What is a good 357 mag load to use in S&W K frame?
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DM~
Member
My all time fav bullet in my "K" frame 357's, that "isn't" a cast hard lead bullet, is the Sierra 150HC. I don't even know if they still make it, but it was a very good bullet.
DM
DM
oldfool
Member
going heavier than 125 gr is a good notion, but that aside, hey, they all work really well
for that matter any 38+P load works real well, no kidding
for that matter any 38+P load works real well, no kidding
mdauben
Member
They are more than a little rough, they can crack the forcing cone on a K-Frame after very few shots. I would make it a point to never use them in that gun again. With all S&W K-Frame .357's long OOP, if you do crack that forcing cone you end up with an expensive piece of scrap metal.
There are any number of excellent 158gr JHP SD loads for the .357 any one of which should work just fine.
sidheshooter
Member
+1 on some of the newer 158 offerings. Also, don't dismiss the 145gr silvertip out of hand; it may be dated bullet technology, but the chambering carries the day just fine there. A great, controllable option in a k frame. I keep a stash of silvertips around for my 3" model 65-3.
roaddog28
Member
I shoot at the range with my K frame magnums the CCI Blazer 158 gr 357 magnum hollow points. They are easy on the K frame magnum revolver Advertise velocity is about 1150 fps out of a 4 inch barrel. They are inexpense too at about $21 a box of fifty.
Regards,
Howard
Regards,
Howard
BCRider
Member
A while back I loaded up some .357 with 158gn bullets using 2400. The max in the book is 14 gns. I found them to be a touch stout in the recoil department in my K frame 19. But when shot from my heavier N frame 28 they were a joy to shoot. I then went down to 12 gns of powder with the K frame and found that they were pleanty more stout than some +P .38Spls but not the nasty snap that the full house rounds had.
Although I really like the 2400 I don't recomend it due to the huge and very bright fireball and side "wings" that it provides. If you needed to shoot at night it would surely blind your night vision. For actual defensive loads I'd go with something like H4227. My Lyman manual has 4227 starting out at 12.1 and capping at 16.2 gns. Using my findings a load of 14 to 14.5 gns of 4227 behind a 158gn JHP should give you a great K frame load that produces very little flash but gives good energy. Best of all it won't punish the shooter or the gun. The muzzle velocity readings in the Lyman book would suggest you'd get somewhere around or just under 1200 fps.
Although I really like the 2400 I don't recomend it due to the huge and very bright fireball and side "wings" that it provides. If you needed to shoot at night it would surely blind your night vision. For actual defensive loads I'd go with something like H4227. My Lyman manual has 4227 starting out at 12.1 and capping at 16.2 gns. Using my findings a load of 14 to 14.5 gns of 4227 behind a 158gn JHP should give you a great K frame load that produces very little flash but gives good energy. Best of all it won't punish the shooter or the gun. The muzzle velocity readings in the Lyman book would suggest you'd get somewhere around or just under 1200 fps.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
IMO the best loads for use in a K frame are made with bullets between 145gr and 160gr. The problems with K frame revolvers started when 125gr loads pushed to insane velocities hit the market.
A ammo with a 158gr bullet will be just fine in your K frame.
I'm a big fan of the 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo. It's been very accurate for me.
A ammo with a 158gr bullet will be just fine in your K frame.
I'm a big fan of the 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo. It's been very accurate for me.
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zxcvbob
Member
I'm really liking 148 grain double-ended wadcutters and 7.0 grains of WSF, loaded to about 1.35" OAL. (don't seat them down flush or the pressure goes way up) It delivers about 1200 fps from a 4" barrel. You can do the same thing with 6.5 grains of Unique.
weregunner
Member
For defense there are some 125gr. magnum light loads.
Remington 125gr.Golden Saber.
Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 magnum would work as well.
WInchester 145 gr. Silvertip will stop people in their tracks and has a real world track record that is excellent. Actually, so does the Remington Golden Saber.
Corbon has this.
357 Mag 125gr DPX
[DPX357125-20]
The 140gr.-158gr. rounds seem to be the best for overall general use.
I do have to admit that I use Remington and Winchester +P .38 Special 158gr. LSWCHP for regular home and personal defense.
Gold Dot Speer 135gr.+P rounds come in second.
When I feel need for magnum power the Remington Golden Saber 125gr rounds, Hornady 140gr. rounds, Winchester 145gr. Silvertip, Or the Corbon 140gr. JHPs get the nod. It depends on the circumstances.
I do not live where large or go where large dangerous animals roam so the listed magnum rounds will get the job done for general purpose or for defense reasons. Even out in the field the wildlife wll go their way and leave humans alone.
If I felt the small black bear in this state were going to be a problem then the 158-180gr. rounds would be my pick. The bears here normally behave themselves.
Remington 125gr.Golden Saber.
Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 magnum would work as well.
WInchester 145 gr. Silvertip will stop people in their tracks and has a real world track record that is excellent. Actually, so does the Remington Golden Saber.
Corbon has this.
357 Mag 125gr DPX
[DPX357125-20]
The 140gr.-158gr. rounds seem to be the best for overall general use.
I do have to admit that I use Remington and Winchester +P .38 Special 158gr. LSWCHP for regular home and personal defense.
Gold Dot Speer 135gr.+P rounds come in second.
When I feel need for magnum power the Remington Golden Saber 125gr rounds, Hornady 140gr. rounds, Winchester 145gr. Silvertip, Or the Corbon 140gr. JHPs get the nod. It depends on the circumstances.
I do not live where large or go where large dangerous animals roam so the listed magnum rounds will get the job done for general purpose or for defense reasons. Even out in the field the wildlife wll go their way and leave humans alone.
If I felt the small black bear in this state were going to be a problem then the 158-180gr. rounds would be my pick. The bears here normally behave themselves.
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