The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > Hogan's Alley > Handguns: The Revolver Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 4, 2014, 01:16 AM   #1
EvilE
Member
 
Join Date: June 13, 2014
Location: Sonoran desert
Posts: 93
Best .357 carry ammo? (Snubbie)

I have a Ruger SP101 2.25" barrel, hammerless. She's a gem! What are YOUR recommendations for the best carry ammo? Golden Saber 125 gr?
__________________
CRIMINALS PREFER UNARMED VICTIMS!
EvilE is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 05:40 AM   #2
skoro
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 30, 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,952
I don't carry my S&W Model 13 w/3" barrel. Too darn heavy for my pocket. But I find that it handles the 125gr Golden Saber rounds VERY well. They're a midrange 357, neither a firebreather nor a mild one. Plenty of pop w/o harsh recoil. Seems your SP101 is very similar to my 13, so it would be a good choice.
skoro is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 05:42 AM   #3
jeager106
Junior member
 
Join Date: November 24, 2006
Location: N.E. Oh.
Posts: 527
Tops are Remintgon & Federal 125 hollow points.
jeager106 is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 06:50 AM   #4
wojtekimbier
Member
 
Join Date: September 1, 2013
Location: Poland
Posts: 41
Some people prefer to carry .38 +P due to very bright muzzle flash (and recoil) of .357 from a snubby. That could make a difference if you carry at night or in dark places.
wojtekimbier is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 10:58 AM   #5
Colt46
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 25, 2002
Location: Campbell Ca
Posts: 1,090
I'd try both .357 and .38+P loads

See which works best for you. I've got the Speer Gold Dot, short barrel in my .38 SP-101 and prefer the mild recoil in compact revolvers.
Colt46 is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 11:53 AM   #6
trigger643
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 22, 2011
Posts: 322
This last go round I bought a box of Hornady Critical Defense 125 gr.. For the life of me I can't remember why, other than I must have read some test results somewhere.

Hey, it goes bang, so whatever.
trigger643 is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 12:07 PM   #7
amd6547
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 27, 2006
Posts: 2,313
I'm beginning to lose interest in "what's the best load" threads.
I just load my GP100 3" with whatever magnum load is handy.
Right now, it's loaded with Hornady 158gn XTP...I also have some of the 125gn Critical Defense, which seemed to do well in gel on YouTube.
Really, all I care about is that my revolver is loaded. I'm not gonna stress over magic bullets anymore.
__________________
The past is gone...the future may never happen.
Be Here Now.
amd6547 is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 12:07 PM   #8
Grant D
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 14, 2011
Location: Brazos County, Texas
Posts: 1,038
+ 1 On the Hornady Critical Defense rounds.
Have them in my nickel plated 4" S&W model 19 on my hip right now.
Grant D is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 07:19 PM   #9
wojtekimbier
Member
 
Join Date: September 1, 2013
Location: Poland
Posts: 41
I think amd6547 is right and it doesn't matter "what's the best load".
All handgun cartridges from .380acp to .45 Colt are so close in performance that the difference between various .357 HP loads is meaningless. In fact, it doesn't matter much if you hit a bad guy with .38+P or .357. You should be more concerned with training than choosing the best magic bullets. Find any quality SD ammo and use it. There isn't enough of a difference to waste time finding the best one if you can do better things instead, IMO.
wojtekimbier is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 07:26 PM   #10
Model12Win
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2012
Posts: 5,854
I'd look at Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 magnum 125 grain.

Plenty o' pop but not going to be as loud or flashy, with less recoil, than other rounds. In that SP101, which is heavier than most guns it's size, it should handle that round splendidly. You do NOT need barn-burning maximum power .357 magnum ammo in that gun, or any gun, for defense. It simply produces too severe a recoil and muzzle blast/flash/noise to be any good in a fightin' snub gun IMHO.

One is MUCH better off using these mid-power .357 shells in there snubs. Leave the hot full power stuff for a revolver with at least a 4" bbl.
Model12Win is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 07:31 PM   #11
amd6547
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 27, 2006
Posts: 2,313
My 3" GP100 disagrees. It handles full power commercial ammo easily, recoil is quite manageable.
__________________
The past is gone...the future may never happen.
Be Here Now.
amd6547 is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 09:00 PM   #12
EvilE
Member
 
Join Date: June 13, 2014
Location: Sonoran desert
Posts: 93
Well I can't find golden sabers locally anyways. One gun store had em, but they were $34.99 for 25.
I can get hornaday critical defense for $26.49/25 at bass pro shop. I doubt the golden sabers are worth almost $10 more a box
__________________
CRIMINALS PREFER UNARMED VICTIMS!
EvilE is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 10:41 PM   #13
Doc Holliday 1950
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 16, 2014
Location: Bout as south as it gets
Posts: 1,238
best ammo for a revolver 2" and 4 ".

Today I shot over 300 rounds at my local range. from 38 special + P 125 grain to 357 mag 158 grain HP's. After my hands stopped from the pain of shooting 357 mag 158 grain JHP's. I switched to 38 specials +P and Remington 357 mag 125 grain ammo. The results were startling. I hit every round exactly where it was supposed go. I even shot 6 in the X at 30 yards with my 2" with laser sights. The Range Master commented on my excellent accuracy.
There were no jams, no miss-fires, nada.
If I get into a situation past 8 yards, I'd probably be another jerk that can't keep their nose out of other peoples biz.
It is my opinion, only, that semi autos like Glock or S & W are totally over kill and unnecessary. My opinion only is that I prefer 357 mag revolvers over semi autos any day and time anywhere.
We have been duped by the gun lobby and mandators. One well placed shot beats the hell out of 18- 22 shots from a semi auto.
Doc Holliday 1950 is offline  
Old August 4, 2014, 11:18 PM   #14
Water-Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 23, 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 2,126
I'm still partial to the Winchester Silvertips 145gr. STHP.
Water-Man is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 12:19 AM   #15
EvilE
Member
 
Join Date: June 13, 2014
Location: Sonoran desert
Posts: 93
Thoughts on the hornaday 125 gr critical defense?
__________________
CRIMINALS PREFER UNARMED VICTIMS!
EvilE is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 12:44 AM   #16
Wyosmith
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 29, 2010
Location: Shoshoni Wyoming
Posts: 2,713
Any good hollow point from 125 to 160 grains.

The lighter 125s are probably better if you carry in more crowded areas.

Heavier weights are better against larger animals and OK on human threats too, but they will not stop in a human most of the time.
Wyosmith is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 02:07 AM   #17
Cossack
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2, 2006
Posts: 260
The Critical Defense will be fine. With ammo availability and prices as they are, take what you can find in a jhp round and don't lose sleep over it - It's a .357 mag, for Pete's sake! Do try it out to make sure you're comfy shooting it in your snubby. If it's bucking too much, switch to a .38 sp +P. I shoot and carry Remington Express 158gr JHP in my 2.5" .357 and I find it manageable.

I agree that I wouldn't pay $10/box more for Golden Sabers....although I do think you get 25 per box as opposed to 20 for the Harnady Critical Defense. Either round will be more than adequate, I think.
Cossack is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 03:12 AM   #18
Sheikyourbootie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 6, 2010
Posts: 379
For my 340PD (12 ounce snubby) I like the federal 140 grain Barnes bullet.

Here is a ballistics gel test I did on 2 rounds in 380, and since I had a lot of room for another test, I also ran the federal load through my .357. The round chronographed at 1100fps and was actually very pleasant to shoot compared to the full power 125 grain SJHP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l6vrb4Z-Lk
Sheikyourbootie is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 04:31 AM   #19
Deaf Smith
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 31, 2000
Location: Texican!
Posts: 4,453
Quote:
Best .357 carry ammo? (Snubbie)
For the SP101 and other such heavier .357 snubs I suggest Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWHP .38 Special loads!

From your 2.25 inch barrel expect 1040 fps.

Controllable yet powerful and well known as a effective load proven by the FBI.



And yes I have a few!

Deaf
__________________
“To you who call yourselves ‘men of peace,’ I say, you are not safe without men of action by your side” Thucydides
Deaf Smith is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 07:20 AM   #20
old bear
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 3, 2009
Location: Not close enough to the beach
Posts: 1,477
In my 2 1/2" M-66 I carry Buffalo Bore 38/44 +P ammo. It's a 158Gr. LSWC at 1,250 FPS. The only draw back to it is the price, with shipping it costs $1.75 a round, so it's not range ammo.

I also have several boxes of the Underwood brand 158Gr. hard cast Keith LSWC. Have not had the chance to shoot any of it yet. At a $1.50 a round I will get some range time in with these.

Quote:
Heavier weights are better against larger animals and OK on human threats too, but they will not stop in a human most of the time.
Wyosmith. Sir, if you don't believe that the heavier weight bullets will not drop a human in a hot second, just ask John Dillinger who took two from Agt. C. Hurt's .357 Magnum. Or check with the thousands who have been put down with a 158Gr. LSWC .357 Magnum round.

Note to self, read and really understand any post before you respond to it
Wyosmith, please accept my apology..

Last edited by old bear; August 6, 2014 at 03:29 PM. Reason: try to remove foot from mouth.
old bear is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 04:32 PM   #21
Water-Man
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 23, 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 2,126
^^He didn't say they wouldn't stop a human. He said they wouldn't stop in a human. IMO, they may or may not.^^
Water-Man is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 06:53 PM   #22
Kreyzhorse
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
Quote:
See which works best for you. I've got the Speer Gold Dot, short barrel in my .38 SP-101 and prefer the mild recoil in compact revolvers.
Bingo.

Recoil can be harsh in a snub firing .357 rounds. .38 are a much better option in my opinion.
__________________
"He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson
Kreyzhorse is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 09:04 PM   #23
SansSouci
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 13, 2013
Location: Heart of Reagan Country
Posts: 479
The .38 Special +P ammo advice is the way I'd go.

I USED to own a 2.5" Model 66. Shooting .357 Mag ammo out of it was unwieldy. Recoil made sight picture retention difficult at best. Shooting it at night, muzzle flash could be seen by space shuttle astronauts. Again, sight picture retention was difficult due to muzzle flash that screwed with night vision. And I'd of hated to shoot in in a confined space because the muzzle blast was disorienting. Finally, there ain't a whole lot of gain of a .357 Mag round over a .38 Special +P out of a 2.5" barrel.

I'd go with 158 grain LSWCHP .38 Special +P rounds. But mileage will vary.
SansSouci is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 09:08 PM   #24
SansSouci
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 13, 2013
Location: Heart of Reagan Country
Posts: 479
BTW, there ain't no such thing as a man stopper in a tactical firearm.

A friend shot a very bad guy with 6 "man stopper" rounds in his 10 ring with his duty revolver. The bad guy didn't flinch. A single 870 round made the bad guy property of the coroner.

Man stopper is a gun magazine term. Gun magazines are entertainment. They are not professional journals.
SansSouci is offline  
Old August 5, 2014, 09:45 PM   #25
cslinger
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 14, 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 2,045
Considering they are all pistol rounds and that is what it is.........that being said isn't the 125 Grain .357 Maggie pretty much the round most other self defense pistol rounds are measured against. Pretty much top of the statistical heap. (Lies, damned lies and statistics notwithstanding)
__________________
"Is there anyway I can write my local gun store off on my taxes as dependents?"
cslinger is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06304 seconds with 8 queries