Best .357 magnum load?

[pwrtool45]

Sure thing, Federal used to catalog a 140gr SJHP at around 1,360fps (or thereabouts). (Also had around or the exact same ME as the 125gr SJHP load, for whatever that's worth). Better barrier penetration than the 125s with less tissue penetration than the 158s. Great compromise load. Hornady still loads a 140gr XTP JHP round, but it's been nerf'd.

Always glad to add complication.

I think you'll find that the general concensus is to just use whatever floats your boat. If you want reduced flash and bang, try any of the full-power 158gr loads. Hydra Shoks and Gold Dots are available. The 145gr Silvertips aren't as hot as other loads, but they're not medium-velocity rounds, either. Again, whatever floats your boat. The caliber isn't dependent on exotic bullets, and those that are out there work fine due to the higher-velocity nature of round. They haven't, by and large, had to be redesigned because they weren't expanding, then redesigned because the previous redesign expanded too much, the redesigned because they wouldn't expand in the 4-layer denim test, then redesigned...ad nauseum.

IIRC, Wal-Mart carries Silvertips. (Or they used to, anyway). Those come in boxes of 50. Head on down to Wally World and buy a couple boxes. Problem solved.

 

[RWK]

Georgia Arms manufactures a new, Gold Dot, 158 grain, 1250 FPS load that seems like a great compromise: Fast (1250 FPS), but not overwhelming; 158 grain; Gold Dot bullet. What more could one ask for?

 

[Brian Williams]

I have found that the PMC 158 gr JHP and JSP are some great preformers for me. Not to much flash and bang but using the ever SWAG dirt test the bullets opened up and did not go to deep.

 

[grendelbane]

I like the heavier bullets myself. Starting with the 145 gr Silvertip, and going up.

Are the stobor you are referring to found on the planet Haven, or somewhere else?

 

[tbige]

grendelbane: Could you compare the 145 to the 125 for me in specific terms of flash, noise and recoil?

 

[grendelbane]

OK, keep in mind this is totally subjective.

I feel like the 125 grain rounds kick more, and have more flash.

Makes sense to me.

The 125 grain loads kick almost as much, if not more, than the 145 gr silvertip loads.

Both are loud!!!!!! Hearing protection required.

I a currently experimenting with 147 grain bullets in 357 SIG, and, for what I do not know how to describe, but will call 357 SIG +P.

I will know more next week.

 

[tbige]

grendelbane: Many thanks...confirms what I've thought. Anxious to hear about results of your "project."

 

[sgt127]

I've always kinda figured ammo selection and motor oil had alot in common. If you get good ammo from a reliable company in a decent caliber, you will be doing pretty well. Then its up to you to put said bullet where it needs to go.

If you pick a good quality motor oil from one of the decent oil companies that is appropriate for your engine, you will be doing pretty well. Then its up to you to change that oil when it needs to be changed.

At best, every ammo out there is a compromise. The one that will make it through the windshield and hit the bad guy, may overpenetrate in the next shooting when the bad guy is only wearing a T-shirt. The one that has explosive mushrooming may not make it to the spine on a wierd angle shot.

For every pefect load out there, someone can show you that it failed miserably. Find a load that you can control, that is accurate in YOUR gun in YOUR hand, shoot a few things with it, wet newspapers, mud etc. Look at what it did and, if you feel comfortable with it, go for it.

At work, I have to carry a Glock 35 with the issue Corbon 135 gr. I'm OK with that. Off duty, I carry either a Kahr PM9 with non +P winchester 115 gr white box HP (because they run well, are cheap and I don't like +P out of that little gun) or a Ruger SP-101 with 125 gr Federals. As much horsepower as I can get out of a little package...(Actually I'm waiting on a S&W 696 as we speak. Gotta appreciate the big bullets too....)