357smallbore
Member
I carry a 4in GP100. I am old school when it comes to ammo I use. I use the Remington R357M1 SJHP or Federal 357B JHP. Does anyone else carry old school ammo in their weapons?
old school ammo for 357
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rswartsell
Member
Kind of,
I love .38 spl target 148 gr wadcutters (S&W Mod-14) and the FBI load (Mod-10). Use tons of practice fodder semi-wadcutter bullets. Remington R357 M2 (Mod-19 158 gr.) and Remington Core-Lokt still does it for me in hunting with rifle (Marlin 336 .30-.30). However, for defense use I also love new bullet design/performance (mostly Speer) and "short barrel" loads (Colt DS 135 gr.).
Love several Buffalo Bore loads (.45 Colt Blackhawk, 180 gr. .357 DW Mod-15, etc.) so I am a "mixed-bag".
I love .38 spl target 148 gr wadcutters (S&W Mod-14) and the FBI load (Mod-10). Use tons of practice fodder semi-wadcutter bullets. Remington R357 M2 (Mod-19 158 gr.) and Remington Core-Lokt still does it for me in hunting with rifle (Marlin 336 .30-.30). However, for defense use I also love new bullet design/performance (mostly Speer) and "short barrel" loads (Colt DS 135 gr.).
Love several Buffalo Bore loads (.45 Colt Blackhawk, 180 gr. .357 DW Mod-15, etc.) so I am a "mixed-bag".
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Well, old school is cool to be sure but pretty significant advancements have been made in hollowpoint handgun bullet design in the last 15 years. The old designs would not reliably expand from a handgun barrel unless driven at fairly high velocities. Newer designs will open up at considerable slower speeds.
Deaf Smith
Member
Well, if I was to pack my Ruger 3 inch 'Canadian' .357 I'd use the new Buffalo Bore 140 gr. DPX style HP at 1430 fps (yes it gets that!!!)
Not exactly 'old school' but that's a real .357 magnum load!
Deaf
Winchester used to load a 158 gr Lubaloy SWC, I think they just called it lead on the box, other than the Lubaloy (copper plating). I don't know if they still make it, but I think it was some of the best of the type. The Remington 158 gr lead SWC stuff fouled bores badly and quickly for me, as well as having a fairly small flat point with rounded edges.
After learning of a number of the 125's not penetrating well, I lean towards the 158's at this point. The mid weights should hold together well though.
RustyShackelford
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New school cool .....
Id check out the ballistics of Hornady's Critical Duty line.
They now offer a .357magnum load in the Critical Duty format.
I purchased a 50rd box of .45acp Critical Duty in 2013 for my M&P Compact and Glock 21 gen 04.
It works very well. In a .357magnum you can't go wrong with the proven 125gr JHP.
Id check out the ballistics of Hornady's Critical Duty line.
They now offer a .357magnum load in the Critical Duty format.
I purchased a 50rd box of .45acp Critical Duty in 2013 for my M&P Compact and Glock 21 gen 04.
It works very well. In a .357magnum you can't go wrong with the proven 125gr JHP.
Panzerschwein
member
Yes.
I use the Federal 357B load in my Ruger GP100 w/ 4" bbl. It is still being produced under the "Personal Defense" line.
I use the Federal 357B load in my Ruger GP100 w/ 4" bbl. It is still being produced under the "Personal Defense" line.
moxie
Member
I often carry my Security Six 4" when hunting. My 140 gr. reloads average 1485 fps.
In the home, however, it is loaded with Rem. GS 125 +P in .38 Spl.
In the home, however, it is loaded with Rem. GS 125 +P in .38 Spl.
Twiki357
Member
I guess you could consider me old school. I still carry my reloaded cast 148 WCs in my 38 J frames and 158 SWCs in my 357 K frames.
Barry the Bear
Member
While I am a .44 man through and through, I wouldn't for one second feel underarmed with a .357 mag with any reliable load.
RA40
Member
I have a cache of various production early 90's 38/357 ammo put away. They range from 110gr-158gr JSP to JHP in there. The three makers, Winchester, Federal and Remington. I was commenting to the range officer a few months back that the Sampson 38 spl of the time had such hard primers.
Here's two vintage loads from the time.
Here's two vintage loads from the time.
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MedWheeler
Member
I carry plain-old R-UMC 125-grain SJHP .38 +P in my 4-inch revolvers. In my 9mm pistols, there is either R-UMC or Winchester SVX 115-grain JHP ammo.
In my Bersa Thunder 380, it's the SVX JHP (95-grain.)
In my .38 snubs, it's R-UMC (I think) 125-grain semi-jacket flat-tip-something-or-other.
In my Bersa Thunder 380, it's the SVX JHP (95-grain.)
In my .38 snubs, it's R-UMC (I think) 125-grain semi-jacket flat-tip-something-or-other.
I consider anything still in production since the 1960's to be "time tested" and not "old school". Just the perspective of someone on the + side of 60.
None of the new 125gr JHP loads have any stats proving them better than the traditional bullet type. Part of that is the .357 mag isn't a common law enforcement cartridge any more, part of it is that it's pretty hard to exceed what was considered the "magic bullet" of its time and if they're only just as good what would be the reason to upgrade?
dickydalton
Member
A 158 XTP Hollow Point @ 1100 FPS, out of an SP 101 2.25" is OK, I'd guess. I haven't shot anyone lately to test it though.
If by "old school" you mean a heavy bullet then yes I do. I still have some .357 Magnum cartridges I bought circa 1963: Remington 158 grain soft points. No idea what the box code is (box is long gone) but this is about as old school as it gets I think. For jacketed bullets anyway. And from what I can tell with my PACT2 chronograph, these things are truly "old school" velocity at slightly over 1,500fps from a 6" barrel. Don't see much of that any more. Maybe from Buffalo Bore and Underwood.
I cast Lyman's 356158 SWC/GC bullet and it's runs about 158 grains with lube and gas check. Bought the mold around 1970 so it's pretty old school too.
Love those heavy-for-caliber bullets at near max loadings. My GP100 4" handles them well as does my 6" Blackhawk I got around 1963 also. Actually, I AM old school.
I cast Lyman's 356158 SWC/GC bullet and it's runs about 158 grains with lube and gas check. Bought the mold around 1970 so it's pretty old school too.
Love those heavy-for-caliber bullets at near max loadings. My GP100 4" handles them well as does my 6" Blackhawk I got around 1963 also. Actually, I AM old school.
Zaydok Allen
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I started out on Speer 158 gr Gold Dots, which isn't "old school" by any means, and pretty much all my 357 ammo is of newer designs .
158 gr Speer GD
158 gR Hornady XTP
140 gr Barnes DPX
125 gr Hornady CD
Choice varies by gun, possible threat, and season.
158 gr Speer GD
158 gR Hornady XTP
140 gr Barnes DPX
125 gr Hornady CD
Choice varies by gun, possible threat, and season.
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Panzerschwein
member
The 125 grain SJHP loads from the likes of Federal and Remington sure put the hurtin' on the baddies back in the day. Marshall and Sanow and their "one shot stop %" aside, these loads garnerned an excellent reputation for ending the fight sooner rather than later. I'm sure this reputation didn't just randomly materialize. The various ballistic gel tests I've seen indicate excellent results with these 125 grain loads coming from a 4" bbl. Penetration through 4 layers of denim and gel averages about 12-13", not super deep but meets or surpasses the minimum FBI standards.
Expansion is extreme, typically the bullet sheds some of it's jacket and expanded petals, but still retains enough energy to penetrate to a good level. The wound track is often extremely impressive. These are intense loads, producing substantial blast and recoil, but is managable in a full size duty revolver with practice. Recently I've bought several of the Remington UMC 100 round bulk packs of their 125 grain SJHP load, and trust me, it's every bit as hot as you'd expect it to be. I've been using it for training and have gotten pretty good with it- no doubt a bit trickier to get the hang of vs. low recoil .38 special target loads! Recoil and blast is on par with my carry load.
Like I said, I carry the Federal 357B load in my GP100 w/ 4" tube and I feel confident it will do it's part, and I feel confident I can do mine.
Expansion is extreme, typically the bullet sheds some of it's jacket and expanded petals, but still retains enough energy to penetrate to a good level. The wound track is often extremely impressive. These are intense loads, producing substantial blast and recoil, but is managable in a full size duty revolver with practice. Recently I've bought several of the Remington UMC 100 round bulk packs of their 125 grain SJHP load, and trust me, it's every bit as hot as you'd expect it to be. I've been using it for training and have gotten pretty good with it- no doubt a bit trickier to get the hang of vs. low recoil .38 special target loads! Recoil and blast is on par with my carry load.
Like I said, I carry the Federal 357B load in my GP100 w/ 4" tube and I feel confident it will do it's part, and I feel confident I can do mine.
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LeonCarr
Member
The loads mentioned by the OP both have a long established record for accuracy and reliability in the .357 Magnum.
I would use either one for self defense in a heartbeat.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
I would use either one for self defense in a heartbeat.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
oldbear
Member
Yes, I still carry old school ammo. For shooting at the range and in my J Frame .357 Magnum, I use 158Gr. LSWC ahead of 13.7Gr's of 2400.
For more of the real .357 Magnum ammo feel, I use a 158 Gr. LSWC ahead of 14.9Gr's of 2400. The load is almost imposable to shoot in a J frame, and is stout in a 2 1/2" K frame.
For more of the real .357 Magnum ammo feel, I use a 158 Gr. LSWC ahead of 14.9Gr's of 2400. The load is almost imposable to shoot in a J frame, and is stout in a 2 1/2" K frame.
dawei
Member
I use the same load in my Taurus® 7 shot 2¼" barrel Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnun; specifically Fiocchi® #357XTP.dickydalton said:
Shooter973
Member
I stilll have a box or two of the old Black Talons for my 45acp carry gun. In my M66 2.5 inch home gun is 145 Win Silver Tips. My hand loads are close to this same load. 140gr. Hornady XTP's over a strong charge of powder. I like the 140gr. bullets for most uses, My cast load is a 150--158 gr. SWC over Unique. This load is my most used load in 357. About 95% of my 357 shooting.
dickydalton
Member
Sorry for changing the subject, but 44 Mag. Black Talons gave me poor performance when shot into a clay bank.
125 SJFP by Remington in my Magnum Carry
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...tion-357-magnum-125-grain-jacketed-soft-point
158 gr Hydrashoks in my full sized guns.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/49...d-hollow-point-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...tion-357-magnum-125-grain-jacketed-soft-point
158 gr Hydrashoks in my full sized guns.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/49...d-hollow-point-box-of-20?cm_vc=ProductFinding
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