Self defense loads

[handgunhuntr]

I have kinda a general question.  Years ago, the 357 Max caused flame cutting of the top strap when trying to push lite bullets too fast.  Is that a possibility when shooting 125gr self defense loads out of a 357 mag?  Would it be better to shoot 158 gr?

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

One of my pals who was in serious law inforcement said the Rem. 125 HP in .357 was one of the most deadly loads on the market...NOW this info. is dated...but I figure if it worked then, it will work now...Those are what I put in my .357's for defense, BUT I am not a cop, nor do I have serious enemies that I am aware of...so having to deal with a rand act of crime is my main concern...

[timothy]

Even in the maximum flame cutting only went so far, throat erosion was the bigger concern. Now in the k frame smiths extended fiiring of 125's was causing cracked forcing cones at the thin spot of the rear barrel. If you cannot live with any flame cutting at all i supose 158's may help, but your not going to ruin your gun shooting 125's.

[Mikey]

Timothy is absolutely correct, historically and factually.  The Model 19 S&Ws most often were the victims, the Model 13, too.  This was 'fixed' when S&W dropped the M19 and went to the L frame revolvers, I believe..... Shooting the heavier 158/160, 173, 180, and 200 gn slugs with slower burning powders does not cause the same flame cutting as did the faster burning powders used with the 125 gn slugs.  The flame cutting is actually 'etching'.  I have never seen a revolver that has undergone flame cutting or etching on the underside of the topstrap that has suffered any weakness or structural damage to that part of the frame or that has become unsafe.
 
The occasional use of the 125 gn self defense loads should not 'hurt' your revolver although I would opt for regular practice with either the 158 gn slug at magnum load levels or heavy 38 specials and then carry your defensive revolver with those self defense loads. 
 
If you do not reload I would suggest you consider getting started or at least think about it.  The tree-fiddy-seven is way too much fun and way to versatile not to reload for it; it is one of my favorite calibers.  jmtcw.

[tacklebury]

I use 110 XTP's because they don't tend to penetrate as much.  Most of the time, a 158 will penetrate long past the perp and through walls and such too.   

[Lloyd Smale]

light jacketed bullets at high velocitys using ball powders are a recipe for top strap cutting and even a bigger problem is forcing cone errosion. Its no big deal in most self defense type 357s as i doubt most shoot them enough to worry but ive complete worn out forcing cones on a couple ruger 357s shooting loads like that. Heavier bullets a bit less pressure and not using ball powders helps alot.

[tacklebury]

I use Unique for light bullet loads. 

[twoshooter]

If you need to shoot that many "self defense " loads, you dont need a better load, you need to move. There is absolutely no reason to fire that many full power loads out of a firearm. That is not self defense, it is some macho glorified escalation of a video game. You can practice just as well with wadcutter loads or even a rimfire. I guarantee that in a real situation you will never be bothered by recoil or noise, if you actually manage to deploy and use your weapon in the first place.