What's your favorite factory .357 load?
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diamonback68
US Veteran
I use Winchester 145gr SilverTips. A very good load.
.357magger
Member
Speer 135 grain Gold Dot .38 +p is a GREAT load in snubbies. Specifically designed (and it works) to expand from shorter barrels. Last time some buddies and I tested this stuff in a block of ballistic gel, we were getting expansion around .60 caliber. And the expansion was uniform too. Hard to beat a .60 caliber spinning razor I think.
Magnum? Good ole any brand 125 grain JHP has been giving miscreants the ole dirt nap for a loooooong time.
Hope this helps but in my L and K snubs I've been using the Gold Dots almost exclusively. They work, and work very well, while giving superb control in rapid follow up shots.
Just my .02.
Magnum? Good ole any brand 125 grain JHP has been giving miscreants the ole dirt nap for a loooooong time.
Hope this helps but in my L and K snubs I've been using the Gold Dots almost exclusively. They work, and work very well, while giving superb control in rapid follow up shots.
Just my .02.
It's old school, but the Remington 125 gr. petal-point JHP is very effective. It's a handful, but then in a short barrel service weight revolver, any .357 S&W Magnum load will be a handful.
Sportsterguy
Member
Speer 158 gr. Gold Dots. My bullet of choice for SD in my .357's and .45.
ContinentalOp
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My first recommendation would be to try Buffalo Bore's 158gr LSWCHP in both standard pressure and +P .38 Special and see which you prefer. I carry the standard pressure version in my 64 and 65.
I'd also second the endorsement for theSpeer 135gr .38 Special Short-Barrel GDHP. It's what I carry for reloads.
For .357 Magnum loads, I like the Speer Short-Barrel 135gr GDHP, but they're hard to find. I have one box that I've been hoarding since last year.
My favorite .357 load to shoot, though, is WWB 110gr SJHP. Very easy to shoot. To me it kicks less than the GDHP I mentioned. However, whenever I've shot it it produced a good-sized fireball from a 3" barrel so I don't use it for SD. However, if you're OK with the flash, then I think it's a good round.
I've been trying to get some Winchester 145gr Silvertips for over a year now, without any luck. I've read they have an excellent track record for SD.
I'd also second the endorsement for theSpeer 135gr .38 Special Short-Barrel GDHP. It's what I carry for reloads.
For .357 Magnum loads, I like the Speer Short-Barrel 135gr GDHP, but they're hard to find. I have one box that I've been hoarding since last year.
My favorite .357 load to shoot, though, is WWB 110gr SJHP. Very easy to shoot. To me it kicks less than the GDHP I mentioned. However, whenever I've shot it it produced a good-sized fireball from a 3" barrel so I don't use it for SD. However, if you're OK with the flash, then I think it's a good round.
I've been trying to get some Winchester 145gr Silvertips for over a year now, without any luck. I've read they have an excellent track record for SD.
Will Carry
Member
I like the Black Hills 125 gr JHP. It delivers 625 ft/lbs at the muzzle (a little less for a 2.5"barrel) The 125gr JHP is the King of one shot stops, old school. My .357 is my woods pistol and my truck gun.
Mule88
Member
Im a fan of the 158 gn Gold Dots as well.
wewaslim
Member
I'm also fond of the Remington 125 grain load.
Man, oh man......tough to find the Gold Dot loads.....Midway was out. I used my cards for some .45acp & .357 Hornady Critical Defense loads and some more factory magazines for my P220S.
I'll check with CheaperThanDirt & others for some gold dot loads. I may very well run the .38spcl +P loads in my .357 as well. Like you said, they'd shoot like cream puffs in this short barreled, but heavy, wheelgun.
Same speedstrips would feed my 442 or 438 which may be on my person as well.
I'll check with CheaperThanDirt & others for some gold dot loads. I may very well run the .38spcl +P loads in my .357 as well. Like you said, they'd shoot like cream puffs in this short barreled, but heavy, wheelgun.
Same speedstrips would feed my 442 or 438 which may be on my person as well.
Tunachaser
US Veteran
I like the Hornady 357 MAG 158gr XTP
Accurate. Deadly. Dependable. and still under a buck apiece.
Accurate. Deadly. Dependable. and still under a buck apiece.
