Did the HST .357 Magnum ever come out?

[JonInWA]

Just ordered a 200-round case of Winchester's 145 grain Silvertip HP .357 Magnum. Paid just under $1 per round. This load has a good track record over several decades, and did OK in the FBI test protocol. This load had been well discussed on this site.

I'd strongly suggest running at least a box of it through your gun before you use it for carry, duty or defensive use. You need to vet it for reliability, familiarization, and accuracy/sighting/zeroing in your specific .357 revolver. Out of your 200 round case, I'd suggest off the bat shooting at least 50. And if you're getting it in several boxes, make sure you obtain samples from each box. I hope you have better experiences with it than I did-let us know.

Best, Jon

[Glock17JHP]

I interesting stories...

I bought my GP-100 in about 1991, nothing done except action job and different wood inlay panels. The 145 grain Silvertip has been my 'go to' load all along. I have never had an issue with firearm or ammo.

And... I never changed from the factory springs.

[JonInWA]

I interesting stories...

I bought my GP-100 in about 1991, nothing done except action job and different wood inlay panels. The 145 grain Silvertip has been my 'go to' load all along. I have never had an issue with firearm or ammo.

And... I never changed from the factory springs.

That's great, but my experiences, and those anecdotally related in my p-f thread strongly indicate that there may be a significant difference in production/quality control of Winchester 145 gr Silvertips since 1991, especially recently. And I had issues with it with the Ruger factory full-strength mainspring (among others). And the last non-ignition issues were with the factory mainspring. Hey, it's your gun and your ammunition-if the new stuff works without incident, good on you, and go with it. But I suggest it's in your best interest to test at least 50 rounds of it first.

Best, Jon

[03RN]

Fwiw I've shot 200 rounds through my m19-3 and 66-8 with zero failures.

[Lester Polfus]

I bought a 50 round box of 145 grain Winchester Silvertips in 2020 and about a dozen of the rounds had brass that was so messed up they would chamber but not fully seat.

[Velo Dog]

1255 fps from 4" revolver

[Archer1440]

There is no chance of a Federal 154gr HST clocking over 1250 fps from a 4" .357 Magnum revolver.
Even Buffalo Bore doesn't load their "Tactical" 357 Mag that hot.

4” Python, max velocity 1338.4, average 1309.8. Perhaps you meant 1350?

[Velo Dog]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAwgzrAsACk

1318 fps average from 4" Ruger GP100

[jh9]

The standard, for quite awhile, was 158gr @ 1,235fps from a 4" barrel.

Low 1300s is a lot spicier than I would have expected from Federal. Part of me wants to be shitty and just ask if anyone has actually weighed the bullets to verify they're 150+ grains. Going that hard on a relatively low(ish) volume, nearly 100-year old cartridge is an odd choice, but stranger things have happened. I mean, it's not terribly difficult much less impossible just... I would love to know what led to this particular load being produced in 2024.

[jh9]

I bought a 50 round box of 145 grain Winchester Silvertips in 2020 and about a dozen of the rounds had brass that was so messed up they would chamber but not fully seat.

Yeah, back in the 00s when Wal-Mart WWB was the cheapest thing going I had a few rounds where the bullet was obviously not properly seated before getting hammered into the case. Just gnarly looking case mouths with the brass ripped halfway down showing exposed bullet stem to stern.

Speer, Federal or generally well-regarded boutique brand defensive ammo? Sure. Winchester? Has been a hard pass for 20 years now. Maybe people who got theirs on contract with individual lots having better QC have had a good run but I've been burned enough times that Winchester stopped being relevant for defense ammo around the time Black Talons were discontinued.