What ammo should I get?

K

Khumanos

New member
Hello all and thanks for the input. I have read quite a few of the posts and am impressed with the knowledge here. So, on to my question. I am looking for good, fairly inexpensive ammo for defense to get for my guns. I have a .357 Ruger Security Six( 4"), a Rossi .38 special snub 2" and am looking to pick up a Smith and Wessson Sigma SWV9E at Academy this week. FYI they are going for 299.99 plus a $50 mail in (at least in TX). Any ideas and/or input would be appreciated! Thanks

/r

Khumanos
 
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I'm presumming that you...

want to use the same ammo in both revolvers????

Check out the Hornady XTP-HP' for .38 SPL., they had a nice 140 gr XTP-HP that shoot nicely from my 2" & both 4"ers (one .38SPL or .357Mag)

Others seem to rely on the 158grers.

The semi if that a 9mm, look at the 124 grs Hornday ammo.
 
"want to use the same ammo in both revolvers????"

From what I have read here, a .357 in the dark, plus my limited experience shooting a .357 would be over-kill(at least for my senses). I am using my .357 for home defense (an apartment) and looking to carry either the 9mm (the Smith & Wesson) or the Rossi .38 special. I guess I am looking for a good APC (is that right??) round. I currently have them loadded with Monarch(Adademy's house brand) 158 GR Semi-Jacketd Hollow point.

/r

Khumanos
 
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My post might not help you much, or at least you won't enjoy hearing it.

For defense ammo that you might need to defend yourself, your home or a loved one, leave "cheap" right out of the discussion. Any of the major ammo maker's performance defensive ammo is a fine choice but not of them can be termed inexpensive. Typically, you are looking at about a dollar per round.

On even a shoestring budget, you should buy 2 or 3 boxes of the stuff and practice with the first box or two, and carry or home-load the 3rd box. It's not like you have to replace the ammo often, it's good and will last for many years.

As for the S&W Sigma, it seems like a lot of gun for little money, but I would ask what your intentions are for it. If it's strictly for defensive use, that's one thing. If you are buying it to become a better shooter through extended practice and if you wish to buy it for fun range time, I would say to save your money. It literally has the worst trigger of just about any new handgun you can purchase.

Some folks have had luck in modifying the factory trigger, but that is best served for folks who know what they are doing. As a Sigma comes right out of the box, it's not much fun to shoot and it's not that easy to shoot well.

If nothing else, ask the salesman at the counter if he will allow you to dry fire it a couple of times before you agree to buy it.
 
In a revolver:

Cor-Bon JHP
Federal Hydra-Shok
Black Hills JHP


In a semi-auto:
I have always used a Federal FMJ due to reliability
 
I agree about not being cheap on the self-defense ammo. Practice with similar weight bullets in the cheap stuff and then load the good stuff for defense.

If you want to use the same self-defense ammo in both the revolvers, I would suggest the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot .38 spl +P which was specially designed for short barreled revolvers like the Rossi (check to make sure your Rossi is rated for +P ammo).

There are several good loads for the 9mm. I gravitate to Gold Dots, no matter the caliber.
 
For the revolvers I would get the old FBI load Remington 158. gr. lead semi wad cutter .38+p HP, $30.00 for a box of 50 from Cheaper Than Dirt the last time that I bought them in August.
 
I load Federal Hydra-shok Personal Defense in all my handguns for home/self defense. Any name brand JHP will get the job done. Personally I go with the HS's because they say "Personal Defense" right on the box which should take care of legal issues regarding ammo if I ever have to use it. I would stay away from the exotic "man killer" rounds because they don't work as advertised and they're too expensive. I'd stay away from Law Enforcement ammo unless you are LE. As always, shot placement beats the particulars of ammo every time.
 
Here are my preferences

.357 Magnum- 158grn JHP from Federal, Winchester, Remington, or Black Hills

.38 Special- 158grn LSWCHP+P from Remington or Winchester if the gun can handle +P. If not, Hornady 158grn XTP or anyone's 148grn HBWC.

9mm- Cor-Bon 125grn JHP +P, Winchester Ranger 127grn SXT +P+, or Black Hills 124grn JHP +P.
 
For defense ammo that you might need to defend yourself, your home or a loved one, leave "cheap" right out of the discussion.
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Just to clarify, I said in-expensive, not cheap.

Thanks for all the inputs.

I did purchase the S&W today. I did dry fire it at the store and didn't mind the pull. Plan to take it out tomorrow. I did get some cheap ammo for the range and then I got a box of Hornady 147 gr.
 
For inexpensive, look at the Fiocchi ammo line. We are talking relative terms here, all ammo is expensive now. They have XTP loads available as well as other HP ammo. It will be less than comparable brands of major makers in the US, but is still loaded fairly hot.
 
Just to clarify, I said in-expensive, not cheap.
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Indeed you did.
Now then, just to clarify, how much did the Hornady ammo cost?

I'm a big fan of cheap ammo for shooters who buy a lot of ammo (I don't), and while you can't always equate cheap to price as opposed to quality, I think it works in this instance.

Wal-Mart around here sells CCI Blazer Brass for $9.99/50 rounds. That's inexpensive, IMO. It's also cheap.

Most defense ammo in most any caliber goes for around $1 per round and up from there.
 
IMO you cant go wrong with Speers line of Gold Dot self defense ammo for any caliber. It performs well and is usually widely available. It performs well in barrier and gellatin testing in all calibers as well. They've got CCI primers, nickle plated cases for reliable feeding in your auto, and low-flash powder. For the money they are hard to beat and they can be bought in bulk at www.ammoman.com

Two other designs I've been impressed with are Corbons DPX and Federals HST line, however these loads tend to be harder to find and/or more expensive.
 
Now then, just to clarify, how much did the Hornady ammo cost?
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The Honrady 147gr cost $22.00 for 25 rounds. I also picked up 50 Winchester 115gr FMJ for about $12.50. I hope to be able to pick up the revolver rounds tomorrow.

Sadly I was unable to take the new S&W out today, a bit too cold for me at 40 degrees.

Thanks for all the suggestions!
 
I recommend Remington 158 grain Lead Hollow Points for your snubby. Tests show better expansion than Federal or Winchester in the same load due to softer lead.

For the .357, I recommend the Corbon DPX 125. Little less recoil, alot less flash. Or you could load the .38's in it if your sensitive to recoil.

For the 9mm, there is so much good stuff out there. I wouldn't think you could go wrong with Winchester Ranger SXT.
 
If your rossi is an older NON plus P revolver try the Fiocchi 148gr SJHP .38. If it is a newer +P model the Remi LSWCHP +P load is best. I also like fiocchi .357 148gr SJHP and the 115gr JHP 9mm ammo. Fiocchi is inexpensive, reliable and accurate. Their JHPs might not be cutting edge, but I'm pretty sure a BG wont notice if you put two into his COM!
 
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