Question for you knowledgeable ones- what ammo is best to use in a Hi-Viz 2004 Davidson Special Model 66-6 with a 3" barrel? (i.e. less harsh on the forcing cone & top strap but still a good defensive round). Examples: CCI Speer 38 spec +P short barrel gold dot 135 gr jacketed hollow or CCi 38 spec Speer lawman 158 gr total metal jacket. I've read 158gr is less harsh...thoughts? I just used Speer as an example could be any brand- thx

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If you're primarily concerned about the forcing cone and top strap, then try to stay away from the full-power 125gr .357 Magnum loads (@ ~1450fps), or at least keep them to a minimum. Just about anything else should be fine.

When I had a 3" 65, I typically carried it with either Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP standard pressure (velocity same as +P FBI loads from other makers) or Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P, both in .38 Special. I did occasionally use the .357 Magnum Speer 135gr SB-GDHP, which is a mid-range .357 Magnum load.

I always wanted to try the Winchester 145gr Silvertip in .357 Magnum, but could never find it when I had the gun. I think Buffalo Bore makes a similar load.

Any of the .38 Special FBI loads should work fine. I'd be partial to the Remington version if I couldn't get Buffalo Bore.

Mid-range .357 Magnum loads can be a good option if you don't want to go full-power .357 Magnum but want a little more oomph than .38 Special +P. Aside from the SB-GDHP, Remington's Golden Saber comes to mind. There may be others I'm not aware of.

I would stay away from TMJ or other non-HP loads for self defense. They can be good practice rounds, though. Speer .38 Special 158gr TMJ +P is my go-to practice load when I want to practice with +P loads.

You may also want to do a search, either in this subform, the Concealed Carry subforum, or the Ammo subform. There've been lots of discussion threads on this topic.

Hope that helps.

ETA: Just took a closer look at your photo. Looks like you have the newer 2.75" 66. I believe they beefed up the forcing cone in those, so erosion may not be as much of an issue as in older guns. I'm not too familiar with the newer K-frames, so I could be wrong.

Thanks ContinentalOp . That is actually a 3"
Hi-Viz Davidson Special (Not a 2.75")model 66-6 from '04 btw

For self defense purposes, especially at home, I never load my .357s with super hot loads. I just looked and in my home defense revolvers I found one (686+ 3") with 6 rounds of Winchester Silvertip .38 Special and 1 round of Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special and the other gun (Ruger Security Six 2.5") has one round of +P and two rounds of Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special and the rest are FMJ flat point rounds. Why? I don't remember but after the next range session it will be a different batch of new .38 Specials in those guns. I see no need for .357 Magnum rounds for home defense. (Only discussing those two home defense revolvers; there are other animals in the zoo as well).

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Come and take it!!

Thanks Yoda I too am trying to only use .38 spec FMJ since that's what I practice with...just wasn't sure on 158gr vs 135gr in a 3" barrel

Gotcha. Thanks for the correction.

A good compromise load if you can find it is the Speer .357 Gold Dot Short Barrel load, 135 gr at about 1000 fps.

Extreme forcing cone cleanliness also seems to help prevent problems. Enjoy that model 66!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

For self defense I like to use the ammo I can shoot accurately and have a fast follow up shots .
Trust Me ...When you are in a gunfight ...forcing cone erosion is the furthest thing from your mind.
Try several different loads and go with the one you can shoot best.
Remember ...only hits count in a gunfight .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Thanks murphydog & certified cajun that 66 shoots like a champ!

My M66 more often than not is loaded with plain old .38 special SWC. Placement is the first issue to consider; only once that is addressed does the projectile shape matter. A good SWC is a decent choice; except in the most modern loads, adequate penetration and expansion are not all that likely.

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NHI, 10-8.

Doug great idea semi-wadcutters thx

Mr. AlphaSig, is this a personal carry gun or a house gun?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

With respect, for a bedside table revolver ... I keep my 66 loaded with R-P 125 gr. JHP .38 Special ammo. At across the room distances that load will positively absolutely get the job done on any sort of humanoid problem that might walk in the door. Over penetration will not likely be more than minimal. It is an easily controlled load when used in the 66. In fact, when used in a Model 15 it is just as easily controlled. Just a fine all round useful load for anything up to and including berserking Zombies, crazed dogs/cats, etc. HTH. Sincerely. bruce.

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Gmborkovic - it's both and a range gun. But it's a 2004 3" which is exactly why I'm asking about ammo types. Thanks 4 the question!

AlphaSig

I'll second several of the recommendations above. There are many videos on Youtube if you would like to benefit from the backyard testing of others. Lucky Gunner has also posted extensive .38 special and .357 test results on their site.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/rev...llistics-test/

For a 3" K fame I prefer a medium power .357 load. The 135 grain Speer Gold Dot is a well regarded choice. The Speer product number is 23917/53917 for 20 or 50 round boxes.


There are several good .38 +P options.

Of the newer offerings the Speer 135 grain load (23921/53921) is a popular choice.


The Winchester 130 grain JHP in their Ranger and PDX1 product lines has performed well in several tests.


Of the older .38 +P standards the Remington version of the 158 grain LSWCHP FBI load earned a good street reputation. These were fired from a 4" revolver.



The Remington 125 grain SJHP usually performs well in modern style test if lower weight retention does not bother you. Earlier this year it could be found at modest prices and represented an excellent value for the performance.


I hope that helps you decide what to look for. Personally, I'd wait a while for availability and prices to settle down and then buy a case of whatever I decided upon. As for right now the best defensive ammo is whatever you have on hand.

I personally think this is the way to go -

BUFFALO-BARNES LEAD-FREE 357 Mag Low Flash-Short Barrel Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

A detective who checked FBI and Dallas PD shootings for me found Winchester's 145 grain Silvertip "almost too effective" in both snubs and four inch barrels. Velocity in three inchers is right about 1200 FPS. This is very good for short barrels.

Indoors, I favor Speer 135 gr. Short BBL. or warm versions of the .38 lead SWCHP.

For 30 years, I was a gun writer, with access to engineers and PR people who told me things seldom published. None had conducted tests to see if 140-145 grain bullets were more erosive than 158 grain JHP. But they uniformly felt they were pretty close, certainly much less damaging to guns than hot 125's.

I'd recommend staying away from full power 125 grain 357 Magnum loads, they are loud, provide one heck of a blast, recoil is very sharp, and they are hard on the revolver. 38 Special +P short barrel ammo or 357 Magnum short barrel ammo are good choices. Finding this ammo can be difficult. I have never been able to obtain the Speer 135 grain short barrel 357 ammo, it seems to be perpetually out of stock. Last year I was able to stock up on the 38 Special +P short barrel load.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I have plenty of .38s to carry .38 ammo in. When I carry this guy I load with .357 Silvertips. They are hard to find and expensive when you do. Sometimes the older stuff really is better.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

Sometimes. I'll respectfully point out that the solid copper stuff is probably the best balance of penetration and performance these days. I would not shoot a steady diet for sure - I'd shoot enough to make sure I understood point of aim/impact, but a diet of 80% dry practice, 19% 38 and 1% Magnum is probably about right - which is to say you should practice a lot and make sure the Magnum load works. To be sure, I would not feed the K frame a steady diet of heavy hitters for a variety of reasons.

Here it is. Split a case with a friend, or several friends.

200 Round Case - 357 Magnum 135 Grain Gold Dot Hollow Point GDHP Personal Protection Short Barrel Ammo - 23917GD | SGAmmo.com

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

For self defense/ target shooting?

38 wadcutters

For hiking in bear country

357 magnum - any 357 magnum

So I was lucky and found 148gr copper plated WC .38 special 5 boxes online outdoorlimited.com so will try some at the range & update. Thanks all!!!

I got really excited until I saw no place to add it to my cart, but a button that enables notification when it is back in stock. It seems that Speer cannot make enough of it to satisfy demand.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Stansdds - that's how I got the wadcutters