I was at the local Bass Outdoors store this afternoon and was idly eyeing their very limited selection of handgun ammunition with the hope of finding some 158gr. .357 magnum. No luck, but they did have in stock several boxes of Remington UMC 180gr .357. JHP. At $36.00 per box (!!!!) I decided the price was way out of line and I passed.

However, now I'm very curious. I've fired a fair amount of 125gr. and 158gr. .357s and I much prefer the 158gr. variety. It's easier on my hand, and by reputation, easier on the gun. I've never fired the 180gr. ammo. How does the 180gr. stuff stack up against the 158gr. and 125gr. ammo in terms of perceived recoil and performance? Any advantages to firing the heavier round? Is it a round that's recommended for hunting or self-defense?

It is considered more of a hunting round were deeper penetration is desired.

I would also consider it a Hunting round. BTW, if it was a Partition hollow point that is not really a bad price for a box of 50. I know some deer hunters who swear by 180 grain partition hollow points for use in a 357 lever gun. I also suspect that there are some handgun hunters who would use this, however the only handgun hunter I know uses a 41 Magnum.

As for the recoil characterstic, the only thing I'll shoot in 357 Magnum is 158 grain loads, the lighter stuff hits a bit too hard for my liking. On the range that 180 grain would probably be pretty pleasent, however at that price it's too expensive for a practice round.

I've got about half a box in my reloading room. I've tried shooting it into bare water, and neither my 5 inch 27 or 6 inch 28 could send it fast enough to expand. May be good for rifles, but I don't see any reason to use it in a pistol.

...definitely a hunting round for deer or hogs. Outta a handgun, velocity will not be enough to expand the bullet. Just a high priced alternative to a good 158 JSP.

I'm thinking that 180 gr. .357s have plenty of velocity to expand from most handguns. If they're not doing so, that's a bullet design issue.

Yes a 180gr bullet in a .357 Magnum round is considered a hunting round but not from a revolver IMO. The additional weight reduces the velocity and the energy delivered to the game by a lot. From a 18.5" or longer Carbine/Rifle it's a whole different story. The additional velocity achieved from the longer barrel make the 180gr round a very good hunting round, again, IMO.

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I like them actually, good hog and whitetail round. I've never had any expansion problems out of a 6" barrel. Now, they don't do the spectacular damage that a 125gr will, but they DO expand to a degree.

In your opinion, what is the best 158 grain hunting or general-purpose "woods" round in .357?

__________________
Aaron Terry

I haven't played around with 158s much, Aaron, but Remington 158 gr. SJHPs would be at the top of my short list to try.