Hornady Critical Defense .357 Magnum ammunition (part no. 90511) loads a 135-grain FlexLock bullet built for personal-defense carry rather than duty or law-enforcement use. Hornady engineers the FlexLock bullet around a patented no-clog Flex Tip, so the hollow point cavity cannot pack with clothing fibers or other material that would otherwise prevent expansion, a common failure mode for older hollow-point designs. A mechanical InterLock band locks the jacket to the core, keeping the bullet intact for consistent penetration instead of shedding weight on impact. Nickel-plated cases resist corrosion in a carry gun that may sit holstered for long stretches, and twenty rounds to the box make this handgun ammunition ready for daily carry.

Key Specifications

• The chambering is .357 Magnum, delivering serious defensive energy from a revolver.
• The bullet weighs 135 grains, a fast, manageable-recoil weight for personal-defense carry.
• The bullet uses Hornady’s FlexLock design, built for reliable expansion in a defensive round.
• The no-clog Flex Tip keeps the hollow point cavity clear so it still expands after passing through clothing.
• An InterLock band mechanically locks the jacket to the core, resisting separation on impact.
• Cases are nickel-plated brass, resisting corrosion in a gun carried daily.
• Hornady packages this in 20-round boxes, sold here as part of a 200-round case run.
• Each box holds 20 rounds, a practical carry and qualification quantity.
• Cost runs about $1.48 a round, competitive pricing for a premium defensive load.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same as Hornady’s Critical Duty line? No, Critical Defense is Hornady’s personal-defense line for civilian carry, distinct from Critical Duty, which is built for law-enforcement and duty use.

Will this bullet still expand after passing through heavy clothing? Yes, the no-clog Flex Tip is designed specifically to keep the cavity clear so expansion still occurs after barrier contact.

Is .357 Magnum manageable for daily carry? Yes, at 135 grains this load is tuned for a faster, more controllable recoil impulse than heavier .357 Magnum loads.

Buy Hornady Critical Defense .357 Magnum 135gr Ammo

Everyday carry demands a bullet that will not clog, separate, or corrode when it matters most, and Critical Defense is built around solving all three. Load your revolver with a round designed for exactly this job. Order from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop and it ships fast to your door.