Hornady Critical Duty .357 Mag 135gr FlexLock JHP Ballistics
Nickel-Plated Brass Case • FlexLock JHP • MPN: 90511
Hornady Critical Duty .357 Mag 135gr FlexLock JHP Ballistics
Nickel-Plated Brass Case • FlexLock JHP • MPN: 90511
Trajectory @ 25yd Zero
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 1275 fps | 487 ft-lb | — |
| 5 yds | 1260 fps | 476 ft-lb | -0.3" |
| 10 yds | 1246 fps | 466 ft-lb | -0.1" |
| 15 yds | 1233 fps | 456 ft-lb | -0.0" |
| 20 yds | 1220 fps | 446 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 25 yds ⊕ | 1207 fps | 437 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 30 yds | 1195 fps | 428 ft-lb | -0.1" |
| 35 yds | 1183 fps | 419 ft-lb | -0.2" |
| 40 yds | 1171 fps | 411 ft-lb | -0.4" |
| 45 yds | 1160 fps | 403 ft-lb | -0.7" |
| 50 yds | 1149 fps | 396 ft-lb | -1.0" |
| 55 yds | 1138 fps | 388 ft-lb | -1.4" |
| 60 yds | 1128 fps | 381 ft-lb | -1.8" |
| 65 yds | 1118 fps | 375 ft-lb | -2.4" |
| 70 yds | 1109 fps | 368 ft-lb | -3.0" |
| 75 yds | 1099 fps | 362 ft-lb | -3.6" |
| 80 yds | 1090 fps | 356 ft-lb | -4.4" |
| 85 yds | 1082 fps | 351 ft-lb | -5.2" |
| 90 yds | 1073 fps | 345 ft-lb | -6.1" |
| 95 yds | 1065 fps | 340 ft-lb | -7.0" |
| 100 yds | 1057 fps | 335 ft-lb | -8.1" |
Product Overview
Hornady Critical Duty is designed for law enforcement duty use and translates well to armed citizens who want barrier-blind performance. The 135gr FlexLock bullet features a locked-in InterLock band that keeps the jacket and core together during penetration through intermediate barriers like auto glass, sheet metal, and wallboard. At 1,275 fps and 487 ft-lbs, the velocity is deliberately moderate. Hornady prioritized consistent penetration depth over raw speed, and the FlexLock design delivers 12-15 inches of penetration in FBI-protocol gelatin tests across all barrier types.
The 135gr weight is a deliberate middle ground in the .357 Mag lineup. It recoils less than 158gr loads but carries more momentum than 125gr options. For duty-size revolvers with 4-inch or longer barrels, this load is comfortable to shoot and easy to control in rapid fire. The nickel-plated brass cases resist corrosion and extract cleanly, which matters in a revolver where a stuck case during a speed reload can be a serious problem.
Home defense is another strong application for this load. The FlexLock bullet is engineered to hold together through barriers, which means it will not over-expand and fragment after passing through a hollow-core interior door or drywall. That controlled expansion reduces the risk of the bullet breaking apart and losing effectiveness. For anyone who keeps a .357 revolver on the nightstand and wants a load built to perform through real-world obstacles, Critical Duty is purpose-built for that job.
- FlexLock bullet maintains expansion through intermediate barriers like auto glass and drywall
- InterLock band prevents jacket-core separation for deep, consistent penetration
- Nickel-plated brass resists corrosion and extracts cleanly under stress
- 135gr weight offers a good balance between recoil and penetration depth
- 1,275 fps is slower than most .357 Mag defensive loads, which reduces energy
- 487 ft-lbs of muzzle energy is modest for the caliber
- Optimized for 4-inch or longer barrels and may underperform from snubnose revolvers
- Premium pricing puts it above most competing .357 Mag JHP loads
All Hornady Critical Duty .357 Mag 135gr FlexLock JHP Prices
| DEALER | QTY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucky Gunner | 250 | $345.00 | $19.57 | $364.57 | $1.46 |
| Lucky Gunner | 25 | $36.00 | $18.43 | $54.43 | $2.18 |
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