Best ammo for 357

[Viking Grampa]

I'm remember someone told me not to use such and such grain ammo for the 357. I can't remember what it was and am not sure it was good info. So here I am.....What is the best overall ammo for 357 mag and while we are here what's the best for 41 mag. ( mainly looking for grain size, but also interested in opinions for manufactures and type of bullet ( hp, fmj, ect. ) Thanks in advance 1

 

[full mag]

hunting,range, carry, home defence?

 

[apollo99]

Don't know about the .41 magnum, but I think what you are referring to about the .357 magnum loads is, it is not recommended to feed a steady diet of 125gr. and 110gr. magnum loads through the K frame revolvers due to the short bullet and the high volume of powder and gasses that could reek havoc with the forcing cone and cause flame cutting of the top strap. I only shoot 158 grain in .357 magnum so I don't have these issues, if they do indeed occur. As far as bullet and load for the .357 magnum. I would say hollow point for two legged critters, soft point for four legged critters due to better penetration. As far as powder charge and what type would greatly be determined by the length of the barrels. Different loads for 2 1/2" vs 6" or 8".

 

[cowboy4evr]

I shoot the 41 magnum and have for years . 210 gr JHP's for defense rounds , JSP's for hunting . Max , IMO is 240 gr . Winchester has some 240 gr ammo . I personally don't care for the lighter bullets , less than 200 gr . Georgia-Arms list a 210 gr swc @ 800 fps , nice target shooting ammo for about $25 / box of 50 . . If you want more power , then get jacketed rounds .

 

[Viking Grampa]

hunting,range, carry, home defence?

Mostly for Range and self defense.

 

[bigwheelzip]

... it is not recommended to feed a steady diet of 125gr. and 110gr. magnum loads through the K frame revolvers due to the short bullet and the high volume of powder and gasses that could reek havoc with the forcing cone ...

That is accurate, but the newest K frames (66-8) forcing cones have been redesigned to eliminate that issue. Every other platform eats anything you feed it.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I think what you are referring to about the .357 magnum loads is, it is not recommended to feed a steady diet of 125gr. and 110gr. magnum loads through the K frame revolvers due to the short bullet and the high volume of powder and gasses that could reek havoc with the forcing cone and cause flame cutting of the top strap.

This is partially correct. The caution should be applied to full-power loads, such as the 125gr SJHP at ~1450fps. Mid-range and light loads in these bullet weights, like the Remington 125gr Golden Saber or the WWB 110gr SJHP, aren't a problem.

 

[38SPL HV]

357 Magnum - general purpose, 158 gr JSP (if reloading, 158 gr cast SWC)
41 Magnum - general purpose, 210 gr JSP (if reloading, 215 gr cast SWC)

 

[38SPL HV]

...self defense is a different story. I don't use either for that application except if it may perhaps be four legged.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Mostly for Range and self defense.

For SD I like 158gr Speer GDHP ammo. I have a J frame .357 that is scary accurate when shooting 145gr Winchester Silvertip ammo. It's older but still a good performer.

For the range, buy the least expensive ammo you can find. Remington FMJ is usually inexpensive and fairly accurate. Aluminum case Blazer is cheaper too.

I can't add too much more because I load my own which costs a lot less than Retail.

 

[629shooter]

I use 125 gr. 357 Mangnums in L, N, and J-Frames. The K-frames only see 158 gr. Magnums.

For 41 Magnum I use 210 gr. bullets.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[elpac3]

For the .357, day in and day out, I have found the 173 grain Keith SWC loaded to about 1100 fps to be everything I need any more. Nice shooting load, easy on the hand and the gun.

 

[Mark IV]

Mostly for Range and self defense.

For range use, go with the cheapest (safe,reliable) FMJ's you can find. It doesn't much matter which one.
For SD use, virtually any hollow point from any of the established manufacturers is going to be fine.
It's a 357, so at any realistic self-defense range, even FMJ's will be devestating, and almost ANY hollow point is going to expand nastilly.
I agree with the above recommendation to go heavier than 125gr, but after that, go with the cheapest reputable stuff you can find, IMO. Don't get caught up in the $2-a-round, You-tube ballistic test,best-of-the-best-of-the-very-damn-bestest nonsense.

 

[full mag]

Mostly for Range and self defense.

for range what ever you find cheap, self defence I like federal 125gr hi shok sjhp

 

[JayFramer]

Federal 357B.

There is no finer.

 

[chief38]

For general Plinking and Target work = my own .38 spl. reloads

For SD out of a 3" bbl. (city/suburbs) = Buffalo Bore .38 spl. HEAVY +P LSWCHP-GC

For SD in a more rural area = Buffalo Bore .357 Mag. JHP

For SD against Bears (woods) Buffalo Bore .357 Mag. 180 grain Hard Cast LSWC

 

[badge 851]

For both of my 357 Magnum snubbies, I use 357 158gr JHP ammunition. For my 4" barrel 41 Magnum I shoot Underwood® 210gr, 230gr, and Federal® 250gr ammo. For my 6½" Ruger® I use all of the previous 41 Magnum ammo plus Underwood® 265gr LWNGC.

 

[38SPL HV]

There's a man who knows his 41 Magnum - great cartridge - was my favorite. I'm just a 38/357 Mag person nowadays, getting a bit long in the tooth I suppose.

 

[Doug M.]

For the .357, day in and day out, I have found the 173 grain Keith SWC loaded to about 1100 fps to be everything I need any more. Nice shooting load, easy on the hand and the gun.

*
I am a big fan of heavy for caliber lead SWC for traditional revolver calibers (.38/.357; .41;44s;45 Colt). At modest velocity they are pleasant to shoot and amply powerful for SD use. For autopistol calibers in a revolver (9mm/.45 ACP), I tend to stick with the same ammo I would use in that caliber in a pistol.

For hunting, it would vary by the nature of the game and circumstances.

 

[CCantu357]

Federal 357B.

There is no finer.

Great round, but I would have to say the Remington 357M1 is a fine one too. Same load of course but it seems to be cheaper and easier to find. Big Green even makes a cheap UMC practice version too. Supposedly, the scallop design Remington uses makes for better expansion, but at 1450 fps I doubt it matters!