Best .357 defense ammo for Ruger GP141

[navydoc3]

I just purchased a new Ruger GP141 and already replaced the Hogue grips with the older style with rosewood inserts. I'm trying to decide what ammo to use for home defense. I bought some 158 gr. Hornady JHP but I am having second thoughts because of the velocity. I certainly don't want to shoot through the outside wall into my neighborhood. Any suggestions?

[alacharger]

For years, the best rated .357 magnum ammo as far as not over penetrating and one shot stops has been the 125 grain JHP, by either Winchester, Federal (my favorite) or Remington.  I'd feel comfortable throwing CorBon, Black Hills and a couple of others into that mix.  They give consistent expansion and around 12" of penetration. 

If over penetration is a huge concern, you could scale back to .38 special +P rounds, but that would defeat the purpose of having a .357 magnum. 

[navydoc3]

I appreciate your reply and advice. I had the Remington .125 gr jhp on my mind but the fellow at the gun shop talked me out of it since I wouldn't be practicing with it. I believe I'm going to take your advice since it is reasonable and agrees with what I have read about penetration and stopping power. I usually carry a J frame S&W .38 special +p but always wanted a .357 mag.
Thanks again.

[Bigeasy]

Might want to check out the Glaser Safety Slug - It's designed for this type of situation.

Larry

[Dee]

For years, the best rated .357 magnum ammo as far as not over penetrating and one shot stops has been the 125 grain JHP, by either Winchester, Federal (my favorite) or Remington.  I'd feel comfortable throwing CorBon, Black Hills and a couple of others into that mix.  They give consistent expansion and around 12" of penetration. 

If over penetration is a huge concern, you could scale back to .38 special +P rounds, but that would defeat the purpose of having a .357 magnum. 

I would consider this sound advice, and used the 125 grain JHP in a fight back in the mid 70s. Excellent results.

[navydoc3]

Thanks Larry, I definitely will.

Ken

[navydoc3]

Hello Dee, I guess the proofs in the pudding, as they say. As I stated in an earlier post I'm quite partial to the .125 GR JHP. I'm going to a sports shop next week to look for a new holster and I'll check all the ammo advice I gotten so far. Thanks for your input as this is what I am relying on to make my decision.

Ken

[demented]

 Best?  Dunno.  I do know I hate the flash and blast from the typical 125 gr. load so I use 145 gr. Winchester Silvertips.  Whether real or imagined, these seem to recoil less and don't deafen me quite as much when they go off as 125's do.   My Smith also shoots bullets in the 140 gr. range a lot more accurately than it will a 125.

[Dee]

I the real world of a fight, I had no perception of muzzle flash, muzzle blast, or recoil. The blast seemed muffled, and everything seemed to slow down, although I know it did not. I had, and have been practicing for years and years with light 38 specials and the change over was not noticed. You will in the end practice what you preach, provided you live long enough.

[Noreaster]

I have th 125 grain HP for home defense. I carry anthing from 158 JHP to 170 GDSP in the woods. You could load up with 38spl +P for the home if you wanted. That's the great thing about a 357 wheel gun, selection. I've always used a loved the older grips with the inserts for my GP, but switched to the hogue last year and never looked back.

[mrussel]

Might want to check out the Glaser Safety Slug - It's designed for this type of situation.

Larry

Ive heard bad things (and good) about the Glasers. (and terrible things about the knock offs) One big issue is that they are hideously expensive,so you cant practice. Ive also heard that they potentially can fail even with heavy clothing. Im not saying there is no place for them,just that I personally would carefully consider if it was needed considering the potential problems and go with them only if I felt there was no other alternative. Every one has been telling me that the 125gr or a 38 special +P is the way to go.

[Haywire Haywood]

This may sound cliche, but the best defense ammo is the one that you can shoot well.  A 148gr lead wadcutter loping along at 700FPS in the chest cavity is always better than a screaming 125gr grenade round in the wall. 

Ian

[Dee]

This may sound cliche, but the best defense ammo is the one that you can shoot well.  A 148gr lead wadcutter loping along at 700FPS in the chest cavity is always better than a screaming 125gr grenade round in the wall. 

Ian

I would agree, however it would appear that the wall slayer, is need of practice, as his choice of ammo is far superior to the shooter of wad cutters. Perhaps they could exchange ideas of both topics and come up with a compromise, and help each other in marksmanship, and defense ammo choice.

[Haywire Haywood]

LOL... maybe the ammunition choice will change as skill level changes.  I, for one, am at the wadcutter stage.    Hehe.  Didn't do too badly firing my SP-101 at 10 paces with carefully aimed single action shots, but was gawd awful in double action and a little more speed.  I think I'll be loading my 357 to 38 velocities for the time being.  

Ian

[Dee]

Gave up on wadcutters years and years ago, and opted for the easier to load "semi" wadcutter. I found that practice with light loads is the way to go, and carrying a far more serious load for defense. In a stand up fight the hot load will not be noticed, but the the training with the light load will come forward under stress with a better performing defense load in the pistol. I found this to be the case in reality on two occasions in the late 70s as a police officer. Both fights ended quickly, decisively in my favor with full house loads, and hours of practice with very light loads in the same pistols.
Keep shootin haywire speed comes with muscle memory.

[irold]

I have to agree with Dee , though I certainly don't have his experience. My home defense is a 686 loaded with 125 gr H.P.s over a full load of 2400 , with laser grips.  I practice as much as I can with "this" rig in my basement.........yes in my basement.  I practice with rubber bullets loaded only with primers....at 5-10 yds, the point of impact is only an inch or so off.  Shooting into double cardboard boxes , it gives me the effect I need.  Ya can practice in the dark , or with light, on the move or not .....mostly ya get a feel for the rig and sighting arrangement on your weapon of choice.  Getting back to what Dee refered to.....I know when shooting at the range with my hunting rigs, which are mostly of the higher recoil types (all revolvers ), I notice recoil , When hunting in the field, after firing at game , never have I realized recoil....not even on my big boomers.   Only my 2 cents worth....but I think Dee is right....practice , practice , then practice some more.  But ya gotta practice in the same way ya anticipate using your weapon.

regards irold

[Haywire Haywood]

Just to clarify, I said 'wadcutter' just to provide an extreme to oppose the screamer 125hp, what I actually have loaded in there at the moment is Federal 38+P 129gr Hydrashok factory loads.  I bought a box of 20 3 or 4 years ago for use my wife's vaqueros.  For practice, I'll probably be casting up the SWC that I used in cowboy action a few years ago.  I've sold all my reloading equipment, but to a buddy, so all I gotta do is go use his reloading room and pay him for components.    I was out shooting some loads I made up for cowboy action and to my surprise, they had more kick and muzzle flash than the Federals.

Ian

[Dee]

Well the 125 grain JHP you refer to as a "screamer" is actually more about the good balance of bullet weight, configuration, and velocity, which is conducive to expansion whether the hollow point opens up well, or not, along with adequate penetration, without too much "over" penetration, along with the muscle to break bones rather than glance off them. This loading, as I, and others have said, has PROVEN BEYOND ANY REASONABLE DOUBT, to be the best performer in L.E. There are many bullets in that caliber that are much faster than the 125 grain JHP, but are not as well balanced in stopping a fight with one good hit.
I have seen many gunshot wounds, both fatal, and non-fatal, and many of both were 22lr, and shotgun along with pistol and a few with rifle of major caliber. If someone is gonna force me into a fight, and I have time, I will pick up the shotgun, but if I am going to arm myself (which I am always) with the thought of defending myself in an fight unscheduled, it will be a caliber with the muscle to get the job done. If I can't hit with the round, then I need to practice more, not down load, or perhaps just forget it, and throw myself at the opponents mercy, which ain't gonna happen.
I have an uncle that used to carry a cheap 32 for protection. His idea was, he wasn't gonna get into a fight anyway. As a former instructor, and SWAT team trainer, I asked him: Why carry at all then? After some thought he switched his thinkin, and his carry weapon.
At my age, and with my past injuries due to my past profession, I can no longer run, and was never really inclined to do so anyway. I dont want to fight, but if I must, it will be close, and won't last long, and I will be doing so, while reluctantly, but vigorously determined to win. Either myself, or my opponent will not be coming to court after the fight, but unless he catches me at the range, "exhibit A" will not be a wadcutter, if I'm the one sitting in court that morning.

[Noreaster]

Dee, well said. Navydoc as far as the muzzle blast and recoil, you won't feel it in a fight. I shoot skeet/trap with low base #8, but I use high base #5 for pheasant. Never bothered my shoulder while pheasant hunting. The muzzle blast goes both ways and will give the BG something to think about if you miss. I was on the receiving end of a shotgun blast and it messed me up. If your worried about over penetration, (good worry, I don't use my 357 sig at home just for that reason,) the 125 grain would be the best bet for magnum, if not move down to 38 spl.