Federal .357 jacketed hollowpoint, 125 grain

[Packard]

I've been carrying revolvers since I got my license in 1978. I cannot remember carrying with anything other than 125 grain Federal jacketed hollow points in .357.

I am now carrying a Performance Center 2-1/2" barrel 686+ with that ammo. And a 640 Pro with that ammo.

Is there any persuasive reason for me to change to another type or brand?

Ammo manufacturing has matured considerably since 1978 and I would consider carrying a different type or brand if it offered significant performance improvement (read "stopping power").

 

[Nevada Ed]

Some like the Winchester 140gr silver tip.......
others like the Federal lead free 140gr XPB, mostly in Calif. where lead is being phased out in hunting loads.

The Remington "Reduced" 125gr load will also work if you don't the full load ammo.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I am carrying the same 686 with the same C357B Federal ammo. I tried to find some comparisons using denim and ballistic gel, but no luck. Ammoquest has video comparisons for the other SD calibers I use, and Federal always does well in those. I also found that their "Personal Defense" rounds shoot flat and closest to point of aim for me over any distance my old eyes can see. Considering all that and the rounds long held excellent reputation, I feel comfortable carrying it, but I switch to 180gr Buffalo Bore up in the mountain forests nearby for the black bear and feral hogs.

 

[poorjohnny]

anything less then a buck a pop just aint cool. the more you spend the more magic the boolet is.your already on the looser end because your gun isn't black and plastic.

 

[caleb4387]

there is always gold dots

 

[murphydog]

I see the full load listed at just under 1450 fps - if you and the gun are accurate and comfortable with this, why would you want to change? Stay safe out there.

 

[petepeterson]

If they go where you want them to, not much reason to change. They'll probably do what you're asking of them.

 

[MichiganScott]

Hard to beat an old school 125gr .357 JHP unless you plan on shooting through windshields and car doors.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Hard to beat an old school 125gr .357 JHP unless you plan on shooting through windshields and car doors.

While I personally do not advocate .357 Magnum loads of any kind for standard self defense I cannot argue with the logic presented by the quoted statement. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If you're comfortable with that ammunition by all means stick with it.

 

[badge 851]

Interesting discussion. What I use in my K frame 357 Magnum snubby is Fiocchi® 158gr XTP #357XTP25. The reason I use it is because it is the most accurate in my gun.

 

[GB]

Back in the day, Fed. 125 grainers were the gold standard for LEOs in my part of the country. I have given then up in my K-Frame magnums but in a L-frame or N-Frame, just about puuurfect. Dance with the one what brung ya!.

 

[Boge]

I have shot a boatload of those old Federal magnums and while great, they are very hot. A good modern load is the Speer .357 mag. 135 gr. "Short Barrel" load. Yes, they make this in .357 as well as .38 +p. The problem is that I haven't seen a box of the magnums since 2012. They are very manageable however.

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammo 357 Mag 135 Grain Jacketed Hollow

 

[Packard]

Out of the 686 plus the 125 grain Federals are not punishing to shoot.

I practice with 38 target loads and a couple of cylinders of 357s (Remington white box).

But I've shot the Federals and while hotter than the white box 357s they were not difficult to handle.

The same cannot be said for my 640 Pro. With that weapon I limit my 357s and mostly use 38s for practice.

Of all the revolvers I've ever owned the 686 plus (snubby) is the closest to ideal that I've ever shot (though the single action is too light for anything other than sighting in).

 

[Larry from Bend]

I started carrying this 19-3 in 1978 and shot quite a few different loads in it at first. At that time 145 grain Silvertips were well thought of and they turned out to be very accurate in my 19. I still use them.

However, in my 4" 66-2 I use 125 grain Remington JHPs (sparingly).

Not saying either round is any better than your Federal load.

 

[Packard]

I started carrying this 19-3 in 1978 and shot quite a few different loads in it at first. At that time 145 grain Silvertips were well thought of and they turned out to be very accurate in my 19. I still use them.

However, in my 4" 66-2 I use 125 grain Remington JHPs (sparingly).

Not saying either round is any better than your Federal load.

From what I've read over the years the Remington 125 grain and the Federal 125 grain are nearly identical in performance. I don't think I've ever read anyone saying that one was better than the other.

I use Federal because that is what I started with.

 

[Larry from Bend]

From what I've read over the years the Remington 125 grain and the Federal 125 grain are nearly identical in performance. I don't think I've ever read anyone saying that one was better than the other.

I use Federal because that is what I started with.

I don't blame you. I've always had good luck with Federal --- and they seem to be quite accurate as a rule.
The first year that Oregon allowed Deer hunting with handguns I shot and killed a small Muley (3 X 3) with a 6" Model 19 and 158 grain Federal JSPs. Worked fine.

 

[one hand]

one handed shooting, because stroke took left hand and arm

I've been carrying revolvers since I got my license in 1978. I cannot remember carrying with anything other than 125 grain Federal jacketed hollow points in .357.

I am now carrying a Performance Center 2-1/2" barrel 686+ with that ammo. And a 640 Pro with that ammo.

Is there any persuasive reason for me to change to another type or brand?

Ammo manufacturing has matured considerably since 1978 and I would consider carrying a different type or brand if it offered significant performance improvement (read "stopping power").

I'm getting a s&w mod 19 4" barrel. I have big hands, but can't what I call properly support my gun hand to shoot. What grain rounds would you point me twards? thank you. " one hand"

 

[Texas Star]

The 145 grain Silvertip doesn't abuse the forcing cone in the barrel like those hot 125's do, and is awesomely effective in human shootings, according to a detective here who studied its effect in a number of shootings.

Those hot 125's are what cracked some barrel throats on S&W K-frame guns.

I fired them in a M-19 and decided quickly that they were too hot for that gun, and used them thereafter only in an N-frame and later, could have used them in an L-frame M-686 or my Ruger GP-100. I didn't, because I thought they were too abusive to guns. The Winchester 145 grain ST is lethal and wears guns less. If possibly encountering heavier animals, I load Federal Hydra-Shok .357's, 158 grain.

But for sheer raw stopping power on humans, those hot 125's are probably top dog. I just don't like the downside, especially if you practice a lot with your business load.

 

[murphydog]

I'm getting a s&w mod 19 4" barrel. I have big hands, but can't what I call properly support my gun hand to shoot. What grain rounds would you point me twards? thank you. " one hand"

A reduced load .357 (such as the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, if you can find it) or one of the +P .38 Special loads (135 gr Speer Gold Dot also) would be good choices. It is perfectly ok to practice mostly with standard pressure, less expensive loads and practice with your defense round every so often. Good for you for taking personal responsibility for your safety!

 

[Packard]

I'm getting a s&w mod 19 4" barrel. I have big hands, but can't what I call properly support my gun hand to shoot. What grain rounds would you point me twards? thank you. " one hand"

When I first started shooting the two hand hold was not as nearly universal as it is today. And some competitions only allowed one hand hold. There is nothing wrong with shooting without a second hand for support.

I was a weight lifter for many years and the added upper body strength is an advantage when shooting regardless of the stance you use.

You don't say what the physical issues are. But from my experience heavier guns tend to stay on point better than lighter ones which tend to wander about on the target. The weight helps settle the gun in.