Question for .357 Magnum owners?

Question

I just purchased a Ruger SP-101 .357 magnum revolver with a 3-1/16" barrel. It is a very beautiful revolver!!! I want to find the most powerful, manstopping ammunition for this gun.

I already bought a box of 25 Hornady xtp/jhp 125 grain bullets, but I'm looking for other suggestions. Can you give me some advice?

Answer 1

Double Tap Ammo

125 Gr. Speer Gold Dot

1600 fps - 4" barrel

710 ft. lbs.

Answer 2

I would go with CIH with the Glazers or Federal 125 grain HI Shock hollow points,that is what I use in my S&W Highway patrolman.

Answer 3

the 125 should do it have fun with that ruger and be safe

Answer 4

Especially with the short barrel, you already made one of the best choices of all .357 ammo offered. JUst don't bother with any heavier bullets, you won't achieve maximum performance with the 3" barel, and recoil will be much more severe.

Answer 5

The only other one i know about is the 158 grain jacketed hollow points.* Velocity wise and recoil wise the 125 is the best for self-defense purposes.*

Answer 6

I have found the 158gr  jacketed softpoint  from PMC give me the best accuracy, that should be your 1st priority, accuracy, if you somehow need more stopping power than what an accurate loading of 357 ammo will deliver, then you need a bigger gun.

Answer 7

Hey Chris....just fyi...if you decide to shoot 38 rounds thru your 357 just make sure they are 38 SPECIALS (not the same as just 38's).  One of the other answers said 38's, and another said 38 SPECIALS.  I'm sure you knew, but I wanted to throw my 2 cents in.  Thanks.

Answer 8

If you do indeed wish to locate the "most powerful, manstopping ammo", look no further than http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/de...

I have not found a single commercial manufacturer who produces ammo near these velocities or with near as much power.

125gr JHC@1700fps, 802 ft. lbs. energy

158gr JHC@1475fps, 763 ft. lbs. energy

180gr LFN@1400fps, 783 ft. lbs. energy

The 125gr actually achieved 2298 fps. from a Marlin 18.5" model 1894.

The TD retards have been here

Answer 9

Bass pro sells 180gr. The 125 should be more than sufficent for what you're wanting it for. I have the gp-100 with a 4" barrel, good strong recoil, i can only imagine the 158 or 180's. Try shooting some 38 special rounds through it and then switch to the 357's, or alternate them every other shot

Answer 10

look for Pre-frag or frangible ammo.

I keep my house gun loaded with prefrags.

the idea is like a hollow point but comes apart faster inside the body.

damage to the internals like a shotgun blast

but poor penetration, won't go through a car door ect.

great for in the home, won't go through drywall

Answer 11

My  personal preference is Glazer ammo.  It has stupendous stopping power but does not have the over penetration that some ammo has.  It is also less subject to riccocheting than other ammo.  It is pricy but you onoy need a few rounds for your gun when you are carrying it or using it as a defense gun in the house.  When you are hunting or target practicing, you switch ot less expensive ammo.

Answer 12

I like the 158gr Hornady XTP but that is just personal preference.Just about any load from a .357mag is going be a man stopper, hopefully you will never have to find out. But it's good to be ready. I'm shooting a 6 inch Python just as a side note.