Musings on .357 Ammo

[Gewehr98]

I'm still hankering for a .357 Model 94 Winchester...

Because I want to try out my 158gr Desert Eagle loads, which run 1600+ fps from the 6" gas pistol. Safe bet they'd break 2000fps from the carbine?

 

[fecmech]

Here are some of "Elmers" loads from his book "Sixguns". His recomendations are for his "Keith" bullet which was the Lyman #358429 which cast 173 grs as a solid and 160 grs as a hollow point. In the S&W 38-44 ( an N frame .38) he loaded 13.5 grs of 2400 in 38/44 cases and crimped in the crimp groove with 173 gr bullet. In the .357 S&W magnum with mag cases crimping over the front driving band max charge for the 160 hp was 15 grs 2400 and 14.5 grs for the solid. The book is an interesting read of the early days of shooting, hunting, and "magnum " load development.

 

[Ringer]

So, for those (like me) that don't reload what, if any, factory ammo is available and satisfactory for home defense out of an 18" or so barrel? If the JHPs expand to rapidly at high velocities and don't penetrate and the JSPs overpenetrate what is left? Anything available over the counter? How about the 180 gr Partion Golds mentioned by Rangie? They look like Hollow Points and Winchester describes them as good for thin skinned game such as Whitetail Deer. Any other options?

 

[BluesBear]

So, for those (like me) that don't reload what, if any, factory ammo is available and satisfactory for home defense out of an 18" or so barrel?

Just about anything that has a big 12 on the headstamp.

Actually if I was determined to use a .357 carbine for home defense, I'd go with a good 158gr or heavier hollow point load. The Federal .357G load mentioned by Cosmoline would be good. The Partition Gold should work also.
But then again, the Armscor 125gr SOFT POINT would be somewhat akin to an M1 Carbine load. And the M1 carbine is a great little HD weapon.




Also Elmer Keith did a lot of his heavy load development in the old balloon head cases.
Modern solid head cases don't have as much internal volume and often his original loads are compressed when used in modern brass. This can become very dangerous.

 

[Ringer]

Couldn't agree more on the big 12, that is my first choice, but we are talking .357 here. As long as I have the gun around, like to have some ammo appropriate for the task just in case . That Federal sounds interesting and fairly less expensive than the Partion Gold at first glance anyways.

 

[Coltdriver]

Thanks FECMECH!

Thanks for posting that info on the Elmer Keith Loads.

I have loaded up some 158 grain sierra JHPs with 14.5 grains of 2400.

Out of a 45 ounce 3 1/2 inch N frame they are still a hand full but they are controllable. I could not imagine shooting these from a j frame.

I don't have a chonograph but these are supposed to run about 1250 fps. If the bullet does not get the bad guy then the third degree burns from the fireball will!

 

[DHart]

Ringer... If you're going to be shooting, then you've already given some thought to collateral damage potential and decided that shooting is ok. Given that, and the fact that a large proportion of bullets launched at an attacker tend to miss anyway, I wouldn't be concerned with overpenetration! But I would be concerned about potential underpenetration. If I had to use one of my .357 lever actions to defend myself, I'd choose the Speer 158 gr. Gold Dot... it's built to hold together pretty well at higher velocities and is less likely to overexpand and underpenetrate than lighter weight bullets are.

 

[Sam]

I am not going to tell you my recipe. I'll just say that I use the Keith 358429 at over 1400 fps the 359429HP and Thompson SWC at over 1500 and they work RIGHT SNAPPY! That Keith SWC HP is potent medicine for medium game 5'-7' and 150-250 lbs. Something no factory load can match, at least not since 1935.

No you can't shoot them from a J or K frame, well you could but?????????

Sam