Winchester Silvertip 357 magnum 145 grain test

[BabaBlueJay]

Went to the range to test this ammo as a potential carry round for my 686 and was pleasantly surprised. I've shot Gold Dots, Hornady FTX, Buffalo Bore, Federal Hydra Shok, and many others but this performed best of them all on my simple test. As always I took 3 Milk Gallon Jugs which are roughly 6" wide for my test. I know it's not ballistic gel or a meat target as Paul Harrell does but it helps me find ammo that hit the FBI sweet spot of 12-18" of penetration. If it doesn't make it to the 3rd jug it is lacking and obviously if it goes clean through all 3 that is a liability. This round expanded great and made it to the back of the third jug without punching through which is ideal. In accuracy and consistency tests it was also superb. Posting the photos to show it retained its weight and to show the expansion relative to a penny for scale.

I forgot to mention this test was done out of a 4" 686

[ArchAngelCD]

The 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo is probably my favorite .357 Magnum ammo. For me it's been extremely accurate.

[VictorLouis]

IIRC, it's pretty low on flash, also?

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Winchester’s Silvertip is a much unappreciated round. It doesn’t get the shoutouts some other bullet designs get but just continues to perform day after day…shot after shot.

The only Silvertip I’ve had negative experiences with is the .45 ACP 185 grain…Winchester loaded them to be little hand grenades…they are powerful! and hard to control due to the recoil. I gave some to a buddy and he called me about every dirty name he knew and made up a few as well. Those rounds were much stronger than any +P .45 I’ve ever fired.

[BabaBlueJay]

Originally Posted by VictorLouis

IIRC, it's pretty low on flash, also?

You know I didn't think about that until you mentioned it but it almost as little flash as the Buffalo Bore Low Flash Short Barrel stuff I tried in the past. For the price I am very impressed with this Winchester ammo.

[Dave Baird]

I carried that round in first my 686 then GP100, even qualified with them while everyone else was shooting .38 wadcutters.

[Doug M.]

I bought a good sized batch last time I had the chance. I am pretty sure it is the only true .357 ammo I have. It does bark, but it has always been a good performer.

[LoboGunLeather]

Very good reputation from LE use during the 1980s and 1990s.

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Bullet and propellant technology is always changing. The Silvertip and every other hollow point design is not the same as years ago. Sometimes it’s a genuine improvement…sometimes it’s no more than marketing to get people to buy the “new and improved” product with a new, sexier name.

[Eric300]

Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather

Very good reputation from LE use during the 1980s and 1990s.

Yep. That was our standard issued duty ammo as well as the 4" 686 duty sidearm back in the 80's. In the early 90's we transitioned to semi-auto pistols.

[6518John]

I have always believed this ammo was the cat’s meow, mainly from knowing a deputy sheriff who had left his ought-six in his deer stand while he climbed down to relieve himself. He had his duty revolver (a Highway Patrolman) on a belt holster. It was loaded with his duty round—the Silvertips.

As monster swamp bucks are wont to do, one slipped out of the brambles about 20 yards away. Big 12 pointer.

The Deputy was squatting with the Highway Patrolman hanging awkwardly down around his ankle. Still squatting, he slipped it out, gently cocked it back single action, and shot the buck at the base of the skull where it connects to the neck.

It dropped like it was poleaxed by the Almighty Himself!

[venomballistics]

I've always liked that bullet.
I keep a reasonable inventory of handloads using it on hand.
Though my primary load uses a hollow point Keith, the ST earned it's keep

[RobertJ.]

Originally Posted by 6518John

I have always believed this ammo was the cat’s meow, mainly from knowing a deputy sheriff who had left his ought-six in his deer stand while he climbed down to relieve himself. He had his duty revolver (a Highway Patrolman) on a belt holster. It was loaded with his duty round—the Silvertips.

As monster swamp bucks are wont to do, one slipped out of the brambles about 20 yards away. Big 12 pointer.

The Deputy was squatting with the Highway Patrolman hanging awkwardly down around his ankle. Still squatting, he slipped it out, gently cocked it back single action, and shot the buck at the base of the skull where it connects to the neck.

It dropped like it was poleaxed by the Almighty Himself!

And what a story-topper this is!

Imagine you're listening to some guy brag about the deer he shot. All you'd have to say is,"Yeah, but were you takin' a poop when you shot him?"