I'm getting ready to sell some of my guns to buy a S&W 327 TRR8...an 8-shot 357 with a 5" barrel.
I'm not going to be able to reload for a bit and want some recomendations on factory ammo. I just bought 500 rounds of 38 +p 125g sjhp Remington for my incoming LCR and could also shoot that in the 357, but I was looking for some affordable 357 for paper punching that might have a little more kick than the hot 38 loads. I was thinking of something in the 158g range.
Any recommendations?
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
2Federal (American Eagle) .357 JSP has always been a great factory load. Clean burning with a lot of kick for 158gr.
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
4Freedom Munitions carries some. Looks like new case only, but $20 for a box of 50 doesn't sound too bad (Not owning a 357 I really have no idea tbh, but doesn't sound absurd to me)
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
5Agree on this although I have limited experience. Nice recoil and chest thumping percussion.atxgunguy wrote:Federal (American Eagle) .357 JSP has always been a great factory load. Clean burning with a lot of kick for 158gr.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
6That's why you can shoot .38 through the same gun!affordable 357
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
7The 38 +p is like 29 cents a round. I'll use that for steel. Just wanted something more for occasional shits and giggles. I mean, if it can go to 11, you got to use the 11th setting sometimes, right?fknauss wrote:That's why you can shoot .38 through the same gun!affordable 357
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
8Sounds like just what I'm looking for!Bucolic wrote:Agree on this although I have limited experience. Nice recoil and chest thumping percussion.atxgunguy wrote:Federal (American Eagle) .357 JSP has always been a great factory load. Clean burning with a lot of kick for 158gr.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
9Yeah, but when I turn it to eleven, I don't worry bout saving money.you got to use the 11th setting sometimes
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
10Ow...just...ow. I'm not about to shoot that with a 4-5/8 inch barreled Vaquero.fknauss wrote:Yeah, but when I turn it to eleven, I don't worry bout saving money.you got to use the 11th setting sometimes
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
11That stuff isn't THAT expensive...I mean, for going to 11 and all.fknauss wrote:Yeah, but when I turn it to eleven, I don't worry bout saving money.you got to use the 11th setting sometimes
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
12I don't think it's quite as hot as Buffalo Bore, but for half the price I think it's in a sweet spot.
Plus, HSM was the ammo they used to sell at the police range where I first learned to shoot, and I still try to buy in bulk from them when I can.
Plus, HSM was the ammo they used to sell at the police range where I first learned to shoot, and I still try to buy in bulk from them when I can.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
13I have also used Blazer. Just about any 158 gr magnum will be okay for occasional grins. If you want to make an impression get some 124 gr magnum . It is louder and more flash. Get some Buffalo Bore for the real chest thumper.
Any ammo you buy get brass cases so you can save them for reloading later.
Any ammo you buy get brass cases so you can save them for reloading later.
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"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." ~ Louis Brandeis,
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we can't have both." ~ Louis Brandeis,
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
14The steel/aluminum cased Blazer has always been horribly dirty and pretty much intolerable at indoor ranges. While cheap for sure, I'd rather spend a few extra bucks a box for brass cased. That...and the aforementioned reloadability. Not quite there yet, but I will have a ton of spent casings when I do.TrueTexan wrote:I have also used Blazer. Just about any 158 gr magnum will be okay for occasional grins. If you want to make an impression get some 124 gr magnum . It is louder and more flash. Get some Buffalo Bore for the real chest thumper.
Any ammo you buy get brass cases so you can save them for reloading later.
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
15Late to this discussion, but this is what I use, too. It's a nice balance of accuracy, price, and .357 effect. I've never had any issues. I blind load my 3" SP101 with this and generic .38 Special so I never know what's coming next. Keeps me focused. I can only take about 15 rounds of that business before my wrists suggest either moving to the GP100 or sticking solely with .38 Special in the SP.senorgrand wrote:Sounds like just what I'm looking for!Bucolic wrote:Agree on this although I have limited experience. Nice recoil and chest thumping percussion.atxgunguy wrote:Federal (American Eagle) .357 JSP has always been a great factory load. Clean burning with a lot of kick for 158gr.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
16LAXammo has decent prices; I just paid $77.50 for 250 rounds of 158 gr; includes the plastic container. Shipping is cheap - $12.53 for me - yours would probably be about the same. Also, I waited for a free shipping sale, which kept the price at 31 cents per round. Get on their mailing list, and they'll send you their sale spam.
I tried Freedom Munitions, but it took them forever to process orders. I canceled and went to LAX. About 5 days later, the ammo was at my door.
Edit Sep 6 2016 - It's down to $72.50 now
I tried Freedom Munitions, but it took them forever to process orders. I canceled and went to LAX. About 5 days later, the ammo was at my door.
Edit Sep 6 2016 - It's down to $72.50 now
Last edited by Aztex999 on Tue Sep 06, 2016 11:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
17Way late to the party, but I get .357 by the box and still pay less than some of the bulk deals on other good brass-case ammo.
For the levergun, I get Prvi Partizan 158-gr. SJHP's. They have a lot of kick out of a revolver. And at least in the rifle (I'm a terrible shot with revolvers), they act like a laser beam. Brick-and-mortar stores in my area carry it for $21.99 per 50, and I've seen it $19.99 or less online.
In my SP101, I generally use something a good deal more controllable: Sellier & Bellot 158-gr. FMJ. It's 24.99 per 50 at the store nearest me.
For the levergun, I get Prvi Partizan 158-gr. SJHP's. They have a lot of kick out of a revolver. And at least in the rifle (I'm a terrible shot with revolvers), they act like a laser beam. Brick-and-mortar stores in my area carry it for $21.99 per 50, and I've seen it $19.99 or less online.
In my SP101, I generally use something a good deal more controllable: Sellier & Bellot 158-gr. FMJ. It's 24.99 per 50 at the store nearest me.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
18Has anyone tried Perfecta? They have 158gr fmj on sale here for $16.74/50.
Brian
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
19Haven't seen their .357, but the 9mm is reliable and accurate, if on the weak side.inomaha wrote:Has anyone tried Perfecta?
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
20Thanks for the tip! I will get some of that.WilsonLNU wrote:Way late to the party, but I get .357 by the box and still pay less than some of the bulk deals on other good brass-case ammo.
For the levergun, I get Prvi Partizan 158-gr. SJHP's. They have a lot of kick out of a revolver. And at least in the rifle (I'm a terrible shot with revolvers), they act like a laser beam. Brick-and-mortar stores in my area carry it for $21.99 per 50, and I've seen it $19.99 or less online.
In my SP101, I generally use something a good deal more controllable: Sellier & Bellot 158-gr. FMJ. It's 24.99 per 50 at the store nearest me.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
21Wow, Perfecta in .357? At Wally World where you are? Never seen it around these parts but I'd love to try some of that brass cased ammo at that price.WilsonLNU wrote:Haven't seen their .357, but the 9mm is reliable and accurate, if on the weak side.inomaha wrote:Has anyone tried Perfecta?
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Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
22They have Perfecta .357 158gr FMJ on sale for $16.74, .38 special on sale for $14.84, and 9mm on sale for $9.48. Odd pricing but not bad. Cabelas here has Herters for ~$19 on sale regularly. So I'm tempted to grab the 2 boxes of .357 left and a box of .38 special to try.
Brian
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
23Insanely late to the party, these are an extra dime or so per round (in 100 pack) and even juicier.
https://www.underwoodammo.com/357-magnu ... gas-check/
One reviewer claimed chrono confirmation. I haven't tried them, but I've chronoed two Underwood 10 mm loads and got advertised velocity from the 180 XTP and quite a bit low from the 200 gr lead.
https://www.underwoodammo.com/357-magnu ... gas-check/
One reviewer claimed chrono confirmation. I haven't tried them, but I've chronoed two Underwood 10 mm loads and got advertised velocity from the 180 XTP and quite a bit low from the 200 gr lead.
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I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.
I'm only killing paper and my self-esteem.
Re: Factory 357 ammo...recomendations
24The Federal 158g is pretty hot and relatively cheap. HUGE fireballs too.