.357MAG suggestions?

[cathellsk]

I recently picked up two new to me excellent condition S&W .357s, a 28-2 and a 19-7. I don't plan on carrying them CCW for self defense, most likely as "woods" guns and around the house/property. What are some recommended .357 loads for a) humans and b) up to deer size game? I know all about .38SPL. loads from owning alot of J frames, but I never paid much attention to .357MAG info, especially since most of the info was for people with snubbies in that caliber. These are both 4" barrels. One other thing, the 135gr. 38Spl. Gold Dot is considered still acceptable in a 4" barrel, correct? I ask since I have a good supply of it.

[wahoo95]

Being a woods gun, most any 158gr JHP should serve you well. I am however a fan of 125gr JHP for protection against 2 legged types :)

[cathellsk]

Being a woods gun, most any 158gr JHP should serve you well. I am however a fan of 125gr JHP for protection against 2 legged types :)

The 125s were touted as deathrays back in the day, but I thought I read on here that they weren't all that great because they had shallow penetration. What about the Speer Gold Dot in 158 and 125gr.? I'm sure they are good with the Gold Dot's reputation. I also don't want to push anything too hot through the 19 since its forcing cone is prone to cracking with hot loads. I keep hearing about some 180gr. loads. Are these mostly for game or are they useful on 2 legged vermin too?

[wahoo95]

The 125gr don't do all that well when measured against the modern day ballistic gel 12" standard, however they did very well against real people. They also were prone to fragment which isn't seen as a goo thing nowadays but again works well on people.

The 180gr are best for game and would probably be a bit stout for that K-Frame for sure. The 158gr Gold Dots would be a great all around load in my humble opinion.

I'm sure some of the residents experts will chime in at some point to offer some clarity.

[tpd223]

The 180s aren't that bad, if we are talking the plain vanilla type from the big three and not one of the "+P" loads from a smaller ammo maker.

The 158s work well as an all around load, and the bonus is that they tend to be very accurate as well.

[bildril]

Federal loads a 140gr barnes expander in their premium line. Federal # P357XB1

[Vic303]

These guys: http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

[Jake'sDad]

These guys: http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=100

Great looking round, but I wouldn't shoot a lot of it in a K frame.

Then again, at those prices, who could shoot a lot of it.

[cathellsk]

Any test info available on some current .357MAG loads? Any other choices you guys would recommend?

[tpd223]

Here is some older testing, but on loads that are still being made and common to find for sale;

http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/357magnum.htm



IIRC Doc likes the 180gr JHPs, I forget which brand though.

[bernieb90]

.357 Mag. has not been a employed as a service caliber for quite some time, and thus has not benefited as much from the extensive bullet development that the semi-auto cartridges have.

However there are a few standout performers in this caliber. Winchester 145 gr silver tip seems to work well for a conventional bullet, loads using the 140gr Barnes bullet are promising, and Doc along with a few others favor the 180 gr Nosler Partition loads.

I would stay away from any of the 125gr loads that have been touted by so many "gun writers". These loads have had a history of spectacular success (mostly on unobstructed torso hits) and many times even more spectacular failures (due mainly to shallow penetration)

[DocGKR]

Bb90--Good recommendations.

[tpd223]

I was always comfortable with any of the "big three" maker's 158gr JHP.

[cathellsk]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the info.