.357 mag s.d. round recommendation?

[jackelope]

after recently aquiring a  new to me 4" ruger speed six in 357 mag, i am starting to look into what ammo is good for home defense and for carrying in the woods.  i really don't know much about  pistol ammo having only owned  a couple pistols...i will soon be aquiring another .357, a colt trooper special, that belonged to my grandfather....so i am all ears.
thanks in advance.
JB

[Bofire]

I cant remember the names of the guys that did it, but a study was done on actual shootings a few years ago. The 357 125 grain hollow points kicked but on humans. I'd go to 158 minimum for woods load, or even teh 180 grain.
Carl

[jdb]

evan marshall and ed sanow were the fellows who did the testing basiclly they compiled all the data nation wide on shootings and found that the .125 grain 357 had more 1 shot stops statiscly than any other round it was like a 96% chance of a one shot stop. there were also some studies done where they shot these goats that had a very similar lung capacity to humans and there findings were very similar. that being said if your looking for a single loading for both sd and general woods use I think Id opt for more bullet wieght. depending on your intended use, if you want to maybe kill a deer more wieght is better if your just thinking as back up or as defence against rogue animals then the 125 is probably fine. JB

[DOUBLELUNG]

If you can still get them, Glaser safety slugs are hard to beat.

[DeKuma]

I agree on the report stated above.
Masaad Ayoob had also written a great book that covered most all handgun rounds and agreed that the 125 is the best performing SD round in the 357.
I have read several reports lately that detracted from the Safety Slug due ti its frangebility.  It would often fail to penetrate deep enough for stopping power before it "fragmented" to lethal capacity.  I have used them in the past and agree with their philosophy, especially in urban environs where stray bullets can cause collateral damages.  The are great concepts for apartment/homes where the risk of penetrating to another room are a reality.  I am not sure I feel safe with them if my life depended on it for sure.  I would need to do further research.

For the woods, I prefer the heavier solids/hardcast for stopping power.  I have used them exclusively in my 44 mag. (at least before I sold it on Friday  )  They are a sure thing as far as weight retention and power.  I have used them on bear, elk and deer with no issues.  I am looking to find something similar for my 45 acp as well.  Currently use 200gr JHP (Hornandy TAP) for SD, and 240gr FMJ (roundball) for woods work.

[jdb]

You must have really wanted something bad to sell that sbh what a sweet gun and near perfect for most things a man needs a handgun for I cant hardly imagine a better gun for everyday woods carry. I have been thinking of a similar perchase only in .45 colt. JB

[DeKuma]

IT was really hard to sell!  I really want to get a good coyote/deer gun for the wife, and I can use my Kimber 45 for a back-up for now.  Would like to eventually get a SW629 Mountain gun for a hunting back-up.  Loved my Ruger though.

Have seen some pretty good deals on Blackhawk 357 out there, so I may pick one up as a stop-gap.

I am having sellers remorse, that is for sure.

sorry 

[jackelope]

well...the gun came with about 200 rounds of 158 jhp's...maybe i'll just roll with them till they're gone.

[Slenk]

I have been using 158 gr. hard cast with gas checks for years . Works good for my needs. 9.5 gr. Blue Dot.
Slenk

[Blacklab]

Ruger GP100 horns xtp/hp 145gr 12.4 B dot.