357 Magnum - Do you prefer 125 or 158 gr for combo use?

[SDG]

In revolvers the clear winner by consensus above was the 158gr variety. How about in a lever gun? Same answers?

 

[moojpg2]

I almost always run 158's, they work in everything and shoot to point of aim at middle of the road velocities in anything with fixed sights, and for reloading it uses less powder.

 

[1919FAN]

158 is easier on a revolver 125s tend to cut at the top strap with extended use .

 

[HorizontalHunter]

158 is easier on a revolver 125s tend to cut at the top strap with extended use .

Why?

I would have thought the heavier projectile would generate higher pressures

Bob

 

[jek]

158s all around, revolvers and lever guns. I don't even look at another weight unless I can't get the 158s.

 

[TrashcanDan]

In revolvers the clear winner by consensus above was the 158gr variety. How about in a lever gun? Same answers?

125's seem to be popular if you load for it, might be because of the profile vs s.w.c.'s.
Easier to cycle maybe? I'd think any round nose gr weight would work well in it.

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

Why?

I would have thought the heavier projectile would generate higher pressures

Bob

IIRC the issue was due to ball powders burning hot and also sand blasting the forcing cone and rope straps. This is supposedly worse with a short bullet that doesn’t seal up the cylinder gap as long allowing a poor burn and more leakage or something that.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

IIRC the issue was due to ball powders burning hot and also sand blasting the forcing cone and rope straps. This is supposedly worse with a short bullet that doesn’t seal up the cylinder gap as long allowing a poor burn and more leakage or something that.

Interesting. Thank you.

Bob

 

[M60]

Looking at some 357 Mag ammo and can trade for either 125 or 158 XTP rounds. What grain size do you prefer for general all around use including plinking? Not sure which way I want to go with this.

What/why do you prefer one over the other?

125's are faster, as a result, generally the expand better. Better expanding, equals bigger holes. You know how that works.

 

[Quite_Exasperated]

I found 158s are more accurate for my purposes..

 

[38ExtraSpecial]

These 158s seemed to work well

 

[Zappa]

I get better accuracy with 158s in my guns. I also reload so using 158s requires less powder - adds up lol.

Also apparently lighter bullets in 357 mag can cause more forcing cone and top strap erosion in revolvers. So some people prefer heavier 158 gr bullets.

This^