357 Mag CC ammo suggestions

[Criticalt]

Im beginning to carry my Ruger GP100 3".
I havent really thought about carrying this gun before, so I just use it on the range with 158 grain flat soft points......its cheap where I buy it.
So, what is good defense ammo for a 3 inch 357 mag?

 

[C3D]

My best ammo advice would be to use Hornady 9mm Critical Defense in 115 grain. Loaded in a Glock 26, with the Ruger GP100 at home in a cabinet where it belongs on days it doesn't go to the range.

 

[HighlandLofts]

That ammo you have should be sufficient. I'd hate to be on the recieving end of it.
I have a bunch of Hornady XTP projectiles that should work good. If I used home made ammo I would use the 180 grain XTP.
I only use factory ammo in all of the guns I carry. Most of the ammo I carry is Hornady Critical Defense because it is readily available here locally at most of the gun stores.
I have a box of the same 158 grain flat soft point that I would use with out a worry.

 

[Deplorable Me]

My GP100 is my woods gun. Either hiking or doing firewood. First two rounds are snake shot, next 4 are 158gr JHP (Hornady Critical Defense). Two speed loaders. Never had to deal with a bear, picked off two copperheads. Southerntier and PA. I hate snakes.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

My GP100 is my woods gun. Either hiking or doing firewood. First two rounds are snake shot, next 4 are 158gr JHP (Hornady Critical Defense). Two speed loaders. Never had to deal with a bear, picked off two copperheads. Southerntier and PA. I hate snakes.

6"?

 

[Deplorable Me]

6"?

3" and 4". No optics. CQB. Close quarters bear. I make enough noise, not bothered yet.

 

[Criticalt]

My best ammo advice would be to use Hornady 9mm Critical Defense in 115 grain. Loaded in a Glock 26, with the Ruger GP100 at home in a cabinet where it belongs on days it doesn't go to the range.

Yea yea yea, I know, bla bla bla
9mm does as good as 357 in ballistic gel.....but I aint shootin Jello.
The only 9mm I have is a Shield which I shoot well.
With the GP 100 I can make 3 inch groups at 20 yards in double action......with 357.
Also, at distance the 357 shoots flatter and gets there quicker.

Anyways, I just bought a box of Speer GD 135 grain HP.....and a box of Hornady ?125? grain CD.
I will try both

 

[Robin]

The Rebirth of the 200-grain 38 Special Super Police Cartridge

 

[Criticalt]

3" and 4". No optics. CQB. Close quarters bear. I make enough noise, not bothered yet.

I see bears around here pretty often.
There is a den about 200 yards behind our house but she hasnt used it yet this year.
My dog scares them off when out in the woods. Black bears are pussies.

 

[HighlandLofts]

Of all my handguns my 6" gp100 is my favorite handgun. I did buy a 7 1/2" redhawk which is a sweet revolver as well.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I see bears around here pretty often.
There is a den about 200 yards behind our house but she hasnt used it yet this year.
My dog scares them off when out in the woods. Black bears are pussies.

If you are CCWing for bears, hollow points aren't the answer.

For 2 legged chumps, any .357 Magnum hollow point has sufficient penetration. Even the cheap ones.

 

[HighlandLofts]

For big stuff like bears the guys out here use hard cast bullets.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

https://www.lehighdefense.com/colle...reme-penetrator-ammunition?variant=1066278768

Or load your own.

https://www.lehighdefense.com/colle...cial-and-357-357-magnum?variant=7612324511799

You can get the 120s up to almost 1500fps. Being copper solids that would be devastating.

 

[Steal2B]

357 Mag 140gr Xtreme Penetrator Ammunition

Or load your own.

.357 Xtreme Defense® 120gr Bullet

You can get the 120s up to almost 1500fps. Being copper solids that would be devastating.

This is often a more accessible option for peasants and serfs living under the grace of the lord FUAC.

357 Magnum 140 Grain Xtreme Penetrator
or
357 Magnum 180 Grain Lead Flat Nose Gas Check

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

This is often a more accessible option for peasants and serfs living under the grace of the lord FUAC.
357 Magnum 140 Grain Xtreme Penetrator
357 Magnum 180 Grain Lead Flat Nose Gas Check

Dang. Underwood uses Lehigh's bullets but for 2 dollars more you get 300fps more from the underwood. I wonder what barrel length they are using. Lehigh is using 4 inch.

 

[Bob]

I'm running Federal 158gr JHP HydraShocks in my LCR

 

[Criticalt]

If you are CCWing for bears, hollow points aren't the answer.

For 2 legged chumps, any .357 Magnum hollow point has sufficient penetration. Even the cheap ones.

No
Im not worried about bears.
They avoid humans like the plague.

 

[Criticalt]

Dang. Underwood uses Lehigh's bullets but for 2 dollars more you get 300fps more from the underwood. I wonder what barrel length they are using. Lehigh is using 4 inch.

I just ordered 3 more boxes of 357 online.
I ordered a box of Blackhills 158 grain HP.
I like their 124 grain rounds using the Lehigh Extreme Defender bullets for my 9mm.
Less expensive than Underwood and preform well.

 

[Marine Cpl]

No
Im not worried about bears.
They avoid humans like the plague.

Well than, any .357 will penetrate the FBI minimum. Even those soft points you said you had will do the job.

It's when you start going to lesser calibers that ammo selection is crucial due to the small cases.

 

[Criticalt]

Well than, any .357 will penetrate the FBI minimum. Even those soft points you said you had will do the job.

It's when you start going to lesser calibers that ammo selection is crucial due to the small cases.

Im also interested in barrier penetration.
Most tests ive seen online show 9mm and 357 penetrating the same distance into gel.
However, through barriers 357 must be better than 9mm but cant find much info.
Ive now got 5 boxes of 357 to test myself.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Im also interested in barrier penetration.
Most tests ive seen online show 9mm and 357 penetrating the same distance into gel.
However, through barriers 357 must be better than 9mm but cant find much info.
Ive now got 5 boxes of 357 to test myself.

Those lightweight Lehigh's loaded by Underwood will do the trick. The Xtreme Hunters go 1700 fps.

357 Magnum 120 Grain Xtreme Hunter