Which load for a 357 magnum

[superduty truck]

I am starting a poll here and thought which load is favored by other revolver nuts. After polling answer why and if you tested the round in any ballistic tests. My vote goes to the 145gr STHP never tested myself but heard of good reports about pentration and expansion in other's test.

 

[mhawg]

I would mess around with the .38 specials but when I packed in for carry the 145gr STHP was behind the wheel.

 

[mwerner]

I haven't done any wheelgun shooting for a while; back when I was I used .38 special brass and a 158 gr. cast semi-wadcutter over 5 grains of Unique for my standard practice load.

On duty, I was carrying the then-issued 125 grain JHPs. ( I forget which one...) We didn't have all that many shooting incidents back then, but this load performed well in the ones I remember.

 

[yooperman]

Hands down, 125 grain jacketed hollowpoints.

-Yooperman

 

[locomike]

When given the choice, I alway go with Gold Dots. No core/jacket separation to worry about and totally reliable expansion. :thumbup:

 

[glockman99]

I like the good old Federal 125 JHP...It's a "proven" round.

 

[Absintheur]

You didn't list the Corbon 125gr DPX so I didn't vote. I think this is the single best SD round available today. When tested in gelatin prepared to FBI protocols we got the following results...

10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .357 mag 125 gr JHP

Testing Platform:
S&W M66

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 12.75”
Recovered Weight: 128.4 gr.
Expansion*: .655 cal.
Velocity: 1403 fps

Round # 2:
Penetration: 12.95”
Recovered Weight: 127.8 gr.
Expansion*: .665 cal.
Velocity: 1391 fps

Round # 3:
Penetration: 12.65”
Recovered Weight: 126.4 gr.
Expansion*: .650 cal.
Velocity: 1421 fps

We have also shot it through dry wall and steel and the results were just about the same. The Barnes X bullet is a step forward in bullet design and works extremely well. My second choice would probable be the Gold Dot, not quite as good but still a decent round. Just remember there is not a magic bullet out there, you still have to hit what you are aiming at and hit it in a vital area.

 

[Erasmus]

I have a Model 19, but simply shoot +P .38's out of it (about 135 grains).

You only need the magnum ammo, if you need magnum ammo.

As long as you can keep your shots on a pie plate at 25 yards, have all the power you want or need.

 

[Absintheur]

I have a Model 19, but simply shoot +P .38's out of it (about 135 grains).

You only need the magnum ammo, if you need magnum ammo.

As long as you can keep your shots on a pie plate at 25 yards, have all the power you want or need.

True to a point however while some may say it is over-powered I would reply I have never seen a rapist that was over-dead. Always use as much gun as possible, some days it might not even be enough.

 

[superduty truck]

You didn't list the Corbon 125gr DPX so I didn't vote. I think this is the single best SD round available today. When tested in gelatin prepared to FBI protocols we got the following results...

10% Ballistic Gelatin Tests for:
Corbon .357 mag 125 gr JHP

Testing Platform:
S&W M66

Barrier:
Four Layers of Denim


TEST RESULTS:

Round # 1:
Penetration: 12.75”
Recovered Weight: 128.4 gr.
Expansion*: .655 cal.
Velocity: 1403 fps

Round # 2:
Penetration: 12.95”
Recovered Weight: 127.8 gr.
Expansion*: .665 cal.
Velocity: 1391 fps

Round # 3:
Penetration: 12.65”
Recovered Weight: 126.4 gr.
Expansion*: .650 cal.
Velocity: 1421 fps

We have also shot it through dry wall and steel and the results were just about the same. The Barnes X bullet is a step forward in bullet design and works extremely well. My second choice would probable be the Gold Dot, not quite as good but still a decent round. Just remember there is not a magic bullet out there, you still have to hit what you are aiming at and hit it in a vital area.

Thank for the heads up I need to try this round. How is the flash? Is it as bad as old full power?

 

[Absintheur]

The flash is very low, Corbon does a good job keeping excess flash to a minimum.

I will add that in home my bedroom gun is loaded with 38 Special Thunderzaps. This is a hollow cup lightweight projectile made from a nylon polymer. It leaves a 2 inch at 3000 fps and can be caught in a bare hand at 100 yards. Developed by Rich Davis it was pulled from the market at the urging of a federal agency, it leaves zero ballistics as the bullet basically turns into fluff when it hits. It will not go through walls yet at in home distances it does ungodly damage. I saw Rich shoot a hanging side of beef in the ribcage and this round destroyed a 6 inch circle, it simply shreds ballistic gel. There were 2 shootings with the round, according to one report a pistol owner was attacked by a mugger in NYC and he/she shot the attacker in the shoulder, removing much of the flesh and muscle tissue. The would was peppered with white granular polymer pieces. The hospital staff was able to save the mugger's life but he had to mug one armed after he recovered since the shot arm was "shot". The second report came out of South Africa. In this case the round was a .45. As the story goes an armed robber entered one of the 6X8 bars that are around SA and announced the holdup. The bartender/owner proceded to fire one shot center mass which caused the robber to drop dead. The report received was that the flesh was separated from the ribs all around to the spine and the heart was puree. There have also been report of LEOs shooting car hit deer to put them down, big bang, big flash and dead deer.

 

[Erasmus]

I read somewhere that .357Magnum S&W Model 19's were not really designed for a steady diet of .357's (oooops, too late now). As a handloader and bullet caster, I ramped the power levels and bullet weights up and down till I found a nice balance between fun and utility.

My social ammo is all the bulk pack Remington 135grain hollow point stuff.
My practice and hunting ammo is a 115 grain cast SWC or 120 grain LRN going whatever speed, but @ +P pressures.

I think I sent a boatload of 115 grain cast SWC's down range at some ungodly .357 speeds. Twas a lot of fun, but not good for my self defence. After much messing around, I settled on +P factory .38's and a high level of marksmanship to do whatever needs doing.

I think I should mention that .357's are profoundly ear-splitting without hearing protection. How many of you guys would be willing to empty a cylinder full of .357's w/ no hearing protection? I sure wouldn't. If I use a pistol to repell home invaders, I don't want to wreck my hearing in 6 easy tries.

Which is just one more reason I am leaning towards another .45 acp.


"You pays your dime, and you takes your chances."