I prefer 158 grain because it performs similarly to my 158 grain S&B FMJ practice ammo. I am a bit worried about over penetration, but with Buffalo Bore Tactical Short Barrel I feel like it is less likely than standard defense loads that are hotter.

What do you guys like?

Stocked up on Federal 125gr C357B before they discontinued it.

Woods walks get 180gr. Buffalo Bore.


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Slava Ukraini!

158gr for sure and for certain.


Prescut

I like 135 Gold Dots and 145 grain Silvertips. so I split the difference and went with 140s.

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213th FBINA

For summer time, I like the 125 JHP..........

in the Winter, if real Heavy Winter coats are worn or "Pea Coat" thickness
jackets come into the fact, there is nothing like a 158 gr, bullet to take care of business.

I live in Ohio where we have 6 months of winter, so this definitely applies here.

In my supply of factory ammo in 357 Magnum the majority would be 158gr.

Currently, from a reloading standpoint, the 140gr JHPs are my favorite solely because I bought a ton of them pre-dempanic at about $0.20 each...

That, and the fact that I feel there are perfectly acceptable alternative 38 Special +P, 9mm, 357 SIG & 40 S&W loads as suitable for defensive carry purposes.

Cheers!

Se refieren a 158 JHP o SWC

I'm pretty much a 125 gr JHP kind of guy. I've read a lot on the ballistics and various stats on shootings and will srick with the 125 grain bullets unless I'm hunting with my 6" Dan Wesson 15-2. I've killed deer with both 125 and 158 gr XTP and both have died just fast as long as I do my part.

To me the 125 stays ahead of the 158s no matter what barrel length is used.

Here are 2 of my favorite sources for muzzle velocity, energy and penetration specs.

Ballistics by the inch

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...s-test/#357mag

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Unless things have changed dramatically over the yrs.125 grs still the best performer of any of them. I haven't carried a .357 magnum in 30 yrs so things might have.

125gr Golden Sabers for as long as I can remember.

What works best for you in your gun is the right choice. Ideally, try as many ammos as possible, but availability and price may prevent the "ideal" approach these days. Don't get bogged down or obsess over "studies", YouTube maestros, the "heavy clothing" dilemma, bullet weight, penetration and other factors of questionable worth. None of this matters a great deal if you're using .357 ammo.

Barnes 125gr Tac-XPD or Remington 125gr. SJHP

158gr.. poa/poi in all my 357 magnums

I used to be a 158 fan, but after doing some research on performance, I only carry the Remington 180gr. SJHP. Performance is great out of a 4" barrel, as well as a rifle barrel as low as 16".

Out to 25 yards, the 125 grain carries more energy than a 158 grain, when comparing "standard" magnum loads. The 125 has much greater velocity, but will shed the energy more quickly upon impact, and due to about 25% less sectional density than 158's, don't penetrate as far.

Long ago, I preferred the 125 JHP for my M66 because of the close-in advantages of velocity and greater stopping potential. Nowadays, with the concerns about K-frame forcing cone damage, I stick to 158's on all my .357's. I'd love to try some 140's but can never seem to find them for reloading.

Over-penetration as a hazard is a greatly over-exaggerated issue! Far more by-standers have been injured/killed by shots that missed the intended target than have been struck by bullets that penetrated the intended target. Being able to accurately identify the primary target and accurately hit that target are what is really important!

158 Grain ammunition is what I did carry both on and off duty before I retired, and still do when carrying either .38 Spl. or .357 Magnum. At likely self-defense distances either will shoot close enough to the sights to be effective, so this is not a practical issue.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

I can't speak for 125 or 140 grain bullets, but I do know that 158 grain projectiles from a 357 work, although I recall two of them exiting a perp. It is still my preferred bullet in the 357.

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Keep your powder dry.

Back in the late seventies there was a push towards high velocities and light weight bullets which seemingly dismissed everything hunters already knew about sectional density and penetration. Things seem to be turning around now as gelatin testing and a return to focus on penetration return. I like 147 in 9mm, 158 in 357 an 40 in 22lr.

I care more about hitting where I am aiming then the bullet behind the powder. Get a good quality bullet and practice then be confident. Not sure I have ever heard a bad guy complain about the bullet used.

Just sayin

I picked 140 because it was the closest to the only .357 Magnum round I carry - Winchester’s 145 grain Silvertip.

It’s expensive enough to keep me from just shooting people willy-nilly, and I believe it is effective on werewolves too, which is a nice bonus.

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Rule of law, not a man.

Honestly, while I may occasionally carry a 357 revolver, I would rather load it with 158gr 38 Special +P! Reduces chance of over penetration and assists with easier bullet placement.

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Judge control not gun control!

I'm old school and only use 158 gr. in my K-frame S&W revolvers.

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6/23/2022

I own a 6" 686, mostly for a range toy with 38sp. My wife has pretty much claimed it as hers, but thats another story.

Once in awhile I feel like CPLing a revolver and I have a nice shoulder rig with the 2 speed loader holders on the off side that makes that 686 disappear under a light jacket. Years ago, I walked into a gunshop that was clearing out all their COR-BON ammo.

I drove out of that parking lot about 600 lbs heavier lol

Most of what I bought was 140gr .357mag.

Shoots lights out in my 686 and I still have over 300 rounds of it.

That’s a good one. True, too!

Another vote for the STHP. Seems too good to worry about replacing it with something more recent.

I know the 125gr bullet is the darling of the .357 Magnum SD loads but other than the 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo I prefer a 158gr bullet in the .357 Magnum even for SD.

That's just my preference.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I'm a heavy bullet kinda guy but the 158gr bullets don't do well in ballistic gel tests and I became enough of a believer in the 145 gr STHP that I bought a bunch of it when I caught it on sale with free shipping from Midwest a coupla 3 years ago and I use it for carry in my .357s.
These are some of the last ones with nickel cases. Real Lone Ranger style.....

I also have some 135gr GDHPSBs for use with snubs.......

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

My personal go to is the 125 jhp for SD. I started in LE with that load, and have seen what it does up close with body hits. I do believe that extra velocity, along with dramatic bullet expansion is what makes it such a noted SD load. Plenty of penetration against human targets.

Of course, really any full power .357 load is going to be effective for the intended purpose. Shot placement is always key.

Larry

I doubt the bad guy it’s used on would know the difference.

Back in the day, my choice for a self-defense 357 Magnum load would have been the 125 grain JHP. But that was then, this is now. With modern design hollow points, screaming velocity is no longer required for reliable expansion. Today, I would pick a reduced velocity load from Federal, Remington, Speer, or Winchester, using a bullet in the range of 125 to 145 grains.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I grew up reading the books and magazine articles of Elmer Keith .
My judgement has been clouded by the heavy & slow beats light & fast bunch for years .
158 grain SWC - HP works for me .

Jack who ?
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

No matter the caliber I usually try to go as heavy for caliber as is practical, so 158gr for me.

I do have a bunch of the 135gr Speer Gold Dots though, fine bullet.

How bout we worry more about where we hit the bad guy than what we hit them with. Sooooo frustrated with this what bullet do you prefer, what weight, is it +p or regular. Give me a break fellas...... and felicias.

Worry less about what and more about WHERE!!!

Save the light bullet loads for lesser cartridges like .380 ACP and 9mm Luger. I only use 158 grain bullets in the .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

I like weight.

A one-month old thread but a couple of extra points.

Since you have a 686, use whatever .357 you like - no concerns about cracked forcing cones and the like with the L frame. But consider if you will be using tactical nuclear 125 gr loads indoors, and perhaps several at a time - the blast and flash will be substantial.

Also, since the Great '20s Ammo Shortage seems to be abating somewhat, find and try several different loads yourself. What others think about one bullet weight or another won't mean much if you and your gun don't like, or doesn't reliably function, with it. Still have to check that out, even with a revolver.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Bullet behind the powder? Please reread your loading manual.

Well my vote went to 125s.. I get more penetration etc with 158...but I happen to have 1000s of loads and reloading bullets in125 gr. What I carried as F/Investigator. For any "woods carry" I go big. My M-57 with 245 gr WFNGC bullet at 1100