145 grain Silvertip in 3" Model 13

[BUFF]

I carried the 145 grain Silvertip .357 Mag loading for a couple of years in my normal duty gun, a 6 inch barreled Model 66, and in my cool weather off-duty and plain clothes gun, a 3 inch barreled Model 66.

I liked the low muzzle flash the powder produced. Velocities were neatly between the Federal 125 grain JHP and the Federal 158 grain JHP.

I shot at least a dozen mule deer, from yearlings to very large mature bucks, that had been injured by automobiles. Most were still on their feet to some degree. These rounds worked very, very well. I never had to shoot any deer twice to kill him. These deer were generally pumped with adrenalin and seemed harder to kill quickly than an uninjured deer taken unawares.

The Silvertip made then (early to mid 1980's) was a very effective defensive round. Silvertips loaded now look pretty much like the old ones I still have.

 

[amd6547]

I guess that if we are to take the Trooper Coates shooting as our lesson, then we should sell our 357's and carry NAA 22 mini revolvers.
I never, ever see the Silvertip 357 load for sale. Not at gun shops, not at large gun shows with numerous ammo dealers.
I would like to shoot some, but not enough to pay shipping on it.

 

[LOBO]

You're absolutely right and to be fair this was with an earlier "generation" of the ST. Winchester "tweaked" the ST line a last time in the early 2000's and to be frank they are fantastic, especially the .44 Special. However, Win. does not push the line as heavy as before as the name "Silvertip" has forever been unfairly associated with the Miami Shootout of '86. They should have changed the name & color like they did with Black Talon.

Here's an objective 4 layer denim/ballistic gel test of your round:

StoppingPower.net Forums - Winchester .357 mag 145 gr STHP

Thanks for the link, I haven't seen that before. I would like to have seen the average recovered diameter instead of the recovered diameter at the widest point which could be misleading. Pictures would have been great too, but beggers can't be choosers I suppose

Here is a good one with great info from Doctor Gary K. Roberts,

Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

 

[LOBO]

I guess that if we are to take the Trooper Coates shooting as our lesson, then we should sell our 357's and carry NAA 22 mini revolvers.
I never, ever see the Silvertip 357 load for sale. Not at gun shops, not at large gun shows with numerous ammo dealers.
I would like to shoot some, but not enough to pay shipping on it.

Natchez SS, and Cheaper Than Dirt had it in stock the last time I looked which was only a few days ago. But they would have to be shipped.

Winchester doesn't make this load year round, but only in batches or "seasonal runs" if you will. This could explain why you don't see it locally.

 

[badge]

It's an excellent round,....... dated, but excellent.