What 357 load do you carry?

[westernrover]

The 125's won't do that without substantially more recoil. Use the Lucky Gunner results and find two loads that penetrated and expanded similarly. Punch the bullet weight, velocities and the estimated powder mass (from load data) into a recoil calculator and see which one recoils more in the same weight gun.

With similar caliber and expansion, to get the same penetration with a lighter bullet will require more velocity which in turn requires more powder mass. With the lightweight bullet at high velocity, the shooter is experiencing recoil from ejected propellant that never hits the target. The bullet is going faster, but has less momentum. Because handgun bullets have a lot of aerodynamic drag, they slow rapidly so that the advantage of a heavier bullet is even more pronounced the farther down range it goes. When the light bullet hits with less momentum, it also has less sectional density. It needs even more velocity to overcome all these shortcomings and penetrate as much.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I can't vote because you didn't include a 145gr bullet.

When I do carry a M640 with magnum ammo its the 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo. It's extremely accurate in my revolver.

 

[cfullgraf]

I load 158 grain cast SWC bullets with Unique in 357 Magnum cases to about 1000 fps from a 4" revolver. They work well in my 4" and 6" barreled revolvers and are fairly comfortable to shoot in my 3" Model 60 j-frame. I do not remember if I have shot any in my 2" Model 60 j-frame.

I feel the performance of these loads is adequate if one remembers its limitations.

 

[RealGun]

No argument that 357 is "more powerful." A 358 Winchester is more powerful too. What does that have to do with carry? A heavier bullet, on the other hand will deliver more penetration with less recoil. Sufficient penetration and minimal recoil are critical factors for applications encountered in carry.

My understanding is that lighter recoil ammo always involves a lighter payload. Big bullets and heavier shot loads have greater inertia and then greater recoil than a comparable load with lighter bullet. I believe that is true, based on my own loading and shooting in various size 357s.

My own bullet choice for my 19-4 is based on the gun's history of needing lower velocity to avoid damaging the forcing cone. I use 158s exclusively but no wild powder charges.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

For years the 125gr SJHP (think I have the abbreviation right) was THE round which everything else was chasing. Sig created their .357 SIG to copy that round. 99% or 98% one shot stops per Marshall and Sanow (not everyone a fan, I know) in real world shootings, not testing in gelatin.

Nothing at all wrong with the other loadings and I may re-think it if I were to go back to a .357 for carry as it has been a while and ammo has changed some in the last 20yrs.

 

[NeroM]

In the poll, would have chosen Other - had that been an option. Load 140 gr coated "Zinger" TCFP bullet with 9 gr Herco, yielding 1350 fps from a 6" Vaquero. This is comfortable to shoot, bullet meplat is effective on feral targets, shoots well to the fixed sights.

 

[bernie]

I carry a 4" Service Six. I use the 125. Why not the 9mm? About a 200 fps velocity difference. I do not mind people carrying the 9mm. I hope that they do not mind me carrying a .357.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Just reloaded Skeeter Skeltons 13.5 Grains of 2400 (Check your Books)and the Xtp And Xtp Fp in 158gr. This is a Magnum charge yet not unbearable. Unique makes for a nice low end mag charge also.
This is a woods bumming Reload and works well as I was hitting close to - a Clay pigeon at 100yards. I feel the 2400 makes a tad bit of flash and bang, Yet that happens with a Magnum!

I normally carry 180gr Black Talons a officer gave me. They are for social encounters.

 

[Armored farmer]

The fixed sights on my sp101 are regulated for 158gr loads, so thats what mold i bought to cast with.
Lee 158gr LNFP Keith style
6.4 gr Unique
Not a hot load, but in shoots well in my revolvers and carbine. Manageable but stout.

 

[westernrover]

My understanding is that lighter recoil ammo always involves a lighter payload. Big bullets and heavier shot loads have greater inertia and then greater recoil than a comparable load with lighter bullet. I believe that is true, based on my own loading and shooting in various size 357s.

My own bullet choice for my 19-4 is based on the gun's history of needing lower velocity to avoid damaging the forcing cone. I use 158s exclusively but no wild powder charges.

Lighter recoil is due to a lighter payload (bullet and powder) if the velocity is the same. That's correct. However, the lighter bullet will require much greater acceleration for comparable penetration. If we were to produce comparable velocity, then the lighter bullet would indeed produce less recoil. But we will need much more than comparable velocity to effect comparable penetration.

This doesn't mean we need to drill through brick walls. If we set an appropriate penetration goal, given a caliber and amount of expansion, we will be able to achieve the penetration goal with less recoil using a heavier bullet at lower velocity.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

My understanding is that lighter recoil ammo always involves a lighter payload. Big bullets and heavier shot loads have greater inertia and then greater recoil than a comparable load with lighter bullet. I believe that is true, based on my own loading and shooting in various size 357s.

My own bullet choice for my 19-4 is based on the gun's history of needing lower velocity to avoid damaging the forcing cone. I use 158s exclusively but no wild powder charges.

I always prefer heavier projectiles- slightly slower speeds. Better accuracy for me and a shove , not a snap of recoil.

 

[IlikeSA]

I went with 158s, but I typically carry 3 125 JHP, 2 158 JSP, and 1 158 hardcast, in that order with the JHPs first. Reloads consist of FMJ and my handloaded and accurate wadcutters, for a total of 18 rounds. I carry this as I can go from urban to rural, depending on the day. This isn't my woods gun carry though.

 

[swg1]

Keeping it simple, I’ll carry Federal 357b around town and 180 hardcast in the woods. Revolver is a m60 with a three inch heavy lug barrel and adjustable sights. Oddly it is the only 357 I have.

 

[RealGun]

Lighter recoil is due to a lighter payload (bullet and powder) if the velocity is the same. That's correct. However, the lighter bullet will require much greater acceleration for comparable penetration. If we were to produce comparable velocity, then the lighter bullet would indeed produce less recoil. But we will need much more than comparable velocity to effect comparable penetration.

This doesn't mean we need to drill through brick walls. If we set an appropriate penetration goal, given a caliber and amount of expansion, we will be able to achieve the penetration goal with less recoil using a heavier bullet at lower velocity.

No, lighter bullets require more powder to maintain pressure. By payload I meant the weight of the bullet.

 

[buck460XVR]

IMHO, there really is no reason to load light for caliber in .357 for EDC. With modern bullets, there is no justification for more speed at SD distance. Others are free to disagree.

 

[RealGun]

IMHO, there really is no reason to load light for caliber in .357 for EDC. With modern bullets, there is no justification for more speed at SD distance. Others are free to disagree.

There may be no need to load HEAVY, but I am sticking to tailoring the load for the bullet and size/weight of the gun. I understand that the original 357 Magnum was a honkin' big ole N-frame, that I will bet few carry these days.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

180gr - at 1000fps

Nice and easy on the Ears

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Never enjoyed the 125gr- Certainly not in a K frame , plus the wear and tear on the guns. I just got my K mod 13 back from the Smith after a inspection... all nice and tight. Flash and bang of 125gr no fun with the concussion isn’t enjoyable either. Tho very effective as a defense round. I’ll stick with the heavy for cal slower fps and mid range for Practice.

 

[Beck]

For SD/HD I'm confident with Federal 357 Mag 125 GR semi-jacketed HP from a 4" S&W K-frame or equivalent. Love my old model Taurus 66 (6-shot) with 2 HKS 6-shot speed loaders. It'll stop a fight ... real quick! 1450 to 1500 fps at the muzzle, depending on the load.

 

[DWFan]

Barnes 140gr VOR-TX in my Dan Wesson M14-2 with an EWK 3" extra-heavy shroud and barrel. EWK sells the low-profile front sight required to match the fixed DW rear sight.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

For SD/HD I'm confident with Federal 357 Mag 125 GR semi-jacketed HP from a 4" S&W K-frame or equivalent. Love my old model Taurus 66 (6-shot) with 2 HKS 6-shot speed loaders. It'll stop a fight ... real quick! 1450 to 1500 fps at the muzzle, depending on the load.

At no time do I want to fire a full house 357 mag inside. A warm 44 spl would serve just the same sufficient defense.

It will do the job, However there are other choices.
Earcracker fir sure

 

[Beck]

At no time do I want to fire a full house 357 mag inside. A warm 44 spl would serve just the same sufficient defense.

It will do the job, However there are other choices.
Earcracker fir sure

I've done it. Just a little ring in the ears for a minute or two. I wouldn't want to do it every day. Besides I don't own anything chambered in 44 Spl...

 

[Lnf Crzr]

When I shoot outside hot 357 mag…. ears ring for many minutes

I keep 38+p 125gr Gold dot Buffalo bore loaded in a k frame. Should be around 1050Fps.

I’m sure indoors, that’s loud also.

 

[Lnf Crzr]

The 38’s extract quickly also. Yet I usually carry 180gr Black Talons (1000fps) a officer gave me. I reload the xtp 180s to approximately 1000fps also in the 3”ers I carry. Had the Smith install a front white insert in the blade thats set to point low in my S&W mod 13. The 180s shoot to point of aim at 14 yards.

 

[Gordon]

Remington 125 Grain Semi jacketed (Scalloped) Hollow points in my 4" and 2 1/2" .357 s . In 4.5" + barrels 158 grain or heavier ammo as they are NOT primarily defensive weapons , more game loads but certainly will work on humans if necessary.
I like to use factory ammo in self defense guns for daily carry when they might have to be used to have one less legal drawback , these things have worked very well over 30 years with constant improvment.

https://www.luckygunner.com/remington-357-magnum-ammo-50-rounds-of-125-grain-sjhp-ammunition