opinions on home defense loads for a .357 mag revolver

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kmrcstintn

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I'm not a troll and I am NOT trying to start a caliber war...I am seeking good and honest opinions (as well as info to research);

the gun(s) for discussion are: Ruger GP100 w/ 4" barrel and/or Ruger GP100 w/ 6" barrel (own both and want to rotate them)

the hollowpoint loads for discussion are: Winchester WWB Personal Defense 125gr semijacketed hollowpoint .38 spl +p, Remington UMC 125gr semijacketed hollowpoint .38 spl +p, Remington 158gr lead semiwadcutter hollowpoint .38 spl +p, and Winchester WWB 110gr semijacketed hollowpoint .357 mag

basically, all loads have been fired through both guns and are good for reliability and accuracy; please comment
 
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I vote for the 158 grain SWCHP's. In fact, that's what I have in mine (handloads instead of Remingtons, but that's a different discussion)
 
Of the ones you listed... Remington 158gr lead semiwadcutter hollowpoint .38 spl +p

Just wondering why your limiting yourself to those loads and not looking a some of the premuim self defense cartidges available?
 
They all seem fine to me.

I'd suggest the 6" gun, but that's a nonpoint.

The 110-grainers will probably be more punishing on both ends, because they're the only true .357 in the lineup.

But if you control any of the +P's better, go for those. All of these will do the job, just pick the ones that you can shoot best.

Edit: that said, unless you shoot another one better, another vote for the 158's.
 
1) grammatical error corrected -- thanks for the alert

2) ammo choices...why no premium stuff -- a lot of local shops are putting limits on stuff and only having access to 1 or 2 boxes at most has everyone hoarding, hence leaving the older style stuff and grabbing the premium stuff & I like getting 50 rounds per box with the limits that are in place; I get access to stuff easier at walmart when I find it in stock...and they stock the older style hollowpoints loads

3) thank y'all so far
 
They're all fine.

I would suggest you use the 4" gun as your home defense gun. The 6" GP100 (I have one) is so heavy that it's hard to hold on target for long, which would be really bad if you were holding a bad guy waiting for police to arrive. Anyone who doesn't believe me, go to the range and try it.

Why not true .357 mag loads? Even the 110gr listed is a light load. I personally would use 125gr JHP .357 magnum loads, probably either Speer or Golden Sabre. The .38 loads you list are fine, but make me assume you're fairly recoil sensitive. Is that correct? (Not criticism, just asking.)
 
at this point in time my snub nose SS Rossi has 158 grain JHP gold dot in .357 from georgia-arms.com and have run hundreds if this size thru at the range. and thiusands of .38 fmj for what its worth...
 
Another vote for the remi 158gr LSWCHP. It has been stopping bad guys for 50+years, no reason to believe it wont do the job for you today.
 
with the choices given, i would select the 158 gr LSWCHP. they should be plenty good for HD.

i would be confident with those as an HD load, but my preference is for 125gr jhp .357 magnum ammo from a reputable manufacturer. (Speer, Federal, remington golden sabre etc.)
 
Another vote for the remi 158gr LSWCHP. It has been stopping bad guys for 50+years, no reason to believe it wont do the job for you today.
Click to expand...
+1
I'd avoid the 125 and 110 grain rounds for this use. They'll be much louder and have a much larger muzzle flash, neither of which you particularly want in that context.
 
158gr LSWCHP

this is a home defense gun, at the ranges your talking- I think (Just my opinion here) that the added benefits of going with a full 357 magnum round are far outweighed by your potential for over penetration and your significant loss of hearing when touching off a hot 357 load in an enclosed space.

I have a box of Federal 158gr LSWCHP that I keep loaded up for my carry gun and bed stand gun. I'm sure Winchester or Remington 's equivalent loads are more than comparable and adequate for this purpose.

I too would go with the 4 inch gun. the 6inch is a great hunting and range gun, but for me, 4 inch revolvers have always felt far more handy for practical applications.
 
Ammo tests through denim...

We tested some of the rounds in question...

Winchester White Box 125 +P - .38 Spl

Remingon UMC 125 +P - .38 Spl

Winchester White Box 110 - .357 Mag


And while we did not have the remington version of the 158 LSWHP design, we did test the federal version...

Federal 158 LSWHP +P - .38 Spl

These are the AT2 versions of our tests that went through denim, we also tested all these rounds straight into water with no demim (search for the AT1 version)

Hope it helps! :):):)

Andre'
 
I whould recommend tryin' out CorBon 125gr .357 magnum DPX rounds before you settle on one of the others. For magnum rounds they are suprizinly' easy to handle,they blossum extreamly well so over-penitration is less of a concern. Although they are magnum rounds, the slug itself has no lead core(its compleatly copper)and with the slow burnin'powder that was created just for this round the bullet has a higher velocity then average and is far more likely to expand properly then other hollow points.Also for being a magnum round I've found them to have less kick then other ammo of the same grain,so fallow-up shots are easier. I myself carry an S&W 640 as a back-up gun and I've found that the CorBon .357 DPX loads are more affective then some 110gr loads + more accurate,and thats outta a 2 1/8" barrel!
Little tip for firing magnum loads in the dark,keep one eye closed;that way you can be more accurate with fallow up shots and not have to worry about spots in yer vision.
 
For a HD round in my 4" GP-100, I load Winchester 125gr Silvertip .38spl+p. I've always like the silvertip JHPs (use them in .45acp too) but think the .357s are not suitable for indoor HD as the .38spls. 145gr Silvetip .357 has a huge muzzle flash for one thing.
 
Have you looked at the Winchester SXT 130 grain +P 38 Special load and also the Speer Gold Dot 135 +P 38 Special load? Both were designed for snubbies and the Speer was specifically tailored for the NYPD. They have gotten good results out of the Speer load in both 2 and 4 inch revolvers. If it shoots well in a snub nosed revolver, I would imagine it should be great in a longer barreled gun. You might want to check these two loads out. I use the Winchester SXT 130 grain +P 38 Special load in my 642 snub Airweight that i carry.
 
If it shoots well in a snub nosed revolver, I would imagine it should be great in a longer barreled gun.
Click to expand...
The only problem with this idea is that loads tailored for a short barreled gun typically do not gain much velocity out of a longer barrel. The powder doesn't burn slow enough to utilize the extra length.
The won't be worse, and they will be slightly better--but the difference will be negligible.
 
If you want 158 LSWCHPs why not go with Buffalo Bore. They have a plus p that runs at over 1100 FPS, low flash powder for night work, and is gas checked so it won't leave lead in the barrel. They are comfortable to shoot out of GP-100s. That's what I carry in my 3 inch.

Yes, 125 grainer magnums are the finest handgun stoppers there are but I can't imagine having to cut loose with one in a hallway. I prefer surviving a home invasion and not being deaf at the same time.
 
I carry the Remington 158gr LSWCHP in .38+P in my SP101. I prefer the heavier bullet and the Remington 158gr is the most accurate in my SP101.
Thankfully I have not had to use it for self defense, however, I know what it does to groundhogs.
 
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