New Hornady Critical Duty .357sig 135gr rounds...

[RustyShackelford]

Any THR forum members try the new Critical Duty .357sig rounds yet?
I've only seen one online retail source(at approx $1.00 USD/per round) for the new ammunition.
I'm not aware of any US police agencies using .357sig pistols with Hornady Critical Duty either.
The specs of the .45acp & .40S&W loads seem good(220gr & 175gr). I own a 50rd box of .45acp Critical Duty. I plan to shoot it up this summer & I may buy a new Glock 23 .40 with a extra .357sig barrel.
I have no issues with the .45acp but prefer the .357sig if I can buy the training rounds & decent carry loads. Speer Gold Dots, Ranger Ts, DPX, Critical Duty, etc.

 

[SDGlock23]

Should be a good load option for the 357 SIG. I have some Critical Duty for the .45 and .40 and like the .45 version a little better, and had some of the 135gr +P for the 9mm when I had a G17. Expansion seemed kind of mild with the 9mm and .40 version but seemed good with the 220gr +P .45 version.

I would like to see more 135gr options for the 9mm (and maybe 357 SIG), more weight than a 124gr but faster than a 147gr.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Hornady....

I think Hornady uses the 135gr bullet/design for logistics, budget, engineering reasons. If they can push a 9x19mm but get .357sig ballistics from the same platform then I can see the reasons.
I have no problems with the Critical Duty .45acp but would welcome a .357sig Critical Duty load for sub compacts.

 

[hardluk1]

Rusty You can get both practice and carry ammo used speers bonded core hp from georgia arms -http://georgia-arms.com/357sig.aspx
There carry ammo is new starline brass , good stuff. there canned heat is bought from law enforcement most times sorted and reloaded at a safe level. Shoot many a thousand of rounds of it.

Also From Underwood Ammo in 124gr speer bonded and hornady xtp bullet. -
http://www.underwoodammo.com/357sig.aspx

Only problem is I can buy faster 40cal from Underwood than any 357sig can do. 135gr at 1400fps or what I carry a 155gr at 1300fps. My tp40 kahr averages 1302fps .

 

[BSA1]

I'll give my usual advice.

Do not carry any particular ammunition until you do your own testing out of your own gun.

For me that means more than just punching homes in paper. I shoot into water jugs or barrels, I place layers of clothing over water and shoot through it to see if the hollowpoint will clog up, I shoot through drywall, I shoot through plywood, chipboard and 2x4's. While none of these tests represent the human body it does give me a good idea of what to expect from the bullets performance. A round that expands through all or most of my test material increases my confidence in it expanding in tissue, blood and bone. On the other hand failure to expand in testing will lead me to consider other types of bullets.

I have found Hornady Critical Defense 38 Special fire from a J-Frame 2" barrel revolver to be a very good performer. It performs well in all of the above test material. I plan on conducting tests later this summer when I find the time comparing Hornady Critical Defense vs. Remington Golden Saber in 9mm out of a SIG P239.

p.s. I think the 357 SIG has the potential to be a awesome performer. I just am put off by the cost of the brass and inconvience of reloading a bottleneck cartridge.

p.p.s. Beside shooting things is fun.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Pallets & cases....

In theory it is a great idea to crank out about 400/500 rounds of carry ammunition to train with or use but in 2014 many people lack the time, $$$ or resources to shoot like that. Most US gun owners aren't buying rounds by the case or 1000rd lots.
Even milspec or surplus ammunition runs $0.30-.40 per round.
The Hornady Critical Duty .357sig load looks impressive but I won't be buying 500 rounds of it.
Honestly, I doubt I could get that .357sig round or any other premium LE round in bulk either. Unless you have the $$$.

 

[hardluk1]

When I was buying practice ammo in was bought in bulk but hp a few hundred . Shoot up a few hundred of the cheaper to check basic function then a 50 or so hp and if trouble free for all rounds carry away.

Now I reload practice ammo but still carry the same HP I have a trac record with.