Winchester PDX1 357 Magnum range report

M

matt2009

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I have became a fan of the Winchester PDX1 defender rounds recently thanks to some YouTube videos and personal experience with various calibers. So once I got my new carry gun a few months ago I've been on the lookout for some in the .357 Magnum variety. Last weekend I found some and today I shot a few through my S&W model 649-5.
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Judging by that I was predicting these rounds to be a little warm but I must say after firing ten of them the recoil wasn't all that bad. Definitely more than the Speer Gold Dot SB in .357 Magnum but not nearly as bad as I was expecting. My dad fired five and he too didn't think they were too bad.

Accuracy wise, they are great. Maybe even exceptional. I shot ten into the same target. SA, off hand, standing at seven yards. I think at this distance they were pretty well hitting to point of aim, though maybe just slightly high.
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The first five I was all over the place (7" group!) but the last five came in at 1 13/16"! That's a personal best for me with this gun in any load.

My dad done this
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on his one and only try. That's 2 5/8". Not bad.

Overall I really like these rounds. The recoil wasn't anything too obnoxious and no real muzzle blast to speak of. Definitely warmer than the Speer GDs but not by as much as I figured. They certainly pass my paper test.
 
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And Winchester makes the best brass for reloading ;)

Glad to know they shot well. I may grab a box or three someday and give 'em a try myself.
 
I would be interested to see what kind of numbers you get if you ever get any and test them.

It's been awhile since I have shot any, but from what I can remember they remind me of Hornady Critical Defense rounds as for a recoil comparison. Those shells are rated a little higher if I remember correctly (1500 fps).
 
I keep these in my Rossi 92 for HD. Maybe not quite as intimidating as a 12 ga., but certainly easier on my shoulder!
 
These are the 125 grain, correct?

My personal experience is I'm able to shoot 125 grain .357 magnums out of almost anything, even really small guns like the Ruger LCR but 158 grain .357 magnums are something I have decided I will NOT shoot unless the gun is a little more substantial.

Your groups look plenty good to me.
 
DaleA said:
These are the 125 grain, correct?

My personal experience is I'm able to shoot 125 grain .357 magnums out of almost anything, even really small guns like the Ruger LCR but 158 grain .357 magnums are something I have decided I will NOT shoot unless the gun is a little more substantial.

Your groups look plenty good to me.
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Yes sir. 125gr, rated 1325 fps at the muzzle.

After shooting these last weekend they are now loaded in my Smith.

I've tried several different weights, types and brands of ammunition in mine. By far the hottest was the Federal 158gr jacketed soft points. I buy those to shoot/keep loaded in a model 19 Smith but also occasionally shoot them out of my 649. They make the others seem pretty tame. The rest of the light weight magnums shoot about the same I think with the exception of the 135gr Speer GD SB.
 
Water-Man said:
Give the Federal 357B 125gr. a whirl.
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I seen the "new" version of that stuff in a gun shop not long ago (it was in a blue box). I passed on it in order to get some of the Speer GDs SB in 357.

Next time I may buy a box of it if the price is right.
 
^^They may have rebranded it. The original was called Classic Hi Shok 357B. As long as the specs are the same, I guess it doesn't matter. 1450 fps- 584 fpe.^^
 
I didn't look at the ballistics. I will check some of it out is I see it again. I'm always open to different stuff.
 
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