The .357 Magnum ammunition was first developed in 1934 by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, and D. Wesson of Smith & Wesson and Winchester. Based on the S&W .38 Special, the .357 ACP compared to Colt’s .38 Super Automatic. In the mid-1930s, the .38 Super Auto was the only American cartridge with the ability to penetrate vests and automobiles that were often used by gangsters. The .357 Magnum was able to outperform most revolver cartridges on the market and quickly became the caliber of choice for law enforcement. The introduction of the ammo heralded the beginning of the “Magnum Era.” The dual-purpose cartridge is used most often for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense.
Where to Buy .357 Magnum Ammo
After numerous requests, we set out to find the best online .357 magnum ammo store. While there are dozens of places to buy ammo online, not all offer the trifecta of product, service, and delivery times. With that in mind, we chose Ammo.com as our preferred vendor. The website is easy to use and separates ammunition by category: rifle, handgun, rimfire, shotgun, and popular ammunition brands. We’ve found the best .357 mag ammo prices combined with same day or next day shipping.
Ammo.com differs from many sites because it offers much more than low prices on .357 ammunition. As a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights, Ammo.com adheres to its mission statement: “We believe that arming the people – both physically and philosophically – keeps government fearing the people, just as our Founding Fathers intended. We exist for American gun owners, the modern-day militiamen who not only understand the true meaning of the Second Amendment but exercise it on a daily basis.”
For every purchase made on the site, Ammo.com will donate 1% to the customer’s choice of pro-freedom organizations. In addition to the list of Freedom Fighters, the site has a forum for firearms enthusiasts and Second Amendment defenders. They have great deals on ammo of all types, not just .357 Magnum.
Other Online Ammo Stores
- Ammo Man – This online company was founded in New Hampshire in 1998. Because it operates solely as an e-commerce company, customers are required to place orders online and cannot visit a retail or warehouse location. To get the best prices on rifle or handgun ammo, it is recommended to buy in bulk. Ammo Man receives high praise for good customer service and free shipping over $99. Due to restrictions, Ammo Man does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts or New York.
- Ammunition Depot – This family-owned company has a large offering of ammunition, cases, magazine, gear, and accessories. Like Ammo.com, Ammunition Depot supports Second Amendment rights and keeps prices low to afford its customers the best in ammo. Customers praise Ammunition Depot for excellent service.
- Bulk Ammo – Carries a wide variety of ammo including hard to find items. As the name suggests, this is one of the best places to buy bulk ammo online. Its online catalog is always up to date so you don’t have to worry about in stock items. Like Amazon.com, the site has a customer feedback section instead of standard testimonials.
- Cabela’s – Many customers stay away from Cabela’s when it comes to purchasing firearms, but are on board with their ammunition sales. Cabela’s offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more. The online store has a good selection of ammunition from such major brands as Winchester, Federal, and Remington.
- GunBuyer – This Florida-based company has a straightforward, easy to use site that makes buying ammo online simple and painless. In business since 2011, Gunbuyer has quickly risen through the ranks among customers due to competitive pricing and faster delivery than many of its competitors.
- Lucky Gunner – Live inventory tracking is one of the top features at Lucky Gunner. This Tennessee-based retailer offers some of the best ammo prices, especially on bulk orders. The shipping can be a bit slow, but its return customers don’t seem to mind. Lucky Gunner is also known for its tech, so you never have to worry about orders being lost when using Firefox or Chrome.
- Natchez Shooters Supplies – NSS has a large selection of ammo, firearm parts and accessories. The catalog is arranged by caliber or brand name to make the site easy to use. The only issue is that orders are never guaranteed so you should plan ahead for possible delays.
- Outdoor Limited –The North Carolina-based company is at the top when it comes to customer reviews. A family-owned company, Outdoor Limited isn’t one of the big dogs but its stock and customer service are stellar.
- RifleGear – Founded in 2007, RifleGear is one of the newer companies on the market. A regularly updated catalog features a live inventory count to prevent out of stock issues and their customer service is top notch. In addition to ammunition, RifleGear stocks items that might interest their customers including RifleGear exclusives, handguns, rifles, shotguns, accessories, and parts.
The following are the top picks for .357 Magnum Ammo:
Best .357 Magnum Ammo for Self-Defense
Buffalo Bore: Tactical Short Barrel 158 Grain JHP
Buffalo Bore’s motto is “Strictly Big Bore – Strictly Business.” That just what customers need when it comes to protecting themselves and their homes. This Tactical Short Barrel .357 Magnum load delivers like clockwork every time, offering safety and peace of mind.
Specifications:
- 1400 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 158 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 606 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
CCI Ammunition: Blazer 158 Grain JHP
CCI Blazer is one of the most trusted ammo brands. The company is known for its patented CCI primers and reliability. The Blazer 158-grain bullet is recommended by self-defense experts for protection.
Specifications:
- 1150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 158 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 464 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Federal Ammunition:158 Grain American Eagle .357 Magnum JHP
The Federal American Eagle line is a well-respected name among firearms enthusiasts. Federal American Eagle offers several types of .357 Magnum loads for self-defense. Users should keep in mind that while this round does the job, it has a strong recoil.
Specifications:
- 1240 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 158 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 539 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Fiocchi Ammunition: 142 Grain FMJ-TC
Fiocchi has a high standing in the ammo world as a company that manufactures quality ammo with consistent accuracy and reliability. The light bullet weight of this round helps to prevent over penetration upon impact.
Specifications:
- 1420 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 142 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket with Truncated Cone Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 636 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Hornady: Critical Defense 125 Grain FTX
Hornady Critical Defense is ranked high on many shooters’ lists. The patented Flex Tip ensures controlled expansion in JHP bullets. It also eliminates clogging and other delivery issues.
Specifications:
- 1500 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 125 Grain
- FTX Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 824 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Remington: Golden Saber .357 Magnum 125 Grain JHP
Golden Saber jacketed hollow points deliver excellent stopping power for self-defense performance. This .357 Magnum load gives nearly 100% weight retention, a high level of accuracy, and rapid expansion. It works well in longer barrel guns for maximum velocity.
Specifications:
- 1220 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 125 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 413 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Sellier & Bellot: 158 Grain FMJ-FN
Sellier & Bellot has the experience and technology to produce high-quality ammunition. This 158-grain bullet does the job without fear of overpenetration. Lower muzzle velocity reduces the recoil in short-barreled guns.
Specifications:
- 889 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 158 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket-Flat Nose Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 278 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Best .357 Magnum Ammo for Training
CCI Ammunition: Blazer .357 158 Grain JHP
CCI Blazer offers some of the best .357 Magnum ammo in the marketplace. The combination of Speer bullets and CCI primers is hard to beat on the range or out in the field. The JHP’s hard metal coating increases the round’s strength and thwarts fouling in the barrel.
Specifications:
- 1150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 95 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 464 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Fiocchi Ammunition: .357 Magnum 142 Grain FMJ-TC
Fiocchi is an Italian company with a longstanding reputation for developing and manufacturing high-quality products. This new production round uses a full metal jacket bullet with a truncated cone that delivers excellent accuracy at long distances, perfect for plinking or target shooting. These Magnum rounds are affordable and a top choice for volume shooting.
Specifications:
- 1420 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 142 Grain
- Full Metal Jacket with Truncated Cone Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 636 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Speer Gold Dot: Short Barrel 135 Grain JHP
A list for top ammo isn’t complete without Speer Gold Dot. Unlike high velocity Magnum rounds, Speer’s .357 Magnum Short Barrel 135 Grain JHP shoots at a slightly lower muzzle velocity, which makes it a solid choice for range training and home defense.
Specifications:
- 990 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 135 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 294 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Best .357 Magnum Ammo for Hunting
Barnes Bullets: 140 Grain VOR-TX XPB
Barnes is a top choice for big game hunters whether they are using a .357 Magnum revolver, lever-action or semi-auto. This 140-grain Barnes® VOR-TX® is loaded with full power, deadly bullets. It offers terminal performance with handloaded precision in a factory-loaded round. The all-copper ammo opens instantly on impact, destroying bone, tissue, and vital organs for a fast, humane kill.
Specifications:
- 1265 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 140 Grain
- XPB Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 498 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Hornady: Critical Defense 125 Grain JHP FTX
Hornady’s Critical Defense is go-to ammo for hunting. The JHP bullet features patented FlexTip technology which increases accuracy and drastically reduces fouling in the barrel.
Specifications:
- 1500 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 125 Grain
- Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 824 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Buffalo Bore: Outdoorsman 180 Grain Hard Cast Lead Flat Nose
Buffalo Bore is a go-to for Big Bore needs in the field. The Outdoorsman delivers accuracy and ultimate stopping power in short-barreled guns, even J Frames. Avoid using it in light alloy guns due to possible damage. Buffalo Bore’s heavier bullets give full power when hunting large game, stopping prey in its tracks.
Specifications:
- 1400 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 180 Grain
- Flate Nose Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 188 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
For more reviews of .357 Magnum ammo check out our guide on the Best .357 Magnum Ammo For Self-Defense, Range Training & More.
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