125 vs 140 vs 158 grain for 357 magnum defense loads?

[BabaBlueJay]

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?

 

[bigwheelzip]

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

Woods walks get 180gr. Buffalo Bore.


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[oddshooter]

158gr for sure and for certain.


Prescut

 

[CH4]

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

 

[Nevada Ed]

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.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

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.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

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!

 

[GOLDOT]

Se refieren a 158 JHP o SWC

 

[duane_wade]

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/revolver-ballistics-test/#357mag

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[Laketime]

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.

 

[hyena]

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

 

[rockquarry]

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.

 

[RCL-09]

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

 

[robvious]

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

 

[Borderboss]

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".

 

[Hair Trigger]

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

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.

 

[Alk8944]

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.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

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.

 

[stanmerrell]

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.

 

[IAM Rand]

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