.357 load suggestions?

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AZAndy

AZAndy

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I had an educational experience at the range yesterday. I usually carry some variety of .38 +P LSWCHP in my 640, but thought I'd try some .357 to see how that would be. I had some Federal Hydrashocks laying around (I think they were 130 grain, maybe 129) so ran a cylinder full of those. Lawdy! That was painful. It actually tore, or maybe split, the skin at the inside base of my thumb. Having distinctly non-massive wrists and hands is a shortcoming I can't overcome, so maybe I should be thinking about one of the "short-barrel" loads I see occasionally. Anyone have experience with such loads that they'd care to talk about?

Thanks!
 
AZ -

Are you a handloader? The Hornady manual has load data for 357 commencing with starting loads that are milder than what you describe. I've used them, and they perform well.....
 
bayou5252 said:
AZ -

Are you a handloader? The Hornady manual has load data for 357 commencing with starting loads that are milder than what you describe. I've used them, and they perform well.....
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Yes, I could roll my own, but I like commercial loads for carry because I can usually check expansion and penetration tests on them without having to do the tests myself.
 
The Remington 125gr Golden Saber in .357 magnum is often recommended as a "light magnum" load. I have never used that load in an LCR but also found that my hands are not up to the task of full house loads in a gun that light.
 
Opinionated SOB Here

Personally I think the biggest mistake S&W made was lengthening the "J" framed revolvers to accept 357MAG.
I have two older model 60s that are 38SPL and even with the Plus P loads in 110-125 grain bullets they snap pretty hard. So I stick with 158SWCHP in the Plus P charge. For me the heavier weight bullet has less snap to the recoil.
My 681 is a fine magnum revolver. The size and weight make shooting full power 357MAG cartridges pleasant.
As always when this topic comes up remember this is just my opinion.
 
Personally I think the biggest mistake S&W made was lengthening the "J" framed revolvers to accept 357MAG.
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Was it Wiley Clapp who said, "The advent of ultra light revolvers has changed the recoil of the .357 Magnum from merely unpleasant to downright painful."

Frankly, I'd go with a good .38 Special load in this revolver. Other wise, you'll have to practice with a load that does not duplicate your carry load, and that's generally not a good idea.
 
I shoot 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum ammo in my M640 and they are scary accurate.

If you are looking for short barrel magnums that would be 135gr Speer GDHP ammo but they are hardly any more potent than .38 Special +P ammo since they are only rated @990 fps.
 
TomJ said:
I've never shot a 640, but I have a SP101 with a 2.25 inch barrel and use Buffalo Barnes short barrel ammo. The link is below. The recoil with the SP101 is very manageable.


https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=276
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That looks interesting. From the data, I'm guessing it would get maybe 1200 fps out of the 640, and the expansion I've seen tests for in other calibers looks okay. I'll definitely check it out! Thank you.
 
As has already been stated, you got the wrong gun for shooting 357's, you had it right when you were running the .38 +P LSWCHP's (these or any number of other top quality .38 +p HP's on the market now)
Don't over think it. If you want more gun, then go buy more gun. ;)
 
I use Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP standard pressure low flash load in my model 637 Air weight.
I use Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP +P load in my model 10.
I also use .38 Spl. Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP +P low flash load in my model 60 SS .357 Mag w/3” barrel and I use Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP +P in my model 19.
 
I also carry 145 gr silver tips in my LCR and it wakes you up. I practice with 38 but carry 357 and they go where I point them. I also have some carbon 38 +p rounds that I like. As always bullet placement is critical. Two to the chest and one to the head and I have two bullets left.
 
Has already been mentioned, but...
Smaller barrel is lighter. Less mass (weight) will normally result in more felt recoil and muzzle flip.
If the .357 hurts your hand, stick with the .38 spl +P. .38 has less recoil and is faster back on target.
Bottom line, shot placement is MOST important. With good shot placement, .38 spl +P is certainly lethal.

Hence, if you can shoot more consistently, faster and accurately with .38spl (common), no need to concern yourself with .357 mag. Unless of course, it's just for fun! ;)
 
I usually carry some variety of .38 +P LSWCHP in my 640, but thought I'd try some .357 to see how that would be.
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You have the answer already. Keep carrying the 158 grain lead .38 Specials, and just shoot .357's occasionally for fun. (how is your flinch doing after shooting the .357's? ;)
 
I don't know, I shoot full power .357 Magnum ammo in a M640 and the recoil is not bad at all. Granted it's not a 12oz Airlite but a 23oz J frame. 145gr Silvertips are full power.
 
Buffalo Bore and Underwood don't manufacture "gimmick" ammo.

I shoot so much 44 magnum that 357s are pretty tame to me.
 
I carry 145 grain .357 Silvertips in my 340Sc . . . with the original grips it was painful to shoot, but adding Crimson Trace LG-305 grips (which cushion the backstrap) reduced the recoil to merely unpleasant.

At least for the first cylinder or two.
 
You people advocating the Winchester silver tips, do you just have a stockpile or is there new ammo available?
I've got an older box I've been holding onto for collecting since I haven't seen any newly manufactured silver tips in years.
 
gotboostvr said:
You people advocating the Winchester silver tips, do you just have a stockpile or is there new ammo available?
I've got an older box I've been holding onto for collecting since I haven't seen any newly manufactured silver tips in years.
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I had 2 boxes from years ago and about 2 years ago Winchester did a run and I bought another 3 boxes. (150 rounds)

If you put your name on the notification list for when they come back in stock the company will send you an email when Winchester does another run and ships. That's how I got my last 3 boxes and it's been Winchester's practice to do a run every 2 years or so.
 
Vern Humphrey said:
Was it Wiley Clapp who said, "The advent of ultra light revolvers has changed the recoil of the .357 Magnum from merely unpleasant to downright painful."

Frankly, I'd go with a good .38 Special load in this revolver. Other wise, you'll have to practice with a load that does not duplicate your carry load, and that's generally not a good idea.
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.38 or .38+p would be my recommendation as well if you don't want to make your own ammo for carry.
 
I load for a 686+ 3" and use these loads

(for self defense) Hornady 140 gr XTP W-W 296 18.5GR Primer=W-W WSPM

(when we hike for larger animals) Speer 158 gr JSP W-W 296 16GR Primer=W-W WSPM

-mike
 
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