|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
August 4, 2014, 01:16 AM | #1 |
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! |
August 4, 2014, 05:40 AM | #2 |
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.
|
August 4, 2014, 05:42 AM | #3 |
Junior member
Join Date: November 24, 2006
Location: N.E. Oh.
Posts: 527
|
Tops are Remintgon & Federal 125 hollow points.
|
August 4, 2014, 06:50 AM | #4 |
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.
|
August 4, 2014, 10:58 AM | #5 |
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.
|
August 4, 2014, 11:53 AM | #6 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 12:07 PM | #7 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 12:07 PM | #8 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 07:19 PM | #9 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 07:26 PM | #10 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 07:31 PM | #11 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 09:00 PM | #12 |
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! |
August 4, 2014, 10:41 PM | #13 |
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. |
August 4, 2014, 11:18 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 23, 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 2,126
|
I'm still partial to the Winchester Silvertips 145gr. STHP.
|
August 5, 2014, 12:19 AM | #15 |
Member
Join Date: June 13, 2014
Location: Sonoran desert
Posts: 93
|
Thoughts on the hornaday 125 gr critical defense?
__________________
CRIMINALS PREFER UNARMED VICTIMS! |
August 5, 2014, 12:44 AM | #16 |
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. |
August 5, 2014, 02:07 AM | #17 |
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. |
August 5, 2014, 03:12 AM | #18 |
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 |
August 5, 2014, 04:31 AM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 31, 2000
Location: Texican!
Posts: 4,453
|
Quote:
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 |
|
August 5, 2014, 07:20 AM | #20 | |
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:
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. |
|
August 5, 2014, 04:32 PM | #21 |
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.^^
|
August 5, 2014, 06:53 PM | #22 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 12, 2006
Location: NKY
Posts: 12,463
|
Quote:
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 |
|
August 5, 2014, 09:04 PM | #23 |
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. |
August 5, 2014, 09:08 PM | #24 |
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. |
August 5, 2014, 09:45 PM | #25 |
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?" |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|