bigcountry

I have a older but like new nickel mod13-3 smith 357mag probably like 1975 model. Great little gun. I havnt' shot it much cause of the nickel. Usually put 9mm's and 44 mags, thru the workout.

Girlfriend hates the 44, hates the feel of the berretta 92FS, doesn't like my 40Glock 27 cause its too small, too much strength required to cycle rounds in my 45 auto 1911. So I broke out the 357 last year and she loves it. So I loaded her some 7.5gr HS-6 125gr XTP's 38 specials. Its a ok round that she handles well. But I was thinking I might as well relaod some 357mags thru. Whats everybodies ideal wieght? I mean I think of 240gr for 44 mag, 230gr for 45auto, I was thinkng 158gr XTP and maybe some H110 behind it? Have to make an order and considering which one to reload for.

Roskoe

I think you will generally find that most 125 grain JHP bullets are good for self defense or game up to about 100 pounds; the 158 grain bullets would be designed for deer. The Speer Gold Dot's are particularly good bullets in this caliber.

biggunz.45-70

I agree with Roskoe. That 125 xtp is a proven fight stopper. But for deer I would load 158 gr xtp solids or the gold dots.

bigcountry

I never could get those speers to be very accurate in my 357sig or 40S&W. Ever since then I didn't use em anymore. Thanks guys.

Rootsy

for plinkin and hunting of large game i stick with the good ole self made hard cast Keith SWC... 152 grains as it comes out of the mold for me... bout 16 BHN... they are accurate and do a number on deer... you can load em down and they are accurate for punchin paper too...

for self defense, i DO NOT reload... i just buy speer gold dot and federal hydrashock ammo. that is one bridge i don't want to have to cross and defend should i (god forbid) ever find myself in a court of law...

Pop!

For defense 125 XTP with 10 gr Blue dot. Nice load.

sam 444

I shoot the Hornady 140 gr XTP HP in my 357 magnums.I have killed 2 does with this load in a handgun and my niece killed one with it in my marlin 1894.I use H110 powder.

bigcountry

I guess I will comprimise and go with the 158gr XTP with some H110 behind it. This is just for home defense.

HighDesertWolf

for my hunting rounds i use the 158 grain xtp/hp bullets, but for my plinkers i use a cheaper bullet, Montana gold bullets in 158 grain JHP. I also use the 125 grainers sometimes when im out of the 158 grainers I shoot alot of 38 special and use the 125 grainers exclusively in my 38 loads so i usually have alot more of them on hand. the montana gold bullets have good terminal perfomance just not as good as a XTP, but if I was in pinch I wouldn't hesitate to use a 158 grain montana gold bullet on a deer.

nchawkeye

big...It was the 125 hp that gave the .357 mag its well deserved reputation as a one shot man stopper...My Ruger prefers the Federal Classic loading.