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I went to Walmart day to grab some range ammo.. and of course, they were out of the white box stuff for .357. They did have this stuff on special at around $38 for 100 rounds. I figured the price was ok, and I didn't want anything to do with the countless boxes of 158 gr stuff they had... so without reading the box or anything else, I walked out with them.

We get to the range, and I proceeded to unload my SP101 of the Hornady carry stuff. I load up the first cylinder, and proceed to fire away. Ouch. I figured that maybe I was just being a baby, loaded up another cylinder, and fired. Ouch..er. After about 25 rounds, I had enough and needed a break. My range buddy said he would try a couple cylinders and proceeded to do so. He made it through one cylinder, said he had enough, and laid the gun down. We were sitting there talking about how big of girls we were when the guy next to us came over. This guy was my age, and asked me if he could shoot a few--I had plenty, and told him to go ahead. He shot one, set the gun down, and said he was good--he didn't want anymore.

Out of curiosity, we sent my buddy's girlfriend home to grab the chronograph. We measured 20 of these rounds and averaged 1290 fps on them! That is fast... especially out of a 2 1/4 barrel. I think I get around 1150 or so on the Hornady Critical Defense stuff I carry.

My question: Is this stuff for real? Has anyone else ever shot this stuff and had the same experience? Is it a good carry round?

Edited:: Remington instead of Federal... woops.

Yes, UMC 125 gr JHP .357 Magnum ammo is for real. It's the same load minus the nickle cases as the Premium Remington Express 125 gr JHP load. Is this a good carry load? Very much so - - - Remington and Federal 125 gr. JHP have the highest one shot stop numbers of ALL handgun ammunition. I have to admit they are a bit stout in the recoil department they are my carry load in .357 an all steel 686 or model 27/28 tend to tame them somewhat. Carry them! You can't go wrong.

Thanks for the reply! I had never used this stuff before.... but as hot as it flies out of the barrel, I was curious as to well the SJHP would expand. If nothing else, i'll set the guys head on fire and make him deaf for a year.... the fireball that comes out of it is.. well, impressive.

We are going on a pig hunt here in a couple weeks- I'll do some night shooting and post pics on the fireball that comes out of that particular round. Should be entertaining.

snatchel wrote:I'll do some night shooting and post pics on the fireball that comes out of that particular round. Should be entertaining.

Out of a 2.25" barrel, absolutely.

Cleaned the SP after shooting this stuff through it yesterday.. I have to say, it's the nastiest burning stuff I have ever seen. I actually had to clean the gun instead of just wiping it down.

snatchel wrote:Cleaned the SP after shooting this stuff through it yesterday.. I have to say, it's the nastiest burning stuff I have ever seen. I actually had to clean the gun instead of just wiping it down.

You said you were shooting it out of a short barrel, right? Being .357 Magnum, and a load developed for longer barrels (4 inch would be my guess, since that was the standard for LEO revolvers, IIRC), maybe it doesn't have time to properly burn all (or most) of the charge? Then, you could end up with a semi-burned mix of residue...just making a wild guess. That is some good old ammo, though, dirty or not.

Heartland Patriot wrote:

snatchel wrote:Cleaned the SP after shooting this stuff through it yesterday.. I have to say, it's the nastiest burning stuff I have ever seen. I actually had to clean the gun instead of just wiping it down.

You said you were shooting it out of a short barrel, right? Being .357 Magnum, and a load developed for longer barrels (4 inch would be my guess, since that was the standard for LEO revolvers, IIRC), maybe it doesn't have time to properly burn all (or most) of the charge? Then, you could end up with a semi-burned mix of residue...just making a wild guess. That is some good old ammo, though, dirty or not.

Yep, it's out of a short barrel. BUT, we also shot some out of my buddy's 6 in Smith and his was just as dirty... according to him. I doubt it was as dirty..

Judging by the fireball that came out of it, I'm not sure that ANY powder was left unburned... I swear on everything holy to me that the fireball extended a good 5 feet out from the barrel... I was fairly nervous about setting a fire out there on the range.

snatchel wrote:

Heartland Patriot wrote:

snatchel wrote:Cleaned the SP after shooting this stuff through it yesterday.. I have to say, it's the nastiest burning stuff I have ever seen. I actually had to clean the gun instead of just wiping it down.

You said you were shooting it out of a short barrel, right? Being .357 Magnum, and a load developed for longer barrels (4 inch would be my guess, since that was the standard for LEO revolvers, IIRC), maybe it doesn't have time to properly burn all (or most) of the charge? Then, you could end up with a semi-burned mix of residue...just making a wild guess. That is some good old ammo, though, dirty or not.

Yep, it's out of a short barrel. BUT, we also shot some out of my buddy's 6 in Smith and his was just as dirty... according to him. I doubt it was as dirty..

Judging by the fireball that came out of it, I'm not sure that ANY powder was left unburned... I swear on everything holy to me that the fireball extended a good 5 feet out from the barrel... I was fairly nervous about setting a fire out there on the range.

That would beat my AK with muzzle break for certain...I get a fireball out of that thing, but it goes out the sides...it WOULD be awesome to get some video...

Heartland Patriot wrote:

snatchel wrote:

Heartland Patriot wrote:

snatchel wrote:Cleaned the SP after shooting this stuff through it yesterday.. I have to say, it's the nastiest burning stuff I have ever seen. I actually had to clean the gun instead of just wiping it down.

You said you were shooting it out of a short barrel, right? Being .357 Magnum, and a load developed for longer barrels (4 inch would be my guess, since that was the standard for LEO revolvers, IIRC), maybe it doesn't have time to properly burn all (or most) of the charge? Then, you could end up with a semi-burned mix of residue...just making a wild guess. That is some good old ammo, though, dirty or not.

Yep, it's out of a short barrel. BUT, we also shot some out of my buddy's 6 in Smith and his was just as dirty... according to him. I doubt it was as dirty..

Judging by the fireball that came out of it, I'm not sure that ANY powder was left unburned... I swear on everything holy to me that the fireball extended a good 5 feet out from the barrel... I was fairly nervous about setting a fire out there on the range.

That would beat my AK with muzzle break for certain...I get a fireball out of that thing, but it goes out the sides...it WOULD be awesome to get some video...

Myself and a few friends.. including Fenster from this forum.. are all going pig hunting in Cisco on the weekend of the 24th. There will be much video and pictures taken. I'm more excited about this than killing pigs... almost.

I couldn't find the ballistics on the original Lee Jurras Super Vel .357 loads, but the .38 Spec loads ran mid-1200s. The .357s were indeed impressive.

The original factory .357 loads, after 1935, when the N-frame S&W was the only .357, were in the order of 158gr in excess of 1500fps.

It was only when lighter frame and less robust .357s appeared that the .357 was reduced in power.

The Super Vel loads were fine in N-frames, but had a reputation for flame cutting and split forcing cones in K frames.

I clocked some of these out of my 6" Ruger at 1550 fps. Same round in my 16" Winchester Lever Gun was 2100fps! And yes, the muzzle flash is brilliant! Love the .357!