Choice of .357 Round for SD -Lever Action Rifle ?

[Ringo]

Between the 357 magnum 125gr & 158gr SJHP fired from a lever action rifle, which round would you choose for self-defense purposes? Reason for your choice? Also, I've read Chuck Hawks say that the 125 or lighter grain round is a poor choice for SD in a lever rifle because of the possibility of the round becoming frangible at the higher rifle velocity. Has anyone had this experience firing the 125 or lighter grain round from a rifle?

 

[jcreek]

In not sure what he means by the rounds becoming frangible. There are plenty of guns that fire lighter bullets much faster than a .357 without breaking up. For SD, with a rifle you already have enough velocity for adequate penetration, so I'd go with the heavier bullet. I'd always choose heavy and slow over light and fast for close quarters situations.

 

[Ringo]

In not sure what he means by the rounds becoming frangible. There are plenty of guns that fire lighter bullets much faster than a .357 without breaking up. For SD, with a rifle you already have enough velocity for adequate penetration, so I'd go with the heavier bullet. I'd always choose heavy and slow over light and fast for close quarters situations.

I agree with the heavy and slow. The article stated that it was a possibility that the lighter bullets (HP) would fail to penetrate due to them falling apart/crumbling on impact due to the higher velocity.

 

[RustyNut]

How much faster would a bullet be out of a rifle? 100-150fps? I can't see that making much of a difference on the bullet.

I would go with heavy & slow also.

 

[dogshawred]

Handgun vs. Rifle barrel data

This is the ballistics for both handgun barrels and rifle barrels on the same ammunition.
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Results listed on Ballistics 101 | All the ballistic charts. Finally, in one place for Winchester USA 110 grain JHP


Winchester Ammunition Ballistics
Round___________Type_____Weight___Muzzle Energy ft/lbs._____Muzzle Velocity ft/sec.
357 Magnum_____ JHP_______110_________410____________________1295


Results listed on Gun Tests the consumer resource for the serious shooter. for Winchester USA 110 grain JHP

ACCURACY AND CHRONOGRAPH DATA

Winchester USA 357***************Henry*****************Cimarron*****************Chiappa
110-gr.--JHP*********************Big Boy***************Brush Popper***************1892

Average Velocity__________________1758 fps. _______________1812 fps.________________ 1807 fps.
Standard Deviation ________________24 fps._________________26 fps._________________ 17 fps.
Muzzle Energy____________________755ft.-lbs.______________802 ft.-lbs._______________797 ft-lbs.
Smallest Group___________________2.0 in.__________________2.5 in.__________________3.0 in.
Largest Group____________________4.5 in.__________________6.0 in.__________________6.0 in.
Average Group____________________3.3 in.__________________4.3 in.__________________4.7 in.
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Gun Tests staff shooters noted no fragmentation of this round tested even with a increase of muzzle velocity of almost 40%, although this is not what they were testing for and may have not looked for it occurring.
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Hope this give you a better idea of what you are trying to conclude.

 

[gunnerbob]

Me: 158gr bullets... you've got the barrel length, take advantage of it and use the heavier bullet.

 

[fudo]

None of those rifles put out much of a group. Disappointing.

 

[Bob_M]

Me: 158gr bullets... you've got the barrel length, take advantage of it and use the heavier bullet.

I agree with this. I've always been a fan of "heavy and slower" even in handguns.

 

[Ringo]

This is the ballistics for both handgun barrels and rifle barrels on the same ammunition.
~
Results listed on Ballistics 101 | All the ballistic charts. Finally, in one place for Winchester USA 110 grain JHP


Winchester Ammunition Ballistics
Round___________Type_____Weight___Muzzle Energy ft/lbs._____Muzzle Velocity ft/sec.
357 Magnum_____ JHP_______110_________410____________________1295


Results listed on Gun Tests the consumer resource for the serious shooter. for Winchester USA 110 grain JHP

ACCURACY AND CHRONOGRAPH DATA

Winchester USA 357***************Henry*****************Cimarron*****************Chiappa
110-gr.--JHP*********************Big Boy***************Brush Popper***************1892

Average Velocity__________________1758 fps. _______________1812 fps.________________ 1807 fps.
Standard Deviation ________________24 fps._________________26 fps._________________ 17 fps.
Muzzle Energy____________________755ft.-lbs.______________802 ft.-lbs._______________797 ft-lbs.
Smallest Group___________________2.0 in.__________________2.5 in.__________________3.0 in.
Largest Group____________________4.5 in.__________________6.0 in.__________________6.0 in.
Average Group____________________3.3 in.__________________4.3 in.__________________4.7 in.
~
Gun Tests staff shooters noted no fragmentation of this round tested even with a increase of muzzle velocity of almost 40%, although this is not what they were testing for and may have not looked for it occurring.
~
Hope this give you a better idea of what you are trying to conclude.

Yea, that helps a lot because I've got a ton of Remington 125gr SJHP in storage.

 

[Ringo]

Has anyone had any problem shooting the CCI Blazer aluminum case ammo in their lever action rifle? Haven't tried them yet, however, rumor has it that these aluminum cartridges will not eject properly. Thanks.

 

[jcreek]

Has anyone had any problem shooting the CCI Blazer aluminum case ammo in their lever action rifle? Haven't tried them yet, however, rumor has it that these aluminum cartridges will not eject properly. Thanks.

I tried aluminum cases once a long time ago and had nothing but problems with them. Of course that was all in semi auto handguns but I still won't use them. Especially since I began reloading years ago, aluminum is actually less cost effective.