What kind of .357 ammo is in your .357 for SD?
- Thread starter 9x19sig
- Start date
- Status
bdb benzino
Member
plain old Winchester 110gr JHP's
MCgunner
Member
140 grain Speer JHP over 17.0 grains 2400, standard SP primer.
3" Taurus M66.
3" Taurus M66.
Last edited:
harmon rabb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2009
- Messages
- 2,699
corbon 125gr.
MedWheeler
Member
Haven't carried Magnum ammo since the eighties, and back then it was a 110-grain JHP Winchester load, if I recall correctly.
Ever since then, I've kept my one Magnum revolver loaded with Remington 125-grain +P SJHPs..
Ever since then, I've kept my one Magnum revolver loaded with Remington 125-grain +P SJHPs..
joe_security
Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2007
- Messages
- 490
I am thinking of putting Federal .38 match wadcutters in my dads gun, to give him more control since he is very recoil sensitive. These are very expensive locally but I think the HP ammo may be a problem for him.
In my adjustable-sighted .357 GP100 sixguns, my preferred load is Federal Hi-Shok 125-grain JHP, or 125-grain Gold Dots. Lately, the Gold Dots are more likely to be in stock.
In my fixed-sight .357 sixguns, the 145-grain Winchester Silvertips shoot closer to point of aim, so is usually the favored load, especially in my Ruger Speed Six, which is more comfortable (recoil) with the STHPs than the "hotter" 125s.
Recoil is actually less a factor with my SP101s, which really lock well into my grip.
In my fixed-sight .357 sixguns, the 145-grain Winchester Silvertips shoot closer to point of aim, so is usually the favored load, especially in my Ruger Speed Six, which is more comfortable (recoil) with the STHPs than the "hotter" 125s.
Recoil is actually less a factor with my SP101s, which really lock well into my grip.
Alimony Bob
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2009
- Messages
- 28
357 ammo
Almost all the better grade American made ammo is OK. No reloads or foreign loads for HD. That said a lightweight 357 bullet (110 gr JHP) has higher velocity and penetration is as good if not better then heavier bullets. Additionally when shooting for HD target reacquisition is important and much easier if your gun doesn't recoil all over the place as it will do with the heavier bullets. In a 357 you might even consider 110 gr +P+ 38 special particularly if a smaller woman may be using the gun.
In any even there's little doubt the 357 is the best HD round that exists! Don't consider anything less then 9MM or greater then 40.
Bob
Almost all the better grade American made ammo is OK. No reloads or foreign loads for HD. That said a lightweight 357 bullet (110 gr JHP) has higher velocity and penetration is as good if not better then heavier bullets. Additionally when shooting for HD target reacquisition is important and much easier if your gun doesn't recoil all over the place as it will do with the heavier bullets. In a 357 you might even consider 110 gr +P+ 38 special particularly if a smaller woman may be using the gun.
In any even there's little doubt the 357 is the best HD round that exists! Don't consider anything less then 9MM or greater then 40.
Bob
Confederate, there is no magic bullet. The 125, while a great round, is not the hammer of Thor. I used to have 125's stoked in my .357 until I started working with inmates.
So true! There is a lot of hype about the 125 gr bullet and its "amazing" one shot stop. But when one looks at the number of cases studied and what they were compared to, the results pale by comparison. Could be there have just been more reported shootings with the Remington 125gr SJHP than most other rounds, as they are commercially loaded in both .38 and .357 caliber ammunition.
This bullet would not be my choice in the winter time when heavy clothing is worn, or as PPS pointed out~~~lots of "beef" and muscle needs to be penetrated. I'd still stick to at least the 140 or 158gr XTPs. They'll get to the pump house through bone and muscle. I tend to stick with the 140 gr. XTP~~~factory loaded, through a 6" bbl.
So true! There is a lot of hype about the 125 gr bullet and its "amazing" one shot stop. But when one looks at the number of cases studied and what they were compared to, the results pale by comparison. Could be there have just been more reported shootings with the Remington 125gr SJHP than most other rounds, as they are commercially loaded in both .38 and .357 caliber ammunition.
This bullet would not be my choice in the winter time when heavy clothing is worn, or as PPS pointed out~~~lots of "beef" and muscle needs to be penetrated. I'd still stick to at least the 140 or 158gr XTPs. They'll get to the pump house through bone and muscle. I tend to stick with the 140 gr. XTP~~~factory loaded, through a 6" bbl.
LWYM425
Member
Not a scientific test
I did this for my benefit, so if it isn't precise... oh well.
I went through this thread and ticked off the grain each person submitted as their self/home defense. I did this cause I carry a 357 and don't know what bullets are most favorable. Brand is what it is, and how hot you load them is up to you too.
anyway, if some one said they prefer one for woods carry one for 2 legged creatures, i only captured the latter (see OP). if the responder listed 2-3+ differnet rounds i didn't count ANY (figured you'd be happy with anything depending on your mood so there is no preference). If just the brand was listed I didn't put anything for that either cause I wasn't gunna guess
this is what I came up with:
Grain____%
110____4.55
125____43.94
140____6.06
145____3.03
158____36.36
129, 130, 135, and 148 all came out at 1.52%
Take it for what it is guys. Looks like there are two basic camps. Those that have been doing this for a while probably already knew that.
I did this for my benefit, so if it isn't precise... oh well.
I went through this thread and ticked off the grain each person submitted as their self/home defense. I did this cause I carry a 357 and don't know what bullets are most favorable. Brand is what it is, and how hot you load them is up to you too.
anyway, if some one said they prefer one for woods carry one for 2 legged creatures, i only captured the latter (see OP). if the responder listed 2-3+ differnet rounds i didn't count ANY (figured you'd be happy with anything depending on your mood so there is no preference). If just the brand was listed I didn't put anything for that either cause I wasn't gunna guess
this is what I came up with:
Grain____%
110____4.55
125____43.94
140____6.06
145____3.03
158____36.36
129, 130, 135, and 148 all came out at 1.52%
Take it for what it is guys. Looks like there are two basic camps. Those that have been doing this for a while probably already knew that.
MCgunner
Member
Uh? It all depends on the requirements of concealment, but mostly I limit my carry to no less than 9mm or .38 special. I do own a small .380 and a couple of .22 mini revolvers that come in VERY handy at times. They're better than the alternative when I carry them....NO gun. And, they make good back ups. There is no load in .38 special that can equal a 9x19 +P so you're saying the .38 is crap? I don't think so.
On the upper end, I carry .45ACP occasionally. The .40 equals the .45+P in energy, but it can't match the bullet diameter. Okay, probably not a lot of difference there, really, but I think the 10mm is a good defensive round with a hot 180 JHP. The .41 magnum was developed as a police revolver. If the shooter can handle the gun (you might not), I don't see anything wrong with more power. If I could, I'd carry my 7mm Remington Magnum. Not real concealable or fast on the draw, of course. Just like hunting, I don't think you can be OVER gunned. I know ONE guy that carries a Glock 29 with full power 180 grain handloads and loves it. He's very good with it, too.
content
Member
Hello friends and neighbors// In town 125 gr. JHP.(rare now that I have the 442)
In the country: one shot shell followed by 5, 158gr SJHP
In the mountains: 200gr hardcast
The different rounds used are all in 2 speed loaders and/or the cylinder so types can be swapped quickly.
In the country: one shot shell followed by 5, 158gr SJHP
In the mountains: 200gr hardcast
The different rounds used are all in 2 speed loaders and/or the cylinder so types can be swapped quickly.
PedalBiker
Member
Indoors:
158 gr LSWCHP +P 38 special rounds in an ancient security six.
runner up: speer 135 gr 38 +P GD SB in a Taurus 85
There's no way I'm torching off full bore .357 loads in the house.
I think part of the mystique of the 125 grain 357 round is that the flame ball alone would give most folks a heart attack.
I used to load 125gr JHP over about 17gr of 2400, but a few rounds of that in the indoor range convinced me to switch to about half the charge weight of Power Pistol. I only lost a little velocity but muzzle blast, recoil and flame ball were way less.
Outdoors I'll slip in a shot shell or two when in rattle snake habitat. And I almost never carry the security six outdoors.
158 gr LSWCHP +P 38 special rounds in an ancient security six.
runner up: speer 135 gr 38 +P GD SB in a Taurus 85
There's no way I'm torching off full bore .357 loads in the house.
I think part of the mystique of the 125 grain 357 round is that the flame ball alone would give most folks a heart attack.
I used to load 125gr JHP over about 17gr of 2400, but a few rounds of that in the indoor range convinced me to switch to about half the charge weight of Power Pistol. I only lost a little velocity but muzzle blast, recoil and flame ball were way less.
Outdoors I'll slip in a shot shell or two when in rattle snake habitat. And I almost never carry the security six outdoors.
41magsnub
Member
In my Security Six:
At home I carry something else so it lives in the gun safe. I do have some 158 grain Federal Premium hollow points for it. When I lent it to a buddy while his only pistol was away at the gunsmith, I set him up with some Georgia Arms 125gr .38 +P Gold Dots I had experimented with as carry ammo for my j frame since it was going to be an indoors gun.
In the woods I load it up with Federal 180gr hard cast. When I get close to shooting my stock of those up I will either reload something similar or switch to the Buffalo Bore equivalent.
At home I carry something else so it lives in the gun safe. I do have some 158 grain Federal Premium hollow points for it. When I lent it to a buddy while his only pistol was away at the gunsmith, I set him up with some Georgia Arms 125gr .38 +P Gold Dots I had experimented with as carry ammo for my j frame since it was going to be an indoors gun.
In the woods I load it up with Federal 180gr hard cast. When I get close to shooting my stock of those up I will either reload something similar or switch to the Buffalo Bore equivalent.
Last edited:
OldCavSoldier
Member
Glaser Blues is first choice
158 grain GD or JHP is second choice
125 grain GD or JHP is third choice
anything that goes BOOM is fourth choice
158 grain GD or JHP is second choice
125 grain GD or JHP is third choice
anything that goes BOOM is fourth choice
- Status
