.357 magnum defense ammo

[cjw3]

I don't know what, but my hunch is that there is more going on here than meets the eye.

It is what it is.

 

[flop-shank]

It is what it is.

I'm not at all suggesting that you're being disingenuous, only that something is seriously odd; wacky chrono, defective ammo, change in recipe, some combination of them all, ect. There are slow guns, but that would probably be some kind of record.

 

[cjw3]

I'm not at all suggesting that you're being disingenuous, only that something is seriously odd; wacky chrono, defective ammo, change in recipe, some combination of them all, ect. There are slow guns, but that would probably be some kind of record.

The referenced load is 357B, which has been replaced by C357B on the website, so there is some possibility of component change; otherwise, all is well.

 

[Bert Man]

The 125 gr choice for law enforcement is twofold. First, it does not overpenetrate resulting in unwanted collateral damage. Second, the slug dumps all of its energy in the target. This causes the most blunt trauma possible to the assailant.

The 158 gr does have the tendency to pass through the assailant, carrying energy with it and not dumping all it's energy in the intended target.

+1 on what hogblue said. Agree wholeheatedly.

 

[flop-shank]

The referenced load is 357B, which has been replaced by C357B on the website, so there is some possibility of component change; otherwise, all is well.

Now I'm really curious. If Federal downloaded their 125 gr. .357 JHP, then they're idiots. That load has a huge cult following just like Remington's version.

 

[xcop]

federal

The C in the Federal code means Classic. That code has been around several years and also is on things like their 115gr 9mm jhp. I chronod their 125gr from a 3in GP 100 and it averaged 1376 from the shorter barrel and the Remington version averaged 1398 in the same 3in. Doesnt seem like they downloaded to me. It is possible that Federal might change the code again as they moved the 125gr 357 into their Personal Defense series and some of those loads are coded PD

 

[flop-shank]

Thanks for the info, xcop.

 

[cjw3]

Now I'm really curious. If Federal downloaded their 125 gr. .357 JHP, then they're idiots. That load has a huge cult following just like Remington's version.

It beats me. For handloads, I have been using 296 and H110 for the last two or three years with 125 + 158 JSP's, along with cast 160 grain HP's. Velocities with these powders have not been up where I would have expected.

Getting a little OT, the other day I tried 15.0/2400 with a 154 grain cast and got 1342 fps average for 10 shots; most of the cases would fall out of the cylinder without use of the extractor, so no problems with pressure. 14.0 grains was 1216, 14.5 was 1275; the 14 grain load is sufficient for my purposes. Maybe the burning characteristics of 296, H110 and Federal's non-canister powder don't jive with my revolver (?).

I see that Cor-Bon's DPX 125 JHP is listed as 1300 fps on their website with a 4" test barrel, which seems slow compared to others. Surely SAAMI has standards for test barrels, so there must be something else in play.

Live and learn, I guess. Thanks for the comments; a good thinking through is useful now and then.jw

 

[flop-shank]

You're most welcome, cjw.

DPX is a very different animal than traditional loads. While the bullet is the same weight as other 125 grainers, being all copper it is no doubt longer and thus gives up case capacity. Copper being harder than lead, I'll bet that affects pressure too. Just a hunch.

It may very well be that you have the granddaddy of slow guns.

 

[sigp220.45]

Here's what's in my nightstand gun.....

.....and oldy but goody:

 

[TYFOON]

What cartridge is best for overall service life of the K frame Model 19-4?

Does it even matter? I have a gun I want to keep as an heirloom but I want to shoot it also. And I plan on carrying it.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Keep your use of 125 gr full power loads down as they have shown
wear with heavy use,I would expect the mid-range [1200 instead of 1400] would be easier on the gun,also 158 don't have that problem.
Best of both 145gr silvertips.....

 

[TYFOON]

Groo here
Keep your use of 125 gr full power loads down as they have shown
wear with heavy use,I would expect the mid-range [1200 instead of 1400] would be easier on the gun,also 158 don't have that problem.
Best of both 145gr silvertips.....

Sorry for the thread jack but thanks for the feedback.

I ordered 100 rounds of Golden Saber 125 grain .357 Mag. 125 BJHP 1,220ft/sec. 413 ft/lbs for carry and 200 rounds of .38 special RLN 158gr. for practice.

Thanks again,

Foon