I just loaded some 357 mag 158 g bullets for the first time with a medium load. I just returned after shooting 10 shots to test the load. I made a silhouette head and torso target that I use. I fasten a 8"x11" inch paper to the torso with a one inch dia. red sticky to it to cover the old holes. I had a 1 1/4 inch four shot group poa at 25 feet shooting single action. I threw one high three or four inches. The next five I shot double action rapid fire. Four were despersed all over the paper. I don't know where the fifth went because there are other holes in the backing board. Recoil was a factor. So was my lack of familiarity with the mag bullet.
Ok. So at least four of the five shot into an eight inch area of the torso probably would have been fatal. In any case the stopping power of the 357 would be greater than the 38 caliber bullet. All four of the single action shots would have been fatal.
Using the same gun, a S&W M0dle 66 with a four inch barrel, I am putting my 38 special loads rapid fire into about a three inch diameter circle with some consistency.
All would be in the kill zone. Do I go for more accuracy and less stopping power? There are a lot of factors. In a real situation there is a stress component. The target would probably be moving. There might not be the opportunity for a sure kill shot. The 357 would have more stopping power but the 38 special would be more accurate. Which bullet?
Ok. So at least four of the five shot into an eight inch area of the torso probably would have been fatal. In any case the stopping power of the 357 would be greater than the 38 caliber bullet. All four of the single action shots would have been fatal.
Using the same gun, a S&W M0dle 66 with a four inch barrel, I am putting my 38 special loads rapid fire into about a three inch diameter circle with some consistency.
All would be in the kill zone. Do I go for more accuracy and less stopping power? There are a lot of factors. In a real situation there is a stress component. The target would probably be moving. There might not be the opportunity for a sure kill shot. The 357 would have more stopping power but the 38 special would be more accurate. Which bullet?