Great video. I've done extensive testing with the .357. You findings were spot on with mine. I used a 2 1/2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch Python. The old school hollow points I carried back when I first became an LEO are still a good bullet today due to the velocity they have, even from a short barrel. Cheaper that the high tech stuff. All the loads were chrono'd with the slowest being 1160 fps. Get Jim a parachute!
Ya know I’ve never really seen anything negative about those old semi jacketed hollow points. Yes Jim can get some air time lol! I’ve got a video recorded with 44 magnum and he really gets up there in that one! Stick around to see it lol.
@@joaquin-jacknava2696 we are in good shape. Just keeping the generator fueled up and the kerosene heater full lol. We are in better shape than most in my area. Thank you!
Great video. Thanks for bringing it to us. All that’s missing is a chrono. Some velocity figures to go with respective expansion would speak volumes. I agree with your assessment in that it’s hard to pick a winner. I think I’d pick the JHP over the HydraShock due to cost. Performance is so close as to rule out more expense. I really like that 135 Gold Dot. In my 3” S&W 60-15 I get 1201fps for a 3-shot avg in a Winchester 357 case primed with a CCI550 with 10gr of HS-6 on top of that. It’s neither a max load for that powder nor a top end 357 load. But I’ve seen tests with that bullet in the 1170 range and it performed very well in FBI gel(this was before Clear Ballitics). Even though it was designed for 38 SPL +p(I wouldn’t push it any harder than 1220 as I think it might start to come apart). It would take a strong 9mm+p+ to best that load. I once tried to stop it with 3ea gallon-size water jugs. It destroyed the first 2, blasted through the 3rd and may still be in orbit for all I know. And I honestly think I’d want a little more expansion than what the Critical Defense gave
Old school is my way. Winchester Super X .357 white box. Model 65-3 with 3”bull barrel. Basically what you were shooting. Gives me peace of mind. Thank you.
Like that you used a 3" barrel. Don't often see this. Ive got a S&W mod 60 Pro 3" and always wondered how the performance nay change between it and my S&W 60 with the 2" barrel. My carry load has been the 125 gr Critical defense load as it performs very well in the 2" barrel for proper penetration and decent expansion. Now I know it works very well in a 3" barrel too. Gel block Jim cracks me up
Another very interesting video! I am quite impressed by the performance of the 158 grs SJHP in the 3" barrel. Looks like a beast of a defensive load, at moderate cost too.
A little “wrinkled” says the guy with the clearest Ballistics Gel on TH-cam! I just need to make sure that Gel Block Jim has decent health insurance after he flew 15ft away 😉 and my vote is for the Gold Dot. 124gr G.D is/has been my carry ammo of choice for years now, so I’m a little partial to it! Great video man! 👍🏽
I hate to say it but that old school round looked to be slightly bigger expansion and retained more energy for penetration. it didn;t lose much in wound tract ether/ it may be the winner here! Great video thanks!
I also have a 3" 686 + and LOVE IT!. Ammo is almost non existent these days. But if and when it returns I would very much like to see how the Underwood 120 grain Extreme Hunter performs in the gel block. I currently run Hornady 125 grain Critical defense. It is hard to make good decisions without good data. If you can't find the ammo or the time I understand. But, it never hurts to ask. Thanks!
Hard to beat the old school 158gr SJHP. The nice thing is that you can load up 158gr cast LSWC to the same velocity for a woods bumming round that shoots to the same point of aim. The old 38sp FBI load is a similar deal.
I love my 686+ 3-in barrel but it's almost impossible to find good ballistic videos for it. As we know some ammo is scarce these days I carry the Hornady critical defense 125 grain 357 not necessarily by choice but because it's the ONLY 357 ammunition I could find.. other than some Gold Dot 38 + P ammo.i have as a back up
Critical defense in .357 is an extremely accurate round I have a 686+ 3” barrel Would carry corbon , Buffalo Bore 38+ Speer 38+p 135 gr, Hornady critical duty or defense .357 Remington 158 gr sjhp.357 Find some hollow point that is proven to expand is the idea
They all worked well, probably the best could be Speer because it's a bonded bullet for barrier penetration and retain weight. In my opinion, 135 gr could be optimal for a 3 inch 686, and less flash. Beautiful revolver and thanks for the video 👍
Just picked up 3" Sp101 Found Barnes 125gr SCHP shoots well, got a little punch to it. Have used the critical defense out of an LCR in 357 but sold that for the SP101. Looks like a gel block is in my future
Nice video! Thank you. Looks like the old school tech in the 135? grain worked as well or better than the rest! Please review the heavy loads from Buffalo Bore and Underwood. That would be a blast!
BTW, a trick for the wrinkled gel... a heat gun with the wide attachment and you can smooth it out like window shrink film. Buffalo Outdoors uses that trick.
@@pewpewTN I like ur uniqueness comment. .357 magnum is a rimmed cartridge usually deemed unsuitable for auto loaders. Don’t know the exact mechanics of it But that’s how it seems to be
Im glad that my choice for my Ruger SP-101 3" 158grs Hydra Shok shows stabile good performance,and for decades .. High Tec stuf ...no thanks... I stay with old,tested,reliable raw power which drill,brake,make a mess and protect my ass ...
Unfortunately I did not. This was one of my earliest videos and I hadn’t started putting a chrono in front of the gel yet. I’ll make a short tomorrow and chrono it for ya. Keep an eye out
I didn’t run denim on this test, honestly I try not to unless I think the rounds are gonna be close to their expansion threshold as it just makes cleaning the blocks extra time consuming, and 357 magnum rarely struggles with the velocity to make expansion.
I would love to see the ballistic performance of a variety of .357 rounds fired out of a 3" barrel. I know that .38 spcl +P rounds will travel about 50 fps faster when fired out of a 3" barrel revolver than when they're fired out of a 2" barrel snubbie revolver.
You are not getting optimal burn rate fro the 3 inch barrel. From that length barrel you will get better velocity and performance from 38 plus p Buffalo Bore 158 gas check lead hollow point, that hits 1140 fps from a 3 inch barrel
I have a video on those as well, I typically do testing with shorter barrels just because I feel like that’s what most people carry. I try to do things a little different since there’s lots of people gel testing on TH-cam these days.
I sometimes carry a 21/4 Colt lawman, usually with hand loads throwing a357158 swc at around 1000 fps. For defensive use the Buffalo Bore 38 will fly at around 1050-1075 , which is faster than almost every 158 357 out of a 2 1/2 barrel. Best woods load out of a 357 is the Buffalo Bore 357 180 hard cast fn that chronographs out of a 4 inch at 1410fps, and a 3 inch at 1300fps. A sledgehammer of a load
The .357 is the world’s champion as far as I’m concerned. And a 3" 686+ is the cats meow. So today’s video was well received.
Awesome! Glad you like it!
replace 3" 686+ with 3" GP100 and you are correct.
@@carlschumacher3257 I like the 3" Talo model of the GP100, but they are like unicorns.
@@scubaguy007 hahaha, matter of fact, that is the model i was alluding to. imho ruger rules!!
Thanks for showing the .357 some love I carry the 686 + in 3 inch as well ...
Great video. I've done extensive testing with the .357. You findings were spot on with mine. I used a 2 1/2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch Python. The old school hollow points I carried back when I first became an LEO are still a good bullet today due to the velocity they have, even from a short barrel. Cheaper that the high tech stuff. All the loads were chrono'd with the slowest being 1160 fps. Get Jim a parachute!
Ya know I’ve never really seen anything negative about those old semi jacketed hollow points. Yes Jim can get some air time lol! I’ve got a video recorded with 44 magnum and he really gets up there in that one! Stick around to see it lol.
Good to see gel Jim back in action. Stay safe and warm.
We’ve been without power for 3 days at my place now, so we are doing our best to stay warm lol
@@thegundungeon sorry to hear that this winter has been rough. Prayer for you my friend.
@@joaquin-jacknava2696 we are in good shape. Just keeping the generator fueled up and the kerosene heater full lol. We are in better shape than most in my area. Thank you!
I love watching Jim fly. 😊
Great video. Thanks for bringing it to us. All that’s missing is a chrono. Some velocity figures to go with respective expansion would speak volumes. I agree with your assessment in that it’s hard to pick a winner. I think I’d pick the JHP over the HydraShock due to cost. Performance is so close as to rule out more expense. I really like that 135 Gold Dot. In my 3” S&W 60-15 I get
1201fps for a 3-shot avg in a Winchester 357 case primed with a CCI550 with 10gr of HS-6 on top of that. It’s neither a max load for that powder nor a top end 357 load. But I’ve seen tests with that bullet in the 1170 range and it performed
very well in FBI gel(this was before Clear Ballitics). Even though it was designed for 38 SPL +p(I wouldn’t push it any harder than 1220 as I think it might start to come apart). It would take a strong 9mm+p+ to best that load. I once tried to stop it with 3ea gallon-size water jugs. It destroyed the first 2, blasted through the 3rd and may still be in orbit for all I know. And I honestly think I’d want a little more expansion than what the Critical Defense gave
This is a really old video of mine, one of my firsts lol. I typically use a chrono in all my ballistics tests these days. Thanks for watching!
@@thegundungeon I’ll watch more of your videos at some point. I subscribed. I enjoy seeing ammo tests. Thank you
Old school is my way. Winchester Super X .357 white box. Model 65-3 with 3”bull barrel.
Basically what you were shooting. Gives me peace of mind. Thank you.
Great video as always. Great to see 357mag carry ammo being tested. I'll make sure share mess out this video
Thank you sir!
Like that you used a 3" barrel. Don't often see this. Ive got a S&W mod 60 Pro 3" and always wondered how the performance nay change between it and my S&W 60 with the 2" barrel. My carry load has been the 125 gr Critical defense load as it performs very well in the 2" barrel for proper penetration and decent expansion. Now I know it works very well in a 3" barrel too. Gel block Jim cracks me up
Another very interesting video! I am quite impressed by the performance of the 158 grs SJHP in the 3" barrel. Looks like a beast of a defensive load, at moderate cost too.
Remington 158 grain They slap 👋 💥
3” 357 magnum Rossi rp63 here love it
I have all 4 of those rounds, I think Im well served with any one of them. Thanks for testing.
I’d say you’re right lol. Thanks for watching!
Jim gives a pretty good indication of the amount of energy hitting the jell block. Ha!!
He’s definitely fun to watch launch lol
A little “wrinkled” says the guy with the clearest Ballistics Gel on TH-cam! I just need to make sure that Gel Block Jim has decent health insurance after he flew 15ft away 😉 and my vote is for the Gold Dot. 124gr G.D is/has been my carry ammo of choice for years now, so I’m a little partial to it! Great video man! 👍🏽
Thanks man! Appreciate all the kind words, gold dot is a tough one to beat in about any caliber it’s in. Ol jim has it rough for sure lol 😂
I hate to say it but that old school round looked to be slightly bigger expansion and retained more energy for penetration. it didn;t lose much in wound tract ether/ it may be the winner here! Great video thanks!
Yeah I’d tend to agree. It did really good. Good enough I set notifications on those bullets to come in stock so I can get some to reload lol
I also have a 3" 686 + and LOVE IT!. Ammo is almost non existent these days. But if and when it returns I would very much like to see how the Underwood 120 grain Extreme Hunter performs in the gel block. I currently run Hornady 125 grain Critical defense. It is hard to make good decisions without good data. If you can't find the ammo or the time I understand. But, it never hurts to ask. Thanks!
Hard to beat the old school 158gr SJHP. The nice thing is that you can load up 158gr cast LSWC to the same velocity for a woods bumming round that shoots to the same point of aim.
The old 38sp FBI load is a similar deal.
I think I heard gel block Jim holler yeee hawww
Lol he went for a moon shot on the last one 😂
Thank You for the Informative Video.
I'd like to see the exact demonstration done with the .45 caliber 1911. Thanks for this video. I really enjoyed it.
I love my 686+ 3-in barrel but it's almost impossible to find good ballistic videos for it. As we know some ammo is scarce these days I carry the Hornady critical defense 125 grain 357 not necessarily by choice but because it's the ONLY 357 ammunition I could find.. other than some Gold Dot 38 + P ammo.i have as a back up
Critical defense in .357 is an extremely accurate round I have a 686+ 3” barrel Would carry corbon , Buffalo Bore 38+ Speer 38+p 135 gr, Hornady critical duty or defense .357 Remington 158 gr sjhp.357 Find some hollow point that is proven to expand is the idea
They all worked well, probably the best could be Speer because it's a bonded bullet for barrier penetration and retain weight. In my opinion, 135 gr could be optimal for a 3 inch 686, and less flash. Beautiful revolver and thanks for the video 👍
Just picked up 3" Sp101 Found Barnes 125gr SCHP shoots well, got a little punch to it. Have used the critical defense out of an LCR in 357 but sold that for the SP101. Looks like a gel block is in my future
The best performer IMHO was the old SJHP from Federal .Would be nice if you can crhonoed those loads. Good vid anyway.
I think it was too. Lol
I love those. I have a box. They seem like the snappiest heaviest hitters I have
@@stirfry741 Try hornady custom 158 grain They slap hard
Nice video! Thank you. Looks like the old school tech in the 135? grain worked as well or better than the rest! Please review the heavy loads from Buffalo Bore and Underwood. That would be a blast!
Love. 357 Magnum
3-5-7 Jim didn't know what hit him.
Lol he got some hang time!
BTW, a trick for the wrinkled gel... a heat gun with the wide attachment and you can smooth it out like window shrink film. Buffalo Outdoors uses that trick.
Yes I do this now lol. This video is pretty old, I was a newb to content making. Still pretty amateur but hopefully better now lol
@@thegundungeon still a great test though. Thanks.
@@mkshffr4936 thank you!
Good results all around. Jim jumped on Hornady.
All awesome thanks
I would like to see more autoloaders chambered in .357 Mag.
More like coonan
Why? Get a 10mm or .357 sig
@@Lateralus1007 I already have 10mm & I'm not all that interested in .357 Sig.
Sometimes you just like stuff for the uniqueness.
@@pewpewTN I like ur uniqueness comment. .357 magnum is a rimmed cartridge usually deemed unsuitable for auto loaders. Don’t know the exact mechanics of it But that’s how it seems to be
@@Lateralus1007my 77357 rifle has five round mags like a 10/22
Gold dot bullet winner.
I would like to know the weight after being fired. Of each.
Plan Remington 125gr jhp and you will see devastating results it's where it's got the reputation as number one man stopper.
Very true, sir. It would be my number one pick as a factory defense round for duty sized 357s. Does Remington even still make that load?
Put up a piece of black cardboard paper behind the block after you shoot, it will highlight the wound track better.
That’s a great idea
I think Jim performed the best. Ha!👍😁
He had the toughest job that day lol
Do you have a P.O. box for ammo donations ?
Im glad that my choice for my Ruger SP-101 3" 158grs Hydra Shok shows stabile good performance,and for decades ..
High Tec stuf ...no thanks...
I stay with old,tested,reliable raw power which drill,brake,make a mess and protect my ass ...
Did you happen to get a velocity for each cartridge? Particularly interested in the Critical Defense.
Unfortunately I did not. This was one of my earliest videos and I hadn’t started putting a chrono in front of the gel yet. I’ll make a short tomorrow and chrono it for ya. Keep an eye out
@@thegundungeon Hot damn, thank ya. I'm curious if it'll beat 500 foot pounds from a 3 inch barrel.
@@vlogfriendsutopia not a problem, it’s a fairly stout little factory load if I remember correctly. We shall find out tomorrow lol
@@thegundungeon I'll be on the lookout
@@vlogfriendsutopia th-cam.com/users/shortsIUMYRqQwKJM?si=7Dpi2oJFnWZ3c1a1
Denham?
I didn’t run denim on this test, honestly I try not to unless I think the rounds are gonna be close to their expansion threshold as it just makes cleaning the blocks extra time consuming, and 357 magnum rarely struggles with the velocity to make expansion.
I would love to see the ballistic performance of a variety of .357 rounds fired out of a 3" barrel. I know that .38 spcl +P rounds will travel about 50 fps faster when fired out of a 3" barrel revolver than when they're fired out of a 2" barrel snubbie revolver.
"It holds a good tract " lol
do 180 gr jhp from Buffalo bore
Hopefully I’ll have more options for ammo soon. Plan on doing a lot more testing when it opens back up lol
You are not getting optimal burn rate fro the 3 inch barrel. From that length barrel you will get better velocity and performance from 38 plus p Buffalo Bore 158 gas check lead hollow point, that hits 1140 fps from a 3 inch barrel
I have a video on those as well, I typically do testing with shorter barrels just because I feel like that’s what most people carry. I try to do things a little different since there’s lots of people gel testing on TH-cam these days.
I sometimes carry a 21/4 Colt lawman, usually with hand loads throwing a357158 swc at around 1000 fps. For defensive use the Buffalo Bore 38 will fly at around 1050-1075 , which is faster than almost every 158 357 out of a 2 1/2 barrel. Best woods load out of a 357 is the Buffalo Bore 357 180 hard cast fn that chronographs out of a 4 inch at 1410fps, and a 3 inch at 1300fps. A sledgehammer of a load
Proper loaded 357 mag can beat that buffalo bore by 100 fps easily i think even remington 158 htp push 1240 fps from 3 inch barrels
keep Gel Block Jim!
I'll stay with 45acp
I have both 357 and 45 I switch out my carry depending on my mood why limit yourself
Critical duty in .45 a slapper