.357 Mag Question

[muggsy]

In military tests the government discovered that large diameter heavy slow moving bullets created the largest wound channels and had more stopping power in pistol calibers. That's why they adopted the Colt 1911 in .45 ACP over the .38 and 9mm as their choice for a military side arm. At that time it was the best available. Since then more modern projectiles have negated some of the advantages of the .45 ACP and the 9mm has gained favor. My own personal opinion is that in a defensive situation that one should shoot the heaviest projectile that he or she can shoot accurately. My view shares a lot of good company.

[Brian Edwards]

Thanks for the detailed info. At this point, the only reason I'm limiting myself is that is the ammo I could find to purchase at the time, and to shoot through the gun. I was just wanting to get something in it, be able to make sure function and firing is good, and be able to start having it as a viable tool.


I will start searching a bit harder to find some of the Speer Short barrel stuff or Golden Sabre.

If its all you have, I guess the PDX1 would be the better choice. It is a newer JHP, and is bonded. Unfortunately there has been no viable independent testing of this round, as there has been with others I mentioned.

My Kahr K9 comes in tomorrow....so now I head down the path of what is going to produce the most effect round - the .357 using short barrel or .38 special loads, or nice 9mm out of the K9?

9mm, everyday, all day. I'd even side with 9mm if we were talking full sized firearms. There is more, and better, ammo available in the "service pistol cartridges" than anything else.

Try this link: http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887

Here is Dr Roberts' recommendations for 9mm:

Barnes XPB 115 gr JHP (copper bullet)
Federal Tactical 124 gr JHP (LE9T1)
Federal HST 124 gr +P JHP (P9HST3)
Remington Golden Saber 124 gr +P JHP bonded (GSB9MMD)
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr JHP
Speer Gold Dot 124 gr +P JHP
Winchester Partition Gold 124 gr JHP (RA91P)
Winchester Ranger-T 124 gr +P JHP (RA9124TP)
Winchester Ranger Bonded 124 gr +P JHP (RA9BA)
Winchester Ranger-T 127 gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)
Federal Tactical 135 gr +P JHP (LE9T5)
Federal HST 147 gr JHP (P9HST2)
Remington Golden Saber 147 gr JHP (GS9MMC)
Speer Gold Dot 147 gr JHP
Winchester Ranger-T 147 gr JHP (RA9T)
Winchester 147 gr bonded JHP (RA9B/Q4364)

[queevil]

I have to second what Brian Edwards said. One of the most important things to understand about handguns cartridges is that they generally aren't very efficient man stoppers in terms of how quickly they will incapacitate a threat in all but the largest calibers. In fact, the overwhelming majority of people who are shot with a handgun survive their wounds. There's a reason why a rifle is a soldiers primary weapon and a handgun is the sidearm. Put bluntly, high powered rifle rounds generally incapacitate and kill better. It's all the more reason to understand what a projectile from a handgun does after it enters a target.

[rjt123]

Justin - I really think that it is a wash.
Which one does your gun shoot better? Test them out and see.

I/my gun likes the heavier bullet plus there is a lesser chance of flame cutting on the top strap with the heavier 158s.

My SP101 is loaded up with the 158 grain JSPs.

Man, I'm in good company! I took my brand new Ruger SP101(2.25" barrel) to the range today for the first time. It was a blast to shoot! I used "gun ban fever" as an excuse to buy it, but I've been thinking about a wheel gun for quite a while.

I shot my PM45 with +P Underwood ammo as a comparison. With the Hogue rubber grip on the .357, it was definitely a harder whap in the hand, but not by too much. A guy stepped up when I was reloading and asked what I was shooting...apparently it was pretty loud.

[Double3]

I shot my new to me S&W 686 yesterday for the first time.

Glad I bought it.

[Ljutic]

I ended up doing a terminal test on 357 magnum yesterday. The test didn't work out quite the way I expected it would. http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...am-member.html

[JustinN]

Ok, story on how you did that....

[wyntrout]

Maybe a little... Anticipation... of the recoil?

Wynn

[HighLander51]

I carry Remington 180 grain JSP in my S&W640 J frame. I have chrono'd these at 1,000 fps which is awesome for a 2" barrel revolver.

[Ljutic]

Maybe a little... Anticipation... of the recoil?

Wynn

I should have known better than to try the single action. I would have been much better off to just shoot DA as normal, but no I wanted to see how much more accurate it could be with that sweet single action.

[forestranger]

I should have known better than to try the single action. I would have been much better off to just shoot DA as normal, but no I wanted to see how much more accurate it could be with that sweet single action.

I know how you felt! Don't ask me how I know!

[JFootin]

I should have known better than to try the single action. I would have been much better off to just shoot DA as normal, but no I wanted to see how much more accurate it could be with that sweet single action.

That sweet single action can sneak up on you! :9: