125gr 357magnum HP recommendations

[georgiaruger]

Looking for 125gr defense round HP recommendations. Factory loads. 4 inch security six.

I know of the Speer gold dot which i think is on the hot side at 1450fps. Of course they are pricey. The more affordable Remington golden saber 125gr is loaded to a "milder" 1220fps. Too mild for a non snubby 357 perhaps?

Other suggestions?

 

[Snake45]

The more affordabme remington golden saber 125gr is loaded to a "milder" 1220fps. Too mild for a non snubby 357 perhaps?

Absolutely not. Good load. Carry 'em with confidence. :wink:

 

[shaffe48]

I'm sure the golden sabres are fine. I don't know if they are low flash. I would put in a word for the Hornady critical defense which are hot (1500 fps 8 inch barrel), virtually guaranteed to expand, very economical, and I tested them to be low flash from a variety of barrel lengths:

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=193980

The happy thing about the .357 is you shouldn't have to worry about expansion, penetration, or barriers with just about any 125 gr hollow point like you would with lesser cartridges.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I load Federal 38 Special +P 129 Grain Hydra-Shok for carry and home defense.

 

[drew76]

You may also consider the Corbon DPX with the all copper bullet which seems to be pretty popular these days though a bit pricey. Its hard to pick the wrong 125gr 357 load if one even exists. I don't think there's a caliber/bullet combo that has a better reputation that the 357/125.

 

[cjs1945]

I tried some 357 mag 125 gr. Critical Defense in my LCR357 Friday and it went really well. My 158 gr. rounds are brutal in the LCR, but those Hornady PP rounds were quite pleasant. Acceptable recoil, low flash and really accurate, Hornady got it right when they designed them.

 

[Meeko]

With the exception of the Remington Golden Sabre most 357 mag 125 gr JHP's run in the 1400-1450 FPS range. The exception is I believe Double Tap or Buffalo Bore comes in around 100 FPS faster. About any of them would leave a mark and I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axel about one being any better than the next.

 

[DGW1949]

If ya ask me.....when we're talking .357's, about any 125-HP from any factory load will do just fine.
It's been that way for more years than I can remember, and I aint seen anything change in that respect.

DGW

 

[DPris]

Chrono'ed a 125 all-copper BB HP at a 5-shot average of 1667 FPS through a 4.2 GP a couple weeks back.
Expensive, but when you care enough to send the best....
Denis

 

[georgiaruger]

What about Fiocchi 357D SJHP 125 gr? Any experience with that? The Bullets itself does not appear "high tech" like a Gold Dot or Golden Saber

http://lvammo.com/products/fiocchi-357-magnum-125gr-sjhp-357d-50-round-box

 

[22/45 Fan]

One benefit to revolvers is you don't have to worry if a given bullet shape will feed properly or if the ammunition will properly cycle your gun. So, there is no need to fire a bunch of a given make of ammo through your gun to assure reliability the way you should with a semi-auto. Therefore, the cost of SD ammo should not be an issue since you don't need much of it.

 

[trouble]

Remington or Federal 125's are the top of the heap, period. Skip the GS nonsense.

 

[s4s4u]

Other suggestions?

When it comes down to 2 legged critters and the 357 Magnum, any bullet that comes out of that muzzle will do just fine.

 

[georgiaruger]

Remington or Federal 125's are the top of the heap, period. Skip the GS nonsense.

?? GS (golden saber) is Remington.

 

[trouble]

Yep, I've fired alot of 357's over the years on the job and off, mid range loads don't do anything but have less flash and blast which you will not notice if you need to fire anyway. 125 357's are not hard kickers, you can handle them and they are the best loads for 2 legged SD period.

Remington or Federal 125's are the top of the heap, period. Skip the GS nonsense.

?? GS (golden saber) is Remington.

 

[Sgt405]

After using 357 magnums for 20 out of a 40 year career and seeing the devastating effects of our duty rounds back then, I still carry them in mine today. Remington 125gr SJHP. It wasn't just the velocity or penetration but before bullet core expansion the exposed unjacketed portion would flatten out on impact. Then while expanding separate and peel off creating secondary projectiles. Wound tracks were horrendous.

 

[Hugh]

My 3-1/16" SP-101 .357 carries PMC .38 Spl+P 125 gr JHP for home and town defense. Otherwise for field it is .357 Magnum 158 gr JSP in the SP, Security/Service Six, or NM Blackhawk. Never have been required to use them for intended purpose, thank you.

Do have faster moving and harder hitting cartridges for special purpose.

 

[wild_weasel]

I have used the original x100 round bulk Remington 125gr JHP's from Wal-Mart for years in my GP-100. I guarantee anything shot with them will not be able to tell the difference from the x20 round box Gucci stuff.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Ditto conventional R-P 125g S-JHP.

 

[RaisinRiverRon]

I have to agree, just about any 125gr. HP .357 load is going to work just fine on any two-legged varmint.
That being said, when I carry a .357, it's loaded with Buffalo Bore 125gr. Gold Dots.
If the smoking fast bullet doesn't get them, the flame-thrower will.