What is the best factory .357 load for self-defense?

[Fast Frank]

I'm aware of it's legendary stopping power even through barriers. I have never wormed up to this cartridge.

And therein lies the truth.

If you don't like the .357, that's fine with us. We will not beg you to shoot it.

Carry your .38 and be happy.

I, On the other hand, have been owning and shooting the .357 Magnum since the '80s. I'm quite comfortable firing it and can put rounds on target.

My Speed Six? It's loaded with those same scallop pointed Remington 125 jacketed hollow points that everybody else mentioned.

If I ever have to use it, Shame On The Mess.

I have a very high degree of confidence it will work.

 

[DaisyCutter]

My preference for killing any critter is the widest and flattest front-end and most weight I can reasonably get into the chamber for a given cartridge.

For a .357, it would probably be a 158gr SWC.


Velocity isn't that big a deal to me. Expansion and "mushrooms" aren't predictable. I just want a wide and deep hole.


I prefer .44 Rem Mags. I've never owned a .357, but I own 3 of the .44 Mags.

 

[sidheshooter]

Given that the OP specifies 4, 6 1/2 and carbine, probably the best compromise is a bullet in the 140 gr range. I'd try the 145 silvertip out of the Marlin to see how it does; if it prints well, that could be a top choice. I think Fiocchi has a 140 gr load too.

If not for worrying about stability in the carbine, 125 loads out of 4 or 6.5 are pretty hard to dislike purely from effect on target.

To paraphrase Clint Smith, however, if it has a hollow point at one end, and says .357 at the other, you'll probably be ok.

 

[19-3Ben]

Modern high-tech hollowpoints are designed to perform and expand within specific velocity parameters and I wonder if the same loads that work great in a revolver may not work at 1750fps (they might fragment, or fold the petal back against the bullet base to non-expanded measurements, etc).

Based on the tests I've seen, Speer's 158gr Gold dot bullet holds up very well at higher velocities. If you really want a hollow-point that is designed from the ground up for reliable expansion at carbine velocities, look at Hornady's Leverevolution. I am hesitant to load them in my HD carbine though, as they are a hunting bullet which usually means that they favor penetration over expansion. Great for hunting, but humans are relatively narrow critters and the risk of over-penetration is huge.

 

[skt239]

I'm another fan of the 125 Remington. However, my .357 is a range gun / night stand gun and the Remington's are a bit warm for a thin walled apartment. When the .357 does do nightstand duty, I use Gold Dot 158gr JHP. When in doubt, I usually default to Gold Dot.

 

[DocRx]

The .357mag cartridge is the ultimate carry caliber for ME. Results from tests AND real life reports give the 110-125gr load the nod on efficiency and power. I use anything from the WWB 110gr .357mag (mostly for target practice, etc.) through the Speer GD 125gr .357mag for carrying SD, in my Ruger KLCR. In urban settings, the Speer GD 135gr .38spl+P might be a better choice for HD. Otherwise, most any newly produced ammo for carry, i.e.-Hornady, CorBon, Speer, etc.is hard to beat. Take care ,all.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Full-power 125-grain JHPs, e.g., the Remington R357M1. But this comes at a price, namely a thunderclap-like blast and excessive recoil in medium- and small-frame revolvers.

 

[TrueTexan]

Speer GDHP in 125 gr or 158 gr for SD just watch the walls. I read where others complain about the Flash and Bang of the 357 mag when shot in closed spaces. I look at this way if by chance I missed I knew the Flash & Bang was going to happen. The BG didn't know and the Flash & Bang will scare the you know what out of him giving me a chance for a second Flash & Bang. Kinda like the Flash grenades the LEOs and military use.

 

[Lone Ranger]

Thanks everyone for your input. With the recommendations made I am going to find some data on penetration and expansion.