Who Do We Like for 357 Magnum Ammo?

[okie john]

I have recently come into a 2 1/2" Smith & Wesson Model 66-1 and a 4" Model 27, so I'm going to get my revolver chops back up to speed.

For live ammo, I have only a few handfuls of mangy cartridges spanning the last several decades. I think I'd like to stick with 357 brass instead of going down the 38 Special path.

I have plenty of appropriate bullets, powder, and primers but no brass, so I'm thinking of buying a few hundred rounds of factory ammo and going from there. I want a load that's not fire-breathing hot, just good, accurate mid-range 357 ammo.

Thoughts?

Thanks,


Okie John

[FNFAN]

I have recently come into a 2 1/2" Smith & Wesson Model 66-1 and a 4" Model 27, so I'm going to get my revolver chops back up to speed.

For live ammo, I have only a few handfuls of mangy cartridges spanning the last several decades. I think I'd like to stick with 357 brass instead of going down the 38 Special path.

I have plenty of appropriate bullets, powder, and primers but no brass, so I'm thinking of buying a few hundred rounds of factory ammo and going from there. I want a load that's not fire-breathing hot, just good, accurate mid-range 357 ammo.

Thoughts?

Thanks,


Okie John

For a self defense round that's not a fire-breathing hot load I'd try the 357 Mag 135 gr FlexLock® Critical Duty at and advertised 1275fps. My choice is the Remington 125 grain JHP just because I've used it for a long time. It's advertised at 1450fps and does get your attention when you light it off. The Hornady should keep you in the 'sweet spot' for expansion with a 135 grain going near 1200fps out of your 2 1/2 and it's supposedly very reliable for expansion.

[Stephanie B]

For an older 66, I’d stay away from firebreathing loads with lightweight bullets. For range fodder, Armscor 158gr FMJ cartridges are pretty good. Federal 158gr JSPs are noticeably sportier.

[fatdog]

If you can find them the Remington 125gr Golden Sabre (https://www.bereli.com/remington-golden-saber-357-magnum-125gr-bjhp-ammo/?variant=8773742&avad=74383_f30fabd45) and the Speer Gold Dot 135gr "short barrel" are both mid range loads, not nearly as abusive, preferred carry ammo in my 2.5" and 4" M19 plus my 3" M65. I got my stash well before the pandemic so it may be difficult to find either now, and a reasonable price is not something I would expect.

[Duelist]

I’d probably just buy some virgin or once-fired brass, and then pick your recipe and load it yourself.

[Lester Polfus]

If you can find them the Remington 125gr Golden Sabre (https://www.bereli.com/remington-golden-saber-357-magnum-125gr-bjhp-ammo/?variant=8773742&avad=74383_f30fabd45) and the Speer Gold Dot 135gr "short barrel" are both mid range loads, not nearly as abusive, preferred carry ammo in my 2.5" and 4" M19 plus my 3" M65. I got my stash well before the pandemic so it may be difficult to find either now, and a reasonable price is not something I would expect.

Fatdog just saved me some typing. Those are both great carry loads when you can get them, but they are a touch spendy for practice.

I shoot very little factory ammo these days, but when I do it's mostly American Eagle's 158 grain JSP load. Honestly, that wouldn't be first choice out of a 2 1/2" K-frame due to recoil though.

I recently was running a little short on practice fodder and just decided to order 500 Starline cases. I've had great luck with Xtreme plated bullets in both 125 grain and 158 gain with CFE pistol for mid-range .357 loads.

On ammoseek, I was able to find practice ammo that was cheaper than buying new brass and rolling my own, but they were all 2nd and 3rd rate companies.

[mikey357]

The aforementioned Remington Golden Saber load is my carry load of choice in my K-Frame .357's--In the L-Frames and larger, I like the Barnes 125 monolithic Copper JHP, whatever they call it, for SD purposes---The Barnes seems a little "Hotter" to me than the Golden Saber, but neither are near as "Warm" as the Remington or Federal 125-grain SJHP's...

[R-71]

In my GP100 and S&W TRR8 I use the 125 grain Remington factory ammo for carry. In my model 13 I carry 158 grain LSWCHP handload at 1200 FPS or a factory 158 gr JHP.

[revchuck38]

I rarely carry a .357 Mag anymore. I use 158-grain bullets (factory and handloads) because I have a M681-2 that shoots them to POA and they're less hard on my 19-3 than the 125s. Factory ammo is R-P 158-grain JHPs for carry and the AE 158-grain JSPs for the woods and occasional practice when not shooting my handloads. R-P and Federal are my favorite brass for loading so that works out too.

If just looking for range fodder, I'd give Stephanie B's suggestion of Armscor a try. I've had good luck with their 9x19 and .45 ACP brass, and their .45 hardball is pretty accurate.

As noted above, the AE JSPs are pretty sporty.

[jtcarm]

I’d probably just buy some virgin or once-fired brass, and then pick your recipe and load it yourself.

I would avoid nickle.

I bought a bunch of new Starline nickle-plated, thinking it would be good to easily tell it from .38 brass.

The stuff is so think & hard, I have trouble seating even jacketed bullets without damaging them.

[4given]

I'm using Speer 38 Special 135 grain +P Short Barrel in my 3" M65. It is accurate in my revolver and is quite manageable. My pistol did not like the Hornady Critical Duty, I would like to try something else like the .357 Golden Saber but I can never find it.

[FrankB]

I'm using Speer 38 Special 135 grain +P Short Barrel in my 3" M65. It is accurate in my revolver and is quite manageable. My pistol did not like the Hornady Critical Duty, I would like to try something else like the .357 Golden Saber but I can never find it.

Remington sells the Golden Saber directly: https://www.remington.com/handgun/golden-saber-defense/29-27600.html

It’s my personal choice for any .357 magnum revolver, and it’s not too loud. There was a young lady standing next to me at the range last week, and I told her my magnums were going to be loud. After shooting the Golden Sabers, she said they weren’t too bad. I just had to shove six Underwood blaster magnums in the cylinder next, and she exclaimed, “Those were loud!” I always shoot on the lane next to the wall, so I get more directed sound. lol

[4given]

Remington sells the Golden Saber directly: https://www.remington.com/handgun/golden-saber-defense/29-27600.html

It’s my personal choice for any .357 magnum revolver, and it’s not too loud. There was a young lady standing next to me at the range last week, and I told her my magnums were going to be loud. After shooting the Golden Sabers, she said they weren’t too bad. I just had to shove six Underwood blaster magnums in the cylinder next, and she exclaimed, “Those were loud!” I always shoot on the lane next to the wall, so I get more directed sound. lol

Thanks for the link but I found some 50 round boxes here:https://www.bereli.com/remington-golden-saber-357-magnum-125gr-bjhp-ammo/?variant=8773742&avad=74383_f30fabd45 Just ordered some

[okie john]

I won't carry either of these revolvers.

The Model 27 is a five-screw gun that belonged to an uncle and then to my father. Learning to shoot with it (and a pre-Model 34 Kit Gun) was a key part of my childhood. The Model 66-1 belonged to a guy who served with my father and me in the Oklahoma National Guard. He was a detective in an Oklahoma town and the gun is stamped with that department's markings.

If either was used in a shooting, may God forbid it, then I'd hate to have it sitting in an evidence locker for very long.


Okie John

[Stephanie B]

Remington sells the Golden Saber directly: https://www.remington.com/handgun/golden-saber-defense/29-27600.html

It’s my personal choice for any .357 magnum revolver, and it’s not too loud. There was a young lady standing next to me at the range last week, and I told her my magnums were going to be loud. After shooting the Golden Sabers, she said they weren’t too bad. I just had to shove six Underwood blaster magnums in the cylinder next, and she exclaimed, “Those were loud!” I always shoot on the lane next to the wall, so I get more directed sound. lol

Winchester Ranger 130grn .38+P seems to test out OK. I'm a little leery of touching off a .357 inside of a house because I do like my hearing.

[FrankB]

Winchester Ranger 130grn .38+P seems to test out OK. I'm a little leery of touching off a .357 inside of a house because I do like my hearing.

I stuff cotton balls in my ears before going to bed. 🤣💥

[revchuck38]

Winchester Ranger 130grn .38+P seems to test out OK. I'm a little leery of touching off a .357 inside of a house because I do like my hearing.

I’ve got three years in Field Artillery in 8” and 155mm firing batteries before the time of hearing protection, I have little hearing left. :(

[WDR]

Winchester Ranger 130grn .38+P seems to test out OK. I'm a little leery of touching off a .357 inside of a house because I do like my hearing.

Even popping a .38 indoors sans ear pro will ring your bell. And a couple days of EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...

That Ranger load aint bad, even from a snub, performance wise.

[Stephanie B]

Even popping a .38 indoors sans ear pro will ring your bell. And a couple days of EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...

That Ranger load aint bad, even from a snub, performance wise.

I got six hours or so of ringing in my ears after some worthy ND'd a 9mm in a small gunshop.

[jtcarm]

I’ve got three years in Field Artillery in 8” and 155mm firing batteries before the time of hearing protection, I have little hearing left. :(

One of my closet friends was on an 8” battery in Vietnam (15th, IIRC.)

He said he never noticed the ringing in his ears till it stopped one day 25 years later. Unfortunately, the break only lasted a couple days.

He said his battery once provided blocking fire for 24-hours straight.

[okie john]

No PF revolver thread is complete without pics.

The M-27 presents a dilemma: each of these barrels was fitted to it at some point by Smith & Wesson. It left the factory with the 6" barrel. The uncle who owned it had Smith fit the 5" barrel sometime before I was born, then did yeoman service on family ranches on the Edwards Plateau of Texas. He gave it to my father at some point. I remember it with most of the bluing gone and I shot it like it was part of my arm. About 15 years ago, my father sent it to Smith to have a 4" barrel fitted and to be reblued.

105555

The dilemma? Do I leave it alone because I have so many 4" N-frame holsters? Or do I reinstall the 5" barrel because that's how I remember it? Or do I go with the 6" to get the longest possible sight radius? Not sure there's a wrong answer there...


The M-66 came with a vintage Milt Sparks Summer Special for a 1.75" belt.

105556

And yeah, T-Grips for all. Melvin Tyler's shop was a few miles from our house when I was growing up. I used to ride my bike there and press my nose against the glass.


Okie John

[camel]

No PF revolver thread is complete without pics.

The M-27 presents a dilemma: each of these barrels was fitted to it at some point by Smith & Wesson. It left the factory with the 6" barrel. The uncle who owned it had Smith fit the 5" barrel sometime before I was born, then did yeoman service on family ranches on the Edwards Plateau of Texas. He gave it to my father at some point. I remember it with most of the bluing gone and I shot it like it was part of my arm. About 15 years ago, my father sent it to Smith to have a 4" barrel fitted and to be reblued.

105555

The dilemma? Do I leave it alone because I have so many 4" N-frame holsters? Or do I reinstall the 5" barrel because that's how I remember it? Or do I go with the 6" to get the longest possible sight radius? Not sure there's a wrong answer there...


The M-66 came with a vintage Milt Sparks Summer Special for a 1.75" belt.

105556

And yeah, T-Grips for all. Melvin Tyler's shop was a few miles from our house
when I was growing up. I used to ride my bike there and press my nose against the glass.


Okie John

Dam I see your problem and have no good answer.

[revchuck38]

[thread drift - this is P-F, what did you expect?]

okie john - I'd go with the 5" just because there were fewer made, and because Skeeter Skelton. :)

[/thread drift]

[FrankB]

okie john
I’m not completely normal when it comes to firearms, so I’d be changing those barrels like musical chairs. 🤷🏼🤣

[Lester Polfus]

No PF revolver thread is complete without pics.

The M-27 presents a dilemma: each of these barrels was fitted to it at some point by Smith & Wesson. It left the factory with the 6" barrel. The uncle who owned it had Smith fit the 5" barrel sometime before I was born, then did yeoman service on family ranches on the Edwards Plateau of Texas. He gave it to my father at some point. I remember it with most of the bluing gone and I shot it like it was part of my arm. About 15 years ago, my father sent it to Smith to have a 4" barrel fitted and to be reblued.

105555

The dilemma? Do I leave it alone because I have so many 4" N-frame holsters? Or do I reinstall the 5" barrel because that's how I remember it? Or do I go with the 6" to get the longest possible sight radius? Not sure there's a wrong answer there...


The M-66 came with a vintage Milt Sparks Summer Special for a 1.75" belt.

105556

And yeah, T-Grips for all. Melvin Tyler's shop was a few miles from our house when I was growing up. I used to ride my bike there and press my nose against the glass.




Okie John

You don't need to swap barrels. You just need two more frames upon which to install the barrels you have.

[ECVMatt]

Okie John,

I am with Revchuck38, 5" for Skeeter and because that is what served the ranch previously.

It is a good problem to have and could be completely solved by finding two more project frames to work with!

[Stephanie B]

5” gets my vote.

[BobM]

I also vote for the 5”, partly due to the Skeeter influence and partly as I have a 629 and a GP100 with 5” barrels

[Exiledviking]

Yep, the 5 inch barrel gets my vote like most of the others before me. I can't figure out why, but I prefer 5" revolvers. If Colt made a 5" Python I'd be in so much trouble...

[okie john]

It is a good problem to have and could be completely solved by finding two more project frames to work with!

Great idea. Where do I find them?


Okie John

PS You are a bad person.

[Bruce Cartwright]

No PF revolver thread is complete without pics.

The M-27 presents a dilemma: each of these barrels was fitted to it at some point by Smith & Wesson. It left the factory with the 6" barrel. The uncle who owned it had Smith fit the 5" barrel sometime before I was born, then did yeoman service on family ranches on the Edwards Plateau of Texas. He gave it to my father at some point. I remember it with most of the bluing gone and I shot it like it was part of my arm. About 15 years ago, my father sent it to Smith to have a 4" barrel fitted and to be reblued.

105555

The dilemma? Do I leave it alone because I have so many 4" N-frame holsters? Or do I reinstall the 5" barrel because that's how I remember it? Or do I go with the 6" to get the longest possible sight radius? Not sure there's a wrong answer there...


The M-66 came with a vintage Milt Sparks Summer Special for a 1.75" belt.

105556

And yeah, T-Grips for all. Melvin Tyler's shop was a few miles from our house when I was growing up. I used to ride my bike there and press my nose against the glass.


Okie John

Okie John:

My vote would be to go with the 5 inch barrel. That gets the gun back to the condition you used it in and it's a fabulous excuse to call Milt Sparks and order a floral carved, black 200 AW holster for it. My bride and I gave our son a black, floral carved 1AT for his 1911 when he graduated from college. He'll tell you it's the only reason he finished his degree. I "think" he is kidding but it is hard to tell. That said, it is an absolutely gorgeous holster.

Nothing wrong with keeping the 4 inch barrel on the gun in order to economize on holsters if you absolutely have to do the whole "responsible adult" thing.....:rolleyes:

Hang onto the 6 and 4 inch barrels and hopefully you run across 2 S&W Model 27s that need to be re-barreled.

Bruce

[R-71]

No PF revolver thread is complete without pics.

The M-27 presents a dilemma: each of these barrels was fitted to it at some point by Smith & Wesson. It left the factory with the 6" barrel. The uncle who owned it had Smith fit the 5" barrel sometime before I was born, then did yeoman service on family ranches on the Edwards Plateau of Texas. He gave it to my father at some point. I remember it with most of the bluing gone and I shot it like it was part of my arm. About 15 years ago, my father sent it to Smith to have a 4" barrel fitted and to be reblued.

105555

The dilemma? Do I leave it alone because I have so many 4" N-frame holsters? Or do I reinstall the 5" barrel because that's how I remember it? Or do I go with the 6" to get the longest possible sight radius? Not sure there's a wrong answer there...


The M-66 came with a vintage Milt Sparks Summer Special for a 1.75" belt.

105556

And yeah, T-Grips for all. Melvin Tyler's shop was a few miles from our house when I was growing up. I used to ride my bike there and press my nose against the glass.


Okie John

Go with the 5" it's perfection.

[JAH 3rd]

I have recently come into a 2 1/2" Smith & Wesson Model 66-1 and a 4" Model 27, so I'm going to get my revolver chops back up to speed.

For live ammo, I have only a few handfuls of mangy cartridges spanning the last several decades. I think I'd like to stick with 357 brass instead of going down the 38 Special path.

I have plenty of appropriate bullets, powder, and primers but no brass, so I'm thinking of buying a few hundred rounds of factory ammo and going from there. I want a load that's not fire-breathing hot, just good, accurate mid-range 357 ammo.

Thoughts?

Thanks,


Okie John

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?42724-Another-S-amp-W-340-thread/page2

My observation is post 11.

[Tennessee Jed]

105572

Thread needs more photos. This is my 66-8. I just added the Grippers, which I love, but they clearly require some fitting.

Another ammo option might include Remington's 158 grain 357 mag factory LSWC. I've not shot it, but I believe the factory says its velocity is around 1230 fps.

I also noticed that Winchester 357 mag Silvertips are available again. Not cheap, not a great candidate for target shooting, but availability tends to be spotty.

[awp_101]

I vote 5” because awesome.


I’ve got three years in Field Artillery in 8” and 155mm firing batteries before the time of hearing protection, I have little hearing left. :(


https://youtu.be/rnbmrpk1RwA

[03RN]

You don't need to swap barrels. You just need two more frames upon which to install the barrels you have.

That's what happens to AR barrels in my house

[03RN]

To the original question.

https://capitalcartridge.com/357-mag-pistol-brass-500pcs/

Then load with 158gr XTPs or 158gr swc-wn from rimrock with the powder of your choice.

Factory .357 is just ridiculous and an XTP at 1250fps is just about perfect

[JonInWA]

I've settled on Remington Golden Saber 125 gr .38 Special +P for my Security Six; Remington/UMC has analog SJHP 125 gr +P for practice under their UMC line; for the GP100, after MUCH experimentation, I'm using Federal HydraShok 158 gr .357 magnums. As detailed in another p-f thread https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?49929-GP100-In-Local-IDPA-Match , I wanted the 145 gr Winchester Silvertips, but there were systemic/multiple issues with their primers, so I now neither use or recommend them. The HydraShoks have been impeccable performers.

Best, Jon