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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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