Need Input

[m38shooter]

I was at Wal-Mart (I know, but the local gunshops are persistently either sold out of or overpriced on .357/.38SPL) looking at HD ammo for my newest addition to the bedside safe and had to do a double-take. The WWB defense load for .357Mag was a 110gr JHP. Coming out of a 6 1/2" barrel at 7 yards, would this even expand before it was through a body? I'm new to wheelgun ballistics, but that seems like an awfully light "Home Defense" load for the caliber.

Does the 110gr .357 expand properly, or should I stick with .38SPL 158gr JHP?

 

[dfariswheel]

The lighter a bullet, the higher the velocity, and the higher the velocity the more apt the bullet is to expand.

Early hollow point defense ammo was pioneered by the Super-Vel company.
They featured very light bullets pushed at high velocity, and one of their prime rounds in .38 and .357 was a 110 grain version.

The 110 grain has fallen from favor and the 125 grain to the newer 135 to 140 grain ammo is more popular.
Then too, a LOT depends on the bullet design.
Since this is sold as a defense round, it should expand and be effective.

 

[Huddog]

Personally, I use the 158's bc I like heavier bullets. The higher velocity usually does mean it is more likely to open but it also means it is more likely to overpenetrate and not dump all the energy into the intended target.

 

[m38shooter]

but it also means it is more likely to overpenetrate and not dump all the energy into the intended target.

Yesterday was a long day and my brain wasn't functioning properly, this was my real concern. I also meant 158gr JSP, not JHP.