I was carrying the Hornady Critical Defense FTX in 38 +p. It shoots easy and hits POA in my 649, but I kept feeling like it wasn't adequate.

So I decided to start carrying .357mag loads. I decided on 158gr. because I feel it will have less bluster than the 125gr loads and I prefer more penetration. I had a couple boxes of Federal 158gr HydraShoks and took them to the range. They print a tad high, but well centered, so I think that's the load I'me going to use. I also brought a small supply of Win Silvertips, but the Federal load groups better.

Some may feel it will over penetrate. I want to make sure that in the event I ever have to fire it, the bullet's going to have enough juice to accomplish it's purpose. Personally I feel that the over penetration fear is over played. There's much more chance of simply missing than worrying about an over penetration. I don't need someone's hand or arm being the reason I'm dead.

What do you guys prefer to carry?

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Qoheleth 12:13-14

Groo here
Remington express 125gr sjhp "flame throwers!]

Until I ran out of them a few years ago, I was carrying the 357 Magnum Hornady Custom 140 XTP-HP in all of my J-magnums.
With all the ammunition that gets shot up in classes, demos and qualifications I switched to the 357 Magnum Remington 125 SJHPs due to easier availability. Averaging the performance of the Remington ammunition across 5 different J-Magnums, those 125 SJHPs leave the barrels in excess of 1200 FPS.

Do not fear, your 158s will not over penetrate when fired from your snubby. I have only chronographed the CCI 158s from the J-magnums and they run right under 900FPS. The Hydrashok is a bit faster according to factory specifications and will most likely be more in the 950FPS area

Buffalo Bore 38 +P 158 soft lead SWCHP. Makes over 1000 fps out of my 640 Pro. I know you wanted 357, but I like these so much better. Nothing I can point to though. I kind of see them as a modern 38/44.

Was going to post the same thing but Mike beat me to it!

In 158 grains and out of a TWO INCH BARREL (1 7/8" actually) the 158 grain Buffalo Bore 38 Spl. +P (#20A) is actually FASTER than Winchester, Remington and Federal 158 grain Magnums! Yes you heard me - the .38 Spl. actually out performs the .357 158 grain in really short tubes as it was NEVER designed for them and much of the powder is burned OUTSIDE the barrel doing nothing to help propel the projectile. It was meant for 6" barrels. You can get lower grain weight Mag. bullets that are faster or BB Magnums, but I would NOT shoot them from a Chief's Spl. 2" bbl. The BB .38 Spl +P 158 gr. LSWCHP-GC has way less recoil, less flash, faster follow-up shots and will not beat you and your small gun up. It is a really fantastic round!!!

I mark the +P BB with a Sharpie line across the base and primer so they don't get confused with non +P BB and find their way into a non +P rated J frame.

Federal 158gr HydraShoks are what I have been using in my 640-1, but based on what Mike and Chief have said the Buffalo Bore 38 +P 158 SWCHP deserves a look. I prefer 158 grain loads as I feel the 125 grain ones are rougher on the gun and on me.

Original Super Vel Police 38SPCL ammo from Shelbyville lndiana

My M640 is most accurate with 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum ammo so that's what I carry in it.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

There is 158 gr .357, and there is 158 gr .357 . Best to have a bullet designed to expand at the velocity achievable at your barrel length, not FMJ or RNL practice ammo, but I'm guessing if you carry a .357 snubby you already know that.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I carry Remington 125 grain Golden Sabers in my 640-3. They are a "mid range" .357 load, advertised velocity is 1220 FPS (don't know the tested barrel length). In my 640 they are accurate and controllable. I checked my records and for some reason have yet to chrono this load from and of my snubbies. I'll have to correct that soon.

The Buffalo Bore .38 special +P 158 grain LSWC HP is nothing to sneeze at either. That load clocked an average of 1003 FPS out of my 640. I'm using this as my carry load in my 340 M&P.

I carry Speer Gold Dot .357 Short Barrel 135 grain JHP in my 640-1. I don't know if it is the ultimate carry round but, it sure as the devil is gonna hurt!

My M640-3 has a daily diet of Hormany Critical Defense .357 Magnum FTX.

Winchester PDX1 Defender 38spl +p, 130 grain in my Mod.36 and Mod. 60-15.......

Plain ol' .38 Special. I like skin on my hand/fingers.

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I've still got it made.

You all convinced me. I ordered some Buffalo Bore. Look forward to popping a few off.

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Qoheleth 12:13-14

I ran 5 rounds of .357 through my 340 M&P at the range and was disabused of that notion, and I was wearing padded weight lifting gloves on my shooting hand.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

The 649 is all steel. The recoil itself isn't that bad. It's the blast that gets you.

I had a 340 but sold it. I would never even entertain the idea of putting mags in that one.

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Qoheleth 12:13-14

Remington HTP in a 125 SJHP. This stuff is burning at 1200 fps from my M&P 340.

+1 on the 125gr Remington SJHP. I carry it in a 649.

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Useless political propaganda

Like jdavis, I carry Speer Gold Dot .357 Short Barrel 135 grain JHP. (In my snubby 357 Magnums - I do cary other guns occasionally). At about $1.60 per round its a bit pricey, but hey, what is my life worth?

Trouble is that it has been pretty hard to find for the last year or so. Fortunately, I have a pretty good stash.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

BTW a short barreled .357 Magnum fired inside the house, car or building will damage your hearing well beyond that of a .38 Spl. - just so you know.

I know survival is #1 in a gun fight and most won't be worrying about hearing in a crises, but out of a 2" snubby a BB #20A +P LSWCHP-GC will deliver 1,025 fps, penetrate 12 - 18 inches, reliably expand and deliver 361 foot pounds of energy. All without excessive flash recoil and noise. Not exactly quiet, but compared to a Magnum round I'd consider it much less disturbing to the ear. Remember - you will NOT be wearing learning protection. Just saying..................

I'm arthritic and a couple of quarts low on masochism. If I owned a J Magnum it would be loaded with .38 Special.

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Oh well, what the hell.

My pocket gun is a "J" frame .38 Special and I load a 158 gr. SWC, and 5 grs. of Unique at 712 FPS. The load is not difficult to shoot.
Awhile back after reading about what people shoot and recommend I decided that my load probably wouldn't leave a mark if a person was even wearing a shirt.
I killed a grown doe deer with a rifle so I could test meat and bone. The first pistol shot went through the near shoulder blade, missed bone on the off shoulder and was against the skin. The second shot broke the big bone in the near ham and lacked a 1/4 in. of reaching the hide on the off side. The bullet holes were large enough that I probed with my finger.
I believe that is a good enough load for an old geezer pocket popper. Larry

Hey, as far as j-frames are concerned, have you found they the same rule of thumb along with the k frames of : If after 1957 and has model number +p is ok.

Have you found other results, I have a model 36 Flat Latch, and i do not want to load it with +p if it going to mess it up.. nor my Kframes for that situation?

Speer Gold Dot .357 Short Barrel 135 gr. in my Model 60 with 2.125" barrel. The Short Barrel round is mild for a .357 and I find it to be manageable in a steel J-frame.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I have a number of J frames. Unless they specifically say +P on the barrel, I don't chance it. BB makes the same load in non+P.