In this article we will review some of the best .357 Magnum ammo on the market for range practice and self defense. But first let’s briefly talk about the weapon itself.
The Revolver has been in existence since the late 16th century when Zhao Shi-Zhen invented the Xun Lei Chong, a five-barreled musket revolver spear. Years later, Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, and D. B. Wesson of firearms manufacturers Smith & Wesson and Winchester, designed and manufactured the revolver.
The .357 Magnum is a popular revolver cartridge used by many gun owners. A revolver of this caliber obviously has some special ammunition. Let’s find out why the .357 Magnum ammo is so unique.
Most commonly used for hunting, or for tactical reasons, the .357 Magnum ammo contains effective terminal ballistics. It’s also based on the .38 Special cartridge. The only contrast between the two is the type of lead used.
Unpack This Article's Arsenal
Get Great Guns And Ammo Deals!
SAFEST NEWSLETTER - WE WILL NEVER SELL YOUR EMAIL
No Spam - No Selling Your Email
.357 Magnum Ammo Facts
If you’re looking for the best .357 Magnum ammunition, you need to know that it’s available in the 50 round boxes as well as bulk form. Additionally, the best .357 Magnum ammo focuses on providing stopping power without creating much recoil. This is a good thing. In fact, with all of that recoil, your gun will be hard to handle.
357 Magnum Bullet Weight and Type
The bullet weight is measured in small units. And as far as the type, there are multiple bullet types available. There are indeed many different options, but the most sought after are the Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) and the Full Metal Jacket (FMJ).
Primer Type
The most common primer types are known as boxers.
They are generally constructed of brass and easily reloadable. The brass coating guarantees no corrosion, most importantly when exposed to less than desirable weather conditions.
However, every cartridge doesn’t necessarily strike the right balance. Nevertheless, we found a few for this review that qualify. Take a look at the best .357 Magnum ammunition for self defense and range shooting …
| Product Name | Where to Buy | |
|---|---|---|
 | Federal Barnes Expander 357 Magnum Ammo |  |
 | Federal American Eagle 357 Magnum Ammo | |
 | Hornady Critical Duty 357 Magnum Ammo | |
1. Federal Barnes Expander 357 Magnum Ammo — Best Self-Defense Ammo
Federal Barnes Expander 357 Magnum ammo is designed for self-defense purposes. It features a hollow-point bullet that is intended to expand upon impact, creating a larger wound channel and increasing the stopping power of the round. The bullet is made of solid copper, which is known for its high weight retention and deep penetration. This design makes it an effective choice for personal protection and law enforcement applications.
The ammo casing is equipped with an anti-corrosion coating on the casing, especially when in contact with wet elements.
Federal 357 Magnum Ammo – Features
- Caliber: .357 Magnum
- Bullet weight:140 Grain
- Muzzle Velocity:1,400 Feet Per Second
- 20 round box
- Check best price online!
2. Federal American Eagle 357 Magnum Ammo
These cartridges are manufactured by the Federal American Eagle. They’re ideal for the range and designed specifically for target shooting, training and practice. In addition, these bullets are loaded to the same specifications as Federal Premium loads — but at a more reasonable price.
Weighing in at 158 grain, this bullet type is Jacketed Soft-Point (JSP). JSP is a popular bullet that can really do some damage. The limited jacket coating prevents twisting in your barrel. Nevertheless, this ammunition has a tight recoil — you should try it in a smaller pistol.
Moving on, this product contains a total of 1000 rounds (bulk ammunition). The bulk ammunition can be used for many different uses such as hunting or for home defense.
To put it simply, this cartridge is very versatile. In addition, the common boxer type guarantees that it’s conveniently reloadable.
Federal American Eagle 357 Magnum Ammo – Features
- Caliber: .357 Magnum
- Bullet weight: 158 Grain
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,240 Feet Per Second
- 1000 rounds total
- Amazing recoil
- Check best price online!
3. Hornady Critical Duty 357 Magnum Ammo — Self Defense
The Hornady Critical Duty 357 Magnum Ammo cartridge will equip you with powerful critical defense, or specifically, self-defense. This boxer-style ammunition was designed to deliver reliable and controlled expansion. In addition, it was ideally built for concealed carry guns. The Critical Duty Ammo weighs 135 grains and comes complete with 25 rounds.
Each round is loaded into a nickel-plated case for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. In addition, premium low flash propellants deliver proven results, even in really short-barreled handguns — that will not disrupt your vision.
There’s no reason to stress about bullet setback because the bullets are designed according to your needs. The Critical Duty ammo can feed in various pistols and as a result, results in a terrific shooting experience.
Precision in Design
Additionally, this product is formulated with FTX (Flex Tip Expanding) technology. Therefore, it’s able to provide a smooth and controlled release as it reaches the target.
In addition, the Critical Duty ammo performs consistently in all types of temperatures. There’s no need to worry about heavy clothing such as thick leather and denim.
In summary, the Hornady Critical Duty 357 Magnum Ammo is one of the most effective and reliable types self-defense ammunition available on the market today. Although Hornady ammunition is a little pricey, it’s absolutely worthy of your hard-earned dollars.
Key Features
- Efficient propellants reduce recoil in lightweight handguns
- Performs consistently at all temperatures
- Easy feed in pistols
- Custom-designed bullets for individual loads
- Easily reloaded casing
- Effective, consistent, reliable self-defense ammunition
Other Features
- Caliber: .357 Magnum
- Bullet weight: 135 Grain
- Bullet Style: Jacketed Hollow-Point
- Muzzle Velocity: 1,275 Feet Per Second
- Check the best price online!
357 Magnum Ammo – Final Words
In regards to any type of ammunition, there’s so many different choices available on the market today. But, it solely depends on the type of weapon you’re using as well as your personal preference. For example, if you tend to use a handgun for shooting, then .357 Magnum ammo is a perfect choice to complement your firearm.
A word to the wise: It’s always best to use the right ammunition for each task you will be performing. When ammunition is on sale, try to stock up on your specific .357 Magnum ammo for your favorite activities. And, just in case, you may want to buy an alternative ammunition for other situations.
When you have the freedom to experiment with new loads, the possibilities are endless. Make sure to do your research and stock up!
