357 sig ammo discussion

[graf703]

I picked up a 357 sig because I like the velocity of the rounds. I fish in Alaska and hunt in Colorado for elk. I'm carrying it for predator defense. I didn't want a huge revolver or a 10mm, so let's not debate other calibers.

As far as penetration goes for a 'woods' round most of the discussions I've seen compare 125 grain FMJ 1350 fps to 180 grain hardcast at 1025 fps (slow).

But Barnes has a 125 grain tacxp round (I love the barnes in rifles). It goes at 1300 fps. Barnes barrier testing through plywood, steel, windshields etc. is really impressive with a minimum of 13" I have a link to a different HSOforum with all the data, I can share if the moderator allows.

Which bullet do you guys think would be best?

[mechanictim]

My choice of those listed would be the hard cast bullet. Has enough weight to carry its momentum as deep as possible and stay together. Full metal jackets depend on the jacket to keep the bullet together as the lead used can be soft. If the jacket fails the bullet tends to fragment especially with lighter faster bullets. If the bullet fragments or mushrooms (Barnes TACXP) penetration will suffer.

From your post I think you realize the 357 sig is less than ideal as a bear stopper and the only real advantage over a bigger revolver would be the lighter weight would not slow you down as much as you try to run from the bear. Get some pepper spray and everyone lives, and no answering a lot of questions to authorities.

[graf703]

Thanks. That is the usual response. I do have pepper spray. However, I'm usually in a group of 3-6 in the woods.

I'm also considering using it for deer hunting in the shotgun/handgun zone. I'm confident with the pistol in what I consider 'bow range'. It is a very powerful caliber and I believe with the right bullet it is versatile. It is preferred in law enforcement/combat for vehicle penetration, which to me sounds like a thick skinned bear.

[Archerysniper]

This caliber also intrigues me and I have wanted one for years. However without hand loading the bullet selection just isn't their. I would shoot the barnes bullets because you are not shooting at steel or glass,animals are less dense and you want that controlled expansion that a quality bonded bullet would have. A FMJ would penetrate but not expand and a light hollow point will over expand before it penetrates. It's hard with the smaller calibers to find the bullet to cover everything.

[graf703]

This caliber also intrigues me and I have wanted one for years. However without hand loading the bullet selection just isn't their. I would shoot the barnes bullets because you are not shooting at steel or glass,animals are less dense and you want that controlled expansion that a quality bonded bullet would have. A FMJ would penetrate but not expand and a light hollow point will over expand before it penetrates. It's hard with the smaller calibers to find the bullet to cover everything.

What do you think of the bonded hollow points? Ammo is definitely a sticking point for the caliber. I don't shoot as much as I would like so the $$$ doesn't factor in quite as much. However, underwood, Buffalo bore, and double tap all make really nice rounds loaded to the original target numbers. I've seen a lot of the commercial range ammo at 1200 fps. I didn't buy the gun to shoot 9mm velocities. Underwood's ammo clock in at 1500+ fps

[Archerysniper]

I like the results I have gotten out of the Core-bon hollow points.

[RumRiverRat]

The 357 sig is an answer to a question no one asked.

[graf703]

The 357 sig is an answer to a question no one asked.

Really? 357 magnum has very desirable ballistics. There is not an equivalent round in an autoloader. There is a gap in performance for people that want penetration in an offering smaller than a 10mm frame with more manageable recoil.

It seems to me that it was a great evolution of cartridges where 9mm has some inadequacies and wider slower calibers don't offer the penetration associated with speedier bullets.

[Archerysniper]

He just likes to stir the pot most times and you will learn to ignore him.