357 load. It is a good varmint hunting round that I have used in the past. The thing is that its been successful but at its original design velocity of 1450 fps . The barrel becomes a part of the chamber as the bullet advances, and with pistols having sort barrels, not all of the powder is burned before the bullet exits the barrel and releases the unburned, or incompletely burned, powder, and creating muzzle flash (easily seen at night.) Best Ammo For 357 mag. Best 38 Special Ammo for Self Defense: What is best for you? But make sure you are not using .38-40 or .38 Short. The value for your shooting dollar is exceptionally high and the performance has been market leading since it was introduced in the 1930’s. U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)-In 2017, Colt launched their newest revolver in the form of a 6-shot stainless steel, double-action snub nose chambered in … Cowboy Action Shooting and old school competitions. The high velocity and high energy transfer with the penetration and modern designed projectiles (more on that later), which offer high weight retention, this is a perfect cartridge for many types of game. It doesn't flash, has lower recoil and is more controllable. It is great for training or target. The speed at which it hits the ground or “bullet drop” is faster than for a light bullet. Thank you, I learned a lot. (HP) have a tip that expands so that a larger area of injury occurs. The .38 SPL +P HP is a fine round-in a model 10 4" gun. It is a direct measure of the effect of drag on a projectile size, weight, shape and profile, Deformation/mushrooming/expanded diameter. There is less muzzle flip with heavier guns and slower (i.e. It is a high terminal performance bullet. The round is a popular one among this crowd. target shooting. i was also taught heavier rounds kick more as it takes more powder to get the heavy lead moving even if it not as fast as the lighter round. I see how this may be desirable in a self-defense situation. Get a more uniform and reliable shot with the superior shotgun 357 Magnum Ammunition.Ready to rock right out the box, this 357 Magnum Ammunition is great for training and target practice applications. Don’t think that just because you can shoot .38 Special in a .357 Magnum that the reverse is true. Soft Pointed (SP) bullets have a jacket that leaves part of a soft bullet tip exposed. I have a quick question. It is still unproven, so far as I know. Bullet Weight: 125 Grains Colt King Cobra Target. The Lead Round Nose (LRN) refers to a bullet that has a smooth curve at the top. When we transitioned over to the S&W Model 5946 DAO, we were issued 147 gr +P 9mm ammo. But semi automatics are quite different then revolvers. It was first designed with a 158-grain semi-jacketed soft point( flat) bullet. Naturally, I do have a few natural concerns however; a steel case so sometimes it might not eject easily for your revolver. At any-rate , I'm not an expert , so I'll listen to the experts that have "been there , done that" , and this Author falls into that category . Simple cartridge made to preserve the original loadings of the round. My thoughts and recommendations for picking the very best .357 Magnum or .38 Special ammo for your firearm. Lightweight Bullet Characteristics Very fast, a nice sized projectile and an exceptional ballistic coefficient, makes this offering from the LeveRevolution line by Hornady a near perfect hunting round when you need to be going out past 50 yards with a .357 in the field on intermediate game sized animals like deer. It can encompass several aspects, but it essentially means the bullet’s efficiency at shedding wind in direct flight towards a target. Technical Information, Caliber: 357 Magnum I now carry 38 Special Critical Defense or my favorite, the Buffalo Bore short barrel low recoil 158gr. Why do you prefer soft point for hunting but hollow point for self defense? Most important is you don't need to clean after targe practice and there is no residue and nothing gets clogged up. The premium brass is reloadable like the other cartridges on this list, and this offers a benefit to perceived value for shooters. Curious what you think of the gel testing that's been done out there? It is excellent for target or as a training bullet. The lower grain ammunition is generally reserved for target shooting, while bullets with … 250 rounds of .357 Magnum 125 grain flat point practice/range ammo. The revolver, and the .357 Mag. I would suspect that short barrels (handguns) tend to have more residual powder than long barrels (rifles.) It is a good indicator of the build of a cartridge relative to industry competitor loads. is a good training round. What happened to the Speer GD mentions? The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1934, and its use has since become widespread. Follow these tips, get in some trigger time with a few different rounds, and you’ll be just fine. The .357 Magnum is a versatile cartridge with a ton of options. It shoots a 158 Grain bullet at a velocity of 755 fps. If I can shoot a running deer with a .454 Casull, I can shoot a .357. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. A Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) completely surrounds the lead core. Whether you are buying bulk 357 Magnum ammunition for target shooting or personal protection 357 Magnum ammo, we've got it all! Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special +P 110 Grain JHP FTX. I recently nearly bought a bought a box of .357 Sig by accident instead of .357 Mag and I’m not a newbie so, it can happen. If you found any image copyrighted to yours, please contact us, so we can remove it. It was a major shift towards performance when it came to matching the firepower on the streets against criminals and gangsters that were now starting to implement bullet proof vests and heavy steel car doors to shield themselves from police bullets. ... With free shipping on bulk ammo orders, and more than 100 million rounds of ammo in stock, whether you need ammo for target shooting, hunting or competition ammunition, Target Sports USA has it all. Generally, the larger the diameter change, the better the impact on the wound channel, which would increase the devastation, and therefore the stopping power of a given projectile, within reason. I would use a bullet weight of 158 Grains in a .38 Special +P cartridge. ammo. Also, even the biggest, baddest dude at the gun range is going to get tired of shooting if the recoil is hurting his hands after a while. It has excellent high terminal performance and will get the job done. WHEW, a good save as I don’t have a .357 Sig!! Anyway, I just wanted to know if you knew anything about these rounds. round (ARX is made in several other calibers too, both for revolvers as well as semi-autos) which fires at a very high velocity of 1,620 fps, I believe, and employs an expanding copper-polymer matrix projectile. He just may not admit it. They’re practical target guns, reliable self-defense tools, effective hunting implements, and in some cases…downright gorgeous pieces of firearms art. POTUS? The .357 Magnum is one of the more versatile pistol cartridges in the world for shooters who want something that can bridge different use cases. Was the dog really rabid, or did you just not want to get bitten...?..a sharp kick in the jaw, if possible, turns most "rabid" dogs away...not saying you shouldn't protect yourself, but I've been bitten a couple times by dogs that were stirred up by adverse circumstances that had the dog protecting his turf, that did not need a lethal reaction..just sayin'... Only way to know if a dog is rabid is to have it tested (head sent off to state lab). . . The heavier truck would be harder to stop due to it's increased mass. The. If the ammo doesn’t fit, it’s either the wrong ammo or the manufacturer of the ammo didn’t properly make the ammo. Thank You. Sure you can shoot 357 from a sub 30 oz pistol rated for it but you're gonna feel it and you will not want to train with 357 using that pistol. sj bullet. faster lighter rounds make a big hit with a shallow hole. practice. that has the capabilities to injure or kill. The best .357 magnum ammo is the ammunition that fits the specific need for you in the most efficient manner. We carry 357 Magnum ammo from top brand ammo manufacturers such as Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, PMC and others. I tend to come down on this side…mostly. Marketing. Thanks, The fast velocity and lightweight bullet offer significant penetration, while the exceptionally uniform expansion creates a wide wound channel for maximum blood loss. Look at the bottom of your cartridges, as the correct caliber is stamped in the brass of every single round of ammunition. The 38+P has excellent A heavier grain bullet will have more power behind it, but may also create more recoil when fired. Never use full metal jacket bullets because they may pass through the animal without a humane kill. The gun seems to handle the various loads I ran threw it but I’d like a professionals opinion of what round works best in a snub nose for accuracy and recoil control? If it doesn’t outright offer the best in class cartridge for you to buy, it should serve as an easy guide to push you towards the ammo you should be looking for. Using Your Ammo. Sorry for making a similar comment. Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the permission of GunandShooter. I (thru experience) believe the best .357 Magnum hunting round available is the Aguila 158gr JSP. It’s known as the cartridge that started the “Magnum revolution” in handgun cartridges; and is based off the .38 Special cartridge. Thanks for putting this together. Most will come from Lucky Gunner…see why we like them in our Best Place to Buy Ammo Online article. Semi-Jacketed Rounds (SJ) have a harder shell around the shaft of the bullet, but not the tip. Bullet Style: Hi - Tek Lead Flat Nose Gas Check 21 BHN It's not that you CAN'T interchange them; it's because you should pick one and stick with that one. It is an excellent deer hunting and wild boar hunting round, and can reliably and humanely take down this animals, or similarly sized animals. In matters of self defense, your goal is to hit the target somewhere vital in order to neutralize the threat. Generally, the faster the round is traveling, the better penetration there will tend to be, given the right mix of grain weight and velocity. Both I carry both for self defense because of their proven performance. Fit and finish and quality control for this line are second to none. Semi automatics can be picky sometimes but not revolvers when it comes to loading them. Barrel length can either make very little difference or make a huge amount of difference, it's odd. Again that's regardless of whether the bullet weighs 110 grain or 158gr. Heather, my guess is that your difficulty lies in the difference between .357 Magnum revolver ammo and .357 Sig semi-auto pistol ammo. The recoil of this lighter weight round is almost intolerable and the muzzle flips up dangerously. It is some of the best 357 Magnum ammo for cheap practice since it is more reliable than most other cheap options. Some popular competition shooting calibers include the .38 Super, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 Magnum and .38 Special. Risk Management. If you're lucky you'll be able to fire 18-20 rounds of 357 and then you're done.... for the day! Thanks again. Is it not a good ammo / grain to use . There is a debate on this point. Because it is solid lead, I thought they had stopped making these rounds. Bullet drop is really based on the range a projectile has travelled according to it's velocity Gravity acts on all bullets the same, regardless of mass or "weight". shoots a 125 Grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1220 fps. The only other thing I would add is that to train with 357 imho you typically need a N Frame pistol because only that size pistol frame will have enough heft to absorb most of the recoil so as not to abuse your hand. I HAVE JUST LOOKED OVER THE INFORMATION ON THE 357 AMMO. PS: My wife confiscated my SP101. Great read! 357 Same as above? Very straightforward and minus all the caveats and disclaimers. There are many kinds of ammunition for modern .357 Magnum and .38 Special revolvers. heavier) bullets. We’ve built dozens of AR’s and we’ll cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. Don't anymore, to much recoil and blast (I hunt with a Ruger SRH in 454 Casull so I'm not shy of recoil) and it effects follow up shots. . Well that is a question that deserves a long explanation, I’ll cover that in a moment but if you need a simple list now – here you go: As a competition shooter and law-enforcement officer, I’ve had my hands on revolvers quite a bit over the years. I picked up the box, , saw it labeled .357, and nearly paid for it. 38 sp - Standard Pressure: Cheap, Practice, target, fun to shoot, SD? Like the .44 Magnum, the .357 can be sighted to shoot comfortably out to 125 yards. Learn all the important stuff about handguns...with none of the attitude. Speer AmmunitionSpeer Lawman 357 SIG Ammo 125 Grain Total Metal Jacket. projectile. Cheap range and target shooting and plinking for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money practicing. What’s your take? It wouldn’t fit and close. Yet in the Cons you say “It has a Single use-case – range and target ammunition.” Am I misunderstanding the meaning here? Revolvers were cool in the days of Wild Bill Hickok and they’re still cool now. The soft point is a solid round so it will penetrate the tough animal hide (deer) and still drive deep enough for a kill. With it’s low recoil there is little to disturb the sight picture. This is a good round for new shooters. It is a loaded field of competitors because it is one of the most popular rounds in the United States and it enjoys a very good reputation for performance that is still able to be handled adequately by most shooters. C) Lastly, Ruger describes the rounds as having high-penetration of soft-targets, but also a shattering effect on hard surfaces. Best .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo . I just bought myself a couple of Ruger Vaqueros and a Henry rifle all in .357 and was looking for good bullet info. This is probably the best value priced .357 Magnum ammunition for range and target practice. This is somewhat of a unique characteristic to just .454 Casull revolvers..) When I don't need the range & accuracy at distance, I shoot 300 gr or larger round and the lesser recoil of the heaver loads is significantly lower. I have an SP101 and looking for the best clean .357 ammo. Nice write-up Fred. A handgunner using .38 Specials is set for targets, plinking and small game while .357 … This is a variable in calculating and delivering mass on target through kinetic energy transfer. The tip will still expand and deform, but at a greater rate than a standard hollow point. The wound channel is affected by the size difference between the bullet as it enters and the bullet as it changes diameter through design moving through a target. The .357 Magnum cartridge is a revolver round with a .357 inch bullet diameter. Bullet Weight: 180 Grains Don’t candy cane your ammo loads, boys and girls." This bullet is heavy for a self-defense round. It shoots a 110 Grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 1295 fps. You can run into problems when dealing with small companies, boutique manufacturers and handloaders. The penetration and range are unmatched for the bullet sizing. cartridge, is no longer the choice for American police officers, but the combo is still a popular choice for hunting, sport shooting and personal defense. He is focused on helping others protect themselves and their loved ones, and getting the most out of their time at the range. I'm not sure if you have a revolver or an automatic pistol, but that's a simple mistake for a new shooter or a big box store clerk to make. The .357 Magnum cartridge has a positive reputation for stopping power. It was first introduced in 1934 and serves as the foundation of the “Magnum Era.” Then, as now, everyone wanted more powerful ammo. Even the 9mm 124gr +’P is carried by the NYPD as issued. Its "World Champion" title , I believe , is all related to Velocity . It isn’t that hard, man. Any suggestions and thank you! Let’s go over some common terminology first before diving into the best .38 Special and .357 Magnum ammo for home defense, target shooting, and hunting. It also shows how much the bullet can be expected to shed, or not shed its kinetic energy as it travels through the target. However, the steel jacket can lead to poor ejection in some revolvers, and it leaves enough residue to make cleaning mandatory after every shooting session. The more that a bullet retains weight, the better the jacket and the core lead (or other material) held together. Yes, there are other loads that can do well in concealed carry, but none of them are as well put together as this cartridge when you look at all facets of design and performance. Shooting less powerful ammo helps novices handle the recoil. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thank you , and I'll say it again , .............Great Article !! It shoots a 130 Grain FMJ bullet at a velocity of 890 fps. I wasn't able to shoot double action at all. Big, heavy bullets tend to do well in short-range defensive situations with a minimum of dangerous over-penetration (hitting someone or something behind your target). I recently just bought a S&W 627 5" performance center gun. … If it is the right ammo and won’t fit a revolver then something is wrong with the ammo. For hunting smaller varieties of game 50 lbs. I've tried 38+P 158 grain & 357 mag. Gun Expert. like here i think you had a 110gr at 1300 fps and a 158gr at 1250. the 158gr will kick harder than the 110gr same with the 125gr at 1220 and the 158 at 1250. my point is it take more power to move a heavier round than a lighter one at close to the same speeds. To help keep the price down this bullet uses. Optimized for use out of short barrels – and actually shows it in testing, Excellent ballistic coefficient for a bullet that does not ordinarily have good ballistic coefficiency, Polymer rubber tip that does not risk primer hits in the magazine tube, The best .357 ammo for hunting at longer ranges, Can be slightly dirtier to shoot and clean up after on your guns, Well balanced and performs extremely well. It;s cheap and you'll need to practice a lot , throw in some full power 357 to get the feel. PewPew articles are a great place to start. It looks like some of the smaller shops like Buffalo Bore are doing pretty well in those tests. My EDC during the winter here in the North is a 3" barreled Ruger GP100, very simular to your 627 and I used to carry 125gr. Meaning if you have a revolver chambered in .357, you can fire both ammo types without any issues. Hi Ryan, I've shot them at range days but it wasn't at gelatin or anything. Safety Briefing. The greater the retained weight, the less energy loss inherent to the projectile and the greater the stopping power at impact. Case Type: Ducta-Bright 7a Nickel Plated Brass, Muzzle Velocity: 1400 fps He is also an avid competitor, reloader, and all-around firearms aficionado who can help you learn more about almost every aspect of shooting and caring for firearms. The ammo will need to produce a lot of energy to produce the greatest amount of tissue damage and trauma. It makes the platform cost-effective as far as ammo consumption. The larger the bullet weight, generally the larger the energy delivery (though there are some exceptions to this rule). Thanks team! The introduction of .357 ammo heralded the beginning of the “Magnum Era.” The dual purpose cartridge is regarded by experts and used most often for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense. While this is a highly debated subject it’s beyond the scope of this article, except to say, that there has been compelling data to show that some animals are given an almost instantaneous death due to a bullet traveling above a certain speed and increasing the chance for devastating consequences related to the impact a high speed projectile has on a target with a high volume of liquids. I’m a beginner and was sold wrong ammo for my 357 magnum handgun ( still learning). Just what you need if you need more than one shot. (Always double check the markings on the gun/barrel) Penetrating deep, but also fragmenting at certain harder internals like bone, to create max. In most cases magnum ammunition in a small revolver is uncontrollable and unnecessarily loud. Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics .38 Special 125gr Complete Metal Jacket Flat Point 50/Box offers reliability round after round. It has a muzzle velocity of 800 fps. Get proficient on YOUR time. Just a picky technical point though. If you have never heard of this round; its an 86gr. End Human Trafficking. This cartridge started the "Magnum" era of handgun ammunition. Rarely, a gun manufacturer ships a gun in a box with an incorrect label. +P: Cheap, Practice, target, fun to shoot, SD? (you cannot port the Casull pistol to negate this force, as it will generate more harmful db levels than hearing protection can protect against. He brings almost three decades of experience in law enforcement and shooting instruction to the table and that experience shines through in everything he does. You do not pay anything extra and your The .357 Magnum is a versatile cartridge with a ton of options. Expanding hollow point or soft point bullets are best for hunting because these bullets expand reliably and deliver the most kinetic energy into the animal. Hi Heather, your handgun might just not like the profile of the JSP bullet. An all copper projectile retains the most weight of any projectile type, while offering excellent penetration through the bones, heavy muscle and thick hides of tough game like hogs, and other intermediate sized game. The author gave that advice because different bullet weights and powder charges will have different points of impact if your point of aim is the same for all of them. This ammo has diverse use ranging from target shooting to self-defense and hunting. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. Also, you say that heavier bullets have greater recoil, and lighter bullets have less recoil. revolver, which can chamber .38 Spl. The literature that came with my j frame specifically states not to run any 357 loss under 120 grains as it will prematurely wear the cylinder. So we have put together a list of the finest .357 ammunition loads for your different needs, and it should help you narrow down a style of ammunition or a set of characteristics that you should be looking for in an ammo for your use case. A heavy bullet in motion will be less affected by wind and other weather factors. For something already a little underpower, such as .380 Auto, an extra inch on the barrel can be huge for expansion. These are the standard self-defense rounds. While there is considerable controversy over whether heavier bullets are better than light ones, in reality, different situations need different bullets. For hunting larger game over 100 lbs. It would actually lock up on me. . A) They are a youngster on the market, having only been released around late 2016. Keith, I think what they meant was that it’s only useful for range/target shooting.. ie a single use/purpose.