.357 Ammo Question

[tbone2]

I just purchased some Remington Express .357 magnum 158gr semi-jacketed hollow point ammo and just wondered if you guys have had any experience with it before. Would it be an acceptable load for carry or is there too great a risk of over penetration? I don't really want to carry a 125gr screamer scince I will be shooting it out of a Model 65-3. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[mod29]

Where did you find it? I can't find Remington or Winchester .357 mag 158-gr JHP ammo anywhere!

BTW..that's what I would probably carry in my Mod 66-1. If I could find any!

-Jim

 

[.45mtngun]

I prefer to use Remington 125 grain mid-range Golden Sabers in my 19-5 2.5". They are very accurate and pack plenty of punch. Just another load you might consider for your gun.

 

[tbone2]

OK, now another question, sorry I'm new to .357s. On Remington's website they show this load at a muzzle velocity of 1235fps and 535ft/lbs of energy. My normal carry and home defense load is the Federal 9BPLE which according to Federal's website does 1300fps and 432ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle.

I always hear people saying stuff like "well I wouldn't want to fire a .357 in-doors, cause you might lose your hearing." I don't recall anyone saying the same about 9mm.

Why is this true or untrue?
Sorry if these questions have been asked before. I couldn't really find anything by searching.

 

[flop-shank]

tbone, it's all about what makes the bang in the first place; pressure. The .357 magnum has nasty high pressure for a handgun. I don't recall what 9mm pressure is compared to .357, but I wouldn't take it lightly either.

My unprotected ears have been exposed to .357 and .44 magnum muzzzle blast on a few occasions. IMO those guns beat the crap out of my hearing more than playing in a rock band, listening to loud music, and working in a tool and die shop combined.

I do use full power magnum revolvers, and a .44 magnum for home defense. I believe that stopping the threat, on a dime if possible, is paramount.

 

[thedogfather]

Sure, a .357 is going to be loud indoors .. same as a 9mm or .38 special or what have you. With the .357 you will certainly get more muzzle blast so your night vision will be effected too. I've never had to shoot mine indoors (except at a range) or at anyone but over the last few years I've taken to loading my Model 28 "house gun" with the tried and true "FBI load" ... .38 special, +P, 158 grain LSWCHP. It shoots these so accurately, and easily, and with a little less flash and bang. I have every confidence in this load, especially at combat distance. I do keep Remington .357 Golden Sabre 125 JHP in the speed loaders.

 

[tbone2]

I ordered from a place called SGAmmo.com. They had a pretty good selection and prices. I ordered on 2/16 and I received my order on 2/19 via UPS. Shipping was $9 from Stillwater, OK to St. Louis, MO for 150 rounds of .38/.357. Seems like a pretty good place to order from. I don't have any connections to the company, just thought they did a nice job.

http://www.sgammo.com/index.php

 

[shawn mccarver]

Use the 125 grain screamer. You will only shoot a few for familiarization, then 38s mostly for practice. This will not hurt the revolver.

On the other hand, there is nothing much wrong with the 38 +P 158 grain Lead Hollow Point or the Gold Dot short barrel in 38.

 

[flop-shank]

My thinking differs from Shawn's a little. Since I will shoot a few cylinders of handload equivalent of whatever I carry every practice session, and think everyone should practice with what they use, I would just opt for a heavier bullet in a K frame. The 158's you're planning on running, tbone, will work fine, but will tend to penetrate a little extra deep, IIRC. Don't fret about it. The .357 magnum is a hard cartridge to screw up, so one needs not feel like they're packing an inferior system because the bullets aren't 125 grains. I would put the 145 gr. .357 Silvertip at the top of my list were I you. They are highly regarded, accurate and a little lighter than the 158s.

As Shawn mentioned, .38+Ps are fine for those who are recoil sensitive, while managed recoil .357s, such as Speer Short Barrel Gold Dots would be the middle road.

 

[tpd223]

That round is going to give you some pretty good recoil.

FWIW, I had a friend at work get into a fight with a pit bull in a small apartment, six rounds of 124gr Remington .357mag were fired during that incident. He showed a 30% hearing loss when tested after the incident.

I'd likely go with the mid-range .357mag loadings is that gun, not that the 158gr load you asked about isn't going to work if needed.