.357 self defense ammunition

[gregr]

I`ve carried a handgun in some form or fashion for a big portion of my life. I`m 65. For much of that time, I`ve carried a Glock handgun. I started out with a cheap Davis .380, then eventually went to a Glock 19 in 9mm, but shortly after, went to the Glock pistol in .45 acp. I know what ammunition I like in .45 loads, I carry Federal Hydra Shok 230 grain. I like the heavier bullet and feel that it makes the better self defense round.

Since just recently having acquired a Colt Python 4" I`ve been looking at the various bullet weights and trying to figure out what is the way to go. An internet search lead me to the Federal Hydra Shok .357 mag load in a 158 grain bullet. I was encouraged in another thread to look at a Buffalo Bore 180 grain round for deer hunting, but if I carry a 158 grain bullet for self defense, the sights wouldn`t be adjusted properly for one or the other. I guess due to that, I won`t consider the Python for deer hunting, only personal protection.

There is a ton of knowledge here, and you guys are very generous in sharing your knowledge and expertise, so I hope to gain from your wisdom. What bullet weight would you recommend for self defense carry in .357 magnum. Am I on the right track with my Hydra Shok 158 grain rounds, or should I rethink that?

 

[Bigtanker]

I think you're fine. Just about any premium self defense load from one of the major manufacturers will do. 125-158 gr jacketed hollow point, bonded if you can find it seems like a good recipe.

 

[BE Mike]

Back in the day, the 125 gr. JHP was highly regarded. There are newer options today, but that would still be a good choice. I've killed small Texas deer with a Super Vel 137 gr. JSP out of a 4" revolver. Shot placement is king.

 

[G192127]

Super Vel was the gold standard for years...mfg'd near my home, I got to shoot some of their 'hot stuff'.. they made a 115 gr hp in .357 "strictly law enforcement " that thing was running around 1400fps out of a 4"... Now seems like bullet design is more important than weight or speed. I use 158gr Speer gold dot hp in my 357's

 

[Dean C.]

Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum 158 Grain Gold Dot Hollow Point Centerfire Pistol Ammunition 23960GD for Self Defense $2.00 Off

Best for Self Defense. $2.00 Off. Be The First To Review this ammo. + Free Shipping over $49. Caliber: .357 Magnum, Number of Rounds: 20, Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)...

www.opticsplanet.com

Gold Dots for me when I ran wheel guns, did some redneck ballistic testing with the Gold Dots and Federal 125gr SNHP and that **** disintegrated where the Gold Dots retained wright and expanded nicely

 

[Dean C.]

Super Vel was the gold standard for years...mfg'd near my home, I got to shoot some of their 'hot stuff'.. they made a 115 gr hp in .357 "strictly law enforcement " that thing was running around 1400fps out of a 4"... Now seems like bullet design is more important than weight or speed. I use 158gr Speer gold dot hp in my 357's

Super Vel is making ammo again actually , not in Indiana anymore unfortunately

 

[mcapo]

Speer Gold Dots IMHO but the new Federal HSTs would be worth a consideration.

Let's be honest here, from a personal protection perspective most any major brand HP in 357 is a pretty potent round. "Best" may have some personal bias/opinion included to draw a conclusion.

 

[bdybdall]

Super Vel is making ammo again actually , not in Indiana anymore unfortunately

I had to google that. It appears they're in Nevada now. Quick look only shows 9mm and .45ACP.

 

[bdybdall]

Super Vel was the gold standard for years...mfg'd near my home, I got to shoot some of their 'hot stuff'.. they made a 115 gr hp in .357 "strictly law enforcement " that thing was running around 1400fps out of a 4"... Now seems like bullet design is more important than weight or speed. I use 158gr Speer gold dot hp in my 357's

I remember shooting some Super Vel ammo out of a snubby Mdl. 19. Forgot my hearing pro and this was underneath the corrugated fiberglass roof at the OLD range at Atterbury. I think I lost quite a bit of my hearing that day. Stupid me.

 

[gregr]

Speer Gold Dots IMHO but the new Federal HSTs would be worth a consideration.

Let's be honest here, from a personal protection perspective most any major brand HP in 357 is a pretty potent round. "Best" may have some personal bias/opinion included to draw a conclusion.

What`s your opinion on bullet weight? I had read a long time ago that lighter faster rounds tended to pass through instead of staying in the target and expending it`s energy there. That`s why I went with heavy .45 rounds. Is that still a true adage today? If a round meets fbi protocols, is it a superior round for self defense, and if so, based on which criteria?

 

[gregr]

Speer Gold Dot .357 Magnum 158 Grain Gold Dot Hollow Point Centerfire Pistol Ammunition 23960GD for Self Defense $2.00 Off

Best for Self Defense. $2.00 Off. Be The First To Review this ammo. + Free Shipping over $49. Caliber: .357 Magnum, Number of Rounds: 20, Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)...

www.opticsplanet.com

Gold Dots for me when I ran wheel guns, did some redneck ballistic testing with the Gold Dots and Federal 125gr SNHP and that **** disintegrated where the Gold Dots retained wright and expanded nicely

But you feel 158 grain rather than 125?

 

[bdybdall]

At one time, Marshall and Sanow tabulated police shootings and the Federal 125 gr. JHP had the highest percentage of one shot stops. Course that was back in the stone age so who knows what it is now.

 

[gregr]

At one time, Marshall and Sanow tabulated police shootings and the Federal 125 gr. JHP had the highest percentage of one shot stops. Course that was back in the stone age so who knows what it is now.

Honestly, back in, I think it was late 80`s, or early 90`s at most, I saw a one-shot stop chart in an NRA magazine, and it showed the Federal Hydra Shok 230 grain round with the highest one-shot stop percentage, and that`s what I based my preference on. I`d love to know where we could view a current chart, or if they even exist anymore.

 

[gregr]

I found this, but there`s a ton of stuff out there. I just don`t have time for now to try to look at it all and interpret the information.

Chart on different calibers and their stopping power

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .32 ACP Manu. Brand Type Grains fps fpe Shoot. Success Win Silvertip JHP 60 970 125 83 63% Win N/A FMJ 71 905 129 123 50% Magsafe Defender JPF 50 1250 174 57% * Glaser Safety Slug JPF 50 1065 126 46%...

www.thehighroad.org

Just at a quick glance, it looks like the .357 125 grain might be the beast?

 

[dak109]

Good stuff above.
My perspective, 125 will have a little less recoil. 158 will give a little more penetration. Just about any premium hollow point will work as expected.
I would see what shoots best in your gun. See what you are most comfortable shooting. Buy a lot of that one.

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

I`ve carried a handgun in some form or fashion for a big portion of my life. I`m 65. For much of that time, I`ve carried a Glock handgun. I started out with a cheap Davis .380, then eventually went to a Glock 19 in 9mm, but shortly after, went to the Glock pistol in .45 acp. I know what ammunition I like in .45 loads, I carry Federal Hydra Shok 230 grain. I like the heavier bullet and feel that it makes the better self defense round.

Since just recently having acquired a Colt Python 4" I`ve been looking at the various bullet weights and trying to figure out what is the way to go. An internet search lead me to the Federal Hydra Shok .357 mag load in a 158 grain bullet. I was encouraged in another thread to look at a Buffalo Bore 180 grain round for deer hunting, but if I carry a 158 grain bullet for self defense, the sights wouldn`t be adjusted properly for one or the other. I guess due to that, I won`t consider the Python for deer hunting, only personal protection.

There is a ton of knowledge here, and you guys are very generous in sharing your knowledge and expertise, so I hope to gain from your wisdom. What bullet weight would you recommend for self defense carry in .357 magnum. Am I on the right track with my Hydra Shok 158 grain rounds, or should I rethink that?

I have always used data from hunting loads as applicable to HD/SD scenario. The nature of either intended targets are strikingly similar.

That being said, I've had most success with whitetail using 158gr. 2nd in line is 127gr. Not really a fan of the heavier stuff like Buffalo Bore. A standard JSP has served me well for years. I don't have to pay the premium price for marketed "SD ammo".

 

[Ruger_Ronin]

I would see what shoots best in your gun. See what you are most comfortable shooting. Buy a lot of that one.

Absolutely this, too!

 

[dak109]

In a perfect world, for either application, the bullet would drop to the ground immediately upon pass through at any and all ranges. Nearly all the energy dumped into the target, and two holes for maximum drainage. But we live in a far from perfect world. There is no such magic bullet. Everything is a compromise. There are plenty of good bullets for the 357. You might need to experiment and find the best compromise if you want one bullet for both jobs.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Hydrashok works fine in .357 magnum, the velocity allows it to expand reliably whereas low velocity cartridges like the .45 Auto are not reliable expanders. Gold Dots work fine. I've not seen the HSTs in real world use, but given the quality of the line up over all I'd have no issue with them unless proven otherwise. Critical Duty works fine.

Downsides are many of the bullets over penetrate when fired from 4" and up barrels instead of snubbies. I've never seen Critical Duty stay inside a person. For a rural environment that may not be much of a concern. For denser areas, pass throughs remain dangerous. As in through a grown man's chest, through a security door, through a solid core front door, through two interior walls, and shattering on a fireplace sort of over penetration. If you've never touched one off inside, it's an experience. The noise and concussion are...attention getting. Personally I'd rather not do it again but if you have access to a shoot house or some other way to safely do so I recommend you give it a go once to prepare yourself for what it's like if you have to. I won't even shoot it at an indoor range any longer. It's much more fun to shoot outside.

.38+P will do for any human issues with less recoil, less noise, and less over penetration and I would (and do) stick with it for urban/indoor carry. Bonus is it ejects easier, given the shorter brass. Downside is you need to clean the cylinder's chambers a bit more often as crud will build up and make .357 brass stick when you swap back.

You will need to find what cartridges shoot point of aim = point of impact, but *generally* speaking fixed sight guns are regulated for 158 gr.

 

[gregr]

Hydrashok works fine in .357 magnum, the velocity allows it to expand reliably whereas low velocity cartridges like the .45 Auto are not reliable expanders. Gold Dots work fine. I've not seen the HSTs in real world use, but given the quality of the line up over all I'd have no issue with them unless proven otherwise. Critical Duty works fine.

Downsides are many of the bullets over penetrate when fired from 4" and up barrels instead of snubbies. I've never seen Critical Duty stay inside a person. For a rural environment that may not be much of a concern. For denser areas, pass throughs remain dangerous. As in through a grown man's chest, through a security door, through a solid core front door, through two interior walls, and shattering on a fireplace sort of over penetration. If you've never touched one off inside, it's an experience. The noise and concussion are...attention getting. Personally I'd rather not do it again but if you have access to a shoot house or some other way to safely do so I recommend you give it a go once to prepare yourself for what it's like if you have to. I won't even shoot it at an indoor range any longer. It's much more fun to shoot outside.

.38+P will do for any human issues with less recoil, less noise, and less over penetration and I would (and do) stick with it for urban/indoor carry. Bonus is it ejects easier, given the shorter brass. Downside is you need to clean the cylinder's chambers a bit more often as crud will build up and make .357 brass stick when you swap back.

You will need to find what cartridges shoot point of aim = point of impact, but *generally* speaking fixed sight guns are regulated for 158 gr.

Great information and insight, very much appreciated. i hadn`t even considered .38 Special, I guess I wanted a full .357 magnum load for stopping performance. My Python has adjustable sights, so that wouldn`t be an issue other than taking the time to adjust them for the bullet weight I settle on. I`m guessing the difference in impact for a .357 with sights adjusted for say a 158 grain round, would be significantly different for a 125 grain round.