Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? - The Firearms Forum

sstephenson · 02-11-2010, 04:27 PM

Ok, I know the word "Best" is pretty subjective depending on how I mean it, so here's what I'm looking for:

I'm going to be purchasing a .357 revolver for both home defense and target shooting. There are lots of threads on the best defensive rounds, but I'm not finding a lot of suggestions in terms of good ammo for plinking and target shooting. I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive, reasonably accurate, dependable, and a relatively clean round that doesn't "gunk" up the barrel too badly. I'd like to get some suggestions for both .357 and .38 ammo. Thanks in advance for your help!

USMCSpeedy · 02-11-2010, 04:29 PM

I use Blazer 38 Spl alot. Little dirty but clean your gun when you're done and its good.

old semperfi · 02-11-2010, 08:23 PM

SINCE YOU HAVE POSTED THIS IN THE RELOADING FORUM,I TAKE IT THIS IS TO BE A RELOADED ROUND.I USE MOSTLY WADCUTTERS FOR TARGET PRACTICE IN 38 CALIBER AND THE SEMI WADCUTTER IN 357.THEY PUNCH A NISE NEAT HOLE IN PAPER AND HITS ARE EASY TO IDENTIFY. OLD SEMPERFI

Terry_P · 02-11-2010, 08:40 PM

It sounds like you don't reload so what what I've seen in the stores it is whatever you can find under $45 a box. You may want to get into reloading. I shoot cast swc's in my 357's and then finish with JHP's.

sstephenson · 02-11-2010, 08:46 PM

Thanks for pointing out the fact that I had posted this in the reloading forum old semperfi. I had intended to post in the Centerfire Pistol Forum. Thanks for the replies guys.

***Thread Moved to Centerfire Pistol Forum***

sstephenson · 02-12-2010, 10:22 AM

Post revived - I think that the moderator considered this to be the more appropriate forum.

Please continue to give me your thoughts on good target and plinking rounds for the .357. Criteria are price, dependability, doesn't create excessive "muck" in the barrel, accuracy. Thanks!

Oh, and by the way, I don't currently reload. Based on the price of ammo though, that may be a consideration for the future.

RandyP · 02-12-2010, 11:26 AM

For general 'plinking' there is little reason IMHO to fire .357 ammo when a less expensive .38 Special will do the deed and punch satifactory holes in paper zombies.

The actual range of a self-defense shooting statistically is (if my aging memory serves) under 15 feet, so not much need for 'long range' practice for that event. It could be tough to convince a jury how that person 30 yards away was an "immediate threat to your life".

If you want the recoil practice of the magnum round, I would still say buy whatever is the least expensive ammo you can find. It will be just fine at the range.

As to 'clean' rounds, I always clean my firearms after every range session so it doesn't matter to me how clean my reloads burn. It takes about 30 seconds to run a bore snake thru a barrel a couple times and another 60 to wipe down the pistol with some CLP. http://www.pistoleer.com/breakfree/clp/

gandog56 · 02-14-2010, 02:43 PM

My reloads, of course!

TheGunClinger · 02-14-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gandog56

My reloads, of course!

+1 on that. Even then I ususlly use .38's and throw in a .357 once in awhile.

sstephenson · 02-14-2010, 06:37 PM

Yep, the price is right on those reloads. Definitely something to think about...

zb338 · 02-14-2010, 08:14 PM

Go to Wally World and buy some of their
cheapest .38 Special ammo. If you reload
then use lead hollow base wadcutters with
about 2.7 Grains of Bullseye.
Zeke
Not my load. A standard load in most loading manuals.

Dirtypacman · 02-15-2010, 01:08 PM

I practice on my SW Mod 19 with a 38 load that is very cheap to reload on my own. I don't have the exact recipe in front of me but I highly recommend practicing with 38 and carrying .357 for Personal Protection.

sstephenson · 02-15-2010, 04:54 PM

Thanks Guys, that's pretty much what I was thinking after reading everyone's posts. Practice mostly with .38 and shoot a few .357 during each session just to keep me used to it.

02-11-2010, 04:27 PM	#1
sstephenson Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 30	Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? Ok, I know the word "Best" is pretty subjective depending on how I mean it, so here's what I'm looking for: I'm going to be purchasing a .357 revolver for both home defense and target shooting. There are lots of threads on the best defensive rounds, but I'm not finding a lot of suggestions in terms of good ammo for plinking and target shooting. I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive, reasonably accurate, dependable, and a relatively clean round that doesn't "gunk" up the barrel too badly. I'd like to get some suggestions for both .357 and .38 ammo. Thanks in advance for your help! -->

02-11-2010, 04:29 PM	#2
USMCSpeedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 627	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? I use Blazer 38 Spl alot. Little dirty but clean your gun when you're done and its good. __________________ If all else fails, VOTE FROM THE ROOFTOPS Trying to reform a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd from the clean end. What this country needs is more family trees that will produce more lumber and fewer nuts!

02-11-2010, 08:23 PM	#3
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? SINCE YOU HAVE POSTED THIS IN THE RELOADING FORUM,I TAKE IT THIS IS TO BE A RELOADED ROUND.I USE MOSTLY WADCUTTERS FOR TARGET PRACTICE IN 38 CALIBER AND THE SEMI WADCUTTER IN 357.THEY PUNCH A NISE NEAT HOLE IN PAPER AND HITS ARE EASY TO IDENTIFY. OLD SEMPERFI

02-11-2010, 08:40 PM	#4
Terry_P Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NH Posts: 2,513	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? It sounds like you don't reload so what what I've seen in the stores it is whatever you can find under $45 a box. You may want to get into reloading. I shoot cast swc's in my 357's and then finish with JHP's. __________________ NRA and NAHC Life "Both oligarch and tyrant mistrust the people, and therefore deprive them of their arms." -Aristotle

02-11-2010, 08:46 PM	#5
sstephenson Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 30	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? Thanks for pointing out the fact that I had posted this in the reloading forum old semperfi. I had intended to post in the Centerfire Pistol Forum. Thanks for the replies guys. *Thread Moved to Centerfire Pistol Forum*

02-12-2010, 10:22 AM	#6
sstephenson Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 30	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting and Plinking? Post revived - I think that the moderator considered this to be the more appropriate forum. Please continue to give me your thoughts on good target and plinking rounds for the .357. Criteria are price, dependability, doesn't create excessive "muck" in the barrel, accuracy. Thanks! Oh, and by the way, I don't currently reload. Based on the price of ammo though, that may be a consideration for the future. Last edited by sstephenson; 02-12-2010 at 10:24 AM..

02-12-2010, 11:26 AM	#7
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? For general 'plinking' there is little reason IMHO to fire .357 ammo when a less expensive .38 Special will do the deed and punch satifactory holes in paper zombies. The actual range of a self-defense shooting statistically is (if my aging memory serves) under 15 feet, so not much need for 'long range' practice for that event. It could be tough to convince a jury how that person 30 yards away was an "immediate threat to your life". If you want the recoil practice of the magnum round, I would still say buy whatever is the least expensive ammo you can find. It will be just fine at the range. As to 'clean' rounds, I always clean my firearms after every range session so it doesn't matter to me how clean my reloads burn. It takes about 30 seconds to run a bore snake thru a barrel a couple times and another 60 to wipe down the pistol with some CLP. http://www.pistoleer.com/breakfree/clp/ __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP Last edited by RandyP; 02-12-2010 at 11:32 AM..

02-14-2010, 02:43 PM	#8
gandog56 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 325	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? My reloads, of course!

02-14-2010, 06:37 PM	#10
sstephenson Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 30	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? Yep, the price is right on those reloads. Definitely something to think about...

02-14-2010, 08:14 PM	#11
zb338 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Recently moved to Pennsylvania. Posts: 286	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? Go to Wally World and buy some of their cheapest .38 Special ammo. If you reload then use lead hollow base wadcutters with about 2.7 Grains of Bullseye. Zeke Not my load. A standard load in most loading manuals.

02-15-2010, 01:08 PM	#12
Dirtypacman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Merrimac Valley, MA Posts: 908	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? I practice on my SW Mod 19 with a 38 load that is very cheap to reload on my own. I don't have the exact recipe in front of me but I highly recommend practicing with 38 and carrying .357 for Personal Protection. __________________ Member HHRG and HSC, NRA Life Member, GOAL Member LTC-A

02-15-2010, 04:54 PM	#13
sstephenson Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 30	Re: Best .357 Ammo for Target Shooting? Thanks Guys, that's pretty much what I was thinking after reading everyone's posts. Practice mostly with .38 and shoot a few .357 during each session just to keep me used to it.