357 Mag – 135 Gr FlexLock – Hornady Critical Duty (90511) – 250 Rounds

Hornady’s Critical Duty line was built to meet law enforcement barrier testing standards, and the 357 Magnum version gives revolver carriers that same barrier performance. This listing is Hornady Critical Duty 357 Magnum 135 grain FlexLock ammo, MPN 90511, sold as 250 rounds for duty, home defense, and woods carry.

Hornady lists this load at 1,275 fps with 487 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. The FlexLock bullet has a polymer insert in the hollow point cavity that prevents clogging with clothing or drywall and initiates expansion, while an InterLock band holds the jacket and core together for weight retention. This design is meant to keep performing after passing through common barriers such as heavy clothing. The relatively light 135 grain weight keeps recoil more manageable than heavier 158 grain magnum loads.

This ammunition fits revolvers and carbines chambered in 357 Magnum, including the Smith and Wesson 686, 66, and 19, Ruger GP100, SP101, and LCR, Colt Python and King Cobra, Kimber K6s, and lever-action rifles such as the Henry Big Boy and Marlin 1894C. A common question is whether you can carry 357 Magnum in a revolver marked 38 Special. No. Only revolvers marked 357 Magnum are designed for the higher pressure. Another common question is whether Critical Duty is too much for a snub-nose. It works, but recoil is significant, so practice with it before carrying.

Hornady 90511 is new production ammunition, not reloads, made by Hornady in Grand Island, Nebraska. Each round uses a brass case with a boxer primer and non-corrosive priming. This listing ships as 10 boxes of 25 rounds for a total of 250 rounds from one lot, enough to qualify, confirm accuracy, and carry fresh duty ammunition. Practicing with the same load you carry shows you exactly how a magnum handles in your revolver, and rotating the oldest rounds into practice keeps carry ammo fresh.