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semperfi71 · 06-17-2012, 04:52 PM

Texas Star,

I cannot give you hard, substantial use data but here's my beliefs on the Winchester 145 grain Silvertip.

I load and shoot a lot of .357 bullets. I have only killed one javelina and that with the Speer 140 grain hollow point. I have killed no other game.

But, as I said above, I do load and shoot a lot and therefore study the .357 a lot. I like the Speer and Sierra 140 grain hollowpoints and Winchester 145 grain hollowpoints. Because they weigh less they can be driven fast enough to hopefully achieve quality expansion. That may be difficult with any 158 grain bullet, hollow point or not.

The 158 has a sectional density of around .177 and the 145 sectional density is not available to me but the Speer 140 is .157. That, in a handgun may not be much to alter penetration capabilities. And of course the weight difference is only 13 grains between the 158 and 145.

I have read in several places and times that achieving good expansion in many handgun rounds is considered by some to be a "sometime" thing, especially in shooting humans. I have read here, on this forum, whereby a number of experienced shooters actually prefer a good lead semi-wadcutter in .357 of a weight from 158 grains and up. According to them the semi-wadcutter design does a lot of damage because the bullet cuts a clean, sharp hole and induces more bleeding. But it may or may not expand that much. I think they may be correct. For my "heavy" .357 load I use the old Speer 160 grain jacketed, lead-nosed semiwadcutter. I can shoot it as fast as possible with no leading, I may get good expansion because of the large amount of exposed lead, and I might get good clean-cutting wounds due to the design.

The Speer 135 grain Gold Dot hollow point is well described and demonstrated by "hickock45" on Youtube. It is destructive and appears to penetrate very well. BUT, it is supposedly designed for the .38 Special and may go to pieces on game in a top end .357 load. You may want to go there and google "speer 135 grain". He also does the same for the famed "FBI" load using the lead 158 grain semiwadcutter. Of course both of his videos are using .38 Special factory loads.

If you go to MidwayUSA.com and read the reviews for the Winchester 145 grain Silvertip you may find more answers to your question. it looks to me like a reliable deer and small hog bullet.

From what I have read about big hogs and black bears that are angry and charging I would not trust ANY .357 load. If I had to carry only a handgun it would be .41 or .44 Magnum.

I apologize if this is a bit too extensive and that you may have done some of this research already. I just love the .357 and enjoy conversing about it. It's a favorite cartridge for me.