Match Grade .357 Ammo

[aklon]

I'm looking to buy a case of .357 match grade ammunition or something close to it. For years, I've been shooting MiWall 158 grain JHP out of a Model 686 and getting superior results with it. Since 2015, I've been running Duramax Match Grade 158 grain JHP through my Model 66, again with great results.

The problem is, I've not seen that offering from MiWall in a long time, the closest being their FMJ round, but it's not as accurate as I want. The Duramax ammo was outstanding - but the plant burned down a year after I bought a case of their stuff and they're gone for good.

I haven't bought any ammo for about four years and I understand if I don't do something I'll have to go through a background check and wait in order to buy. Another case or two of 9mm can't hurt, but where to find match grade .357 ammunition?

I've run searches but what I see is too heavy, too light, or just too darn powerful for my liking.

I could reload, but then the expense and hassle of buying brass, powder, bullets, and primers (!) doesn't make sense since I don't shoot the .357s all that often. Plus I'm getting lazy in my old age.

Any suggestions?

[naz]

what I see is too heavy, too light, or just too darn powerful for my liking.

I could reload, but then the expense and hassle of buying brass, powder, bullets, and primers (!) doesn't make sense since I don't shoot the .357s all that often. Plus I'm getting lazy in my old age.

Any suggestions?

You have listed the reasons to reload, the reasons to not reload and decided to not reload so you?re left with continuing to not shoot your 357

Also, are you playing a game that has a power factor requirement? How about buying 38spl and using that?

[ARDude]

Op, you should try some 38 special 148 gr hollow base wadcutter.
That's what I use in my 686. Actually in all my 38/357 revolvers.
But then I don't use them for self defense. Just range/fun.

I also load up some 158 gr semi wadcutters too. Just a little more power. Could be used for self defense in a pinch.

[DrewN]

I've carried 148 wadcutters in a snubbie my whole life practically. I've never felt undergunned. My favorite wadcutter at the moment is a 195 gr .41 from Matt's that I load in .41 Special brass from Starline.

[naz]

I've carried 148 wadcutters in a snubbie my whole life practically. I've never felt undergunned.

I?m not going to volunteer to be shot with a 38spl by any means but check out this vid

https://youtu.be/wKJ7ZmpJ2Lo

Seems like guy is shooting at bare gel point blank with no cloth barriers and it barely gets a foot of penetration

I guess I?d personally rather carry 9mm with a modern bullet design like HST

[hambam105]

There is a commercial reloading in San Rosa I think. His name is Steve, and the company is called, 'Load-X'.

Tell him...tell us...why you need match grade accuracy .357 loads.

I've never seen anyone miss a range target do to QC ammunition issues when using Remington Golden Sabers in any caliber. Expensive as heck.

I hope you don't buy into this 125 & 110 bullet weight for .357. I think the trend is going back to minimum bullet weight of 158 grain.

[Cowboy T]

As others have already pointed out, just use .38 Special. It's less expensive, wadcutters generally are pretty darn accurate (and precise) for handgun situations, and the recoil is less. What's not to like about that?

My wife shoots .38 Spl (granted, they're our handloads) out of her .357M. She loves it. Turns out I also like the load. If you don't want to handload, then that's your choice, but it seems to me to be a bit silly not to do so for any revolver round. Maybe you should shoot your .357M more, and you just might if you reloaded. :-)