Blazer .357 Ammo

[jimmyj]

Hi:
While un-packing I found some Alum. cased Blazer .357 JHP ammo.
Anyone ever used this ammo?
Opinions?
Thank you,
Jimmy

 

[Mule88]

I use it all the time, very good ammo , should serve you well.

 

[ACP230]

I bought one box years ago. It worked fine in my Ruger Blackhawk, the only .357 I owned at the time.
I never bought more because I started reloading most of my pistol ammo.

 

[Krull]

Works fine,but try some at night out of a snub-talk about muzzle flash!
I'd use it anytime since it seems to do what you want it to do and is clean.

 

[clint_lnl]

I have shot a few boxes and have a few more just waiting to be shot. good and cheap too

 

[ken158]

Good stuff - all my 357's like it.

 

[P&R Fan]

I buy it because it's the cheapest stuff for practice. Doesn't kick as bad as Federal 125grn in my new 340 PD. However, empties do stick in cylinder due to short ejector rod. Brass cases kick right out. For this reason I would never use Blazers for carry.

 

[davel686]

It actually works good in K frame guns and short barrel guns with out tearing them up.
it might not be as good as some of the more premium ammo but if your on a real budget, its better then throwing .38's at a bad guy.
I use them in My M 66 2-1/2" all the time and My M 28 4" for house use.
when I can afford premium ammo I load the M 28 with goldots and the 686 6" with 170gr. hunting loads.

 

[skeeterbait]

Had some in 125 grn and it was hot stuff. Had some split cases length wise in my 686. This was really old stuff though.

 

[ddixie884]

I like it

I use it in all my 3in Ks, and like it for home, and carry use. I consider it a skeeter load, a little milder than some, but stout enough. I have no problems with ejection, but have full length rods. 158gr JHP.

 

[kmrcstintn]

nice moderate velocity round; bonded Speer projectile (Uni-Core jacket core bonding process)...also used for projectiles loaded in Federal Fusion hunting load & Independence jsp load

this guy shoots alot of ammo into water barrels; here are 2 featuring the ammo you are asking about; take some time and look at his other .357 mag jhp tests and see how the Blazer stays together and others fragment;

YouTube - AT1 - .357 Magnum - CCI Blazer 158 Gr JHP

YouTube - AT2 - .357 Magnum - Blazer 158 Gr JHP

if you want a bit more velocity and kinetic energy then buy the Blazer Brass which is @ 100 + fps faster

 

[ddixie884]

Has anyone chronographed the 158gr aluminum Blazer? Some one said they use blemished Gold dots in these. I guess that is why they have such nice controlled expansion, in the above test. Any one got any thoughts on this?

 

[BigRich315]

I had a bad experience with the .40 180gr FMJ variant, it was the most inaccurate stuff I've ever seen. I stayed away from Blazer altogether since then, but maybe it was just a fluke. It sounds like this load is alright and it certainly is some of the cheapest around. I'll give Blazer another chance.

 

[setxn]

I had trouble with Blazer alum in my 29-2 spitting fragments out of cylinder to barrel gap.It put a 3" slice across my son's cheek-the gun was checked by a very trusted gunsmith,everything was perfectly on spec.He had heard of several and actually seen a split cylinder in guns using this ammo. This was about 15 yrs ago and I have not used it since.Aside from drawing blood in both directions it was very affordable and accurate.