what to use in a 4" 357

D

Doc Holliday 1950

New member
Okay. It's time for dumb question # 18. What are everyone's thoughts on what to use in a 4" 357 mag revolver for SD? Please take into consideration recoil, ability to speed load and overall quality. I'm am not asking about target practice or plinking around. All comments are appreciated.
I asked before about my 2" 357 and now I'm asking about my 4".
 
.357 in 4" is possibly one f the most documented rounds by police and the favorite in it has been the 125 grain jhp. I like mine in 158g lswchp.
 
Doc,

Personally if the 4 inch .357 is of the lighter variety, say S&W 19 or Ruger Security Six, then I'd use 'midrange' .357s with DPX ammo. Buffalo Bore makes then and they are not as fire breathing as full magnums. Sort of between a +p .38 and full magnums.

If in heavier guns like the S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100, then the full DPX magnum loads would be the way to go.

This has more to do with recoil than anything else.

In my S&W 2 1/2 Combat Magnums I use Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHP loads at 1040 fps from that barrel. Plenty good.

But my 3 inch GP-100 'Canadian' can take the full magnum loads and thus I handload 158gr gas checked SWCs at over 1300 fps from that short tube. It is a handful!

Deaf
 
The 125 JHP is a proven round but just about any quality hollow point will work. Check out You Tube bullet test of 357 mag.
 
For my 4" Service Six and 5" S&W 627 I like the Buffalo Bore Barnes 140 grain. @ 1550 ft/sec it should leave a pretty good mark on whatever you hit.
 
I like heavier bullets in my magnums and, as such, my 4" S&W M28 (along with my 2 1/2" M66, 3" M13, and 5" M27) gets loaded with Remington HTP 158gr SJHP. I've also, in the past, loaded the same gun with Winchester 145gr Silvertips or Corbon 140gr JHP. I do admit that my N-Frame .357 speedloaders are currently filled with Hornady 125gr Critical Defense because the conical shape of that particular bullet seems to work particularly well with speedloaders.
 
.38 spl +p 158 grain LSWC-HP.
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This. The time tested "FBI Load". Plenty of penetration and good expansion, without the blast, ear bleed inducing crack (something to consider indoors) and slower recovery times of the .357. I may yet carry .357s outside, particularly when hiking in the woods. Might carry a Keith style 158 or 180 grn load in those situations.
 
Muzzle Flash

Whatever load you choose, be sure to practice with it in low light conditions. the last thing you want is to loose your ability to see in a fight.
 
A good hot 125 grain SJHP .357 magnum load is about tops when rocketing out of a 4" barrel for self defense.

Loads like the Federal 357B shot from 4" service revolvers gave the .357 magnum it's reputation for effectiveness on the street. It's what I use. Yes it is loud, yes it has some recoil, but with practice it is manageable and with good shot placement it should do the job very, very well.
 
I use 158gr JHP in all of my .357 Mag revolvers....( 2 1/2" / 4" K frame S&W's - model 66's and 19's )....and 4" and 6" L frames ( model 686's ) ....and the N frames 4" and 6" (model 27's and 28's....)....

The only revolvers I carry are 2 1/2" or 4" model 66's or 19's...in an inside waist band Kramer horsehide holster with a forward FBI tilt.
 
Don't get no better than a .357, 4", 6" or 2-1/2". IC never worry about speed loading, don't even carry a reload. It's a self defense gun, carry a machine gun if you are going to a firefight.
 
Again, a good HOT 125 grain SJHP .357 load screaming from that 4" barrel has the best one shot stop rating of ANY HANDGUN ROUND IN HUMAN HISTORY.

The stopping power of something like Federal 357B in that gun is the stuff of legends, and has attained a near-mythical reputation on the streets. OP, you will find NO BETTER LOAD for your needs.
 
The .357 gets its power from its velocity, and velocity is made in the barrel. The longer the barrel, the more fps the bullet can gain as the powder (of certain kinds) continues to burn and thus generate increasing pressures all the way down the length of the bore. It.has been proven that anything less than 4" the fps diminishes drastically. Anything more and the fps does gain, but not as much as is lost per inch in shorter lengths. 4" is a good lenth. I got rid of my 2-1/4 for this reason.
 
Good post Crankgrinder:
It.has been proven that anything less than 4" the fps diminishes drastically. Anything more and the fps does gain, but not as much as is lost per inch in shorter lengths. 4" is a good lenth.
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Under 4", there is considerable loss. Over 4", the law of diminishing returns starts kicking in. (With 44 Magnum, I apply this rule at the 5" mark.)

I personally carry a 686+ with a 3" bbl. There are two rounds I carry and recommend: First, is Speer's 135g GDHP SB - the SB stands for "short barrel" (Speer product #23917). And although they're most likely designed for snubbies, they shoot really well in my 3". 1176 fps through my carry 3", and 1223 fps through my 686 4". This round is very manageable with low flash and recoil. But, without a doubt, much stronger than a 38+P.

My second choice, is Federal's 130g Hydra-Shok "Low Recoil" (Federal product code PD357HS2H). There's not much "low recoil" about them. It's a fairly potent round. Chronos at 1356 fps though the 3", and 1430 fps through the 4". Good stout round.
 
4" 357 mag

You guys are great. I've learned more from your posts and answers then I ever expected. Most of you are respectful of us newbies and treat our questions with accurate info. I'd bet a nickel that this forum saves lives and actually deescalates dangerous situations.
I was always told you can ask 1001 questions as long as you don't repeat them. Also, I now carry what ammo I think is best for each of my revolvers based on good solid info.
Thanks,
Doc H
 
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