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Southern Shooter

From a 2 3/4" barrel, .357 Magnum revolver, which would be the better choice? 158 grain SJSP or 158 grain SWC?? And, why?

Thanks

Kanook · Single-Sixer Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 230 Location: FL

For me, I have seen soft tipped ammo deflect so I gonna stay with hard cast.

I've been using the evil Black Talon to hunt with for thin skinned animals since it came out. (I'm almost out now) And since it's getting priced to where it's not worth shooting, I've started to use 180 hard cast in its placed. The 180 penetrates very well thru a thick skulled animal where as I've seen JSP glance off the same skull.

If you're using for woods protection, penetration is a must (IMO). And since I don't know when and what is gonna come after me, I'm sticking with the Hard Cast.

And before I forget, My woods carry is a Security Six with the 2 3/4 stainless and has been for 20yrs now. I know you said 158 and that is a great choice but if you get to try the 180, give them a try. if I didn't reload the 180's I'd be reloading the 158's for mine also ( the wifes 686 with a 2" tube is more accurate with the 158's vs the 180's)
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dougader · Blackhawk Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 838 Location: OryGun

Hardcast for me, but more like 170 grains in either a Keith style SWC or a WFN.
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contender · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:02 am Post subject:

Hardcast SWC,, easy choice!
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Snake45 · Hunter Joined: 14 Mar 2009 Posts: 4419 Location: +3944

Southern Shooter

Ok, what about this? Federal Premium Vital-Shok .357 Magnum 180 grain CastCore...rating 1250 FPS (from what test barrel length I do NOT know)...through my 2 3/4" Ruger Speed-Six?

What kind of velocity would I perhaps get out of my Speed-Six? Would that combination be too slow to be effective against anything like a mountain lion? Or, even a very large human?

Thanks

Kanook · Single-Sixer Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 230 Location: FL

That looks close to the BB, Grizzly, and another Top end ammo that is available as pre-loaded ammo. (Looks Good)

But look it this way for a second, You order one box to see if it's accurate and easy to shoot for $26 + shipping

You find out it shoots well but you need to practice for follow up shots and order 100rds (5 boxes of 20 @ $26 a box = $130)

You now have at least $156 invested in ammo that when it runs out you will need to order more or try to find some local in a pinch and you still need to shoot it to stay on target with it,

OR

Midway has a LEE single stage kit on sale for about $80, dies, powder, primers, bullets, brass, RELOADING MANUAL, for about another $100. (range brass is free as long as you ask first)

So for around $180 you can shoot more often and CUSTOM taylor ammo that is CUSTOM made for your revolver.
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If firearms cause crime, Mine are defective

contender · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:00 am Post subject:

I don't use factory ammo in my centerfires too much,, so I have no experience with the Federal ammo you asked about.
_________________
Shoot straight and safe!

" A fine is a tax for doing wrong,
and a tax is a fine for doing
right! "
NRA Instructor
USPSA shooter
SASS shooter (Outlaw Joe Wales)
NRA Women On Target Instructor
NC Hunter Safety Instructor
Nuisance Wildlife Control
Scuba Instructor
Eagle Scout, BSA

Pal Val · Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:22 am Post subject:

My vote too for handloading. One of the biggest problems I've seen with people carrying guns in the woods is that they have little practice, on account of factory ammo being expensive.
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Ending crime by banning guns is like ending pneumonia by banning coughing.

sourdough44 · Single-Sixer Joined: 08 Mar 2010 Posts: 162 Location: WI

Are we talking LA? I'm not to big on max 357 mag loads out of a 2 3/4" barreled revolver, especially if the main thought is snakes & 2 legged aggressors. How about some 38 +p & some snake shot? I have an assortment of small 357s & hardly ever go to max loads in them unless a real need was there. Maybe I am a wimp, it's possible. The weight of the gun matters too.

Mobuck · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:32 pm Post subject:

You didn't specify what you were expecting but for my use at home, I use swaged lead HP SWC loaded slow enough to prevent leading. Three of those up front followed by 3 158 JHP's. I like the swaged hp because they work well on small varmints w/o too much noise.
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