What would be a good round for this? Looking for ammo for my dad. He still just has some old remington semi-JSP and I'd like to get him some new stuff. on some of the rounds I'm worried that due to the extra barrel length the bullets will start expanding too soon and under penetrate.
Right now I'm thinking 125gr golden saber.
scubaoz on youtube tested it out of a 4" gp100 thru 4 layer denim into ballistic gel.
16 3/4"
125gr 100% weight retained
.634 expansion
he tested the pdx1 winchester out of the same gun, same test.
14" penetration
123gr weight
.68 expansion
158gr gold dot from 4" gp100
23" + penetration
expansion unknown
weight retention unknown (not retained in gel)
pocketgunsandgear tested the 125gr gold dot with the 4" gp100
unfortunately his slowest shot was the only gel shot he did (clear ballistics gel)
1407 fps vs average of 1456 with a high of 1496
full weight retention
14.25" penetration
.601 expansion
tnoutdoors9 did the 125gr gold dot out of a 3" barrel and it went 1338 fps average quite a loss of velocity
16.25" penetration
.754 expansion average (looks like with less velocity it expanded more but also penetrated more??, i dislike that he uses "sim-test", as he is simulating a simulant)
Did a little more research on the subject via DocGKR ammo ballistics expert that has been involved with development all the way from the law enforcement agency level to SOCOM.
he does not recommend the 125gr JHP loads as used by the california highway patrol back in 1989-1990. The 125gr JHP tended to flatten out and under-penetrate. It makes me wonder had they stayed with 125gr semi-jhp or 158gr semi-jhp if they would have had better results as those have a lot of penetration in the gel tests on youtube.
"For those individuals who doubt evidence based research and prefer "street results", the CHP, the largest agency to issue .357 Mag 125 gr JHP's on the West Coast, clearly reports significantly better results in their officer involved shootings since switching to .40 S&W 180 gr JHP loadings, based on officer perception, objective crime scene measurements, as well as the physiological damage described in the relevant autopsy studies. The CHP used a variety of .357 Mag loads, depending upon what was available via the state contract. According to the published CHP test data from 1989-90, the .357 Magnum load used immediately prior to the CHP transition to .40 S&W was the Remington 125 gr JHP with an ave. MV of 1450 f/s from their duty revolvers."
He recommends the Winchester Supreme Partition Gold
"The best modern .357 Mag loading we have tested has been the Winchester 180 gr Partition Gold (S357P):
.357 Mag Win 180 gr Partition Gold (S357P) from S&W 686 4"
BG: vel=1075, pen=18.1", RD=.57", RW=171.1gr
4 layer denim: vel=1090 f/s, pen=20+", RD=0.53, RW=175.6gr
auto windshield: vel=1072, pen=20+", RD=0.39, RW=178.0gr "
You might want to look at the Hornady product, why do I say this; It is loaded with Power Pistol powder and it burns fast enough to be used in short barreled guns. It may have some flash.
Here is what was found in the pull-down;
Hornady 125gr FTX (Flex Tip Hollow Point)
Ballistics Information: 357 Magnum
Muzzle Velocity: 1500 fps
Muzzle Energy: 624 ft. lbs
Brass Make/Headstamp: Hornady - Nickel
Bullet Make/Weight/Construction/Info; Length 0.6340"/Dia. 0.3565": Hornady FTX 125gr.
Actual weight 124.8 grains cannelure 0.3525"
C.O.A.L.: 1.5470"
Primer: Brass color
Case: Diameter 0.3750" Crimp Diameter 0.3730" Length 1.2830"
Powder Description/Positive ID/Type/Charge Weight: Power Pistol 10.0 grains
I can highly recommend the Federal Hydra-Shok load in 357. I used it for a carry load in my GP100 4" and it also did a nice job of dropping a whitetail buck at 90 yards! In a longer barrel it would do even better.