So I know there’s a ton of talk about +P vs 357 in a snub. But here’s my question.

I just got my set up with my 66-8 and have my holster and grips and comfortable with the gun. Going to be added in just in time for winter carry. Now I’m looking into some good ammo for it.

I get issued Gold Dot 135gr 38+p short barrel from work for my 640. Was going to use that in the 66 as well.

But I was thinking of moving up to 125 gr Federal or Remington 357 for this gun due to the extra weight.

What say you all? Is the hype of the extra flash and noise worth it, or stick to the free +P ammo and call it a day?

For personal defense you will not likely need to shoot through any car windows, so plus P should be fine. That's what I carry. Besides if you shoot a .357 Magnum is a small room or car your ears will be ringing for 6 months -- which is fine if it is necessary to save your life, but if Plus P is enough, then why chance major hearing loss.

In a snubby? I'd stick with the .38 Spl +P SB, I don't think that with the .357 Mag. you would gain much velocity, but you would get more recoil, flash and blast, not exactly conducive to quick follow-up shots. But, it might be interesting to compare the two at the range, just to see, so then you can make your own informed decision what is right for you.

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This article & test may be of interest:

.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test

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I find the Remington Gold Saber 125 grain .357 to be a good compromise. I carry it in SP101s or similar sized guns. Looks like it did ok in the tests referenced above.

I would suggest trying the ammo and see.

When I had a 3" 65, I compared the standard pressure and +P versions of Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP in it. Even though the +P has more power, I went with the standard pressure version (which produces the same velocity as other makers' +P, BTW) because I could get noticeably quicker follow-up shots.

If you're talking about the full-power 125gr JHP in .357 Magnum, you're likely to get significant muzzle blast and flash from a snub, plus slower follow-up shots. I would suggest a good .38 Special +P, like the Speer 135gr SB-GDHP (which has a solid track record in actual shootings) or a mid-range .357 Magnum load, like the Speer 135gr SB-GDHP or Remington's 125gr Golden Saber. If I were in your position, I'd stick with the .38 Special Gold Dots since they're issued to you. Even if they weren't, I'd still probably recommend the .38 Special Gold Dots since you can buy them in 50-round boxes at a better value. I carry those in my 642 and have carried them in a 3" 65 as well as a 2" 64.

Having had to fire 4 shots through a car's windshield, I am one that believes in having as much power as you can control. That amount of power is different for each person and there is no way that a stranger on the Internet can make that evaluation for you

Muzzle flash is a NON-issue in these modern days. All of the premium defensive ammunition being sold by the Major manufacturers is being loaded with low flash powder or powder with a flash suppressant added.

Now if you plan on using white/yellow/green box or foreign manufactured bargain ammunition for personal defense there will be more muzzle flash. Even this is not too big a deal, if muzzle flash were the problem that Internet legend makes it out to be we would all be blinded by the flash exiting out the Barrel/Cylinder gap of our revolvers.

So is the extra power worth the extra recoil? I have never met a person that survived a firefight and walked away saying "I could have gotten by with a less powerful firearm, I think I'll downgrade"

However it is hard to say no to FREE issued ammunition

How is the extraction on .38Spl Vs. .357Mag? A lot of snubs have an issue with the longer cases. I have the 4.25" version and it extracts well, just not sure if the 2.75" version offers a full length extractor throw. As to ammo, I swore off the 125gr a long time ago due to the blast and concussion, I like a heavier bullet in the magnums now.

If you hand load your ammo then 5.0gr of Unique under a Hornady 158gr LSWHP in a 38spl case or 5.5gr of Unique under the Hornady 158gr LSWCHP in a 357 magnum case will fit the bill.

No ammo will be perfect in all situations.I never wished I had more powerful ammo after a successful shooting but I did wish I had a gun with larger capacity once or twice.

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I see no point in carrying a .357 Mag for defense & loading it with .38s.
While many .357 loads today do use flash-retardant powders, not all do, and not all are equal in visual effects.

Among the 5 test loads I ran through the 66-8 sample I had here, the Black Hills 125 JHP produced easily notable flash.
The other four had more reduced levels.

All were fired at an indoor range, and even the BH was far from blinding.
Absolutely no problems in vision interference or sight/target recovery.

If you're going to carry the bulk of a .357 Mag revolver anyway, why would you not take advantage of the gun's power potential?

The only downside, assuming you can handle the recoil, is the increase in decibel output.
Magnum rounds won't add any more bulk or noticeable weight over .38 rounds.

When I did, at various times during a uniformed career, carry .357s on & off duty, I was prepared to gamble on the hearing issue if I ever had to fire indoors.

I carry an M&P auto nowdays in retirement, but I could quite happily switch to my older 66 snub if hi-cap auto magazines are prohibited, and it wouldn't be loaded with .38s.
Denis

Since I already stock and carry for 2-legged problems Federal 125gr HP(C357B) in all my .357 handguns, I'd stick with those, just to minimize ammo type requirements.

Shoots fine from a similar sized 2 1/2" L-frame with Hogue Bantam grips.

Here is my load...

Mine also in my 640, 60, and 66.

Check Lucky Gunners website for gel tests. There is proof that 357 beats 38 +p in most loads. Velocity, penetration, and expansion is better even out of a two inch barrel.

As long as you can handle the recoil there is absolutely no reason not to carry 357 mag.

Cheap Ammo For Sale | In Stock Ammunition For Sale

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People tout the AR-15 for indoor home defense.
I can safely say the noise from a couple rounds of .357 Mag isn't going to do any more ear damage than the same from a .223.
Denis

I realize I this is an older thread but with the popularity of the 66-8 2.75 it bears noting that this firearm easily handles 357 loads. Either the full power 125s or any of the snub loads like Hornady critical defense or the gold dot or the reintroduced black talon. No issues with blast or quick followups. The 66-8 is the best carry revolver smIth has ever produced and is better than the older 66s hands down. I own a no dash and the elusive LS. The myth of equality of 38+p vs 357 in short barrels is ridiculas. It is patently false and irresponsible and wreckless to repeat and is indicative of pure ignorance.

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Carry the ammo you can shoot most accurately in your gun.

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SWCA #3437

I carry the 145 grain Silvertip load in my 66-5. Very accurate in a couple of my K frames. I like the 38 Special 135 grain GoldDot load in my .38 Special K frames. The .357 Gold Dot 135s are not very accurate in my guns.