Remington Golden Saber or Hornady XTP in .357 revolver???

[RSY]

Any experiences, good or bad with these two in 125-gr.? I was in Cabela's today and was about to walk out with a box of the Remingtons when I saw the Hornady stuff was $10 cheaper. I've never had any problem with Hornady bullets, so it got me to thinking...

On a related note, I'm loading up the SP101 as a house gun for my wife. The question is 125-gr or 110-gr??? Recoil will be lighter with the 110s, obvioiusly, but if the chips are ever down, will it really matter for her?

scott

[handirifle]

I've never used either of them, but I did happen to see some penetration testing done with different handgun bullets, and I believe both were in it.

The poster seemed to favor the Golden Saber.

Here's the link.

http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar153.htm

[Hobie]

I like the Golden Saber .357 Mag load. Frankly, I think the 125 gr. full-on loads are just wrong for short barreled guns. They don't encourage practice either!

[J Miller]

Any experiences, good or bad with these two in 125-gr.? I was in Cabela's today and was about to walk out with a box of the Remingtons when I saw the Hornady stuff was $10 cheaper. I've never had any problem with Hornady bullets, so it got me to thinking...

On a related note, I'm loading up the SP101 as a house gun for my wife. The question is 125-gr or 110-gr??? Recoil will be lighter with the 110s, obvioiusly, but if the chips are ever down, will it really matter for her?

scott

Scott,
I can't answer your question about the ammo as I've never used any 125gr .357 Mag ammo.

However regarding your wife and how would she feel about the recoil? I doubt she know the difference if she had to shoot in self defense. I don't think it would matter.

Joe

[RSY]

Frankly, I think the 125 gr. full-on loads are just wrong for short barreled guns.

Your thinking is probably sound on this. Hopefully, though, they'll feel somewhat lighter than the full-house 158-gr loads I've been shooting through it. FWIW, it is the model with the longer 3" barrel.

Speaking of practice, the price of the Remington's doesn't exactly encourage it, either. But, therein lies one of the great beauties of shooting a revolver: Effective practice can be had with cheap ammo!

Thanks, fellas.

Scott

[eric65]

Hornady 125s & 158s in HP configuration are in my opinion the worlds greatest bullets I have seen them do wonderful things.

[Hobie]

Frankly, I think the 125 gr. full-on loads are just wrong for short barreled guns.

Your thinking is probably sound on this. Hopefully, though, they'll feel somewhat lighter than the full-house 158-gr loads I've been shooting through it. FWIW, it is the model with the longer 3" barrel.

Speaking of practice, the price of the Remington's doesn't exactly encourage it, either. But, therein lies one of the great beauties of shooting a revolver: Effective practice can be had with cheap ammo!

Thanks, fellas.

Scott

I think the 158 gr. +P .38 Special load is about tops, next the .357 Mag 125 gr. Golden Saber GS357MA which is not the full-on load. I'd hate to think what a box of 25 costs now. I thought the price was horrible when I bought my supply several years ago.

[RSY]

However regarding your wife and how would she feel about the recoil? I doubt she know the difference if she had to shoot in self defense. I don't think it would matter.

I think you're right. But the whole scenario does bring up another related issue.

I read somewhere once, and it's always stuck with me, that if you shot a .357 load indoors, you may live, but your days of hearing are over. So, up 'til now I've kept it stoked with 158-gr S&W SJHP ammo (made by Fiocchi in the early '70s). Stuff made back then is probably the equivalent of present day +P.

[RSY]

Hobie:

The GS's were a little over a buck per cartridge. The Hornady was about $17/25. But, they have the 1,500 fps MV, of course. A little more than I need, probably.

rsy

[Hobie]

Being deaf your whole life can be dealt with either through a coclear implant or by learning sign language OR BY TYPING ON THE FORUMS IN ALL CAPS... Not that I know anybody who does that...

Seriously, I've fired some of these cartridges indoors. Stay away from the full-on 125 gr. loads if you can or make a pair of electronic muffs a part of the carry package.

[Jaguarundi]

The gold standard is 125gr at 1450 fps based on Evan Marshall and Ed Sanow's book:Stopping Power:A Practical Analysis of the Latest Handgun Ammunition LinkStopping power.net The 125gr Remington JHP in reference is the 125gr SJHP which is rated by the factory as 1450 fps in 4V test barrel.The other side benefit to the SJHP is it comes in 50 cnt per box.Also the bullet expands with the added benefit that the 8 jacket scallops breakoff(very messy on the cardiopulmonary organs).You also may find this link to handloads.com stopping power online calculator helpful(run for 357 mag)http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppingp ... Weight=All

[ceb]

I gotta agree with Hobie. Full house .44s out of either of my Rugers is no problem. But I just don't like light bullet .357s out of a short barrel, too loud and too much muzzel blast!!

Go ahead, call me a wimp, I'll admit it.

[JerryB]

When I carry my old 3 inch S&W 65 I keep it full of the 125gr. Glden Sabers. I have no first hand knowledge of their performance but I believe they will do the job. My Rossi 2 inch is loaded with 125gr. Federal Nyclads,I think they will work for me too.