Optimal Round for 60-9?

Retired W4 · Mar 15, 2021

I have a question for the ballistics experts here concerning the Model 60-9, 2 1/8" .357. The revolver us used strictly for home defense, mainly by my wife. She is experienced with firearms and is comfortable with and favors J-frame Smiths. What is the recommended factory load in this situation with this equipment?

Doug M. · Mar 15, 2021

It is just about impossible to go wrong with .38 WC target loads or standard SWC. Those were what I carried most when I had a .38 J frame and the SWC is still what I carry most in my 4" M66. The lack of upper level power is made up for by the controllability for fast shooting - placement matters the most as long as the projective has adequate penedtration.

Nevada Ed · Mar 15, 2021

Inside the house;

the 38 special ammo is a lot easier on your ears, over the 357 loads.
Less chance of over penetration and faster follow up shots, most of the time.

Not many get to test their loads "indoors" with out their ear protection but....
if you go to a indoor range you can find out if you really want to remove your head set. ( Eeeeek ) !!

Cal44 · Mar 15, 2021

Perhaps Speer 135gr 38+P Gold Dot.

I also sometime load my heavier J frame 357s with the 357 Magnum version of this load.

I have a 60-9 myself and it's heavy enough to shoot lower power 357 defense loads without too much recoil.

The 357 Magnum 135gr Gold Dot is sort of a 357 -P.

But I'm becoming more and more interested in looking at the control-ability angle like Doug M suggests.

Retired W4 · Mar 15, 2021

.357-P. I like that. Thank you all for the great insight.

LoboGunLeather · Mar 15, 2021

Not being a glutton for punishing recoil or muzzle blast, I limit my J-frames to standard pressure .38 Special, either 158 SWC (with or without hollow point) or 148 WC.

In your .357 magnum version the use of .38 Special +P for defensive loads is probably just fine. I would still stay with standard pressure .38 Special for range and practice.

rwsmith · Mar 15, 2021

Home defense distances.....

Decent brand of standard .38 Special defensive ammo.

I like Golden Sabers, Federal HSTs and Gold Dots, but there are a few others that test very well.

mikerjf · Mar 15, 2021

The 38 Special FBI load is a time-tested round that is nicely tamed by the steel frame 60-9. And you still gots room for the Buffalo Bore 180 grainer on your next woods walk.

Old cop · Mar 15, 2021

mikerjf said:
The 38 Special FBI load is a time-tested round that is nicely tamed by the steel frame 60-9. And you still gots room for the Buffalo Bore 180 grainer on your next woods walk.

This FBI +P was our duty ammo when we carried revolvers and it dropped an armed suspect when I had to use it.

eb07 · Mar 15, 2021

The NYPD has great real life street results with the 135gr +P Speer Short Barrel

Jim Cirillo of the stakeout squad preferred the 148gr WC in his

I use either of the two above in my snubs.

smithra_66 · Mar 15, 2021

Retired W4 said:
I have a question for the ballistics experts here concerning the Model 60-9, 2 1/8" .357. The revolver us used strictly for home defense, mainly by my wife. She is experienced with firearms and is comfortable with and favors J-frame Smiths. What is the recommended factory load in this situation with this equipment?

It really just depends on the strength and experience of the user.

the 357s will be the most effective on target, but they will be the most challenging to get on target.

Just the opposite for lighter 38 special loads.

Your wife should practice with some of everything and then make the best decision on what to use. It's a very individual thing.

If she can effectively shoot 357s out of it, good for her. It's a very challenging load to shoot out of a j-frame.

My recommendation is for her to choose the most powerful loads that she can effectively put on target in realistic self-defense training scenarios.

ContinentalOp · Mar 15, 2021

The .38 Special Speer 135gr Short-Barrel Gold Dot +P is probably the top performer in snub loads right now. As stated before, very well-proven load in the field. It's my first choice and what I carry in my 642-1.

I'm also a fan of the FBI load. Been around a long time and also well-proven. My preference is for the Buffalo Bore standard pressure version, but I would also go with the Remington version.

While both of those loads generate noticeable recoil, a steel frame can go a long way towards taming that and making it controllable, as well as suitable aftermarket grips that fit your wife's hands. Since this is going to be a home defense gun, you don't have to worry about the concealability of the grips.

148gr WC also make an excellent choice, especially for someone who's not that experienced with guns. Light recoil, relatively low noise, and has the potential to cut a full-caliber width wound channel with adequate penetration. I keep some on hand for my 642s.

Of course, this is dependent on finding said ammo options. If you can't find any of these options, I'd suggest looking for whatever standard pressure ammo you can find, either HP, WC, or SWC. Sometimes we just have to do the best we can with what we have or can get.

Just my non-expert opinion.

riverrat38 · Mar 15, 2021

I would use 148 gr WC's in my J frames, and J frame Centennials are all I have, except for two reasons.
One is most J frames with fixed sights shoot quite high with the slow heavy ammo, and the other reason is that I can't practice with them at the local indoor ranges. Have to have plated ammo. And, at my age, those are my only options.
I use Federal 130 gr HST plus P in both revolvers. This ammo gets good results in jello, has less recoil than the Speer 135 gr SB short barrel, for what ever reason, and is a nice WC profile if it doesn't expand. Regular HP's are just round nose if they don't open up. And, the HST shoots close to point of aim in both of my revolvers.
I wish I could use target WC's. They are a cheap way to practice what you shoot, if reloaded.
I carry the Speer for a reload, since the WC profile of the Federal are slow to stuff in the chambers, probably especially so under extreme circumstances.

Best,
Rick

pasound · Mar 15, 2021

148 WC's shoot great in my five j-frames. So do 158 SWCHP's, loaded a little faster. Have a good stock of Hornady HBWC's, and many cast WC's and SWCHP's. Good choices, all, for home defense.

Cal44 · Mar 15, 2021

One problem with wadcutters is even before the current ammo crisis, they were nearly impossible to find.

SWCs, are still available sometimes.

A lgs had bags of 50 swc reloads for a mere $99 just last week.

I left them on the shelf.

Doug M. · Mar 16, 2021

^ Black Hills. ^

Retired W4 · Mar 16, 2021

This is what I have on hand for practice and home defense. (38 spcl) 148 WC my good friend loaded at about 750 and Remington 158 HTP plus P lead HP. When I first got the gun I loaded it with some 180 .357 Black Talons. I found out they are suitable for my 28-2 but not the M60, regardless of who is pulling the trigger. Lots of Win FMJ and a variety of 357, but no. I also have Hornady 110 +P FTX but that looks like it's more for tube fed carbines.

I'm leaning towards the Remington HTP. It looks a lot like a SWC but with a hollow point. It's time to get her and the 60 to the range. With the slight increase in mass, 2 1/8" full jug barrel, plus the RB targets, it should work. She is pretty good with hand guns but better with the M-16.

ContinentalOp · Mar 16, 2021

Retired W4 said:
I'm leaning towards the Remington HTP. It looks a lot like a SWC but with a hollow point.

That's what Remington calls their FBI load. An excellent choice, in my opinion.

ddixie884 · Mar 17, 2021

I would seriously consider the Gold Dot .357 as it is the same bullet as the short barrel .38spl but with 150 more fps to ensure good expansion...........

I have 2 of my short barrel .357s so loaded but they are both 3" M-66 and SP101........

Retired W4 · Mar 17, 2021

ContinentalOp said:
That's what Remington calls their FBI load. An excellent choice, in my opinion.

Good to know. Thanks. That is what it will be.

Optimal Round for 60-9?

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