SD ammo for 8 3/8" .357 mag

[27-3]

So not to beat a dead horse with another "whats the best ammo for SD?" but I would really like some opinions about SD ammo for a model 27-3 N frame with the 8 3/8" barrel. This is the only hand gun i own right now, and until i buy a (boring new age semi), this is my home defense. I don't plan to clear any rooms with this monster, and for my living situation entry into the bedroom would put any bad guys in a serious fatal funnel situation.

Where i differ from other SD ammo threads is the guns weight and size make hot 357 mag loads a breeze to handle even with emergency evacuation (unloading the gun through the barrel) drills. Just because I can, should I be looking at hot loads? A know the gun is loud with any mag ammo, but i haven't tried any nighttime flash tests.

Currently I have it loaded with Buffalo Bore's Tactical lower recoil and low flash 158 grainers (1100 Fps 424ft Lbs). I have been looking towards something with a little more energy to deliver if a bad situation ever occurred.

 

[DGT]

27-3: Before you settle on a SD load, understand that "stopping power" is not the only consideration. Do you live alone or are there others in the house? If you wake in the night, grab a gun and start down the hallway, are there other bedrooms in the line of fire? Sometimes a load like a magnum can place others in the house at risk. Just something to consider.

 

[moxie]

What, exactly, are these emergency evacuation drills? And what is a new age semi? And why is it boring?

 

[kimberst245]

When I last looked at one shot stop statistics on another site, the clear winner in .357 Mag (and ALL handgun rounds) was the Remington 125 gr HP @ around 96% on shot stops, which I would gather as being used in a 4" barrel most of the time. The added velocity of the longer tube on your gun might increase this statistical number a little, and I would think it a good place to start testing for accuracy. Yes, they are loud. Having been in a gun fight before, I can attest to auditory exclusion on my part, any sound had no noticeable affect at the time. As far as over penetration, who knows? I have thought about this from a home defense aspect for my own home, and since I have small children, I would try and kneel to engage a target at an upward angle if possible, theorizing that if I miss, the errant shot would hopefully end up about 4-5' in the wall instead of less than 4'. If you couldn't minimize the risk to others, the solution is simple......don't miss.

 

[moxie]

You are probably referring to the old Marshall and Sanow data, which is about 15-20 years dated. Best .357 Mag now is probably the Speer Gold Dot 125 JHP.