We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n Following its introduction in 1935, there was a long period of time when .357 Magnum ruled over the other handgun cartridges. The .357 earned an impressive reputation for \u201cone-shot stops\u201d when used by police officers. Sportsmen used it to take virtually every species of North American game animal, including moose and grizzlies, plus other big critters across the world.<\/p>\n The king of handgun cartridges was dethroned in the 1950s with the arrival of the .44 Magnum, which was followed by a succession of increasingly powerful handgun cartridges, including some which produce a level of recoil that many shooters do not well tolerate.<\/p>\n However, a diverse offering of the best .357 ammo keeps this cartridge relevant and useful today. With guns of reasonable weight, most shooters can handle the .357\u2019s recoil. The cartridge is also highly versatile. With the right loads, it performs well for hunting and self-defense. You\u2019ll likely be able to trigger follow-up shots more quickly with a .357 Mag. than you can with more potent cartridges, and you can also shoot milder .38 Special loads in guns chambered for .357 Mag. (but not vice versa). A few specialized semi-auto pistols, such as the Coonan and Desert Eagle, have been chambered in .357 Mag. There are a variety of lever-action rifles chambered in .357 for deer hunting in high-wall cartridge states\u2014the round is even more capable for hunting purposes in those lever guns. There are even .357 Mag. rounds loaded with birdshot for killing snakes and pests.\u00a0<\/p>\n So here\u2019s my list for the best .357 ammo for a variety of applications:<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re buying ammunition for practice, hunting, or self-defense, it\u2019s important to match your ammo to the task at hand. You shouldn\u2019t use cheap practice ammo on the hunt of a lifetime, and it would be unwise to carry a self-defense load with a light, rapidly expanding bullet in grizzly country<\/a>. Fortunately, there are plenty of .357 Mag. loads to choose from. Availability is another matter. Demand for ammunition remains high and supplies remain tight. Some of the loads on this list are in limited supply or out of stock, so it may take some persistence to find the load you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n The best .357 ammo isn\u2019t cheap, but let\u2019s get one thing straight: It\u2019s a genuinely bad idea to try to save a few dollars on ammo that you may be betting your life on. The best self-defense ammo costs about $1.40 to $2.25 per round, while good hunting ammo will cost between $1.15 to $1.70 per round. I\u2019m a firm believer in practicing with the same ammo you\u2019re going to use for hunting and self-defense, but that can quickly become cost prohibitive. It\u2019s a good idea to at least practice with bullets of the same weight that you intend to use in a hunting or self-defense scenario. Our top practice ammo selections cost $1.00 (or a bit less) per round. You can find even cheaper ammo, but my practice ammo list notably excludes rounds with all-lead bullets because I loathe spending my time scrubbing lead build-up from barrels.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n HammerDown .357 Mag. load is designed to function flawlessly in lever-action rifles and deliver superior terminal performance. Federal partnered with Henry Repeating Arms to design HammerDown ammunition for lever-action rifles and those who like to hunt with them. This nickel-plated, modified, and chamfered case allows easy and reliable feeding from side-gate and tubular feeding systems. Federal designed the round\u2019s heavy-for-caliber, 170-grain bonded bullet to deliver good terminal performance when launched at higher velocities in lever guns. While Federal accomplished that goal, the round performs surprisingly well in handguns, too. If you\u2019re looking for one .357 Mag. hunting cartridge to feed your revolver as well as your lever-action rifle, HammerDown is an excellent option.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Hornady\u2019s LEVERevolution ammo was a game changer. Designed specifically for use in lever-action rifles, it allowed shooters to use pointed, ballistically efficient FTX bullets which have a flexible elastomer tip that can safely rest against the primer of another bullet stacked in a tubular magazine. The bullet\u2019s design results in a flatter trajectory and extended range over traditional .357 Mag. ammo thanks to its relatively high ballistic coefficient and use of a slower-burning powder to maximize velocity out of lever-action barrels.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read Next<\/strong>: Best Lever Action Rifles<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Barnes Ammunition is famous for its monolithic, all-copper bullets, but the firm went a bit old-school with its Pioneer .357 Mag. load. This load uses a heavy-for-caliber, jacketed lead core Barnes Original JHP Bullet. Designed to cycle smoothly in lever-action guns, the round has plenty of power to take deer and hogs cleanly within reasonable ranges. If you prefer an all-copper bullet, Barnes also loads a .357 Mag. Pioneer load with a 140-grain XPB bullet.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n My number one pick for backcountry defense is Buffalo Bore\u2019s Heavy .357 Mag. load, which employs a hard cast lead bullet that has proven effective on the biggest North American animals like moose and grizzlies. Effective defense against large, hairy critters that are trying to kill you is all about penetration (and shot placement). This load delivers unparalleled straight-line penetration with its flat nose, hard cast lead bullet. Sure, there are more potent options for bear country than the .357 Mag, like the .44 Mag. And nowadays, many experienced backcountry hunters say a 10mm semi-auto is a better choice for bear defense<\/a> because of their ability to put more rounds down range, faster.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read Next:<\/strong> Best Bear Defense Handguns<\/a><\/p>\n But ultimately, choosing how much gun you want to pack for bear defense comes down to personal preference. If you doubt the effectiveness of Buffalo Bore\u2019s hard cast bullets, consider the experience of long-time Alaska guide Phil Shoemaker. He stopped and killed a brown bear in 2016 when it charged his fishing clients. He did so using Buffalo Bore hard cast bullets in a 9 mm semi-auto, which is not at the top of anyone\u2019s list of effective bear stoppers.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Doubletap\u2019s 200-grain Hardcast Solid delivers very good penetration with a hard cast bullet at an affordable price. Priced affordably compared to other cartridges in this category, the Doubletap 200-grain Hardcast Solid penetrated more than 33 inches in gelatin testing. The bullet has a wide, 80 percent meplat, or flat nose, for maximum tissue disruption, and has proven effective on elk and black bears weighing up to 500 pounds.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Launching a heavy Swift A-Frame bullet, this load delivers balanced performance with good expansion, penetration and weight retention. Federal\u2019s 180-grain Swift A-Frame load places about 80 percent of its weight behind a partition while the front section of the bullet uses soft lead bonded to a copper jacket that\u2019s thinned and skived at the nose. This allows the wide hollow point of the bullet to expand at a range of velocities while retaining much of its weight, and the mass of the rear portion of the bullet ensures good penetration. If you\u2019re in areas where black bears are at the top of the food chain and you don\u2019t need the maximum penetration of hard cast bullets, this load is a good choice.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Speer Gold Dot ammunition is my top choice in the self-defense category because it has a proven track record and qualities that have long made Gold Dot a gold standard in law enforcement. Revolvers haven\u2019t been the duty gun of choice since high-capacity semi-auto pistols took over in the 1980s, but this Gold Dot .357 Mag. load remains a stellar performer.\u00a0<\/p>\n More than 3,000 law enforcement agencies worldwide rely on Gold Dot ammunition. In common law enforcement cartridges, it meets or exceeds the FBI test protocol in terms of barrier penetration with uniform expansion, good penetration, and excellent retained weight for reliable terminal performance. Reliability is ensured with the use of sealed primers.<\/p>\n Read Next<\/strong>: Best Revolvers for Hunters and Personal Protection<\/a> <\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Federal Premium Personal Defense HST ammunition is also commonly used by law enforcement. It shines in the FBI test protocol, and has a proven record of delivering optimal performance when it counts. HST ammunition features a jacketed hollow point design that will expand reliably and not plug when passing through barriers or clothing. The round delivers great penetration and holds together well with a high retained weight. The heavier weight of this load makes it a good choice for hunting as well as self-defense.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Hornady Critical Duty line of ammunition meets FBI protocols and is also popular with law enforcement. The Critical Duty 135-grain FlexLock load was designed specifically to meet law enforcement needs with tough bullets that deliver good barrier penetration, expansion, and penetration. Critical Duty ammo does not use traditional jacketed hollow point bullets. Rather, it employs Hornady\u2019s elastomer Flex Tip nose to eliminate clogging and help initiate expansion. A large jacket-to-core InterLock band ensures the bullet will hold together for good weight retention.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Federal American Eagle ammunition is produced to the same stringent requirements as Federal Premium ammunition, but at a much more affordable price.\u00a0Federal\u2019s American Eagle line is specifically made for practice and target shooting. It\u2019s not the cheapest practice ammo out there, but it provides similar ballistics and feel as same-weight bullets in hunting or defense loads. This is a straightforward handgun load with jacketed soft point bullet, basic truncated cone, brass case, and Federal primer.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Priced in the practice ammunition category, the Hornady American Gunner 125-grain XTP cartridge is also capable for self-defense and hunting medium-sized game. Hornady\u2019s American Gunner 125-grain XTP .357 Mag. load is a more affordable alternative to pricier top-of-the-line options and is more versatile than many other .357 Mag. loads commonly used for practice. The varying thickness of the drawn metal gilding jacket of the eXtreme Terminal Performance bullet results in uniform, controlled expansion. Jacket serrations help initiate expansion.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Winchester\u2019s Super X 125-grain WinClean load makes our list because it\u2019s a great option for minimizing airborne lead. The WinClean load is designed primarily to eliminate airborne lead, making it a great choice for indoor shooting ranges. In addition to a lead-free and heavy metal-free primer, the bullet\u2019s base is enclosed in brass, preventing vaporization of lead from the base.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n Winchester\u2019s Elite Defender 125-grain .357 Mag load isn\u2019t intended for shorter barrels only, but it delivers excellent terminal ballistics out of snubbies. ThenElite Defender 125-grain load launches from 2-inch barrels considerably faster than the .357 Mag. loads designed for use in such barrels. That results in a fair amount of muzzle flash, but it also helps the jacketed hollow point bullet achieve impressive expansion with good penetration and weight retention. Winchester claims 1.5 times expansion, but I\u2019ve seen the round do even better than that in gelatin tests. Terminal performance is, in a word, impressive.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n This Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 Mag. load delivers all you could ever ask for from a snub-nosed revolver. Optimized for performance from short-barreled revolvers, Speer\u2019s Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection 135-grain JHP load delivers surprisingly good penetration and expansion from barrels as short as 2 inches while producing less recoil.<\/p>\n
\n Published May 8, 2023 3:48 PM
\n <\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\nThings to Consider Before Buying the Best .357 Ammo<\/h2>\n
Application and Availability<\/h3>\n
Cost<\/h3>\n
Best .357 Ammo for Hunting: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Federal HammerDown .357 Magnum 170 Grain<\/a><\/h3>\n
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
Hornady FTX LEVERevolution 140 Grain<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Hornady](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Hornady-FTX-LEVERevolution-140-Grain.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
Barnes Pioneer 180 Grain JHP<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Barnes](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Barnes-Pioneer-180-Grain-JHP.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
More .357 Ammo for Hunting<\/h3>\n
Best .357 Ammo for Backcountry Defense: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Buffalo Bore Heavy .357 Mag Outdoorsman 180 Grain<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Buffalo](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Buffalo-Bore-Heavy-.357-Mag-Outdoorsman-180-Grain.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
Doubletap 200 Grain Hardcast Solid<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Doubletap](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Doubletap-200-Grain-Hardcast-Solid.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
Federal 180 Grain Swift A-Frame<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Federal](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Federal-180-Grain-Swift-A-Frame.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
More .357 ammo for Backcountry Defense<\/h3>\n
Best .357 Ammo for Self-Defense: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 125 Grain<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Speer](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Speer-Gold-Dot-Personal-Protection-125-Grain.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
Federal Premium Personal Defense 154 Grain HST<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Federal](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Federal-Premium-Personal-Defense-154-Grain-HST-.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
Hornady Critical Duty 135 Grain FlexLock<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Hornady](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Hornady-Critical-Duty-135-Grain-FlexLock.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
More .357 Ammo for Self-Defense<\/h3>\n
Best .357 Ammo for Practice: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Federal American Eagle 158 Grain JSP<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Federal](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Federal-American-Eagle-158-Grain-JSP.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
Hornady American Gunner 125 Grain XTP<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Hornady](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Hornady-American-Gunner-125-Grain-XTP-.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
Winchester Super X 125 Grain WinClean<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Winchester](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Winchester-Super-X-125-Grain-WinClean.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
More .357 Ammo for Practice<\/h3>\n
Best .357 Ammo for Snub-Nosed Revolvers: Reviews & Recommendations<\/h2>\n
Winchester Elite Defender 125 Grain<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Winchester](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Winchester-Elite-Defender-125-Grain.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
\n
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection 135 Grain JHP<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Speer](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Speer-Gold-Dot-Short-Barrel-Personal-Protection-135-Grain-JHP.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")
\n <\/figure>\nKey Features<\/h4>\n
\n
Pros<\/h4>\n
\n
Cons<\/h4>\n
Remington Golden Saber Defense Compact 38 Special +P 125 Grain<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Remington](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/05\/08\/Remington-Golden-Saber-Defense-Compact-38-Special-P-125-Grain.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16:10,offset-x50\")