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Post by leftysixgun on Jan 12, 2021 20:03:45 GMT -5
I dont feel like I was hijacking the “Favorite 357” by asking about carry ammo. But I thought Id start a new thread anyway. So based on first hand experience, based on whatever first hand experience you may have.....whats the best 357 carry ammo in your opinion? I have ZERO first hand experience (thank GOD) but I carry CCI Blazer 158gr HP.....but it actually more like a soft point in my opinion. whats your carry ammo for your Favorite 357?
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Post by x101airborne on Jan 12, 2021 20:35:11 GMT -5
For ranch use and small game (WOULDNT be scared to put it in a defensive situation) the Lee 158 RF cast of scrap, water quenched and loaded over a full book load of Unique. Killed about 4 hogs, one wounded (car hit) deer, a dump truck load of skunks coons and 'possums. Drop 6 at a time, empty a 30 pound pot in almost an hour. Love that bullet.
Are you referring to the CCI Blazer brass loading or the aluminum case loading. I seem to get higher velocity with the brass loading, but the aluminum was (I think) loaded with like a 148 or 150 grain bullet? I cant remember. I may be all wet with my memory.
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Post by azshaun on Jan 12, 2021 21:04:34 GMT -5
That was my first bullet mold, and have cast a pile of them. Haven’t used the Lee 158RF yet on game, and always wondered at performance of the bullet... when I switched to 41 as my main caliber, it kind of got lost, but always meant to go back.
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Post by 45MAN on Jan 12, 2021 21:05:53 GMT -5
leftysixgun: BEST CARRY AMMO FOR WHAT PURPOSE? PERSONAL DEFENSE AGAINST HUMANS? HUNTING DEER, HOGS, SMALL GAME,....? GENERAL WOODS CARRY? FINISHERS ON GAME?
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Post by leftysixgun on Jan 12, 2021 21:42:22 GMT -5
Carry ammo....used for personal defense
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Post by dougader on Jan 12, 2021 21:48:05 GMT -5
I used to carry the Federal 125 grain JHP load in security work. Now my 357 is loaded with Win Silvertip 145 grain STHP ammo... in the nightstand.
Out in the woods: 158 grain XTP-HP/15.5 grains W296. (Prior to the change in data, I used 12.5 grains Hercules Blue Dot. HOT! From Speer No. 11)
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,546
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Post by Fowler on Jan 12, 2021 22:14:17 GMT -5
I carry a hand load with 140gr XTP bullet over a max load of 2400 in my 2 1/2” S&W 19. The muzzle blast is something to behold, if I don’t hit the bad guy I figure I’ll catch him on fire if he is within 20’!
I practice with a 145gr MIHA cast hollow point run at a far friendlier power level.
If I were to carry it in the back country I’d load it with the classic 173gr Keith bullet and load but it honestly doesn’t get carried in the woods. I have other toys for that duty.
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Post by bradshaw on Jan 13, 2021 1:30:21 GMT -5
".....whats the best 357 carry ammo in your opinion?" ----leftysixgun
*****
leftysixgun.... example, going in cold, of a load I would carry. A line of water-filled plastic jugs may be used anywhere to compare loads.
Revolver: S&W M-640 .357 Mag, 2-1/8" bbl.
Load: CCI #3940 Lawman, Speer 140 JHP (pre-Gold Dot) Test medium: plastic 1-gallon milk jugs, water-filled. Bullet blows up Jug #1, splits jug #2, deposits 2 lead fragments (16.5 grains) in jug #3. Bullet stops in jug #5. Weight: 98.8 grains. Expansion: .490” x .450”; jacket/core intact. Penetration: 23-inches.
Exceptional performance for a .357 JHP. From a 2-inch revolver, no less. David Bradshaw
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Post by magnumwheelman on Jan 13, 2021 6:52:57 GMT -5
I never did handload "carry" loads for my 357... I mostly loaded lead 158 grain SWC HP for around the farm use... a couple years later I bought out the hardware store of all their ammo after they decided they didn't want to compete against the newly completed closest Cabelas... included was a very good variety of 357 Magnum ammo... I found the 110 grain & 125 grain HP, to be leaps and bounds more effective than the 158 grain bullets on the farm varmints that were my testing board at the time... so I started carrying the brass jacketed 125 grain HP ( Golden Sabre )... until I moved up to bigger bores for carrying
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Post by AxeHandle on Jan 13, 2021 7:03:11 GMT -5
125 grain Gold Dot here... I'll add that in 47 years of legal concealed carry I have NEVER thought I was going to have to shoot someone. Never been a real cop but did play hobby cop in Birmingham in the '80s.
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Post by bula on Jan 13, 2021 8:47:07 GMT -5
I've no dogs in the 357 hunt. I did load for my FIL and now his grandson who got the gun. I do have an old 38 spec Colt PP, so have dies and components. A nephew to visit next month and 1st on his wish list is loading for his 357 SP101. So I'll watch this thread. My thoughts, the 357 made it's street creds, rep as a manstopper with lighter bullets ? With improvements in bullets over the years though, I'd look at the heavier offerings now. Told my nephew to look out for 140-158gr JHP choices. Have had heavy choices here for quite awhile as years ago the FIL did some gator hunting. So 180gr WFN and the 173gr SWC here.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Jan 13, 2021 18:44:05 GMT -5
140 Hornady XTP at 1.000 fps from a snubby is my goal. Hornady's line of Critical Defense loads are authoratative without being punishing. Also use the Remington Golden Sabers 125 357s at 1109 fps from my 3" 357 Kimber. All these loads are for urban self defense and home defense.
Woods carry 357 173 grain Keith and a max load of 2400 and standard primer. Shoot this in a 4" GP100 M/c. Hope this helps. Been packing 357 since 1971. 1971 to 1995 as a LEO, devastating round for bipeds.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 18:58:16 GMT -5
I recall many years ago, a couple gun writers undertook the quest to find out actual street effectiveness of every round the could document in actual shootings. I mean went to ERs, autopsies, talked to the shooters etc. Now, this was back in the late 90's early 2000's? I can't for the life of me recall their names, someone here will I'm sure. Anyway, the #1 round with 67% one shot stops was Federal 125 gr 357 mag. Interestingly the 9mm, 40 and 45 all tied with 60% but I don't recall the specific loads. I do remember they were all high tech HP's like Golden Sabers, etc. Now again, this was years ago, ammo has changed, and the results may actually be different now. I do recall the majority of thug-on-thug shooting in my AO was with 9mm ball or 40 ball because it's the cheapest. I rarely saw anyone die from that stuff. For my personal carry I have seen impressive results in ballistic gel with the Hornady Critical Defense. For GP use around the farm 158 SWC seems to hit 'em like lightning. Of course a raccoon is different from a person, but I'd guess the effect would be similar. Back in the day the main goal was deep penetration, permanent would cavity, controlled expansion. I guess that would still stand.
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Post by rjm52 on Jan 13, 2021 19:58:42 GMT -5
Marshall and Sanow...Marshall was retired Detroit PD and Sanow Illinois HP I think.
125 JHP for two-leggers...have had a bunch of friends and aquainteces who used it in the line of duty and zero complaints.
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Post by dougader on Jan 13, 2021 20:09:56 GMT -5
I recall as numbers came in and bullet design improved 357 went up to 93-97%; 9mm, 40 and 45 up to 80-93%.
Of course, detractors relied more on Thatcher's theories and the FBI minimum of 12-16" penetration.
I think it has all morphed into a pot-pourri or melding of all the theories... as well as they can be included in a single round. The debate went on for years and still continues on some fronts.
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