.357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference - The Firearms Forum

JJMilmore · 04-10-2005, 10:42 PM

I have been practicing with Winchester 38 SPL. +P 125GR ammo and its been great with my S&W 640 revolver. Then I wanted to try the Federal 357 Mag 158 grain hydra-shok hollow point defence rounds. I did not expect the kick I recieved. I didn't know there would be that much difference in rounds.

Just a thought for new 357 buyers, try the smaller round first. Anyone suggest good practice rounds? Should I stay with the 38 SPL or go with something else? I hate wolf ammo with a passion after it locked up twice in my Beretta 96 and my AR15.

MPinkston · 04-15-2005, 01:17 PM

Just as an example, the chamber preasure for a 38 spl is around 15,000. For a 38 spl +P it jumps to a whopping 18,000. A 357 Magnum develops around 30,000. Looks can be deceiving

Neil · 04-24-2005, 02:51 PM

Just from a kid who has shot a little of both and owned a 38spl +p, I would say go with what you can handle confidently and safely both will get the job done. just my .02

mspears · 05-02-2005, 03:56 PM

I'd try to stay away from the Winchester 38 SPL. +P 125GR if you can since they do not have a stellar street record. 158 grain .357 ammo has not received a lot of R&D from the manufactures for Self Defense purposes so I'd shy away from them. For self defense in .357 stay with 125 and 110 grain JHP ammo from Remington, Federal, Buffalo Bore or CorBon. Can't go wrong! If the .357 has too much recoil for you, try the CorBon .38 +P 110 or 125 grain. They just fall short of .357 ballistics and kick somewhere in between .38 +P and .357.

stash247 · 05-11-2005, 03:52 AM

148 Flush seated wads; aprox $60 a case of 500. In a 2" gun, magnum=loud, no more, since the barrel is too short for the powder to burn.
The wadcutters are loaded with faster powder, resulting in less muzzle flash/ blast, lower recoil (less powder), and, generally, a more pleasant experience.
As a side note, they are as effective, maybe moreso, as a defensive round, in a short barrel, as any of the hot loads designed for a 6 incher; while energy is down, you get a total dump into the target!

JJMilmore · 05-12-2005, 02:33 AM

thats good to keep in mind, thanks

Smoky14 · 05-12-2005, 11:16 AM

Just a thought; my wife was having a problem controling full house .357 loads in her SP101. Rem makes a mediun pressure 357 load which far exceeds the 38+P yet has quite a bit less kick that a full blown 357.
Her accuracy went up and the stopping power up, win,win.

Smoky

John Y. · 07-23-2005, 11:38 PM

How does the kick of a .357 compare to a .45 ACP?

joseph2213 · 07-24-2005, 12:05 AM

I can not really feel the kick of a .357 or just about any pistol. I have a desert eagle .50AE and it kicks hardddddddd.

04-10-2005, 10:42 PM	#1
JJMilmore Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	.357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference I have been practicing with Winchester 38 SPL. +P 125GR ammo and its been great with my S&W 640 revolver. Then I wanted to try the Federal 357 Mag 158 grain hydra-shok hollow point defence rounds. I did not expect the kick I recieved. I didn't know there would be that much difference in rounds. Just a thought for new 357 buyers, try the smaller round first. Anyone suggest good practice rounds? Should I stay with the 38 SPL or go with something else? I hate wolf ammo with a passion after it locked up twice in my Beretta 96 and my AR15. -->

04-15-2005, 01:17 PM	#2
MPinkston V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 73	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference Just as an example, the chamber preasure for a 38 spl is around 15,000. For a 38 spl +P it jumps to a whopping 18,000. A 357 Magnum develops around 30,000. Looks can be deceiving

04-24-2005, 02:51 PM	#3
Neil Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stanwood washington Posts: 678	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference Just from a kid who has shot a little of both and owned a 38spl +p, I would say go with what you can handle confidently and safely both will get the job done. just my .02 __________________ God Bless America, This Great Land we call HOME.

05-02-2005, 03:56 PM	#4
mspears Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Conover, NC Posts: 23	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference I'd try to stay away from the Winchester 38 SPL. +P 125GR if you can since they do not have a stellar street record. 158 grain .357 ammo has not received a lot of R&D from the manufactures for Self Defense purposes so I'd shy away from them. For self defense in .357 stay with 125 and 110 grain JHP ammo from Remington, Federal, Buffalo Bore or CorBon. Can't go wrong! If the .357 has too much recoil for you, try the CorBon .38 +P 110 or 125 grain. They just fall short of .357 ballistics and kick somewhere in between .38 +P and .357. __________________ If you don't look the facts in the face, they have a way of stabbing you in the back. - Winston Churchill

05-11-2005, 03:52 AM	#5
stash247 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 2,815	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference 148 Flush seated wads; aprox $60 a case of 500. In a 2" gun, magnum=loud, no more, since the barrel is too short for the powder to burn. The wadcutters are loaded with faster powder, resulting in less muzzle flash/ blast, lower recoil (less powder), and, generally, a more pleasant experience. As a side note, they are as effective, maybe moreso, as a defensive round, in a short barrel, as any of the hot loads designed for a 6 incher; while energy is down, you get a total dump into the target! __________________ Don't start no s**t and there won't be none, Terry

05-12-2005, 02:33 AM	#6
JJMilmore Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 11	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference thats good to keep in mind, thanks

05-12-2005, 11:16 AM	#7
Smoky14 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Nowhere NM Posts: 656	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference Just a thought; my wife was having a problem controling full house .357 loads in her SP101. Rem makes a mediun pressure 357 load which far exceeds the 38+P yet has quite a bit less kick that a full blown 357. Her accuracy went up and the stopping power up, win,win. Smoky

07-23-2005, 11:38 PM	#8
John Y. V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 51	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference How does the kick of a .357 compare to a .45 ACP?

07-24-2005, 12:05 AM	#9
joseph2213 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 26	Re: .357 vs 38+ ammo makes a huge difference I can not really feel the kick of a .357 or just about any pistol. I have a desert eagle .50AE and it kicks hardddddddd. Attached Images __________________ Joseph Medley