What is your experience with the Federal .357B?

Bud11 · Jan 12, 2012

Have a Model 60 3" on the way and want to get some good personal defense ammo. Looked around the net and read some articles, and the Federal .357B seems to get favorable reviews. I believe it is a 125 grain jacketed hollow point. Also says it is very loud, with a big muzzle flash and a handful so to speak. Neither of those particularly worry me, but it came up in several articles.

Wondering what your experience is with it using a 3" J Frame. Perhaps a slightly tamer load is better for me. I have been shooting for less than a year and go to the range about once a month, shooting only revolvers using .38 special target loads so far - for models 67 and 642.

Any insight appreciated.

Cole K · Jan 12, 2012

I handload 158 gr. LSWCHP.

But I have used Buffalo Bore Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Magnum Ammo -

158 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,100fps/M.E. 424 ft. lbs.)
140 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,150fps/M.E. 411 ft. lbs.)
125 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,225fps/M.E. 416 ft. lbs.)

It's good ammo.

riverrat38 · Jan 12, 2012

In my 3" model 60-10, I prefer the Speer 135 gr short barrel, either in plus P or magnum. The magnum is a reduced velocity load and is much more manageable than the Federal 125B, which I consider a real hand full.
For full power, I would use the Speer Gold Dot 158 gr cartridge.
The 125 gr full power loads have the potential of causing damage to the barrel and frame of small and medium frame guns. The B/C gap is opened up very soon after ignition, due to it being a higher speed bullet, when the pressure is the greatest.
I have recently bought a 3" M686 plus, and I follow the same rules, even though the "L" frame gun is certainly stronger.

rat

papajohn428 · Jan 13, 2012

Shooting full-power 357 ammo in a light gun with a small grip is a lesson in pain management. Even the lighter-bullet 357 loads are pretty snappy. I have four 357's but only the Rugers ever see much full-power ammo, the rest of the 357's and all the 38's get a steady diet of Plus-P loads, the defensive/CCW guns all get the Speer 38+P 135-grain Short Barrel load. Easy to shoot, awesome bullet design and great expansion even from snubbies. It's also one of the most consistently accurate loads, in a variety of guns. The hardest thing is finding it!

Good old lead hollowpoints have been popular since the 30's, and still do the job well. The new Hornady Critical Defense stuff is also getting good reviews, though it's a bit light for winter clothing.

The Aguila 158-grain JHP load in 38 Special is to be avoided except as practice/range ammo. Trust me on that one!

ikor · Jan 13, 2012

My agency issued the Federal 357B load for many years. While used mostly in 4in revolvers (S&W, Colt and Ruger) some guys carried it in the 2 1/2in M19 / 66. It is a true full power Magnum load (1450fps or so from a 4in. barrel) with lots of recoil. muzzle blast and...in earlier lots...huge muzzle flash. They did add flash retardent to later lots of ammo we bought.

We had several shootings with this load and all were as close as dammit to instant, one shot stops...most fatal, but all in vital areas. It also cracked some K frame frames, all M19's as I recall. We eventually switched to the WW Silvertip 145gr. load which we stayed with until everyone went to autopistols. No people shootings with it, but it did fine on pitbulls, cars and trucks...I am still partial to it.

I have fired it in a M640 (Magnum version) and IMO it is close enough to almost uncontrollable in one handed rapid fire that I would never use it for a carry load in either a short barreled K or any J frame, but that is just me.

chief38 · Jan 13, 2012

Stick with Buffalo Bore 158 Grain +P LSWCHP or Speer 135 grain Gold dot ammo. IMHO the M60 is just not enough gun to hold onto with 357's. On top of that, the 357 cartridge was not designed for a short barreled gun, and a lot of its powder is actually burning after the bullet leaves the muzzle - hence the big muzzle flash. Truth be told, from a 2" Chief's Special, Buffalo Bores Heavy 158 gr. +P does almost as much (1025 - 1040 fps) as a 357 will out of the same gun, without all the flash, recoil & noise. Just my personal opinion of course.

Regards,
Chief38

686fan · Jan 13, 2012

I really like the 357B in my 4" 686. It's a great self-defense round. In a J frame, it will be a hand full.

myanof · Jan 15, 2012

I have had a 60-10 for many years and I carry it mainly for a field/trail gun for the convenience of a small powerful gun. I carry full load 125gr .357s, but I am very experienced with this gun and load. In my 340PD I carry the Speer 135gr Short Barrel .357, which is a reduced load for 357s.

My advice to you would be to start off carrying a 38+P until you get really good shooting that load, and then if you want to move up to a reduced load .357 you should be ready. You can't go wrong starting with the Speer 135gr +P Short Barrel, and then moving to the same load in .357. Frankly for your SD needs I think the 38+P is plenty. I just carry full power 357 because I carry this gun in the field.

It takes many years of shooting to become proficient with a full load .357 in a small compact gun, and you might even find out it is not even nessassary for your needs.

Wrightturn · Jan 15, 2012

357B

I use a 125 XTP loaded to a bit over 1200 fps from my 640-1. My practice load is a 125 RN cast bullet at just over 1000fps. No it is not that much fun to shoot. I use Power Pistol and it does have moderate flash.

The 357B is a bit hotter than my hand load. The key with any snub is practice. It won`t break your hand or burn your eye brows.

Earl

indiandave · Jan 16, 2012

Out of a J frame .357 I'd want something that would give me a quick follow up shot. I like .38 Buffalo bore Std. Pressure 158 LSWCHP's. They also make a low recoil and flash .357 but I have yet to try that.

John P. · Jan 21, 2012

It will be a handful in your J frame-- practice, practice, practice if you carry this load. I carried it for a couple of years in a 4 inch M-13, a 4 inch 686, and a 2.5 inch M-66. This was a long time ago when it came in the old red and white Federal boxes. The load was probably the best .357 self defense load ever, but there was a lot of muzzle flash, under low light conditions, especially with the short barrel m-66.

MR.G · Jan 22, 2012

I really like the Federal 357B. A lot of flash and bang, especially noticed when fired in a indoor range. A real handful in my J frame.

chief38 · Jan 23, 2012

Also remember the 125 grain .357 is also famous for FLAME CUTTING, and on a small J-Frame that is something I would try to avoid. Like I stated earlier on, my personal feeling is that a J-Frame Revolver is NOT for 357's and the minimum would be a K Frame. I would either step up to a 2 1/2 - 3" M65, 66, 13,19, or stick with Buffalo Bore 38 spl. 158 (Heavy) LSWCHP-GC +P's. They will give you all the benefits of the .357 without all of he negatives (in a J-Frame).

Chief38

What is your experience with the Federal .357B?

Bud11

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Cole K

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riverrat38

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papajohn428

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ikor

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chief38

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686fan

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myanof

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Wrightturn

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indiandave

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John P.

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MR.G

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chief38

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