Accurate, clean ammo on a budget?

[markiver54]

My topic pretty much is my question regarding my BBS 357. I do not reload and do not want to go broke just trying to have fun at the range. Hope this is not a duplicate question..if so, I did not see it. I am not ignorant to the fact that every firearm has it's favorite ammo, however, I can't afford to go out and buy several different variations. Just want to stock up a bit on something reliable. If it's more appropriate to advise me on what to avoid...that's ok too. Thank you for any guidance.

[ESquared]

I've shot a fair amount of Fiocchi through my BBS, and either its 142 gr bullet or 158 gr would give you clean, accurate results, in my experience. At sgammo.com, where I've bought most of it, the two are the same cost. Their shipping is quick, honest and by the pound, so as your load your cart, it tells you how much more you can add before your freight rate goes up. Worth a look.

https://www.sgammo.com/product/357-magn ... hi-357gcmj

[JEBar]

under those circumstances, for range ammo I'd probably buy a single box of 158 gr bullets and give them a try .... if the group well, stick with that brand .... if not, buy a box of the next cheapest

[markiver54]

I've shot a fair amount of Fiocchi through my BBS, and either its 142 gr bullet or 158 gr would give you clean, accurate results, in my experience. At sgammo.com, where I've bought most of it, the two are the same cost. Their shipping is quick, honest and by the pound, so as your load your cart, it tells you how much more you can add before your freight rate goes up. Worth a look.

https://www.sgammo.com/product/357-magn ... hi-357gcmj

Thank you Evan, was kinda wondering about Fiocchi as they seem affordable.

[ESquared]

Definitely worth a shot (pun intended)!

[North Country Gal]

For affordable factory ammo, my favorite is the Mag-tech 158s. Have gotten excellent accuracy with them. Another good affordable 357 factory load is the PMC 158s. I pull out the high price factory hunting 158 loads from Hornady, etc, when I want to accuracy test, but the Mag-tech and PMC 158s do well for practice.

[markiver54]

For affordable factory ammo, my favorite is the Mag-tech 158s. Have gotten excellent accuracy with them. Another good affordable 357 factory load is the PMC 158s. I pull out the high price factory hunting 158 loads from Hornady, etc, when I want to accuracy test, but the Mag-tech and PMC 158s do well for practice.

Thank you to all responses. Will consider ALL. Especially glad that NCG piped in. As we all know, she is a great asset to this forum. Think I might go purchase what I can afford very soon in preparation for as much shooting I can enjoy when we go up the mountain to the cabin this spring!

[Cofisher]

Like others here, I have shot a lot of the inexpensive rounds. All in 158 grn for my 357. While not quality ammo, it gave me a sense of familiarity with my rifle.

I have since started loading my own, and can experiment with the many variables. It is very educational. I am learning what works best.

Good luck in your quest for accurate ammo.

[The Wiz]

I seconded NCG on the Mag 158.

[markiver54]

For affordable factory ammo, my favorite is the Mag-tech 158s. Have gotten excellent accuracy with them. Another good affordable 357 factory load is the PMC 158s. I pull out the high price factory hunting 158 loads from Hornady, etc, when I want to accuracy test, but the Mag-tech and PMC 158s do well for practice.

Went out today to find some ammo. Got a box of the PMC that NCG recommended. Could not find any Mag Tech though. Evan recommended Fiocchi. Could not find any in 357. I did, however pick up a box of these which look identical to the ones in Evans' post. Same price too! Has anyone had any experience with this German brand?

20190131_183413.jpg (76.07 KiB) Viewed 4252 times

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I'm assuming the FMJ will be clean. Sorry for blurry pics.

[CT_Shooter]

... Has anyone had any experience with this German brand? I'm assuming the FMJ will be clean.

Mark, be aware that Henry advises against FMJ ammo because of their hard copper surface and the "potential" that they could ignite in the magazine if
the rifle was dropped from a high place (like a tree stand). I was told that the possibility is very remote, but that the warning is out of an abundance of caution.

I have personally fired more than a thousand 130 gr. FMJ reloads from my Big Boy without incident, but now -- after their warning -- I only shoot them from my revolver, if at all.

I bought the ZERO 130 FMJs at a time when I couldn't get any ZERO JSPs or JHPs; but now I have thousands of each, so that's what I'm shooting in my Big Boy, instead.

[markiver54]

... Has anyone had any experience with this German brand? I'm assuming the FMJ will be clean.

Mark, be aware that Henry advises against FMJ ammo because of their hard copper surface and the "potential" that they could ignite in the magazine if
the rifle was dropped from a high place (like a tree stand). I was told that the possibility is very remote, but that the warning is out of an abundance of caution.

I have personally fired more than a thousand 130 gr. FMJ reloads from my Big Boy without incident, but now -- after their warning -- I only shoot them from my revolver, if at all.

I bought the ZERO 130 FMJs at a time when I couldn't get any ZERO JSPs or JHPs; but now I have thousands of each, so that's what I'm shooting in my Big Boy, instead.

Thanks for the tip CT. I won't be in any tree stands anymore, but understand the caution. Any harm to the bore that you know of?
The Fiocchi that Evan said he has used are FMJ. Maybe he'll chime in...

[ESquared]

Wow, I was unaware of any such cautionary advisory from Henry on FMJ ammo, so I pulled an owner's manual and don't see anything to that effect, just the caution to use only 158 gr when shooting 38 Spl out of your 357 model. How FMJ could ignite in a tube magazine (with flat or round-nosed projectiles) is beyond my metallurgical expertise (which is near zero).

Maybe CT can lead us all to this advisory...

Don't know what else to add.

[markiver54]

Thanks Evan...after all..these are flat nose.

[ESquared]

Thanks Evan...after all..these are flat nose.

Exactly right.

[ESquared]

Here's a post from another forum (did a quick search) from July, 2016 on this very topic:

"I asked Henry about this a few weeks ago and was told that FMJ-RN wouldn't be an issue in my .357. They stipulated that the ammo needed to be from a reputable manufacturer following SAAMI standards, etc."

Maybe Dan@Henry can help?

[markiver54]

Here's a post from another forum (did a quick search) from July, 2016 on this very topic:

"I asked Henry about this a few weeks ago and was told that FMJ-RN wouldn't be an issue in my .357. They stipulated that the ammo needed to be from a reputable manufacturer following SAAMI standards, etc."

Maybe Dan@Henry can help?

Reputable...I Hope so...these are from Germany; In my experience , that has been a good thing for most
any products. Hope that applies to their ammo as well! ( " Geco " )...

Have to thank PT for the heads up though! No pun intended,

[ESquared]

Looks like GECO is European/E. European, but it's often hard to tell where the parent company sits. SGAmmo doesn't carry it in 357, but other calibers, like this:

https://www.sgammo.com/product/geco/50- ... ngary-geco

It's range ammo. Brass-cased (not steel or aluminum), so I'd say you're good to go!

[markiver54]

Thanks for the link Evan, interesting. I think I may be...good to go!

[CT_Shooter]

This is the discussion where that issue was first raised...

http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... fmj#p37402

Wow, I was unaware of any such cautionary advisory from Henry on FMJ ammo, so I pulled an owner's manual and don't see anything to that effect, just the caution to use only 158 gr when shooting 38 Spl out of your 357 model. How FMJ could ignite in a tube magazine (with flat or round-nosed projectiles) is beyond my metallurgical expertise (which is near zero).

Maybe CT can lead us all to this advisory...