.357 Mag ammunition
- Thread starter Jeremy
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pythagorean
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I prefer the 125 gr semi jacketed hollow points made by Remington. They've been around since the 70s. Some prefer 158s but to me they go too slow for real expansion.
Charles Ellis
New member
The Remimgton 125 gr.hp is a great defense round but may not have the penetration that you want on hogs.I have taken deer with the 125's and it worked well,but shot placement is critical.For hunting I think the 158 gr.jsp would be a better choice.
I use the Remington GS 125gn JHP for self defense. When it comes to hiking in the woods, for animal defense, I have been loading with PMC 158gn JSP lately. Just because the place I go only has the PMC 158 JSP in stock and its relatively cheaper to shoot. I need to start reloading lol.
m&p45acp10+1
New member
Winchester Silver Tips work well if you can find them. Good for any 2 legged varmint, and good for any thin skinned game animals. For things like bears, elk, or moose Non expanding bullets are better.
30-30remchester
New member
M&P45 I see you recommending Winchester Silvertip HP ammo. I have only used it on one animal and found it lacking in penatration. This was however early 1980's ammo. Do you have some better experences to share? Do you know if the newer ammo is different than the older stuff I used?
christcorp
New member
Always the 158 grain. That's what the gun was really meant for. And when that 158 grain, has a "SLOW" end of 1250 f-ps, and a "FAST" end of almost 1500 f-ps, there is no one that going to convince me that it goes too slow. Not for a hollow point, not for penetration, not for anything. NORMALLY; you go with a lighter bullet to A: Increase velocity and improve expansion of hollow points, or B: To reduce recoil so you can more easily shoot it. Well, the 1200 f-ps of a 158 grain bullet is more than enough to expand a bullet. You wind up with about the same energy as the 125 grain, because even though the 125 is faster, the 158 has more weight and mass. Energy is basically a wash. I take the 158 all the time. I want the penetration. I don't worry about over penetrating. I use Federal Hydra-shok for home defense and I use Federal Soft Point or other quality soft point when carrying the gun in the woods.
Then again, I always want the heaviest bullet possible. I only shoot 230 grain in my 45acp. I try to always carry 147 grain in my 9mm. When it comes to a 357 magnum, there is WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH speed to do anything you want to. It doesn't matter if it's a hollow point, soft point, full metal jacket, wadcutter. Go with the 158 grain, at an average velocity of about 1250 f-ps. If you really want hard core for hunting, get the buffalo-bore 158 grain doing almost 1500 f-ps. (that's over 700 ft/lbs). Don't compromise the 357 magnum. And if you're a small person and can't really shoot the 357 magnum ammo, but you have the gun, get some 158 grain 38 specials. But if sticking with the 357 magnum ammo, make it the 158 grain. I bought tons of it before the Obama scare. Bought it for $14 a box. I got plenty of 357 magnum to last a long time.
Then again, I always want the heaviest bullet possible. I only shoot 230 grain in my 45acp. I try to always carry 147 grain in my 9mm. When it comes to a 357 magnum, there is WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH speed to do anything you want to. It doesn't matter if it's a hollow point, soft point, full metal jacket, wadcutter. Go with the 158 grain, at an average velocity of about 1250 f-ps. If you really want hard core for hunting, get the buffalo-bore 158 grain doing almost 1500 f-ps. (that's over 700 ft/lbs). Don't compromise the 357 magnum. And if you're a small person and can't really shoot the 357 magnum ammo, but you have the gun, get some 158 grain 38 specials. But if sticking with the 357 magnum ammo, make it the 158 grain. I bought tons of it before the Obama scare. Bought it for $14 a box. I got plenty of 357 magnum to last a long time.
I personally like the lead SWC in 357 & 38s. I know they work close range on moose size animals out of a 4 inch Model 28, If I remember right, I shot about 8 or 9 after moose-vehicle disputes.
I figure moose are bigger then two legged critters.
This is 38s but it will give you an ideal. The bullets were, 125 HP +P BlackHills, the other is a 150 Grn SWC (Lyman 358477 & Wheelweights) with 4.8 grns of 231. They were fired into a wet phone book. Suprisingly the penitration was about the same.
I figure moose are bigger then two legged critters.
This is 38s but it will give you an ideal. The bullets were, 125 HP +P BlackHills, the other is a 150 Grn SWC (Lyman 358477 & Wheelweights) with 4.8 grns of 231. They were fired into a wet phone book. Suprisingly the penitration was about the same.
Sheikyourbootie
New member
For hogs (this type took a 200# sow from 50 yards broadside) I like the heavier LBT hardcast round. This nasty beast is 185 grains at 1200fps and penetrates all 24" of rubber mulch in my bullet trap. If your sights are set up for 158 grain rounds you will need to lower your rear sight quite a bit.
For everything else it's either a Lyman 358156 with wheelweight (sometimes hollowpointed) or water dropped if I want to hot rod the thing up to 1400fps.
Here is how the hollow pointed cast bullet compares to the semi-jacketed factory rounds when fired into the trap (fantastic on jackrabbits)
The .357 is such a joy to shoot. Anything from mouse-fart 38's to the asswhoopingly hot Sd and hunting rounds.
For everything else it's either a Lyman 358156 with wheelweight (sometimes hollowpointed) or water dropped if I want to hot rod the thing up to 1400fps.
Here is how the hollow pointed cast bullet compares to the semi-jacketed factory rounds when fired into the trap (fantastic on jackrabbits)
The .357 is such a joy to shoot. Anything from mouse-fart 38's to the asswhoopingly hot Sd and hunting rounds.
The .357 Mag. is designed to shoot a heavy bullet at a high velocity. Take advantage of that. Many .357 mag. manufacturers recommend to NOT use the lightweight 125 gr. in their guns.
I have a 4" S&W Model 19-5 and a 2" Taurus 617. I carry the 617 a lot. I use a 158 gr. (right now - Federal Hydra-Shok 158 gr. JHP or Hornady 158 gr. XTP).
I have a 4" S&W Model 19-5 and a 2" Taurus 617. I carry the 617 a lot. I use a 158 gr. (right now - Federal Hydra-Shok 158 gr. JHP or Hornady 158 gr. XTP).
christcorp
New member
I've definitely shot some 180 and even a 200 grain from the 357 magnum. But except for hunting, those aren't that good against people. Most are just lead. Not too many hollow points in the 180-200 grain range. I really do think the 158 grain is just so perfect for a 357 magnum revolver. I can't think of anything a 125 grain can do that's better.
I load 158g XTPs in 357 for hunting and 125g XTP in 38spcl +P for defense. I do not shoot 38's or bullets lighter than 150g in my S&W Model 19. for store bought I have found PMC, Starfire .357 Magnum 150 Grain Hollow Point to be very accurate. In my SP101, it is 38 +P 125's around town and the 150's and snake shot in the woods. We have rattle snakes, bears, yotes and hogs at my lease, I always carry a side arm.
aarondhgraham
New member
Dangit!,,, I bought the wrong stuff,,,,,
I was at an estate sale several months back,,,
I purchased five 100-round boxes of 125 grain hollow-point,,,
At a price of $20 per box I thought the deal was too good to pass up.
It's a punishing round out of my 4" Mk III Trooper,,,
Four or Five cylinders is all I want to shoot,,,
My 158 grain rounds are much kinder.
Oh well,,, ~sigh~,,,
At least I get some good brass.
I was at an estate sale several months back,,,
I purchased five 100-round boxes of 125 grain hollow-point,,,
At a price of $20 per box I thought the deal was too good to pass up.
It's a punishing round out of my 4" Mk III Trooper,,,
Four or Five cylinders is all I want to shoot,,,
My 158 grain rounds are much kinder.
Oh well,,, ~sigh~,,,
At least I get some good brass.