.357 Self Defense Ammo

[Winch]

Hey guys this has probably been asked a million times but what is your recommendation on SD ammo for a 4” 586?

I’m in a town house with plaster interior walls and brick/block exterior.

I was surprised to see SD ammo with lighter grain bullets. Why not full weight?

Thanks
Winch

 

[Muss Muggins]

I use Hornady Critical Defense/Duty in all my SD pistols. The .357 Magnum is 125 grain . . .

 

[Erratic101]

I use Golden Saber. Haven’t had any issues. And that’s in my 586 that I carry.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I usually carry Remington 125 grain sjhp because it’s what is mostly available in my area. Ive went through tons of them. So I trust them. I’m sure there are better choices but these work great for me. You can get heavier hollow points but some are expensive and not readily available. Most defense type ammo is lighter weight because they can go faster and open the hollow points up better. Slower heavier bullets will probably hit harder and penetrate deeper. I think the Winchester silvertips are 145 gr hollow points. Ive not seen any for sale local in some time though.

 

[OKFC05]

Why not full weight?

Do you want to shoot through the whole house?
125gr HP have more than enough penetration for a person, and incidentally zip right through plasterboard. Interior walls just won't reliably stop any bullet that will stop a man.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Do you want to shoot through the whole house?

I have routinely kept one of several 686+s readily available as my home defense gun and I would never load any of them with anything other than .38 Special.

 

[Univibe]

.38 spl. wadcutters or SWC. They will penetrate walls.

 

[The_Truth]

I'll take reliable penetration please.

158gr lead semi wad cutter (or semi jacketed) hollow cavity, either +p 38 or .357.

YMMV

 

[Suburbanite]

I usually carry Remington 125 grain sjhp because it’s what is mostly available in my area. .

The 125 grain SJHPs (Federal, Remington or Winchester) had a great reputation with LEOs back in the 1970s and 80s. There are higher tech bullets today but the 125 grain .357 Magnum SJHPs still do well on FBI style tests with heavy clothing. Retained weight is low compared to newer designs but they still get 12+ inches despite losing some mass as the unsupported lead tip fragments. If you can shoot well with them they are a good choice and the Remington and Federal versions can be found at reasonable prices (+/- $25 per box of 50).

One of the great things about the .357 magnum is that there are few choices that will give poor performance. Some are better than others but very few are less than good performers.

In your circumstances (a 4" 586 in a town house) I would look for a lighter than 158 grain bullet for reduced penetration and consider a .38 Special +P. The traditional JSHPs are excellent as are newer loads like the Remington Golden Saber or Speer 135 gr Gold Dot (don't let the Short Barrel on the box make you think it isn't for 4" barrels). In .38 Spl +P consider the Speer 135 gr Gold Dot or the 130 gr Winchester SXT or Ranger.

What ever you chose "be aware of your target and what is beyond." Before something goes bump in the night think tactically about backstops from various angles within your home.

 

[IAhunter]

Winchester 145 grain Silvertips for me.

 

[bigwheelzip]

125gr Federal C357B for 2-legged dangers

 

[joe44va]

I'm thinking that the best way to keep a bullet from penetrating a wall is considerable practice so that your more confident and likely to hit what you want to hit. Anything that has a 357 label on it should be really good for SD.

 

[murphydog]

I would recommend the Speer .357 Gold Dot Short Barrel load, 135 gr at about 1000 fps.

If you go with full-house 125 gr. .357s, or any similar load, seriously consider having a set of electronic earmuffs nearby...these are seriously loud, not that any gunfire in an enclosed space is not.

 

[Skeet 028]

The revolver(4 inch M-15) I keep close in the house has 125 gr HPs in it. Rems I think. I don't think I need a 357 at such short range. Keep the same load in a 3 in M-36 I got from a forum member. My wife likes it a lot and can shoot it

 

[Jimmy4570]

.357 self defense ammo

Just stock up on Buffalo Bore 158 gr JHP and be done with it. If penetration is what you want, then their 180 gr. hard cast is the ticket.

 

[CCantu357]

With .357 Magnum, there are many great defense loads out there. Any of the 125 grain SJHPs work well, but they come with a serious blast and recoil. As a comprise, the 125 grain Remington Golden Saber is loaded to medium power and has a good reputation. WW 145 grain Silvertip is great load too but can be hard to find.

It seems the 4" barrel offers great performance overall, so lighter loads like the .38+P 158 grain SWCHP FBI load is a great choice too. And while some decry their lower penetration, I feel that the 110 grain .357 is a perfect for home defense as well. I believe the Border Patrol used this load with success. I am not sure if they used Remington or WW, but I would choose Remington as it loaded as premium ammo, whereas WW is white box value ammo.

 

[biku324]

The original Federal 357E (now Federal Premium #: C357B) 125 grain JHP. We used these in my agency for a couple of decades with no unsatisfied customers and no complaints of over-penetration.

 

[Psweigle]

Any semi jacketed soft hollow point, 125gr will do tje job. 38special +p is ok, but 357 magnum is better, so long as you are practiced and familiar with the firearm. Hitting the target is the key to ANY self-defense ammo.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Any ammo for SD in a 357 Magnum will work...............

it is just what happens when you pull the trigger, inside a house
or room, that you have to consider.

Shooting at the range or outdoors with muffs, is a whole different story!!

About 88% of shooters do not take this into their plans for SD
ammo for the .357.

 

[JayFramer]

Use hollow tips.