Best .357 Magnum Defense Loads?

[ZVP]

My favorite 125gr JSP Remington load would be my choice as it is normilly readilly available and when shot through my "Pet" 4 5/8" Ruger Vaquero causes low recoil and lots of power! Muzzleblast is middle of the road.
Today I had occasion to shoot a cylinderfull through a Ruger Service revolver and found it to be a painfull experience (Knuckle rappin, uncomfortable on the triggerguard!) The Service model Ruger is much lighter than my Vaquero and the smaller frame puts the recoil where it hurts most!
With a lighter revolver there's not much that can be done when you are in search of real .357 Magnum Punch!
This is why I use the antiquated S/A as my primary carry gun in ,357. Yes I know it's limitations but the basic idea is to hit where you aimed the first round! Multiple attackers and the other 5 follow-up shots are an important consideration and pratice can only cure any questions that may arise beyond that first one...
I try to get in at least one 25 round per week session up with the Vaquero.
ZVP

 

[USSR]

Regarding hydrostatic shock, the Brit's did some research on this many years ago. There conclusion was, it didn't really begin to appear until velocities of 2200 or 2300fps (if I remember correctly) were present. In any case, counting on hydrostatic shock with a handgun is a fools errand. You want a big hole and deep penetration. That's why I moved from the .357 Magnum to the .45 Colt.

Don

 

[LouisianaGunner12]

That's why I moved from the .357 Magnum to the .45 Colt.

What DA revolver do you use in .45 Colt?

 

[USSR]

What DA revolver do you use in .45 Colt?

S&W Model 25-5 with my hand cast bullets as shown below.

Don

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by USSR: Regarding hydrostatic shock, the Brit's did some research on this many years ago. There conclusion was, it didn't really begin to appear until velocities of 2200 or 2300fps (if I remember correctly) were present. In any case, counting on hydrostatic shock with a handgun is a fools errand.

You nailed it.

You want a big hole and deep penetration. That's why I moved from the .357 Magnum to the .45 Colt.

You want enough penetration, and all other things being equal, a larger wound channel is better than a smaller one.

However, the human body is not a homogeneous structure, and there are a lot of places where one might hit an attacker where a .44 or a .45 would be no more effective than an expanded .32.

Marksmanship proficiency is unlikely to mitigate that risk effectively. The solution is more hits.

As Frank Ettin likes to say, bigger holes are better than smaller holes, and more holes are better than fewer holes.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Regarding hydrostatic shock, the Brit's did some research on this many years ago. There conclusion was, it didn't really begin to appear until velocities of 2200 or 2300fps (if I remember correctly) were present. In any case, counting on hydrostatic shock with a handgun is a fools errand. You want a big hole and deep penetration. That's why I moved from the .357 Magnum to the .45 Colt.

Don

I understand and hear you. Looking at wound tracts is different than looking at vessels/plumbing in the brain. It is my understanding though that trauma to the CNS (brain) can/does result from a CM hit from even "pedestrian" calibers.. ie some 9x19. I'm not really worried about it. just go shoot an unopened tuna can with your .45.. it's a closed system also.. lolz

 

[LouisianaGunner12]

S&W Model 25-5 with my hand cast bullets as shown below.

Don


__________________

Nice! Maybe I should consider getting a Model 25... I imagine recoil and muzzle blast would be pretty tame?

 

[USSR]

Nice! Maybe I should consider getting a Model 25... I imagine recoil and muzzle blast would be pretty tame?

Depends upon how I load it. Plinking loads with 6.0gr of a fast powder; Yes. My deer load propelling those 265gr SWC HP's at about 1100fps; Not so much.

Don