Best ammo

[Gunman2]

What is the best defense ammo for my Ruger GP100 .357?

[TacticalDefense1911]

Federal 125 grain JHP or Remington 125 grain Golden Saber would be a good choices.

[Hagar the Republican]

The one that is the most accurate in YOUR gun.

Face it. A .357 magnum, any brand, any weight, is going to do the job if it hits the bad guy center mass, or to the head. If you do your job. It really doesn't matter if its a Golden Saber, Gold Dot, Hydra Shock, Black Talon, Ranger, PowRBall, or simple 125-gr SJHP. Heck, use a SWC. For crying out loud, it's a .357 magnum. Any of them will do things to a human body that the body was not designed to withstand. It doesn't matter if its 110-gr. or 180-gr. The point is, you've gotta hit what you're aiming at. Find what shoots the best in YOUR gun. Your GP100 and the next GP100 off the line might not shoot the same thing as well as the third GP100 off the line. So none of us can tell you what is the best thing to shoot in your gun. Just shoot, shoot, shoot until you find what shoots the best in your individual gun. There is no magic bullet. They are all going to do pretty much the same. Just good shot placement. Ya gotta hit it to kill it.

[SteelJM1]

What Hagar said. And even if the first round doesn't quote get the job done, i'm sure 2 through 6 will.

My only suggestion would be to find what you're most accurate with.

[TacticalDefense1911]

I dont think that there is going to be an appreciable difference in the accuracy of load A vs. load B at combat distances. The biggest issue will probably be recoil. A lighter grain load, in general will have a lower recoil given everything else is the same.

[CarbineCaleb]

In mid-range recoil/power, nice rounds are:
- Double Tap .38+P 125gr
- Remington Golden Saber .357Mag 125gr
- Corbon DPX .357 Mag 125gr

Nice rounds a step up are:
- Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum 125gr
- Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum 158gr

Nice rounds at the top of the heap are:
- Double Tap Gold Dot .357 Magnum 125gr
- Double Tap Gold Dot .357 Magnum 158gr

[Sgt.Fathead]

I love revolvers and Ruger revolvers especially and especially the Ruger GP100 4" stainless .357 Magnum, of which I own two. The best round for HD is the round you can consistently shoot the most accurately with. You. The GP will handle the softest little .38 Specials all the way up to monster loads like Buffalo Bore 180gr. Shoot different ammos and see which you can:

-Group most accurately and consistently with at varying HD distances.

-Shoot quickly, well. A second shot may be vital and with recoil beyond your ability to control and roll with it, may not be possible.

-Afford to practice with. No sense is using a high priced ammo for HD if you can't afford to practice with it, in your HD gun, often.

Good luck, good shooting, be safe!

[skeeter1]

"What Hagar said."

Ditto that. I'm partial to Winchester 145gr Silvertips, but 1). they're about the most expensive (around $1/rd.), and 2). I've practiced with plenty of them.

ANY .357Mag round is nothing to sneeze at. For my own HD, I use Silvertip .38Spl +Ps. I think that's enough. I keep some .357s on hand, and have a Marlin 1894C carbine, but I can't imagine anything around here where I would need it. That would be around ~1900FPS out of a rifle.

[WESHOOT2]

Most highly recommend using a high-speed (as opposed to 'reduced velocity') 125g JHP from any reputable maker, tested for reliable function and controllable accuracy in YOUR gun.
If unable to satisfy your requirements, test 110g JHP CorBon.

And if THAT doesn't 'work', recommend 158g LSWC-HP 38 Special +P.

(I own two; good guns).

[Rampant_Colt]

there is no "best"...

recommended self-defense loads for .357 magnum:
[in no particular order]

Speer 125gr & 158gr Gold Dot
Remington 165gr Core-Lokt
Remington 125gr Golden Sabre [med. vel]
Remington 125gr SJHP
Federal 140gr. DPX Vital-Shok
Federal 130gr Hydra-Shok
Federal 158gr Hydra-Shok
Federal 125gr SJHP
Hornady 125gr, 140gr, 158gr XTP
Winchester 145gr Silvertip
Winchester 125gr SJHP
Winchester 180gr Partition Gold
Cor-Bon 125gr DPX
Cor-Bon 125gr JHP


ps - don't believe the hyperbole surrounding the 96% one-shot stop myth of the 125gr JHP .357. NO handgun round produces that much incapcitation

[markj]

Start off using .38s then move up to the higher .357 rounds. Try a few use the one that you can shoot accuratly about sums it up. I never start a new shooter on full bore .357s letem get used to the gun before going ballistic.

[PX4Rookie]

Winchester Ranger SXT T-Series or Bonded (for deeper penetration). New Ranger ammo is the upgraded version of the old Black Talons. Mainly made for LE but civilians can carry them legally.

[Elvishead]

Depends.