Hello,....I just picked up a 66-5 with a 3" barrel. I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a good personal defense round. I was thinking of a Hyrda-Shok 158 grain? Anyone else have any pointers? Should I stay away from the sub 140 grains?

Thanks,
andy

Hello,....I just picked up a 66-5 with a 3" barrel. I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of a good personal defense round. I was thinking of a Hyrda-Shok 158 grain? Anyone else have any pointers? Should I stay away from the sub 140 grains?

Thanks,
andy

If you're going to use .357 Magnum:

125gr SJHP Remington
125gr JHP Speer Gold Dot
125gr CorBon DPX

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Centennial Every Day

If your able to find any(?) Winchester's Silvertip being between 140-150 grains is well thought of.

If you want something with a bit less jump, the Speer .357 gold dot short barrel 135gr essentially duplicates a mid-power handload I've done for decades.
Very comfortable and hotter than the .38+P.

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Science plus Art

Andy,
I hope you'll understand this when I say, you've now got my dream gun. So regrettably, I have to add you to my "I hate you" list? It's nothing personal and a lot of other folks that have 3 inch 66's, 65's and 65 LS's have all had the slur thrown at them too. So your in very good company!
WELCOME, BTW!

(EDIT) I'd seriously check into anything OKFC05 recommends, FWIW.

Just in case you don't want the blast, noise and recoil of the magnum cartridge and want an effective yet comfortable round to shoot I'd recommend the 158 grain lead, hollow point, semi-wadcutter 38 special load from Remington. Also known as the FBI load, it was the standard load for their 3" K frames.

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The Remington Golden Saber .357 is actually a reduced power load, works well in my 3" guns.

+1 on the 135gr. Speer SB load. It is my carry load in my 4" Model 13. It was developed for the 3" or less and it works great in the 4". Just make sure it is the SB(short barrel) load and not the regular one.

If you want a screaching hot .357 and want to avoid the whole K frame/125 gr. issue, Try Corbon 140 gr. JHP. I've never fired that load, but I just can't see it as being anything but exceptional.

Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158 gr. gas checked LSWC-HP is advertised to run a little over 1,100 fps from a 3" barrel. I haven't chronographed the load from my 3" M65 or 3" M64 but it does buck more than a regular +P 158 gr. load does. It shoots to point of aim in my guns and I like the fact the shorter .38 cases in a .357 gun give a little extra margin for complete extraction from the chambers. One of these days I need to chronograph this load from my 2", 3", 4", and 6" barreled guns to see how it actually shakes out over the CED screens.

I carried a 110gr JHP whenI worked for a Fed Agency. We had 3"bbl mags. They worked well, low felt recoil.

GC: When you chrono that load will you post your findings. I have that load in a 65 3" and also in a Model 67 4".

It is snappier than a standard 158gr. lead +p.

I've found it to be dead on in both my Smiths and very accurate.

Well according to what I have read for years, the 125 grain .357 magnum is supposed to be a 96% one shot stopper. I would however use them sparingly in your k frame as they do have a habit of flame cutting the top strap. I would probably practice with the 158 grain 357's which are pretty good in their own right, but the top dog (against 2 legged animals) is the 125 grainer.

chief38

thanks for the info! Its much appreciated. This is my first revolver so I am a little confused as to all the loads out there and how they the K frame reacts. Thanks again

Use of 125gr full power loads in the K frame often results in a cracked forcing cone. Since S&W no longer carries replacement barrels for the K frame .357's you are SOL in getting it fixed so use them with care.

Here's a good article on the issue Magnum Loads in K frames

I agree.

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