357 magnum defensive ammo

[BabaBlueJay]

Welp, Silvertip wins! After testing the black hills I was not too impressed. I would show the bullet from testing but it overpenetrated and I could not find it. In the high speed camera it also appeared to lose weight and took a nose dive after entering the water. My accuracy with it was also supbar going 6/6 on body of steel silhouette but no heart plate shots. It wasn't much better on paper with a spread of over 4" at 10 feet. A lot of this could be me and probably is, this is not the most scientific test but for me as shooter it represents how I perform with a given round. Silvertips it is, time to stock up.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Seems like most respondents are using 110 and 125 grain bullets. I prefer a heavier bullet, 158 grain JHP (Hornady XTP) for both my .38 Spl and .357 Magnum loads. The .38's are +P, run about 875 fps, and my magnum loads about 1250 fps. If I need something more powerful, I'll just carry a larger caliber, I have several to choose from.

My most carried EDC is a 2-1/2" M66-1.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Bought a decent bit from Aim Surplus to sight it and have some in reserves. If they do well with their service I'll buy an additional 20-30 boxes these Silvertips are the real McCoy! Thanks to everyone and Archangel thanks for letting me know about the great deal at Aim Surplus!

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Welp, Silvertip wins! After testing the black hills I was not too impressed. I would show the bullet from testing but it overpenetrated and I could not find it. In the high speed camera it also appeared to lose weight and took a nose dive after entering the water. My accuracy with it was also supbar going 6/6 on body of steel silhouette but no heart plate shots. It wasn't much better on paper with a spread of over 4" at 10 feet. A lot of this could be me and probably is, this is not the most scientific test but for me as shooter it represents how I perform with a given round. Silvertips it is, time to stock up.

No argument from me. I've been a big fan of Silvertips for many years...with the exception of their 185 grain JHP .45 ACP...those are little hand grenades on a brass case! Recoil and blast are far too much for effective handling...especially in a Lightweight Commander. I gave to some to a friend and he called me after shooting them and called me every dirty name he could think of plus he made up a few.

Something for thought...I also like Winchester's "Treasury Load"...the old 110 grain +P+ JHP they sold to law enforcement. It's not made anymore to my knowledge but Winchester does load it in an equivalent .357. My 2.5" Colt Python loves that load.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

 

[CJH]

Time to see what all the excitement is about!

 

[flintsghost]

Gold Dot 135 Grain Short Barrel is hard to find periodically but it is still the best. What that says is that when it is available buy as much as you can afford. Minimum of a case. That's what I did and I use it conservatively, not just burn it up at the range for practice. I use it for qualifications and carry only.

 

[31FordA]

When I carried my 19-7, 25 years ago, I used Silvertips as my .357 load as everyone told me not to shoot 125 gr Magnums in it, and because it was the approved FBI .357 load. When I switched to a 3" GP-100 I tried a variety of .357 loads in it, finally settling on 125 grain Golden Saber .357 because it shot the best in that revolver. Another factor was that reliably finding .357 Silvertip ammo had become a nuisance.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Gold Dot 135 Grain Short Barrel is hard to find periodically but it is still the best. What that says is that when it is available buy as much as you can afford. Minimum of a case. That's what I did and I use it conservatively, not just burn it up at the range for practice. I use it for qualifications and carry only.

IMO that ammo is hardly a magnum round. They are only rated @990fps and they didn't even do that. That sounds like a .38 Special +P to me. BTW, the 135gr .38 Special +P Short Barrel ammo is rated @860fps and it does do that in my M442 and slightly more. (880fps)

 

[Shoebox1.1]

Lobogunleather thank you for Your service and your comments. Made me smile

 

[ddixie884]

Are the newest run of the .357s put up in nickel cases? It has been a while but the last ones I got on clearance from Midway were in nickel then someone on here said they got some in plain brass.........

 

[oddshooter]

All the above.
I also like Speer Gold Dot 135 gr short barrel 357 or 38 +p.

oh sure.

and where no you mine unobtanium?

 

[luvsmiths]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be shot with ANY of the rounds mentioned here, or any that will fly out of a 357!

 

[ddixie884]

In my hall closet.............................

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Read the post incorrectly.
Sorry, never mind

 

[pantannojack]

I vote Silver Tip for use on VAMPIRES.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I vote Silver Tip for use on VAMPIRES.

I thought the Silver bullets were for Werewolves ...

Slight OT
My wife loves horror films. She saw a box of LaserCast bullets on my loading bench and it has the words, "The silver bullets" written on it.
Well, my wife has a fairly good sense of humor so she runs upstairs yelling, "You didn't tell me there are Werewolves around!".

 

[rwsmith]

Yeah......

I thought the Silver bullets were for Werewolves ...

Slight OT
My wife loves horror films. She saw a box of LaserCast bullets on my loading bench and it has the words, "The silver bullets" written on it.
Well, my wife has a fairly good sense of humor so she runs upstairs yelling, "You didn't tell me there are Werewolves around!".

...sure keeps 'em away, doesn't it!

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I thought the Silver bullets were for Werewolves ...

Slight OT
My wife loves horror films. She saw a box of LaserCast bullets on my loading bench and it has the words, "The silver bullets" written on it.
Well, my wife has a fairly good sense of humor so she runs upstairs yelling, "You didn't tell me there are Werewolves around!".

With Halloween around the corner I of Silvertips to fend off the werewolves and vampires. Bought the entire stock from Aim Surplus after a great experience on a small test order. Sorry to all my fellow silvertip fans, Pumpkin Ales on me?

 

[Faulkner]

Hmm, I have obviously under thought my .357 ammo selections. I generally carry 158 grain JSP's in my .357 lever gun carbines and although I have never shot anyone, I have taken quite a few feral hogs and whitetail and they all dropped quickly.

In my revolvers, I generally stick with .38 +P for carry, usually 158 grain Federal Hydra Shok. I've shot some 125 grain .357 ammo, but my preference leans towards the heavier bullets. I have to admit I'm impressed with the OP's testing data.