357 Ammo recommendation needed

[Katygunnut]

Looking for good carry ammo recommendations for a short barrel (2 inch) 357. Cost is not an issue, just looking for good, high quality ammo recommendations.

Thanks!

[MoJo]

In this order:

DPX 125 gr

Golden Saber 125 gr

Gold Dot short barrel 135 gr

WWB 110 gr

And, if you really want to see what makes the .357 Magnum sit up and roar - - - get some Remington, Federal, Speer, or Corbon's 125 gr JHP. You will swear the gun blew up on you.

[speedsix]

...in a 2" .357, a powerful, proven effective load is the 158Gr. Lead SWC HP...made by several but the Remingtons seem to have softer lead and expand a bit more...in bulk, Georgia Arms has fair prices...I find the Rem and Winch and Fed about $32 per box of 50...last bought some in '08...

[wharvey]

Frankly, if you value your hearing, I'd carry one of the better 38 +p loads. The roar of a .357 in a 6" barrel is bad enough to cause permanent hearing loss, I shutter just thinking about what it'd be like out of a snub nose, specially in a closed space.

Yes, I understand we are talking about life and death situations but the effectiveness difference between 38 special +p and a .357 in short barrel guns is just not in my opinion worth having your ears ringing constantly for the next 40+ years and having to constantly ask people what they said. I bought my first .357 in 1973 and speak from first hand knowledge.

If you feel you must use .357 cartridges, check out the following:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/can_less_be_more.htm

[v-rog]

1. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Ammunition 357 Magnum 135 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20 Product #: 121256 Status: Available 4.8 stars (12) Reviews
$26.49 $22.99 Save $3.50 (MIDWAY USA)

2. Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 357 Magnum 158 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 20 (This is what I use for my snub-nose,)

[Katygunnut]

Frankly, if you value your hearing, I'd carry one of the better 38 +p loads. The roar of a .357 in a 6" barrel is bad enough to cause permanent hearing loss, I shutter just thinking about what it'd be like out of a snub nose, specially in a closed space.

Yes, I understand we are talking about life and death situations but the effectiveness difference between 38 special +p and a .357 in short barrel guns is just not in my opinion worth having your ears ringing constantly for the next 40+ years and having to constantly ask people what they said. I bought my first .357 in 1973 and speak from first hand knowledge.

If you feel you must use .357 cartridges, check out the following:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/can_less_be_more.htm

Thanks. Point taken, but as you alluded to, the only time I would be firing this without hearing protection is in a life or death situation, and I will take a risk of hearing loss in exchange for an increased chance of survival.

[wharvey]

If you feel you must use .357 cartridges, check out the following:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/can_less_be_more.htm

Thanks. Point taken, but as you alluded to, the only time I would be firing this without hearing protection is in a life or death situation, and I will take a risk of hearing loss in exchange for an increased chance of survival.

Hey, what ????? Quite mumbling!!!

Everything is a trade off and we each must make our own decisions. The other problem I have is the over penetration probability of full house .357 loads. They are very effective but can make some very large exit wounds.

I left the link to the article as it talks about somewhat reduced .357 loads, many of which others mentioned in their posts. For a full power load I've always liked Federal 125 gr. loads for two legged vermin and 158 gr. loads for hunting. I think, but don't know for sure, that almost all 158 gr full house loads would be pass through. Not a good thing, except in the game field.

[Dan20703]

...in a 2" .357, a powerful, proven effective load is the 158Gr. Lead SWC HP...made by several but the Remingtons seem to have softer lead and expand a bit more...in bulk, Georgia Arms has fair prices...I find the Rem and Winch and Fed about $32 per box of 50...last bought some in '08...

Are you thinking of .38 special +P rounds???

[speedsix]

...they are indeed +P...I omitted that...thank you ...they're called "Chicago" loads and "FBI loads"...

[The Annoyed Man]

I carry the Hornady Critical Defense 125 grain .357 magnum load in a 13 oz Scandium framed M&P340. In this 1-7/8" barrel, per Hornady, the velocity is 1,200 fps, producing 400 ft lb. Even in that light of a gun, the recoil isn't that bad. It causes the palm of my hand to sting just a little bit, but it doesn't hurt to shoot it, and I have complete confidence in the power of the round.

[speedsix]

...TAM, are those all-copper or is that a jacket??? They remind me of a Flyin' Tiger!!!

[CC Italian]

It's a little soft plastic insert that helps with expansion when the bullet impacts. I carry the 110 grain +P .38 version in my snub nose and they open up every time no matter if I use the 110+P or 110 non +P in the .38 special. Mr. Camp did a review on it shortly before he left us and I have gotten the same results with water jugs and phone books.

and no it's not copper

[speedsix]

...thanks...look vicious...I'll look it up...

[CC Italian]

Here is the link to Mr.Camp's review of the .38 special load. I assume the .357 load would only do better. viewtopic.php?f=104&t=21291

[A-R]

I carry the Hornady Critical Defense 125 grain .357 magnum load in a 13 oz Scandium framed M&P340. In this 1-7/8" barrel, per Hornady, the velocity is 1,200 fps, producing 400 ft lb. Even in that light of a gun, the recoil isn't that bad. It causes the palm of my hand to sting just a little bit, but it doesn't hurt to shoot it, and I have complete confidence in the power of the round.

I keep some of these in one of my around-the-house guns (2.5-inch barrel K-frame).

Also use the Critical Defense loads in my lil' LCP (only .380 load I've tested in milk jugs that is even borderline "effective")

Carried CD also in my .38 J-frames for a while, but switched to +P Gold Dots when couldn't find the CD +P at a decent price.

It's a very capable bullet and Hornady does a good job with the loads from all the data I've been able to gather.