At a time when it seems defensive handguns are getting smaller, being built around cartridges which are less powerful, the .357 Mag. is getting overlooked. A mainstay for law enforcement for many years, the .357 Mag. is without a doubt the king of revolver cartridges, and this 158-grain load from Speer is one of the most wicked options I've tested out of a 4-inch .357 Mag.
Load | Handgun | MV (fps) | PEN (inches) | EXP (inches) | RW (grains) |
.357 Mag. Speer 158-grain Gold Dot | Smith & Wesson Model 686 (4-inch barrel) | 1,247 | 23+ | 0.56 | 158 |