.357 Magnum from 3" barrel?

[RevolverRob]

I was just checking the spreadsheet on my inventory (yes...I am at that nerdy). I realized I am low on .357 magnum for defensive purposes. Since I plan to run both my 4" GP100 and 3" M65 with .357, I need a load that performs well at 3" barrel lengths too. My go to used to be 158-grain Gold Dot. But they have been out of stock for ages and the price has jumped up too. I like the 125-grain Gold Dot, but my M65 shoots closer to POA with heavier bullets.

Thoughts on Barnes Vor-TX 140-grain? What about 158-grain XTPs from 3" guns? I worry about XTPs they tend to need goldilocks levels of velocity to reliably expand. Both rounds seem to be in stock with my usual places and are roughly the same price as Gold Dots.

-Rob

[jetfire]

In my limited evaluations, Hornady Critical Duty have worked really well from 3 inch guns.

http://hornady.com/store/357-Mag-135-gr-Critical-Duty/

[Frank R]

The Barnes 140gr. is more of an hunting load with lots of penetration.

[Totem Polar]

For whatever reason, 145 gr Silvertip shoots to POA just like 158 gr .38 in my own 3" model 65. That's my go-to load; the track record is pretty good, by vintage standards.

[Chuck Haggard]

The Silvertip does rather well in testing from past observation.

I think a .357mag has more than enough velocity to make sure the XTPs expand.

[Hizzie]

Corbon says their 125gr DPX load was designed to perform from snub nose barrel lengths. It's not bad at all to shoot.

[Rich]

I was just checking the spreadsheet on my inventory (yes...I am at that nerdy). I realized I am low on .357 magnum for defensive purposes. Since I plan to run both my 4" GP100 and 3" M65 with .357, I need a load that performs well at 3" barrel lengths too. My go to used to be 158-grain Gold Dot. But they have been out of stock for ages and the price has jumped up too. I like the 125-grain Gold Dot, but my M65 shoots closer to POA with heavier bullets.

Thoughts on Barnes Vor-TX 140-grain? What about 158-grain XTPs from 3" guns? I worry about XTPs they tend to need goldilocks levels of velocity to reliably expand. Both rounds seem to be in stock with my usual places and are roughly the same price as Gold Dots.

-Rob

As a S&W fan boy I have lots of love for the GP100.

I bought a 3 and 6 inch. 6incher for deer.

I would carry the 3inch GP100 between 12-1:00 IWB loaded with the FBI load.

Love doing bill drill use FBI or better yet 148WC.

If I went back to revolver as a primary I would carry the GP100 3inch with older grip or a M686 3 inch

[Rich]

The Silvertip does rather well in testing from past observation.

I think a .357mag has more than enough velocity to make sure the XTPs expand.

I found a box of 145gr ST . now they are double the price

[Chuck Haggard]

I found a box of 145gr ST . now they are double the price

Those do seem to cost way more than I remember.

OTOH, regular plain old 140-158gr JHPs also do well from the .357mag, that isn't something I worry about too much as long as it's a quality brand.


Info from Winchester ref FBI protocol tests, 4" barrel;

X357SHP 357 Mag 145 STHP 1290fps

Numbers are for;
"Bare Gelatin" "Heavy Cloth" Wallboard Plywood Steel Autoglass

Penetration 15.3 16.4 18.7 18.2 16.9 15.9
Expansion 0.55 0.58 0.57 0.45 ? 0.56
Ret Wt. % 87 73 98 97 95 81
Ret Wt. Gr. 126 106 142 140 138 117



X3574P 357 Mag 158 JHP 1048fps

Penetration 17 17.7 17.5 18.2 13.9 11.4
Expansion 0.53 0.48 0.45 0.44 0.53 0.681
Ret Wt. % 99 99 100 98 96 83
Ret Wt. Gr. 157 156 158 155 152 131.2


X3576P 357 Mag 125 JHP 1450fps

Only bare gel and heavy clothing tests on the data I have for this round;
Penetration 10.7 12.3
Expansion 0.53 0.54
Ret Wt. % 74 79
Ret Wt. Gr. 93 99

[RevolverRob]

Yea I can't find Silvertips from my usual dealers or anyone for that matter. They are also basically the same price as Gold Dots (~$1/round). I like DPX and essentially the same load straight from Barnes (the Tac-XPD or whatever it's called), but then I'm in $1.5/round territory and that makes me a bit sick to my stomach. I also can't seem to find straight up JHPs from Winchester or Remington, the best I can find is 158-grain semi-jacketed HPs, which I wouldn't feel bad about in the 4" gun, I am unsure of performance in the 3" gun.

The Vor-TX is a "hunting" load, but it's a 140-grain bullet @ 1190 FPS. Is penetration really greater than a 145-grain Silvertip @ 1290?! I know the Barnes bullet is solid copper, but it's also a big expander. I guess I'm having a hard time imaging it punching on through and over penetrating. But then the DPX load is 125@1190 so maybe it would over-penetrate...Sorry I am thinking outloud. The upside to the Vor-TX is, it's a heavier bullet (closer to POA), and around my $1/round threshold.