Which AMMO Weight Is BEST?....357 Magnum Remington UMC vs HTP!

Published on April 29, 2023
Duration: 12:58

This comprehensive ballistic test compares Remington UMC 125gr SJHP and Remington HTP 158gr SJHP .357 Magnum ammunition fired from a Smith & Wesson 686 Plus revolver with a 3-inch barrel. The analysis includes chronograph data, ballistic gel penetration, expansion, and weight retention, offering insights into their effectiveness for self-defense and hunting applications.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistic testing of .357 Magnum 125gr Remington UMC vs 158gr HTP SJHP from a 3-inch barrel reveals distinct performance differences. The 125gr offers good expansion and fragmentation for self-defense, while the 158gr provides deeper penetration and superior weight retention, making it ideal for hunting.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: .357 Magnum Ammo Test
  2. 00:15Ballistic Gel & Chronograph Setup
  3. 00:29Clothing Barrier Details
  4. 00:36Ammunition Overview: 125gr vs 158gr
  5. 01:16Remington UMC 125gr Specs & Firearm
  6. 01:45Remington HTP 158gr & Firearm Details
  7. 01:59Initial Performance Predictions
  8. 02:11125gr UMC Chronograph Results
  9. 02:59125gr UMC Average Velocity & Energy
  10. 03:18158gr HTP Chronograph Results
  11. 03:55158gr HTP Average Velocity & Energy
  12. 04:33125gr UMC Gel Test Shot
  13. 05:15158gr HTP Gel Test Shot 1 (Miss)
  14. 05:50158gr HTP Gel Test Shot 2 (Hit)
  15. 06:26125gr UMC Gel Performance Analysis
  16. 07:01158gr HTP Gel Performance Analysis
  17. 08:04Penetration Measurements: 125gr vs 158gr
  18. 09:05Recovered Projectile Examination
  19. 09:44Weight Retention Analysis
  20. 10:11Expansion Measurements
  21. 10:37Conclusion & Recommendations
  22. 11:42Video Wrap-up & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference in performance between 125gr and 158gr .357 Magnum ammunition?

In tests with a 3-inch barrel, 125gr Remington UMC averaged 1358 FPS and penetrated 16.5 inches with good expansion and fragmentation. The 158gr Remington HTP averaged 1241 FPS, penetrated 20.75 inches, and retained nearly all its weight with significant expansion, making it better for deep penetration.

Which .357 Magnum ammo weight is best for self-defense?

For self-defense, the 125gr Remington UMC SJHP is recommended due to its tendency to fragment and good expansion, which can create wider wound channels. While penetration is less than the 158gr, its performance is considered highly effective for stopping threats.

Is 158gr .357 Magnum ammo better for hunting than 125gr?

Yes, the 158gr Remington HTP SJHP is recommended for hunting due to its superior penetration (20.75 inches) and excellent weight retention (157.7 grains). This allows it to reach vital organs on larger game animals more effectively than the lighter, fragmenting 125gr rounds.

How did the 3-inch barrel affect the .357 Magnum ammo performance?

The 3-inch barrel of the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus resulted in lower-than-advertised velocities for both ammunition types. The 125gr UMC averaged 1358 FPS (vs. 1450 FPS advertised), and the 158gr HTP averaged 1241 FPS, indicating that shorter barrels reduce overall velocity.

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