Chronograph-ed some .357 magnum loads
Mild weather, 70 degrees, overcast, a little humid.
From 10 ft away with ProChrono. Gun is a Ruger LCR .357 magnum 1 7/8 inch barrel.
5 rnds ea.
.357 magnum Remington Golden Saber JHP (medium velocity)
H. 1128
L. 1077
Avg. 1108
Es. 33
Splits the difference between a .38 +p and a typical factory .357 magnum.
.357 magnum Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr FTX bullet
H. 1192
L. 1156
Avg. 1173
Es. 36
Very low muzzle flash
.357 magnum Hornady American Gunner 125 gr XTP
H. 1226
L. 1162
Avg. 1188
Es. 36
The blast and recoil isn't worth the 9x19 velocity. This is for longer barrels.
.357 magnum Federal Hydrashok 158 gr
H. 1107
L. 1058
Avg. 1078
Es. 49
.357 magnum Remington 158 gr SJHP "HTP"
Kept getting errors. But I got two readings. 1102 fps and 1100 fps. It kicks, didn't want to retest it!
.357 magnum Federal 180 gr SJHP
H. 986
L. 962
Avg. 970
Es. 24
One of my favorite loads and has been for years. It has lower muzzle blast than the 158 and 125 gr .357 loads and has always expanded in my non-scientific mediums, even from a snubbie.
.357 magnum CCI Blazer alluminum 158 gr SJHP
H. 965
L. 929
Avg. 947
Es. 36
Lighter recoil, but not by much.
