Is There A Favorite .357 Mag Defensive Round? - Page 2

Philbert · February 14th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supertac45

I use 125 grain Golden Sabers in the same pistol as a BUG.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgrass101

I use 125 gr Speer Gold Dots

By too many tests to name over at least the last 25yrs. or so, a good 125gr. hollowpoint has proven to be THE most effective defensive round in a .357 Magnum, and in fact many of the tests say it is the best manstopper of all the common self defense used handgun cartridges, even if it is "by a hair."

Air,Land&Sea · February 14th, 2008, 06:29 PM

Would 158 gr. be "better" than a 125 gr. out of a snubby?

SatCong · February 14th, 2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sig 210

When I carry my S@W model 66, which is very infrequently, it is loaded with the Speer 140 grain load called the Deputy: It has a pentagonal hollowpoint. This was one of the loads in the old Speer Lawman series.

That's a good load, as I recall.

falcon1 · February 14th, 2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air,Land&Sea

Would 158 gr. be "better" than a 125 gr. out of a snubby?

I do not have a .357 snubnose, but do have a .38 Special +P Colt SF-VI. In it, I use the Remington 158-grain LSWC-HP +P. If it were a .357 Magnum, I would use the Remington Golden Saber 125-grain BJHP load. I have no experience with the Speer Gold Dot Short-Barrel cartridge, but many folks here really like them. To be honest, I believe either grain weight would work well out of a snubbie, but YMMV.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

BikerRN · February 15th, 2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Air,Land&Sea

Would 158 gr. be "better" than a 125 gr. out of a snubby?

No

Why don't you go over to Evan Marshall - Handgun Stopping Power and browse that site and read some of the threads there? Lot's of good information on different loads and a good bunch of people. I like this site and Evan's.

Biker

Air,Land&Sea · February 15th, 2008, 07:02 AM

You're right. 125 gr. .357 Mag is the general concensus.

senseiturtle · February 15th, 2008, 07:25 AM

You also mentioned 9mm-

Go with the Federal HST 124 gr. +P -

"Ammunition to go" sells it to the general public.

-

+P doesn't really kick much more than regular. I can't really tell the difference in my pt99.

For the 9mm, the consensus is you'll need the smaller round for more speed and more reliable expansion. However, expansion technology has come a really long way, and I'm pretty sure that the old qualms about 147 gr not being to expand are beginning to subside.

147 was originally designed as a subsonic round, but you can find a few that still push 1100 fps, which is pretty good for this caliber. I like the idea of putting more lead on target in this case.

Air,Land&Sea · February 15th, 2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senseiturtle

You also mentioned 9mm-

Go with the Federal HST 124 gr. +P -

"Ammunition to go" sells it to the general public.

-

+P doesn't really kick much more than regular. I can't really tell the difference in my pt99.

For the 9mm, the consensus is you'll need the smaller round for more speed and more reliable expansion. However, expansion technology has come a really long way, and I'm pretty sure that the old qualms about 147 gr not being to expand are beginning to subside.

147 was originally designed as a subsonic round, but you can find a few that still push 1100 fps, which is pretty good for this caliber. I like the idea of putting more lead on target in this case.

I was leaning towards Speer 124 +P or the same from Black Hills. Maybe I'll get a few of all 3 and check them all out.
Thanks.

Rexster · February 15th, 2008, 09:12 PM

Well, the 125-grain JHP at full pressure and velocity is one best choice, based on actual defensive shootings, but from an SP101 that might not be feasible for many folks. It took me a while to train up to that load, and now that I am getting older and more feeble, that load beats me up a bit. Another drawback to the 125-grain loads is point-of-impact issues with fixed-sight weapons.

My recently more-favored-load for lighter and fixed-sight revolvers is the Winchester Silvertip 145-grain load. Though a bit heavier in bullet weight, it is not loaded to such high pressure, and is milder to shoot, with less flash. This load has worked well in real defensive shootings, and importantly, shoots closer to point-of-aim with fixed-sight weapons.

Loads that should also work fine include the Remington Golden Saber and Cor-bon DPX, but the classic loads I first mentioned above are well-proven over time. As always, keep in mind that hitting a vital area is most important.

I would avoid 158-grain loads in JHP configuration, simply due to penetration concerns. My friends who hunt deer use those loads very successfully. While fixed-sight weapons may indeed be pre-sighted-in for 158-grain loads, I find the 145-grain Silvertips close enough in POI.

Air,Land&Sea · February 15th, 2008, 09:35 PM

The winner's 125 gr. Black Hills.

February 14th, 2008, 06:29 PM	#12
Air,Land&Sea Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: A Blue State Posts: 214	Would 158 gr. be "better" than a 125 gr. out of a snubby? __________________ Freedom of speech does not excuse you from freedom of thought.

February 15th, 2008, 07:02 AM	#16
Air,Land&Sea Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: A Blue State Posts: 214	You're right. 125 gr. .357 Mag is the general concensus. __________________ Freedom of speech does not excuse you from freedom of thought.

February 15th, 2008, 07:25 AM	#17
senseiturtle Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 84	You also mentioned 9mm- Go with the Federal HST 124 gr. +P - "Ammunition to go" sells it to the general public. - +P doesn't really kick much more than regular. I can't really tell the difference in my pt99. For the 9mm, the consensus is you'll need the smaller round for more speed and more reliable expansion. However, expansion technology has come a really long way, and I'm pretty sure that the old qualms about 147 gr not being to expand are beginning to subside. 147 was originally designed as a subsonic round, but you can find a few that still push 1100 fps, which is pretty good for this caliber. I like the idea of putting more lead on target in this case. __________________

February 15th, 2008, 09:12 PM	#19
Rexster Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 156	Well, the 125-grain JHP at full pressure and velocity is one best choice, based on actual defensive shootings, but from an SP101 that might not be feasible for many folks. It took me a while to train up to that load, and now that I am getting older and more feeble, that load beats me up a bit. Another drawback to the 125-grain loads is point-of-impact issues with fixed-sight weapons. My recently more-favored-load for lighter and fixed-sight revolvers is the Winchester Silvertip 145-grain load. Though a bit heavier in bullet weight, it is not loaded to such high pressure, and is milder to shoot, with less flash. This load has worked well in real defensive shootings, and importantly, shoots closer to point-of-aim with fixed-sight weapons. Loads that should also work fine include the Remington Golden Saber and Cor-bon DPX, but the classic loads I first mentioned above are well-proven over time. As always, keep in mind that hitting a vital area is most important. I would avoid 158-grain loads in JHP configuration, simply due to penetration concerns. My friends who hunt deer use those loads very successfully. While fixed-sight weapons may indeed be pre-sighted-in for 158-grain loads, I find the 145-grain Silvertips close enough in POI. Last edited by Rexster; February 15th, 2008 at 09:17 PM. Reason: typos plus more thoughts

February 15th, 2008, 09:35 PM	#20
Air,Land&Sea Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: A Blue State Posts: 214	The winner's 125 gr. Black Hills. __________________ Freedom of speech does not excuse you from freedom of thought.

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