Texas Star
US Veteran
You've read Elmer Keith, surely? He thought the short barrel deformed bullet bases and said that four inches should be the shortest .357.
Modern ammo shows that's not so. But you have a big, bulky gun. I've had three, two with six-inch barrel and one in 6.5 inch. Accuracy was on par with my Pythons, which is excellent. Expect all six bullets in one ragged hole at 25 yards, offhand, if you can shoot. I'd expect lower accuracy from that short barrel.
My favorite load in short .357's is Winchester 145 grain Silvertip. The FBI issued it to agents allowed to carry Magnum ammo, in their three-inch Model 13's. (Other .357's were also allowed.) Dallas PD issued it as their .357 round, too, although usually in longer barrels.
Velocity in a three-inch barrel is right at 1200 FPS. I prefer a 145 grain bullet to the light, barrel-burning 125's that may lack penetration on a large dog, deer, or bear. And I can use that ammo in K-framed .357's, too.
I asked a detective to check DPD files to see how the load fared in actual shootings, both at DPD and FBI. He said it worked VERY well; was "almost too destructive." (His words.)
Our member SIG-P220 .45 retired from the Bureau about three years ago. He can probably tell you more about that ammunition in FBI use.
I'd change to Federal 158 grain Hydra-Shok for any .357 hunting on animals bigger than coyotes, for probably added penetration, esp. on deer, and I'd take only side-on shots at deer, within 50 yards. My idea of a deer gun is my Winchester .270. But I bet that 145 grain Silvertip .357 in the lungs or heart will deliver venison. BTW, the Federal PR man told me that present Hydra-Shok 158's are quite good on deer.
Modern ammo shows that's not so. But you have a big, bulky gun. I've had three, two with six-inch barrel and one in 6.5 inch. Accuracy was on par with my Pythons, which is excellent. Expect all six bullets in one ragged hole at 25 yards, offhand, if you can shoot. I'd expect lower accuracy from that short barrel.
My favorite load in short .357's is Winchester 145 grain Silvertip. The FBI issued it to agents allowed to carry Magnum ammo, in their three-inch Model 13's. (Other .357's were also allowed.) Dallas PD issued it as their .357 round, too, although usually in longer barrels.
Velocity in a three-inch barrel is right at 1200 FPS. I prefer a 145 grain bullet to the light, barrel-burning 125's that may lack penetration on a large dog, deer, or bear. And I can use that ammo in K-framed .357's, too.
I asked a detective to check DPD files to see how the load fared in actual shootings, both at DPD and FBI. He said it worked VERY well; was "almost too destructive." (His words.)
Our member SIG-P220 .45 retired from the Bureau about three years ago. He can probably tell you more about that ammunition in FBI use.
I'd change to Federal 158 grain Hydra-Shok for any .357 hunting on animals bigger than coyotes, for probably added penetration, esp. on deer, and I'd take only side-on shots at deer, within 50 yards. My idea of a deer gun is my Winchester .270. But I bet that 145 grain Silvertip .357 in the lungs or heart will deliver venison. BTW, the Federal PR man told me that present Hydra-Shok 158's are quite good on deer.
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... I may be a bit biased.
