Low weight 357 soft points

2DaMtns · March 31, 2009, 06:44 PM

I have a few questions about handloading for a 1894c. I know I am not supposed to use the 110 gr HPs due to risk of fragmentation. My question is two-fold. First, would soft point or FMJ handle the velocity OK? The second question is - are there any companies out there that make a non-HP bullet in 125gr or less? Thanks.

RamSlammer · April 1, 2009, 05:30 PM

Speer makes a 125 grain Unicor jacketed soft point . . . should hold together well . . . http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=629703

RickV · April 25, 2009, 10:09 AM

So a JSP at 125g will handle higher velocities like over 1200fps?

SL1 · April 25, 2009, 06:07 PM

1200 fps is not fast for a 125 grain JHP designed for a .357 Magnum. You can get 1500 fps from a revolver with a fairly long barrel.

Are you worried about the bullet fragmenting on the way to the target, or IN the target?

SL1

RickV · April 25, 2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

1200 fps is not fast for a 125 grain JHP designed for a .357 Magnum. You can get 1500 fps from a revolver with a fairly long barrel.

Are you worried about the bullet fragmenting on the way to the target, or IN the target?

SL1

So the fact that it is a Jacket Soft Point won't effect it then right? I am only asking because I want to order some bullets for a New Ruger GP100 6" that I am picking up Tuesday. I have a bunch (around 600) of 38spl that I loaded with Berry's plated and can shoot those but would like to put together some 357 loads and with the Berry's plated they say not to go over 1200fps

RamSlammer · April 25, 2009, 09:23 PM

The Berry's just have a thin copper plating over soft lead and 1100-1200 is their speed limit. True jacketed bullets can be pushed as fast as you care to limited by the amount of weight retention you desire and whether or not fragmentation after impacting the target is a concern. I sometimes load Hornady XTP's that get over 1700 fps out of a 6" revolver with no problems.

SL1 · April 26, 2009, 08:42 PM

RickV,

2DaMtns asked about jacketed bullets, but you seem to be shooting plated bullets.

The difference is important, as RamSlammer posted. Plated bullets are best held to lower velocities than jacketed.

SL1

RickV · April 27, 2009, 04:02 AM

Quote:

2DaMtns asked about jacketed bullets, but you seem to be shooting plated bullets.

The difference is important, as RamSlammer posted. Plated bullets are best held to lower velocities than jacketed.

SL1

I am aware of the difference and the limitations of the plated bullet and was asking about Jacketed Soft Point bullets that I am considering buying.

March 31, 2009, 06:44 PM	#1
2DaMtns Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Posts: 457	Low weight 357 soft points I have a few questions about handloading for a 1894c. I know I am not supposed to use the 110 gr HPs due to risk of fragmentation. My question is two-fold. First, would soft point or FMJ handle the velocity OK? The second question is - are there any companies out there that make a non-HP bullet in 125gr or less? Thanks. Last edited by 2DaMtns; March 31, 2009 at 08:37 PM.

April 1, 2009, 05:30 PM	#2
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	Speer makes a 125 grain Unicor jacketed soft point . . . should hold together well . . . http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=629703

April 25, 2009, 10:09 AM	#3
RickV Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: North Florida Posts: 172	So a JSP at 125g will handle higher velocities like over 1200fps?

April 25, 2009, 06:07 PM	#4
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	1200 fps is not fast for a 125 grain JHP designed for a .357 Magnum. You can get 1500 fps from a revolver with a fairly long barrel. Are you worried about the bullet fragmenting on the way to the target, or IN the target? SL1

April 25, 2009, 09:23 PM	#6
RamSlammer Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 722	The Berry's just have a thin copper plating over soft lead and 1100-1200 is their speed limit. True jacketed bullets can be pushed as fast as you care to limited by the amount of weight retention you desire and whether or not fragmentation after impacting the target is a concern. I sometimes load Hornady XTP's that get over 1700 fps out of a 6" revolver with no problems.

April 26, 2009, 08:42 PM	#7
SL1 Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2007 Posts: 2,001	RickV, 2DaMtns asked about jacketed bullets, but you seem to be shooting plated bullets. The difference is important, as RamSlammer posted. Plated bullets are best held to lower velocities than jacketed. SL1