.357 Mag question

[jframe]

I just bought some Remington .357 Magnum 125gr JSP ammo from the local Wally World. Is this considered the "hot" load for the k frames, like the 19? Is this the load that will cause the forcing cone issues over time? I've got a snub 19, and don't plan on a ton of Magnum loads, but I want to be able to have some to shoot occasionally, and just want to make sure I can shoot these with relative confidence.

 

[m1gunner]

I quit using any 125 gr 357 ammo in K frames after seeing that S&W no longer has any replacement barrels for those old revolvers.

Even though many here report no problems with this gun/load combo, it is the one that has caused ruined barrels.

No bad reports on the 158 gr loads.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, the 125 gr. .357 loads have the reputation for best stopping power statistically, I think in the JHP (not JSP) loads. Used in large amounts these have a reputation for forcing cone erosion/cracking in model 19s and 66s; occasional use shouldn't be a problem in a K frame, but as the first poster noted 158 gr. loads don't have this reputation.

 

[The Rabbi]

I use the Win 145gr Silvertip for social use in my 66 snub. The 125gr is the pits to shoot. I dont know why anyone would want to.

 

[nitesite]

Remington UMC R357M12 JSP 125-gr and Remington Express R357M1 125-gr SJHP both claim the exact same velocities according to Remington.

Remington.com - Products - Ammunition - Ballistics

I think a Model 19 is A-Okay for several hundred rounds of either.

If you shoot 158s then you will be good to go for thousands of rounds.

A 2-1/2" Model 19 is one of the sexiest looking revolvers ever devised.

 

[snowman]

The 125gr is the pits to shoot. I dont know why anyone would want to.

That is the only one I use currently. I use it for the serious purpose of defense, even in my SP101 carry piece. No problems with it here. To each his own, I guess.

Andy



P.S. I don't own any K-frame .357s, so I have no worries about cracking forcing cones.

 

[flop-shank]

The 125gr is the pits to shoot. I dont know why anyone would want to.

They work.

 

[Spotteddog]

I've got a sneaking suspicion that almost any .357 Magnum loading if screwed into the right place, would "work"!

 

[The Rabbi]

They work.

So will a lot of things. That's why I dont understand the desire to shoot them.

 

[buck460XVR]

So will a lot of things. That's why I dont understand the desire to shoot them.

I used to shoot quite a few of them because they were cheap and accurate. In the 100 count boxes @ wally world they were priced @ about the same as my own reloads. I still occasionally use them when friends want to shoot my .357s.......just for liability reasons. This is in a L-frame and I have yet to see any damage to the forcing cone.

 

[flop-shank]

So will a lot of things. That's why I dont understand the desire to shoot them.

IMO, full power .357 125 gr. JHPs are the best of the best in an excellent caliber for self defense if one can master them. It took me a good 1000 rounds. As a handgunner who, from the start, strived to learn to overcome any adversity to recoil and muzzle blast, they have been instrumental in teaching me to shoot most anything. No, they aren't pleasant to shoot, but if one can master them from a snub revolver, the whole world of handguns is wide open. They work well from all barrel lengths as well.

If you have arthritis or something, by all means, you would be dumb not to use something milder. Some people give up power for faster follow up shots. Their choice. I don't.

 

[paragon1]

An alternative is the Remington Golden Saber 125 gr. .357 magnum. I found it to be very nice to shoot in my SP101.

It is a downloaded magnum, so recoil and blast are reduced at the expense of about 120 fps in a snub. (200 fps w/ 4" barrel.)

The Golden Saber bullet, an excellent round BTW, had a tendancy to seperate, and break up @ speeds above 1300 fps. This is probably the reason the round was slightly downloaded.

In a typical SD situation, I think the GS would outperform the express loads, due to bullet design and shootability, even with the lower velocity.

 

[The Rabbi]

My experience with the golden sabre in .38spc was that it had a muzzle flash like a photographer's flash. I can't imagine the .357mag is any better. The Gold Dot was a lot better.

 

[Steve C]

Full power 1,450 fps 125gr JHP's have been known to crack the forcing cones on K frame .357's. Since S&W no longer has any K frame barrels its hard to get them fixed if cracked. Look up the ballistics on the manufacturers website for the particular rounds you bought. Modest use will likely not cause any damage however if the gun is used you don't know how many rounds of this type of ammo its already seen.

Remington "medium velocity" 125gr .357 mag ammo at 1,250 fps like the Golden Saber probably will not cause any damage and is certainly more potent than any .38 spl.

This is a good article on the issue of forcing cone cracking and 125gr loads in the K frame M19 S&W; Use of Magnum Loads in S&W Model 19 and Other K-Frame Magnums

 

[flop-shank]

My experience with the golden sabre in .38spc was that it had a muzzle flash like a photographer's flash. I can't imagine the .357mag is any better. The Gold Dot was a lot better.

I haven't fired a GS .357 in years, but I know that the 125 gr. SJHPs of the late '90s had a lot more flash than the hot rod .357s Remington is turning out today. If you haven't fired GS +Ps or .357s recently, my hunch is that they've switched to flash suppressed powders. I'm curious to hear what you think, Rabbi.

Also if one wants to avoid forcing cone issues altogether, but get 125 gr. style fragmentation, I have a strong hunch that Corbon's .357 140 gr. JHP is the hot ticket. Sierra JHPs are every bit the fragmentors that Remington's SJHPs are.

 

[38-44HD45]

I keep one of two loads in my K-frame .357s, either Speer Short Barrel 135gr. .357s or Remington Golden Saber 125-gr. .357s. Ballistics of the two loads are very close, with the GS loads being slightly hotter. Flash is minimal in both with current production ammo, even from my 3" 65s and my 2 1/4" SP-101. (I usually keep Cor-Bon 125gr. JHP in the SP-101.)

In my heavier guns, I keep either Remington 125gr. JHP full-power screamers or Cor-Bon 125gr. JHPs.

 

[The Rabbi]

I haven't fired a GS .357 in years, but I know that the 125 gr. SJHPs of the late '90s had a lot more flash than the hot rod .357s Remington is turning out today. If you haven't fired GS +Ps or .357s recently, my hunch is that they've switched to flash suppressed powders. I'm curious to hear what you think, Rabbi.

Also if one wants to avoid forcing cone issues altogether, but get 125 gr. style fragmentation, I have a strong hunch that Corbon's .357 140 gr. JHP is the hot ticket. Sierra JHPs are every bit the fragmentors that Remington's SJHPs are.

Uh no. I fired the GS probably in the last year or two at most. Very bright. The Gold Dot was quite mild by comparison.

 

[flop-shank]

Thank you, sir!

 

[conchmariner]

IMO, full power .357 125 gr. JHPs are the best of the best in an excellent caliber for self defense if one can master them. It took me a good 1000 rounds. As a handgunner who, from the start, strived to learn to overcome any adversity to recoil and muzzle blast, they have been instrumental in teaching me to shoot most anything. No, they aren't pleasant to shoot, but if one can master them from a snub revolver, the whole world of handguns is wide open. They work well from all barrel lengths as well.

If you have arthritis or something, by all means, you would be dumb not to use something milder. Some people give up power for faster follow up shots. Their choice. I don't.

Excellent post. I'm working on double action .44 Mag shooting myself for the very reasons you cite.