.357Mag defensive ammo?

[eldermike]

I keep mine loaded with 38 special +p. Shooting a snubbie in 357 mag requires tons of pratice. And what I leared from all that pratice is it takes to long to get that fire breathing thing back on target.

[wnycollector]

Another vote for the Speer 135gr short barrel load. My wife's 2 3/4" Ruger Security Six is loaded with the Speer ammo. It's very very controllable load in 32oz revolver.

My 4" S&W M13 that sits on my nightstand is loaded with the old standby FBI load (remington 158gr LSWCHP +P .38). I want an effective load, but a fire breathing 125gr .357 is overkill indoors.

[MR.G]

For a long time I have loaded mine with Federal 125gr , 357B.

[KnotRight]

Also, if you are reloading and using the gun for HD, try loading a hollow base wadcutter up-side-down.

When it hits, it flattens out or starts key-holeing.

Not good for anything over 15 yards.

[Bill56]

http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...158-grain.html

Here's an interesting article on Speer Gold Dot ammo, compares 125 and 158 grain.

[Water-Man]

Federal Classic Hi Shok 357B 125gr. JHP.

Tough on the gun though if shot frequently.

[Fleabag]

I've taken it down a notch with the Remington Golden Sabre in .357 and even .38+P

[Sport45]

If I was to leave mine on the night stand it would be loaded with the same thing I carry in my snubby, Remington 158gr SWCHP +P.

[Redhawk5.5+P+]

I should probably clarify what gun I am going to be using it in. I currently have a Ruger sp101 with the 2.25" barrel. I know short barrels reduce velocity, although I would still want a heavier buller for better penetration right?

I'll leave that one for the kid's.

[FairWarning]

Originally Posted by Mauser8mm

Black Talons are hard to come by, and are expensive, but will stop anything dead in it's tracks. I have a cousin who drops deer with a 40 cal Springfield XD using them.

I'd love to have some in .357 Mag (180 gr), but they are so rare now as to be too precious to play with at $65 for 20 last year, I assume more now! I did some field testing with a friend's S&W model 19 and black talons on various targets and they of course expand exactly as advertised. Too bad there is no current Win Ranger T version representing a newer generation of this round, either, as there is for most SD calibers.

[Revolver1]

158gr semi jacketed hp. Any Hornady 158gr hp.

[Sgt127]

I kind of like the slightly heavier bullet. CCI used to make the Deputy load. It was a 140 GR hollowpoint called the "Penta Point" (it was a pentagon shaped hole) I really liked that round. Now, I use the Remington Classic 158 GR HP. The 145 Silvertip has good street creds too.

Anything getting close to a dollar a round, or more, just makes my teeth itch, I can't do it.

[nate45]

I always catch a lot of flack for recommending 180 gain .357 bullets for SD. So I won't recommend them, just say that I load them in my .357 Magnums.

The Nosler Partition HG, which is commercially loaded as the Winchester Partition Gold. Below is the Winchester tested in water. I have tested them myself in wet pack, water jugs and deer and hog meat. They penetrate and expand well. At velocities as low as 800 fps too.




My own personal opinion is that in .357 anything from 125-180 will work all of hem penetrate and expand well enough for SD. At the end of the day thats what matters. So whichever load the individual shoots well in their pistol and feels confident with, will be the best one.

[jmr40]

Lighter bullets need speed to work. You don't get anywhere near the advertised speed from sub 4" guns. The fast 125 gr bullets work great from 4" or longer guns, but from your 2" SP I'd be looking at something heavier that works at slower speeds.

[iraiam]

Use heavy bullets and fast burning powder for snubbies.

I personally carry 158 grain bullets because that is what my fixed sights are regulated for. My SD loads are 158 grain Hornaday HP, H110 powder, magnum primers, and a heavy crimp on the case into the cannelure.