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Posted On: 3/13/2023
By: Brad
A: Thanks for reaching out Brad! If you're just looking for some cost-effective plinking ammo, then you'll find that 38 Special is significantly less expensive. It's lower-recoil too, even though that means you won't get the full "357 experience." In any event, I love PMC's 132gr FMJ ammo for target shooting: https://www.luckygunner.com/pmc-38-spl-ammo-for-sale-38special132fmjpmc-1000. We don't have a huge selection of 357 Mag target ammo in stock right now, but I've never had a problem with Magtech's 158gr FMJ-FN ammo: https://www.luckygunner.com/357-mag-158-gr-fmc-magtech-50-rounds. The 38 Spl ammo I recommended doesn't have a flat nose bullet, which is ideal for a lever-action rifle's tubular magazine. It reduces the chance of a bullet accidentally igniting the primer it touches in the magazine, but it's really only pointed bullets you have to watch out for (and you'll never see a pointed bullet on a 38 Spl or 357 Mag cartridge). If you'd rather play it safe as possible, then Black Hills' LRN-FN ammo will serve you perfectly: https://www.luckygunner.com/357-mag-158-grain-cnl-black-hills-ammunition-50-rounds. Now, for hunting, there's no point in considering 38 Spl. You want that flatter trajectory and harder impact energy, so you'll want to stick to 357. We have awesome solid copper hollow point ammo by Federal in stock right now – without a doubt your best option for hunting deer and smaller: https://www.luckygunner.com/357-magnum-140-grain-barnes-expander-hp-federal-20-rounds. If you're looking for something a little cheaper, then the American Eagle ought to do the job just fine as well: https://www.luckygunner.com/federal-357-mag-ammo-for-sale-357mag158jspfederal-50
Posted On: 1/19/2023
By: Al Kirschner
A: Good to hear from you Al! Basically, the 110 grain bullet is poised to generate slightly lower recoil. That represents an advantage when it comes to self-defense, as less recoil means the barrel won't jerk upward as high each time you pull the trigger. Less muzzle rise facilitates accurate rapid fire, which you're going to want if you're ever firing at a target that means to do you immediate bodily harm. A 110 grain bullet will not penetrate as deeply as a 158 grain bullet – but it will consistently penetrate to an effective depth for defense against a human-sized theat. Although a 158 grain bullet is also effective for personal protection, it is often used for hunting medium game because the heavier bullet retains more momentum during penetration – precisely what you want when your goal is to split a hog's shoulder blade, for example. Although a 158 grain bullet does tend to generate more recoil, it's not insurmountable. With practice you can learn to accommodate for the steeper muzzle rise following each shot. To summarize, a 110 grain bullet combines lighter recoil with sufficiently deep penetration, expansion and energy delivery for personal protection. A 158 grain bullet produces more recoil, but it pays off by delivering the deeper penetration requisite for bagging deer and hog. But at the end of the day, we're talking about the 357 Magnum. So long as it's loaded with a JHP or other expanding bullet like a JSP, it' i equipped to quickly neutralize a threat.
Posted On: 11/9/2019
By: Alan Johnson
A: Hi Alan. Thanks for looking to LuckyGunner.com for your hunting rounds. That Federal choice will be a great round for whitetail within the range limitations of handgun ammo. It offers great penetration and excellent weight retention needed to fill your freezer! Let me know if I can assist you in choosing the best round for any use! Ross
