.357 Mag -180 gr- too much?

homersimpson · June 28th, 2006, 03:46 AM

After searching the forum for a bit, it seems a lot of people prefer 110 or 125 gr. bullets of various manufacture for carry.

Since I have been carrying I have been using 180 gr. Winchester partition gold in a Ruger SP101. Am I doing something wrong?
I am curious as to what the pros/cons are to using a heavier bullet vs. a lighter bullet as it pertains to defensive ranges <10m.

Tubby45 · June 28th, 2006, 04:27 AM

The 125gr loads in the .357 are reputed to have been the ones that give it some of the best penetration. Check specs for the Fed HS load. Over 30" in bare gel. Pretty impressive.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Overpenetration will be cited by some. I don't buy it. I am more worried about missing and hitting someone else than having a bullet go through soemone and then travel unknown feet and hit someone else and kill htem.

jrad38 · June 28th, 2006, 06:39 AM

The 125 gr. j.h.p. has the highest 1 shot stop percentages of any handgun cartrige.

Bud White · June 28th, 2006, 07:52 AM

Recoil . Thats it right there a 180 grain bullet in a small 357 is a handful to most.

Also some of the newer Smaller 357's with fixed sights have there Sights regulated to 125 grain bullets.

They one shot stop thing well I'm sure some people choose it that way but I'm not sure i buy into that who deal as there no way to know a lot of the variables.

If you like the 180's and are comfortable carrying and shoot them by all means do so .

P95Carry · June 28th, 2006, 01:08 PM

I think 180's best kept for long range and silhouette shooting, and longer barrels - they are good for that.

For SD then maybe they up the punishment factor more than needed and as has been said the 125 weight does seem to have a good functional rep'. I have favored the 140 Corbons when I carried 357.

chiefs-special-guy · June 28th, 2006, 09:13 PM

all the 180 loads i have seen are intended for hunting, not personal protection, but hey! I am sure it would work.
God Bless

June 28th, 2006, 03:46 AM	#1
homersimpson Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: US Posts: 91	.357 Mag -180 gr- too much? After searching the forum for a bit, it seems a lot of people prefer 110 or 125 gr. bullets of various manufacture for carry. Since I have been carrying I have been using 180 gr. Winchester partition gold in a Ruger SP101. Am I doing something wrong? I am curious as to what the pros/cons are to using a heavier bullet vs. a lighter bullet as it pertains to defensive ranges <10m. __________________ Two of my favorite responses: "What is it about gun control laws that makes you feel safe?" "For the same reason I always wear my seatbelt."

June 28th, 2006, 04:27 AM	#2
Tubby45 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Making suppressors Posts: 2,406	The 125gr loads in the .357 are reputed to have been the ones that give it some of the best penetration. Check specs for the Fed HS load. Over 30" in bare gel. Pretty impressive. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Overpenetration will be cited by some. I don't buy it. I am more worried about missing and hitting someone else than having a bullet go through soemone and then travel unknown feet and hit someone else and kill htem. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Ammunition- Retail, Wholesale, Law Enforcement

June 28th, 2006, 01:08 PM	#5
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,468	I think 180's best kept for long range and silhouette shooting, and longer barrels - they are good for that. For SD then maybe they up the punishment factor more than needed and as has been said the 125 weight does seem to have a good functional rep'. I have favored the 140 Corbons when I carried 357. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

June 28th, 2006, 09:13 PM	#6
chiefs-special-guy Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: alabama Posts: 257	all the 180 loads i have seen are intended for hunting, not personal protection, but hey! I am sure it would work. God Bless __________________ Six for sure...Uh, I mean Five. Five for sure..

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June 28th, 2006, 06:39 AM	#3
jrad38 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 45	The 125 gr. j.h.p. has the highest 1 shot stop percentages of any handgun cartrige.

June 28th, 2006, 07:52 AM	#4
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gone from Here Posts: 17,375	Recoil . Thats it right there a 180 grain bullet in a small 357 is a handful to most. Also some of the newer Smaller 357's with fixed sights have there Sights regulated to 125 grain bullets. They one shot stop thing well I'm sure some people choose it that way but I'm not sure i buy into that who deal as there no way to know a lot of the variables. If you like the 180's and are comfortable carrying and shoot them by all means do so .