Poll: What's in your .357 for defensive use?

[Marlin 45 carbine]

125gr Golden Sabres over a stout load of Power Pistol. if the impact don't kill 'em the muzzle blast will!

 

[golden]

110 grain for me

I carried the 110 grain hollow point in my duty gun.

It does not have the stopping power of the 125 grain load, but is quieter (you may be using it indoors), recoils a lot less (no worse than a +P .38 special in my experience), has less flash and is MUCH CHEAPER if you buy the WINCHESTER White Box load.

I also carried the 125 grain hollow point. It deserves it reputation for stopping power, but kicks hard, had a flash you could see on a summer day and was hard on S&W k-frame guns.

The heavier loads are for hunting and just add recoil and reduce effectiveness when compared to the 125 grain load.

My experience.

Jim

 

[Travis Bickle]

Nobody mentioned the Remington Golden Saber. Anybody have any experience with them?

Yes. That's what I have mine loaded with right now. I think they're one of the reduced loadings, because the recoil isn't as stiff as other 125 gr. .357s I've tried, but it's still pretty stiff (my carry piece has a 2 3/4 inch barrel.) I'm trying these just as soon as someone has them in stock. They're supposed to have the least recoil of any .357 Magnum load.

 

[sidheshooter]

Sidheshooter...yes sir...this was a special order from Marc.

Veeeery nice!

 

[MCgunner]

None of the above. 140 JHP Speer over 17 grains of 2400.

 

[INMY01TA]

Speer Gold Dots, 158 gr.

 

[dwave]

I voted other. I use 180gr. Hornady XTPs.

 

[MR.G]

Federal 125gr JHP in both the 2" and 4" .357.

 

[VAReact]

Gold Dot Short Barrel 38+P 135 gr JHP in a 2" SP-101 for HD. Will carry 158 gr loads outside of the house.

 

[DawgFvr]

Although I lose approximately 100 fps, I prefer the hot 125 grains. This Weigand porting reduces my muzzle flip by 75% and makes for quick, accurate follow up shots.

 

[glockman19]

130 grain Hydra Shok's

 

[FM12]

Dgfvr, ever get any blowback to your face or body with your set-up? Pretty awsome!

 

[MCgunner]

Dgfvr, ever get any blowback to your face or body with your set-up? Pretty awsome!

What? WHAZZAT? SPEAK UP, BOY! ROFL

I'll put up with the recoil, thanks. Keep that blast in front of me, not AT me. I've fired a few ported guns. I have ports on my .30-30 Contender, but then when hunting, I can take the muffs along for the shot. I'd look a little weird with muffs on in public, eh? I'm 56 and my ears still work fine. Now, I ain't gonna talk about the eyes, but the ears work.

 

[novaDAK]

Well now I'm loaded up with Rem 125gr SJHP in .357mag. I have 158gr XTPs in a strip as a reload.

 

[Guitargod1985]

I load my snubby with 158 grain .357 JHP's. I used to use Speer's 125 grain short barrel Gold Dot loading, but it and other lighter loads seem to shoot way low in my gun.

 

[sidheshooter]

Well now I'm loaded up with Rem 125gr SJHP in .357mag. I have 158gr XTPs in a strip as a reload.

Decided on a light n' fast load after all, yes? That Remington's the classic right there.

I'm sort of going the other way; I'm thinking Buffalo's GDHP 158...

Good info gleaned thus far, IMHO.

 

[skoro]

Mine's loaded with 158gr Buffalo Bore rounds.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

I like them heavy usualy HP thow.

 

[kmrcstintn]

home: .38 spl +p (Remington 158gr lswchp or Winchester 125gr sjhp)

hunting camp: outdoors--.357 mag (Federal Castcore 180gr lfp, Blazer Brass 158gr jhp, Mastercast remanufactured 158gr lswc); indoors--.357 mag (Winchester 110gr sjhp)

 

[fishdog52]

38 125 gr Gold Dots

 

[denfoote]

Federal 158gr Hydroshoks here.

 

[DawgFvr]

MCgunner and FM12...reference MCgunner's below comment:

Quote:
Dgfvr, ever get any blowback to your face or body with your set-up? Pretty awsome!

What? WHAZZAT? SPEAK UP, BOY! ROFL

I'll put up with the recoil, thanks. Keep that blast in front of me, not AT me. I've fired a few ported guns. I have ports on my .30-30 Contender, but then when hunting, I can take the muffs along for the shot. I'd look a little weird with muffs on in public, eh? I'm 56 and my ears still work fine. Now, I ain't gonna talk about the eyes, but the ears work.

Sorry...haven't returned to this site for awhile...life is pretty busy at the moment and I have less time for internet weapon forums than in the past.

1st. I have never experienced this blow-back that you mention. I would not recommend placing any body parts above the ports...just as I would not recommend anybody putting any digits near the rear cylinders of any revolver when firing. Common sense...donchathink?

2nd. There is, absolutely no increase in decibels with weapon porting. It only seems/sounds louder because the noise becomes omni-directional rather than projected down range. Scientific fact trumps perception every time. As for you taking off your muffs when hunting...well, that is your choice and does not affect my weapons usage...now does it? I'm 57 and my ears work just fine...and my eyes do as well.

3rd...I dislike muzzle flip on hot rounds. Me...I like to fire my .357 fast and accurate and my ported Ruger works for me.

 

[robsc]

A .357magnum/158grain half jacketed flat nose bullet will drop an elephant at 100 yards. It will stop an attacker.

 

[dsffsll]

corbon dpx .38 special 110gr +p for my S&W 340pd.

 

[novaDAK]

Decided on a light n' fast load after all, yes? That Remington's the classic right there.

Decided on light and fast for about a week. Then got to the range and shot some (I haven't done so since last Nov.) Now I switched back to 147gr +P+ .38spl since it's much more controllable (allows me to place accurate shots faster). Have the .357 as a reload. For woods carry, I have my own 158gr SWC reloads using 14.4gr 2400.

Oh, and I picked the 147gr JHP because it should have better barrier penetration over the LSWCHP +P I normally keep in my S&W .38spl.