto. Like a 125 grain that expands better than a 9mm but penetrates a bit more and creates more energy. But doesn't over penetrate.

 

[Texasred]

All the rifle rounds were fmj.