Is .357 Worth It?

[slowburninsteve]

I have a 686+1 with a 2 1/2 inch barrel. Is it worth it to shoot .357's in such a short barrel, or would I be just as well off to shoot .38 Special +P's? I appreciate any recommended factory loads for defense. Thanks in advance!
Steve

[OKFC05]

Speer Short Barrel .357: about halfway between the .38+P and full-power .357. Not so much flash and blast, a llittle less speed.

[handgunner356]

Most .357 rounds will be at least 200fps faster than like weight .38+Ps'. Another good 357 round is the Remington Golden Saber, it's loaded to the older medium velocity 125gr-1250fps load and works well in short barrels.

[perpster]

Yes.

Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot Hollow Point (SB GDHP) is specifically engineered for barrels under 4". Burn rate of the powder maximizes velocity and minimizes muzzle flash.

[slowburninsteve]

I have lots of older 125 grain hollowpoints I collected prior to hearing about flame cutting on the topstrap of K frame Smiths. Is it worth the roar and fireballs to use them as well?? Thanks folks!
Steve

[ArchAngelCD]

A .357 Magnum round will always give you more performance than a .38 Special +P even in a short barrel. I would suggest using the ammo you can control and consistently achieve good hits with. All the velocity and energy in the world will mean nothing unless you hit where you aim.

[Treeman]

Amen to what ArchAngelCD said.

[16shells]

I'll second the replies above and add a recommendation on the .38special +p side, should you decide to go that route.
Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

[moxie]

If you can handle the difference in recoil, then yes, the magnum is the ticket. You can step down a notch to .38+P which is somewhat stouter than standard .38. Golden Saber has the 125 gr. bullet in both +P and magnum. Try them and see which is most manageable, most accurate, for you with your gun.