American Eagle Hi-Vel .357 158gr?

L

LH2

New member
The Federal website lists all the 158gr JSP/JHP ammo with the same ballistics. So the American Eagle at $14 per 50 is the same as the Classic or Hi-Shok personal defense stuff ballistically? Or is Federal just too lazy to test everything individually and put up different numbers? ;)

The American Eagles look pretty hot, muzzle energy is around 590 according to the box. So what makes the personal defense cost twice as much?

I want to try some full-house loads in my new 3" GP100, but don't want to spend $14 for a box of 20 of the premium stuff - would American Eagles be a good choice, or how about CCI Blazer 158gr JHP's? These seem to be milder, right? Thanks.
 
Assuming that the less expensive brand will be as reliable so far as ignition goes, as the top brand, I really don't see much difference. It is said, that the HydraShock, Golden Sabre, etc expand more reliably, or better, but so what. Good solid COM hits with ANY 158 bullet at speed will prove effective.

That being said, I carry HydraShock in my Model 19 and 65 :)
 
The American Eagles look pretty hot, muzzle energy is around 590 according to the box. So what makes the personal defense cost twice as much?
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The JHPs themselves are more expensive than a JSP and the fact that the Personal Defense rounds have much less muzzle flash. I've found that Federal's 158gr. JHP defense loads actually don't have any muzzle flash in my 4" and 6" barrel revolvers. The ballistics are going to be similar. It doesn't push 590ft/lbs though. It should be about 535-540 for that particular load.
 
The hottest .357 Mag ammo I've seen for a good price has been the Sellier and Bellot 158 grainers that cheaperthandirt.com sells.
 
I've found that Federal's 158gr. JHP defense loads actually don't have any muzzle flash in my 4" and 6" barrel revolvers. The ballistics are going to be similar. It doesn't push 590ft/lbs though. It should be about 535-540 for that particular load.
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The website lists the personal defense loads at 490 ft/lbs I believe, so those are a mid-range .357 I guess?

What confuses me is the Federal/American Eagle website lists the AE357A 158gr JSP load at 539 ft/lbs - but the box says 595 ft/lbs. The box also says .357 High Velocity and 1240 fps (muzzle) with 4" bbl.

Anyway I shot the AE's today as well as the 158 gr Blazer JHP's and the AE's were noticeable hotter. The Blazers felt maybe milder than the WWB 110 gr loads I fired last time out.

The good news is my 3" GP is right on the money with 158 gr loads at the ranges I care about. :D
 
I've shot every Federal 357Mag load that they make. It should be 539ft/lbs obviously. It would have to make about 1300fps to have 595ft/lbs. You obviously would notice some stiff recoil if it did. The Personal Defense load is a 130gr. HS @ 1300fps. From many accounts I've read that it actually makes more than that and doesn't recoil any less than other 357 loads. I've shot them and they feel the same in recoil as the full power 125gr. stuff. Although it is designated "Low Recoil" it recoils the same from my experience as other 357Mag SD ammo. It also has some pretty good flash to it. A good low recoil 357Mag load would be the 125gr. Rem GS. The 158gr. Federal JHP and HS are going to have the same ballistics as the American Eagle JSP. The AE isn't self defense ammunition, unless you like 30" of penetration. It is designed as practice and hunting ammo.
 
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