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Ruminations on my first .357 experience

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tarrigoni

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So, I go to the range tonight to pick up a new (my 1st) revolver and end up not being able to decide between the Ruger Security Six or the Taurus 65 4". My wife says to me, "why don't you just buy them both and sell the one you like least?" My wife is awesome.

So I bought them both. I shot them with .38's and they were quite the little pussycats and I was doin pretty well with them and then I decided it was time to try out the .357. Ow. I think I decided that the .357 is the carry lots/shoot little round for these revolvers. The flash and the immense boom, while quite awesome, are a bit too much for me.

What's a good HD/Carry .357 load? A good bullet type?

I still need to decide which of these I want to keep and which I want to sell to her Dad..
 
When I load my .357, I have found that in the larger revolvers the 125 gr. JHP is the quintessential magnum defense round. Yes, it does give that awesome BOOM. Yes, there is lots of flash. ( :D :D :D ). But, for me, the revolver is surprisingly easy to control. Felt recoil approximates .45 Ball ammo, which I find very controllable.

BTW, the guns I shoot the round from are a 6" 686 and a 4" Python.
 
I've been deciding what 357 round I want to carry.... in all my reading and in shooting different types and weights I've decided that I will settle on the Speer Gold Dot HP 158gr bullets.
 
I think your initial impression of the .357 will change the more you shoot it. I bet it's more the noise that is frightening than the actual kick from the recoil. Like someone said earlier, actual felt recoil is similar to shooting .45acp ball ammo out of a 1911 (unless your security six is a snubby, in which case it would kick a lot harder). My first experience with a .357 was out of a 4" Rossi revolvers, and while it felt stout (I had been shooting mainly 9mm at the time), it had a sort of neat "clean" feel to it :confused: . I don't know exactly how to articulate it, but I can best describe it as "just right". Just for fun, I tried shooting .357's out of a 2" M60, and while it was pretty hard to control, recoil wasn't unconformtable. Try doubling up on ear protection and see if that helps the flinch. Also, another factor in your finding the .357 unpleasant may be that you were shooting .38's first, which are much milder by comparison. Next time, try shooting the .357's only, or at least first, so you'll be doing down in power level, not up. Now, this may not be the most prudent advice if you're new to DA revolvers because it may just cause you to flinch even more, but it has worked for me. I hope you give the round another chance as it's a lot of fun, and it's a VERY effective man-stopper (or at least the studies would have us believe).
 
I think my main problem is that I'm used to shooting a Glock 19 and I've really only shot pistols like that. I'm just not used to big noises and big flashes. I'll keep on pluggin away. It was kind of neat to see the massive holes in the target...
 
357 is a serious round! .. as a brilliant flash is more noticeable to the shooter on magnum cartridges. 357 is a good choice for CCW. Remington ammunition is good for not scaring the shooter whereas Winchester Silvertip HPs, 158 gr JHPs and JSPs do just that. If you don't like extreme high energy in your 357s, stay away from Winchester. Take it from someone who knows.
 
larger balls

The "big flash" (fireball) of a .357 round is impressive to any young lady who is new to guns. Try taking one (the non-gun-familiar female) to a range and letting her shoot a .357 round. Good icebreaker. Much more impressive than a 9mm.
 
Just shoot outdoors more and also check if you need different grips. Better environs and better grips will help.
 
You are not alone with the magnum.
I've found I need an L frame S&W or a single action revolver in order to handle full power loads.
I now shoot a Freedom Arms model 97 and it is just enough to handle loads like Rem. 125 gr. JHP (the all time manstopper).
Winchester and others make 110 grain reduced power magnum loads that might be a good comprimise.
If you want to enjoy the original magnum, sell the Taurus and get a Ruger Blackhawk convertable .357/9mm. The Blackhawk really handles recoil well, better than any other I've shot including the F.A. 97 and the Desert Eagle .357.
The convertable is only about $25 more than the standard model and the 9mm cylinders shoot pretty well, making for very cheap low recoil practice.
I also prefer to shoot outdoors, makes a big difference with magnum loads. A pair of leather gloves also helps.
 
I'd stick with the Security Six. Those are real "sleeper" revolvers in my experience. Inexpensive and surprisingly good. But the grips often cause problems for folks, esp. with rapid fire or magnum loads. I'd suggest getting Hogue monogrips for yours. They reduce felt recoil and prevent "ride up."
 
If you were firing indoors, then you were probably using a paper target. If the .357 was making much bigger holes than the 9mm then you are MUCH too close to the target! Or you are printing one ragged hole, which sure gives a good feeling, don't it!

Bart Noir
 
I think it was making bigger holes because the thing is so darn accurate. either that or the bullet was keyholing.

I think I'm gonna stick with the Ruger and sell my father in law the Taurus.

Anyone know if you can get a smooth trigger for the security six instead of the serrated one?
 
You made the right choice. The Security Six is a real nice medium frame .357.
I own a Ruger GP 100 w/6" barrel and I've been very pleased with it. Don't see myself trading it.
 
You might not need to buy a smooth trigger. A smith can smooth off the serrations for you. It's not much of a job for someone who works on guns all the time. I had it done on my Smith M57 a while ago, and plan to have it done on some other revolvers.

Some disagree, but I like a smooth trigger for double action shooting.
 
Welcome to the world of the .357 wheelgun! You asked about ammunition for carry/HD. I like the 125 grain Gold Dots myself. I have a Taurus 627, and it has a nicer trigger on it than most of the out-of-the-box Rugers that I have tried. Enjoy!
 
I'd give another vote to 125 gr Speer Golddots, potent out of a snubby and more potent out of a longer tube....
 
The first few times I shot full house .357 magnum ammunition, it felt decidedly too boisterous for me. With practice, I got used to it. After I started loading my own ammunition—both hot and light—I learned to feel the differences and compare recoil to accuracy.

I had to go through essentially the same process when I began shooting the .44 magnum. It just takes awhile: that's all.
 
I keep 130gr Federal Hydrashocks in my nightstand .357. It is a 6" Colt Python made in 1966 so I've never found any load to be heavy enough to be at all uncomfortable. For HD I'd think you'd want lighter slugs for less penetration lest you inadvertantly plug a neighbor or family member through a wall.
 
LOVE my 4" Security Six. The Factory 145gr Winchester Silvertip rounds are a great carry load...................lots of flame & boom. I load my own version of them using 6.6gr of Win231 and they are GREAT! :D Fired them at dusk on the 1st and they looked SOOOO cool with the flame reaching out from the forcing cone and the muzzle. :what:

I figure if I'm close enough - I don't have to hit a perp........... I'll just catch him on fire :eek: :D
 
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