110gr .357?

The standard 110gr 357 was always loaded lighter than the standard 125's. Today with all the different loadings , who knows. I do think the sand blasting effect of the larger amount of powder in the "light bullet" loads adds to the erosion of the forcing cone. Cracking is probably due to impact velocity of the lighter bullets.
 
Last edited:
I sure wish the 145gn Silvertip was available...seems impossible to find, haven't seen a box in years.

I mainly keep Hornady 158gn XTP's in my 3" GP100, although I have a couple speedloaders of the 125gn FTX load, as well.
 
Has anyone tested the 110 gr loads out of a snubbie?

The reason I ask is that the velocity would be down to 1000 fps at the most. When traveling at the lower velocity the bullet stands a better chance of holding together.
Also, the bullet would be out of the barrel quicker which might reduce the forcing cone issue a wee bit.
 
The original 357 load was a 158. However, for at least 30 years the "gold standard" of defense loads in the 357 has involved the 125. The top performers in most scientific studies on handgun performance rate the 125 as superior. But the 158 remains the favorite for many shooters.

Can we stop bickering, now?

On the original question, many years I experimented with very hot loads in 38 Special using 110 JHPs (like 1405 FPS clocked from a 4" Model 10) and they hit wildly low making them unsuitable in my opinion. At 357 velocities the effect would be even more pronounced. Maybe too much to compensate with adjustable sights.
 
jglsprings- ...I got some Remington 125s from Wally World awhile back and they are HOT. It is like holding on to a hand grenade in my Model 60.

I wouldn't want to shoot those from a J-frame. A bud & I clocked that load at 1670+ fps from my 6.5" Blackhawk.
 
I'm a fan of a copper bullet. That's why I carry the Cor Bon DPX 125gr.

Good penetration and expansion without the heavy recoil.
 
magnums

My agency went from the "Treasury Load", a hot .38spl +P+ 110 JHP, to actual magnum ammo, with 125 mag as standard, and 110's as a sort of secondary standard. Some folks found the 125 hard to shoot well, and the 110 mags were a bit milder in the 2-1/2 inch M66's and M19's which were pretty common off duty and admin type guns.

We had trouble with the "Treasury Load" being consistent. Different lots could be very mild. And its performance in 2-3 successive shootings was dismal. The 110 mags were the real thing, and I'd guess they easily made 1200 fps from 4" bbls. And 125's were serious medicine.

From a Marlin carbine, the 110's did not give good accuracy. Mag 125's were explosive.

Within just a few years of going to mags, the auto pistol wave struck.
 
Damage to K frame?

Putting aside flash, terminal ballistics, penetration and all the other stuff on the receiving end, I'm interested in thoughts (preferably based on experience) of the wear on revolvers like a 3-inch Model 65 using the Winchester white box 110 gr 357. I've found its a good round for rapid second shots. But I know I've read that use of "hot" and "light" 357 rounds will damage k frames. I don't knowmif that's based on a few reported failures, on older guns, on experience or what.

I'd be interested in anyone's input based on experience and/or reliable writings as to whether seriously risking damage to my Model 65s using this round. (Hoping not as I've got a fair amount stored)

Thanks.
 
Well, I'm no expert on .357 loads, but I've always considered that a full power 110 grain .357 load was one that got at least a nominal 1500 fps from a four inch revolver, such as a load that Corbon has made for years (and I assume still does). This load would and should run faster than the nominal 1450 fps from a four inch barrel full power 125 grain load just by being lighter. I've also believed that the commonly encountered big 3 110 grain .357s were/are a mid-range load to make them easier to shoot from light revolvers like k-frames, etc. and were/are loaded to a nominal 1295 fps from a four inch barrel. I don't belive these mid-range loads are the culprits in destroying forcing cones.
 
i have fired both a remington and winchester 110gr from a taurus 65. they dont have the blast of shelf 125gr rounds and are mild to shoot and very accurate and exceed energy of any 38sp +p. when i find the 50 bok of remingtons in the low twenty dollar range i get them...and prefer them.
 
Back
Top