Remington or Winchester 158 gr SJHP

[ancient-one]

What velocity should it take to obtain proper expansion? I realize that it would vary with what it was shot into. Hornady gives an expansion range on their XTP's and to me it would seem these should obtain full expansion at a lower velocity than the XTP. Thanks for any info.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

I'd take the estimates from the bullet maker with a grain of salt.Impact velocity vs the material that's being impacted can vary quite a bit.One of the old truism's that can also be taken with a grain of salt is 1000 fps.

A .357 diameter jhp bullet of 158 grains weight at 1000 fps "MIGHT" expand properly but I have more faith in 1200fps and up.

 

[Steve C]

The 1,000 fps minimum muzle velocity is a good rule of thumb.

These bullets expansion is a little more dependent upon the medium they're shot into. If you go to Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing and look at the .38 spl loaded with 158gr JHP's test you will see that they expand well in bare gelatin but little to no expansion if fired through heavy denim at the 900 fps of the .38 spl. They would probably do much better at magnum velocities of around 1,200 fps +. You can go on YooTube and search for related videos and find a bunch of guys who are shooting into mostly water barrels or water filled milk jugs. Water pretty much optimizes expansion but its interesting to see the results.

While Hornady says their 158gr JHP's optimal velocity range is from 700 to 1400 fps there's likely to be little to no expansion at the lower range. The old style exposed lead semi jacketed HP's do work fine most of the time but the current manufactured jacketed hollow points with full length jackets seem to be better at expanding after passing through various barriers and heavy clothing.

 

[Rule3]

Another choice might be the Speer Gold Dot line which have a short barrel bullet in 135 gr which by "their testing/standards" expand at lower velocities. Do not know if any indpendent testing has been done to confirm this, but they "sold" me and I carry them in my 642.

 

[butchkent]

I have not tried my favorite load for the .357 Magnum on gelatin or wet phone books or pine boards, but I have a great deal of experience with the round from hunting dear of the 150-240 lb size bracket.

I shoot a 150-158 gr JHP with a muzzle velocity of 1150 fps. This is not the hottest load in my book but is one of the most accurate. With this load I have made all clean kills at ranges from 25 to 60 yards. Velocity at those ranges should be in the 1000 fps bracket. You can't tell the difference in expansion of the bullet at either range. Expansion is good and penetration is just like I like it, all way through. Exit wound is about 5/8-3/4 inch in diameter. This is with a side lung shot. I'm sure that if a major bone were hit (other than rib) possibility of no exit wound increases, however, greater enegry transfer and colateral would also go up. Just a bit of practical balistics for you to ponder.