Why is .357 180 Grain SJHP a poor choice for SD?

[Animal Mother]

My local store has been out of stock of .357 ammo for so long that I'd given up on picking up a box anytime soon. This weekend I happened to be out of town and while at the Bass Pro Shops I noticed that they had some .357 ammo in stock in two varieties 125 grain and 180 grain SJHP. Thinking that bigger bullet = better stopping power, I picked up a box of 180 grain ammo. Once I got home I found out that the traditional wisdom is that 125 grain ammo is the best manstopper as far as .357 bullet weight is concerned and that 180 grain ammo should be reserved for hunting/target shooting. Why is this? recoil? poor expansion? overpenetration?

 

[Gary A]

I think the traditional argument against the 180 grain loads is over-penetration. Most 180 loads are designed for hunting and for deep penetration. One exception might be the Winchester Supreme 180 load which has an impressive hollow point and is favored by some heavy-bullet fans because they feel it has a good chance to open up. It is also a subsonic load in many shorter-barreled defensive revolvers. I wouldn't be against it but it seems to be very rarely on the shelves around here.

 

[MCgunner]

Too much penetration. 180 grain stuff is for hunting. Oh, I mean, if it's all you got, it'll surely kill a BG! It's pretty rough in recoil, too, though.

The 125 grain has been the gold standard for a while, but really, I find the 140 grain Speer to be VERY accurate and more efficient in short barrels. Also, it has a little less flash/bang than the 125s from short barrels. My favorite bullet weight in .357 for self defense against humans is the 140 grain loads. Like I say, the 180 will kill a man....go through the wall, kill grandma and her five grandkids behind the brick wall in the dining room of the house a block down the street, if you get my drift. I carry 180s in bear country or for hunting hogs.

 

[nathan]

McGunner, i was at Tomball Pawn and Jewelry and they have good prices on hard to find .357 mag ammo. They have the Remington 125 gr SJHP in 50 rd box, regarded highly for SD. Call them to make sure they have them in stock.

The 158 grs SJSP Federal and Magtech brands are also in stock for less money .

 

[Nicodemus38]

the conventional wisdom is that the lighter faster bullet will expand fastest, and to the largest possible diameter in the short distance that is the standard human body thickness, roughly 6-7 inches.
The 180 grain can start to expand in that limitof tissue, but the idea of that cartridge is, expansion AND penetration.

 

[Confederate]

When you go out into the wilderness and meet Mr. Bear, you may decide the 180s aren't so bad after all. Bears have a great deal of bulk and blubber, and their skulls are decidedly thick. If you follow your gut in an attack, you'll most likely aim right for the bear's head, and the bullet from lighter loads will bounce off the skull like water. If you have a heavier 180 bullet, however, and aim for the nose/mouth, you likely will be able to burrow through all the bulk and sever the bear's spine or drive into its brain. In other heavier animals, deep penetration is necessary.

In man, all the energy driving bullets once they leave the human body is wasted. The 180 grain bullet can't expand (doesn't have room) and once it exits your body, it's no longer your problem, but someone else's.

But that what makes the .357 so datgum versatile. It's really a beaut of a caliber. Get a bunch of 125 gr. JHPs or some hot .38 Spc. +Ps.

 

[joneb]

In revolvers the weight of the bullet and to a lesser degree the charge will have a substantial effect on the point of impact, the heavier bullets will shoot higher than the lighter. Fixed sight revolvers have their sights regulated for a particular load, you should know what bullet weight shoots well in your gun, and if you deviate to much from that you will need to compensate.