Best Bullet's

[Raptor1956]

I'm researching the whole reloading thing and I'm still trying to figure out the best bullet options. I know that no one bullet is likely to be the best at everything so let me layout a couple of applications and see what's best for them.


For my handgun to be used for SD what bullet's are best at penetration then expansion to prevent over-penetration? I will be using a 357 sig with a 5" barrrel and I expect MV's of between 1350fps and 1450fps with a 125gr bullet. I suspect a JHP would be the best choice and there are options from Hornady (124gr JHP/XTP), Sierra (125gr Sportsmaster), Speer (124gr Gold Dot), and others that look very good. I'd like to find them at a decent price of course but I'm willing to pay more than plinking price. I expect to buy 500 the first go round and may then buy in lots of 1000.

Now, for my rifle, a Bushmaster Varminter AR-15 with 24" barrel I'm not quite as concerned with the SD aspect as I am at accuracy out to about 300m and also explosiveness. I'd guess if accuracy was the only factor I'd be looking at a heavier boat tail bullet but for explosiveness you'd be better off with a light bullet. I'm kind of looking at the Hornady V-max in 55gr as a decent compomise between the 40gr screemers and the 69+gr long range bullets. I'm also not sure how much the extra 2-3 cents for each moly bullet is worth. Again, I'll like buy 500 at first then buy in lots of 1000.

So, what choices are preferre for the 357 sig and the 223?


Thanks,

Brian

[fredj338]

If you are talking about handloading your own, then go GoldDots for the 357sig, one of the best. The XTP will penetrate further & the Sierra will fragment badly.

[highscore]

I've hardly seen anyone who shoots moly coated bullets at across the course or long range matches. I gave it a try, was not impressed (except for the mess), and am not a believer. If it was such a great idea, these guys would be shooting it!

[jonny4523]

Originally Posted by Raptor1956

I'm researching the whole reloading thing and I'm still trying to figure out the best bullet options. I know that no one bullet is likely to be the best at everything so let me layout a couple of applications and see what's best for them.


For my handgun to be used for SD what bullet's are best at penetration then expansion to prevent over-penetration? I will be using a 357 sig with a 5" barrrel and I expect MV's of between 1350fps and 1450fps with a 125gr bullet. I suspect a JHP would be the best choice and there are options from Hornady (124gr JHP/XTP), Sierra (125gr Sportsmaster), Speer (124gr Gold Dot), and others that look very good. I'd like to find them at a decent price of course but I'm willing to pay more than plinking price. I expect to buy 500 the first go round and may then buy in lots of 1000.

Now, for my rifle, a Bushmaster Varminter AR-15 with 24" barrel I'm not quite as concerned with the SD aspect as I am at accuracy out to about 300m and also explosiveness. I'd guess if accuracy was the only factor I'd be looking at a heavier boat tail bullet but for explosiveness you'd be better off with a light bullet. I'm kind of looking at the Hornady V-max in 55gr as a decent compomise between the 40gr screemers and the 69+gr long range bullets. I'm also not sure how much the extra 2-3 cents for each moly bullet is worth. Again, I'll like buy 500 at first then buy in lots of 1000.

So, what choices are preferre for the 357 sig and the 223?


Thanks,

Brian

Are you wanting to reloading your own SD rounds? I wouldn't recommend it. I reload a lot for competition and target shooting. But I buy my self defense ammo. Not because I don't trust my rounds, but because I could see lawyers really digging at you if something were to happen. "Oh, he made that bullet really hot because he was just out to get someone." For the number of hollow points that I shoot (none at all compared to target rounds), I think I can afford the $25 a few months to help my case in the event of something happening.

Competition gun - home hand loads
Primary carry - Store bought Hydrashoks

My $0.02

[tomfoolery]

agreed....i wouldnt load your own SD rounds, thats just asking for a lawsuit or prosecution.

For target and match shooting i use cast lead or precision bullets (coated lead).

[Raptor1956]

I do understand the concern about loading your own SD ammo and may well simply buy a couple boxes for that purpose. However, it would be good to train with what you intend to use so being able to do that more cheaply by reloading seems the most cost efffective approach.

So, if I chose, say, Gold Dots then I could buy some complete ammo with Gold Dots and then practice with my own.

OTH, if you don't load especially hot and your reloads are used in a SD situation they would likely have the unused ammo in the mag to test. If you use bought bullets instead of home made bullets and they are the same type used by police I would think you should be relatively safe from conviction, but there is and will never be any absolute protection from being sued.


Brian

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by Raptor1956

So, if I chose, say, Gold Dots then I could buy some complete ammo with Gold Dots and then practice with my own.

Brian

This is what I do, but you don;t need to load the exact bullet, just the same wt. & vel. as your carry ammo. Much cheaper.