Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Why no love for the 125 XTP in the 357

Wondering why there seems to be no love for the 125 XTP in the 357! I loaded a bunch long ago for my 686 plus. I thought over the years I might find out more about this combination but NEVER see anyone else using it! I imagine there's probably a good reason but for the life of me I can't figure out why!

Could you please enlighten me!

That's one of my favorite jacketed bullets for my 686 and my Rossi lever gun.

Thanks very much, I'm glad to hear that! I was beginning to think it was some kind of taboo to use a 125!

Not there is no love, but cast is cheaper.

I don't really see much about one bullet or another being dominant around here when it comes to reloading for the 357 or much of anything else. Most guys generally seem to like heavy bullet weights, especially in the big bores like the 45 Colt. Cast bullets get a lot of discussion. That's about the only generalizations I can think of. The XTP is a good bullet and I like that weight in the 357.

Just depends on what you intend to use it for. For city use, I see no problem with the 125gr. For the outback, I prefer a 158gr HP.

I like XTPs especially the 158 @ about 1400 FPS out of a revolver.

Max loads with H110 shoot tight of my 586, and scream out of my Marlin. But the concussion and muzzle blast out of the Smith keep me from shooting many of them.

Probably the single most unpleasant combination I've ever fired through the 357.

Supposed to be a great man killer though. I guess if I have to shoot a lot of people I'd load up a pile.



Travis

Close to my current favorite load for my Security Six.

125's are great for defense, but not what I'd choose out in the field. 158's are great go anywhere, do anything loads. Nearly as effective as the 125's on two legged critters, and more effective on 4 legged critters. And in the 158 grain category, the XTP is one of my favorites; it's an excellent bullet.

Thanks very much guys!! Most folks I knew from the sportsmans club claimed it was blasphemy to use anything less than 158 in the 357! I just gotta think they would ruin the day of a home invader!

If I ever get the chance to load some up again I'll have to try the 158's!

Thanks for all the great info!!!

125 gr full power loads are death to S&W J&K frames. It was the popularity of this load by po-lice that led to the development of the 686 & GP100. J&K frames went out of time in short order from the battering, and Ruger "Six" series guns often cracked the barrel at the 6 o-clock position on the later guns that had the bottom of the barrel squared to clear the gas shield used in the late versions. Then there was the barrel erosion problem. Interestingly, the 686 & GP because less necessary later on because the 357 was emasculated ones again because it killed the very guns it was never designed for in the first place. I blame S&W for this of course, since they had the most to gain from the 357s castration.

158 full charge loads slow down your repeat hits (a lot) compared to a .45, 38 Super, 9x23, .40 short and weak. It's not "just as good" for defense vs men. the 125 is not, either, but it's a better choice (by far) than the 158's. if you let the velocity get blow 1200 fps, expansion of such jhp's is "iffy" after having the nose clogged with clothing debris.

Well, the loads I have at present are 7.5 grains of Titegroup supposedly running 1497 fps. I tried the full power H110 loads and thought the old girl was gonna blow up in my hand. I also have a load of 17 grains (I believe) of 2400, not sure what fps those are running at.

Most of the shooting I've done with this gun has been with 3 to 5 grains of 231 with a 125 grain lead cowboy bullet. Very mild and pleasant to shoot. (steel shoots at the club)

Thanks for the great info! I appreciate it!

Full house 125 loads out of my 2" SP 101 get your attention. Something very uncomfortable and at the same time comforting about a close range revolver that goes off like a friggin bomb in your hand.

what's comfortable about MISSING the attacker? cause that's what you'll probably do, when you have to fire without ear protection.

Makes me wonder if I shouldn't grab my carbine instead of the revolver for a defensive situation.

I'm not a very good handgun shooter! The folks at the club I used to belong to started calling me Revolver Rick cause I shot my 686 so much better than any other type of handgun. But I have to admit those max 357 loads always make me wonder if I'm gonna end up with stumps for hands!

I don't find 158gr @ about 1300-1400 fps to be especially slow to get repeat hits from my Ruger SS. Can't imagine a 686 would be much different. The local bunny-huggers have been known to dream about bears wearing stylish quilted jackets, but I haven't seen any of them doing so yet. The 125 38 Super and 9x23 loads can be essentially duplicated in .357, and often are (and those loads aren't as hard on the revolver as the hotter loads). Those other cartridges have magic bullets, or what?

Because a .45 or 38 Super fired in confined spaces are so much quieter than a .357.