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

Published on April 29, 2023
Duration: 12:58

This guide details a ballistic gel test comparing Remington UMC 125gr SJHP and Remington HTP 158gr SJHP .357 Magnum ammunition fired from a Smith & Wesson 686 Plus revolver. The test evaluates muzzle velocity, penetration, expansion, and weight retention after passing through a clothing barrier. The expert instruction highlights practical differences between bullet weights for various applications.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistic gel testing reveals key differences between 125gr and 158gr .357 Magnum ammunition. The 125gr UMC SJHP offers greater expansion and fragmentation for self-defense, while the 158gr HTP SJHP provides deeper penetration and weight retention suitable for hunting. Barrel length significantly impacts velocity, with a 3-inch barrel yielding lower FPS than advertised.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Test Setup
  2. 00:36Ammunition Overview
  3. 01:45Firearm & Initial Predictions
  4. 02:11125gr UMC Chronograph Results
  5. 03:18158gr HTP Chronograph Results
  6. 04:33125gr UMC Gel Test
  7. 05:15158gr HTP Gel Test Issues
  8. 06:26125gr UMC Gel Performance Analysis
  9. 07:01158gr HTP Gel Performance Analysis
  10. 08:04Penetration Measurements
  11. 09:05Recovered Projectile Examination
  12. 09:44Weight Retention Analysis
  13. 10:11Expansion Measurements
  14. 10:37Conclusion & Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The 125gr Remington UMC SJHP penetrated 16.5 inches in ballistic gel and fragmented, retaining 92.6 grains. The 158gr Remington HTP SJHP penetrated 20.75 inches, expanded well, and retained 157.7 grains, making it better for deeper penetration. Both were fired from a 3-inch barrel S&W 686 Plus.

How does barrel length affect .357 Magnum velocity?

A shorter barrel, like the 3-inch on the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus used in the test, significantly reduces muzzle velocity compared to manufacturer claims. The 125gr UMC averaged 1358 FPS instead of the advertised 1450 FPS, and the 158gr HTP averaged 1241 FPS.

Which .357 Magnum bullet weight is better for self-defense versus hunting?

For self-defense, the 125gr SJHP is recommended due to its tendency to expand and fragment more readily, creating a larger wound channel. For hunting, the 158gr SJHP is preferred for its deeper penetration and superior weight retention, necessary for reaching vital organs in larger game.

What were the chronograph results for the tested .357 Magnum ammunition?

The Remington UMC 125gr SJHP averaged 1358 FPS, while the Remington HTP 158gr SJHP averaged 1241 FPS when fired from a 3-inch barrel Smith & Wesson 686 Plus revolver through a clothing barrier.

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