Is There A Favorite .357 Mag Defensive Round? - Page 3

Rexster · February 15th, 2008, 09:44 PM

Let's all keep in mind that 125-grain loads are loaded to differing pressures and velocities by the ammo companies. Speer and Remington, for sure, load 125-grain JHP ammo to both full pressure and reduced pressure. Others may do so as well. Check their websites for the data, and make an informed choice. The classic manstopping 125 is full-pressure, from 4+" barrels.

Ragin Cajun · February 15th, 2008, 10:09 PM

Personally, I would buy a few different sizes of different brands and see what shoots best out YOUR gun.

5.56_Spartan · February 16th, 2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragin Cajun

Personally, I would buy a few different sizes of different brands and see what shoots best out YOUR gun.

+1 -- FIND THE AMMO THAT SHOOTS BEST IN YOUR GUN !

Personally I prefer the 125gr bullets (just because I believe 158gr will penetrate too much, and not transfer as much potential energy).

That said the ammo from Double-Tap (Speer Gold Dot) and the Corbon DPX series both have great reputations.

Truthfully the best ammo I have shot in my 357 is reloads, but I won't carry those for defense.

Super Trucker · February 17th, 2008, 04:57 PM

I carry the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel round in my J-Frame. It is 135 grain.
Speer Ammo - Ballistics Tables
At the bottom of this page are the ballistics info for the short barrel round if you are interested.

bmcgilvray · February 18th, 2008, 09:26 AM

I'm not into the 125 grain loadings, feeling they're overrated regardless of their supposed reputation. I dont' happen to use my .357 Magnums for defensive carry but if I chose one as a house gun it'd be loaded with either the 158 grain SWC's or 158 grain JHP's handloaded over a heavy charge of 2400 or a similar factory equivalent. The .357 Magnum capably handles bullets "with a little meat on them" so I leave the lighter weight slugs to the 9mm and such.

f8lranger4x4 · February 18th, 2008, 10:48 AM

speer gold dot

1911packer · February 19th, 2008, 12:36 AM

158 gr Federal in my snubby.

kpw · February 19th, 2008, 08:29 AM

Rem. 125 gr. sjhp. With the street rep it has and my very un-scientific tests, I'd pick it over any of the wonder bullets for SD. It clocked around 1330 fps in my 3" S&W. If it's still loaded the same today, that would be my choice.

SAWBONES · February 24th, 2008, 05:18 PM

I have three SP101s and have shot all the commercial premium .357 loads through them.

They shoot at or close to point of aim only with the 158gr loads, and of all of these, Buffalo Bore's standard (not their "snubby" version) .357 158gr JHP load is the most accurate and precise. The particular 2.25" barrel, bobbed hammer SP101 I use for CCW will shoot "one hole" groups with this load and no other. YMMV, obviously.

I use Double Tap's similar .357 Magnum JHP for practice. It's not quite as "warm" as the BB load, nor quite as accurate, but quite close enough, and not as expensive.

mr.stuart · February 24th, 2008, 05:32 PM

I like anything that will fit in my .357

Really,this is one gun and caliber I never had a problem with.Hydra Shok would be my favorite.

February 19th, 2008, 12:36 AM	#27
1911packer Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 381	158 gr Federal in my snubby. __________________ Observations on Political and Social Insanity

February 24th, 2008, 05:18 PM	#29
SAWBONES Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The third dimension Posts: 35	I have three SP101s and have shot all the commercial premium .357 loads through them. They shoot at or close to point of aim only with the 158gr loads, and of all of these, Buffalo Bore's standard (not their "snubby" version) .357 158gr JHP load is the most accurate and precise. The particular 2.25" barrel, bobbed hammer SP101 I use for CCW will shoot "one hole" groups with this load and no other. YMMV, obviously. I use Double Tap's similar .357 Magnum JHP for practice. It's not quite as "warm" as the BB load, nor quite as accurate, but quite close enough, and not as expensive. __________________ Humani nihil alienum

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February 15th, 2008, 09:44 PM	#21
Rexster Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SE Texas Posts: 156	Let's all keep in mind that 125-grain loads are loaded to differing pressures and velocities by the ammo companies. Speer and Remington, for sure, load 125-grain JHP ammo to both full pressure and reduced pressure. Others may do so as well. Check their websites for the data, and make an informed choice. The classic manstopping 125 is full-pressure, from 4+" barrels.

February 15th, 2008, 10:09 PM	#22
Ragin Cajun Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 457	Personally, I would buy a few different sizes of different brands and see what shoots best out YOUR gun.

February 17th, 2008, 04:57 PM	#24
Super Trucker Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 248	I carry the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel round in my J-Frame. It is 135 grain. Speer Ammo - Ballistics Tables At the bottom of this page are the ballistics info for the short barrel round if you are interested.

February 18th, 2008, 09:26 AM	#25
bmcgilvray Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,060	I'm not into the 125 grain loadings, feeling they're overrated regardless of their supposed reputation. I dont' happen to use my .357 Magnums for defensive carry but if I chose one as a house gun it'd be loaded with either the 158 grain SWC's or 158 grain JHP's handloaded over a heavy charge of 2400 or a similar factory equivalent. The .357 Magnum capably handles bullets "with a little meat on them" so I leave the lighter weight slugs to the 9mm and such.

February 18th, 2008, 10:48 AM	#26
f8lranger4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: virginia Posts: 741	speer gold dot

February 19th, 2008, 08:29 AM	#28
kpw Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: PA Posts: 646	Rem. 125 gr. sjhp. With the street rep it has and my very un-scientific tests, I'd pick it over any of the wonder bullets for SD. It clocked around 1330 fps in my 3" S&W. If it's still loaded the same today, that would be my choice.

February 24th, 2008, 05:32 PM	#30
mr.stuart Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa-southeast texas Posts: 609	I like anything that will fit in my .357 Really,this is one gun and caliber I never had a problem with.Hydra Shok would be my favorite.