I just fired one box each of 125 grain & 158 grain 357 mag Speer Gold Dot in my 4" 686+. I didn't feel much difference in recoil. Any opinions on which is a better self defense round?
Thanks, Sam

The 125gr .357 Magnum load us the one that made the reputation as the best man stopper but I prefer a heavier bullet. I like to use the bullet weights that were used to develop the cartridge and in this case that's the 158gr bullet.

I suggest you choose the one that is most accurate in your revolver. Why? Because can there really he a bad choice when it comes to the .357? Lol

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SWCA #3437

I prefer mid-range .357 for defense loads, because my 158gr hunting loads will shoot all the way through a house unless it hits the fireplace or similar. Great for the Highway patrol to shoot through a car, but maybe a bit much for my personal defense?
Might try Golden Saber.

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I like the Speer Gold Dot, and I like heavy bullets. I know you're talking about revolvers, but I also run enough of the stuff through my 1911s and my Glocks to make sure the pistols will function with it...and then when I carry any of them, it's my first choice for a self defense round.

Chances are in a private citizen self defense situation, you aren't going to be engaging in an extended gunfight. In any self defense range (which I define for my purposes as any distance within twenty yards), I just don't see the need for a 1300-1500 fps round. I shoot and carry .45acp. A Speer 230-grain GDHP at 890 fps is gonna get to the target quick enough, believe me.

This is all just my opinion, okay?

I agree with the heavier bullet choice. For a self defense round, I'll pick heavy bullets over velocity every time.

Visual and statistical information that may help make a choice in ammo type, confirm or change ones opinion on ammo selection for the calibers illustrated.

The links below show slow motion action of bullets through clear gel from Brassfetcher on YouTube. The .357 mag 125 and the .45 acp Federal Hydra-Shok both have the same 96% success rating in the MS statistical analysis that can be found at handloads.com [url]http://handloads.com/misc/stoppingpower.asp[url/]. The heavier 158gr bullets don't do as well in the MS numbers and you can see why. The video's and the MS charts unfortunately do not show the exact same ammo as tested in the video but one can see comparable bullet weights and type.

.357 magnum (3) 125gr HP loads and a 158gr JSP comparison.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMfXLc7TS-0[url/]

.45 ACP 230gr Federal Hydra-Shok

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwAbIdamK2A[url/]

I second the opinion of using the load 357mag was developed with. The 158gr.

However, I am slightly off of that advice on what I use. In my Python, the first 3 rounds are 38spl. 147gr. +P+ Hydra-Shoks, and the last 3 rounds are 357mag 140gr. XTPs (reloads). I have 158gr XTP made, but have a box or so of the 140 left over from hunting when they didn't have 158gr in stock last year, so figured use them for defense and save the 158gr for hunting.

I go with the pumped up 38spl rounds first for better control and accuracy. If those 3 don't work, then the magnums come next.

Best case scenario, I never have to use any of them.

iPac, don't feel bad. I have a S&W M640 that is scary accurate with 145gr Winchester Silvertips so that's what I use in that gun. Accuracy wins out over 13gr of bullet weight lol. You know the saying, "There is always an exception to the rule."

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SWCA #3437

I fixed the links for you.

Also, I'm not sure how relevant it is to compare terminal ballistics of a 125gr JHP to a 158gr JSP.

A Agency I was with in the early 1990s issued .357 magnum 145 grain Silvertips as the issue service round.

The 145 Silver tip is what a carry in my M66. I just wish I could find some more, as I'm down to a box and a half.

I prefer the 158 grainer personally. There are basically two camps here: light & fast vs heavy & slower. I subscribe to the heavier/ slower concept. Truthfully, either one would get the job done as long as the hits were good.

I've been looking for 145gr Silvertip for about 5yrs...
Winchester said they "might make some" this year.

I bought 4 boxes from the last run. They were on the market for about 4 months before they ran out.

Anyone looking for these, go to a few big sites like Midway USA and set a notification request when they are back in stock again. This way you can get some when the next run is produced. Actually, this is the longest time between runs of Silvertips I've ever seen.

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SWCA #3437

This.

Facts like this seldom get in the way of opinion.

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