Cal44
Well-known member
Which 357 Speer gold dot would you suggest out of a 3" m60?
The 125 grain or the 158 grain?
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The 125 grain or the 158 grain?
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Which 357 gold dot - 158 or 125?
- Thread starter Cal44
- Start date
David R
Well-known member
Try both and see which one hits better with YOUR gun.
David
David
SuperMan
Well-known member
I have a 60-10 3" as well as a 66 and 65 3" and they are all fed 125s...
Bob
Bob
In a 3" barrel? I'd actually go with the Magnum 135 gr. GDSB load, if it were available.
I can also tell you the 158 gr. load is amazingly accurate out of a 4" barrel, but I think it'd experience expansion issues out of shorter barrels.
I can also tell you the 158 gr. load is amazingly accurate out of a 4" barrel, but I think it'd experience expansion issues out of shorter barrels.
Those are both serious boomers, especially out of a J-frame. Frankly, I'd say neither and strongly suggest Speer's Short Barrel version in .38+P, or .357 if you insisted on Magnum.
But to answer the question as framed, I'd go for 125 grain for slightly less recoil and a little more speed to increase likelihood of expansion.
But to answer the question as framed, I'd go for 125 grain for slightly less recoil and a little more speed to increase likelihood of expansion.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Like said above, try both and see which is more accurate in your gun.
I'm a big fan of the short barrel Speer .38 Special+P ammo but not the short barrel Speer .357 Mag ammo. That mag ammo is hardly a magnum at all. The advertized velocity is only 990 fps, why bother when the .38 Special does 860 fps and with a lot less noise...
I like 158gr bullets in the .357 but in a J frame the 125gr bullets might be less offensive to you. I don't recommend shooting magnums in a small dark room anyway so you might want to shoot .38 Special +P ammo instead.
I'm a big fan of the short barrel Speer .38 Special+P ammo but not the short barrel Speer .357 Mag ammo. That mag ammo is hardly a magnum at all. The advertized velocity is only 990 fps, why bother when the .38 Special does 860 fps and with a lot less noise...
I like 158gr bullets in the .357 but in a J frame the 125gr bullets might be less offensive to you. I don't recommend shooting magnums in a small dark room anyway so you might want to shoot .38 Special +P ammo instead.
Biggfoot44
Well-known member
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Since Gold Dots are specifed, the 135gr.
one eye joe
US Veteran
I SEE NO NEED TO SHOOT ANY ROUND OTHER THAN THE GOLD DOT , 135 GR .38 SPL+P OUT OF A J FRAME, BE IT A MAGNUM OR NOT. OUT OF A SHORT BARREL GUN @ SD DISTANCE, THERE WILL BE LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN TERMINAL EFFECT. THE +P WILL GET THE JOB DONE. DEAD IS DEAD…….
gwpercle
Well-known member
The round that I could should best. Accurate and multiple hits are desired.
My airweight J-frame has 38 special target wadcutters in it because of the above reasons. I can shoot these accurately and fast.
In a gunfight only hits count.
Gary
My airweight J-frame has 38 special target wadcutters in it because of the above reasons. I can shoot these accurately and fast.
In a gunfight only hits count.
Gary
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Is there a specific reason why you quoted me and then yelled the whole post? Did I do something to offend you or are you merely rude? Next time you feel like yelling at someone leave me out of it!
One eye joe is a member in good standing and I'll vouch for him; I don't think he was was jumping on you -- though I can certainly see how it would seem that way, for whatever reason he always posts in capitals. He's good folk, though...
nawilson
US Veteran
One eye joe is a member in good standing and I'll vouch for him; I don't think he was was jumping on you -- though I can certainly see how it would seem that way, for whatever reason he always posts in capitals. He's good folk, though...
I seem to recall that he has problems seeing the screen. I just shrug it off as his idiosyncrasy.
JeepinSoldier
Well-known member
Joe is a Vietnam Vet that actually only has one eye.
And that one eye he has left is not holding up so well.
All understand that all caps is shouting or exclamation, but unfortunately - this is the only way he can participate and contribute.
And that one eye he has left is not holding up so well.
All understand that all caps is shouting or exclamation, but unfortunately - this is the only way he can participate and contribute.
JeepinSoldier
Well-known member
OP, as posted several times above, I recommend either the Speer 135 grain .38 +P or .357 Short barrel loads.
These loads are specially designed to expand AND penetrate at the velocities produced from short barrel guns. The lead core and bonded jackets are different from other Speer loads just for this purpose. In fact, if these bullets are driven to over about 1,000 FPS they over expand and their performance starts to drop off.
Next I would suggest the 125 grain Speer .38 +P Short barrel load (As has already been posted)
Of the two you posted, I would select the 125 grain load. The 158 grain Speer GD .357 is OK from a four inch barrel but is really in its designed area from 6 inch plus guns.
I keep the Speer 135 .38+P Short Barrels in my 2 and 3" Model 60's and use both the Short barrel .38's and .357's in my 3" Model 13 and 65's for defense loads.
The Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel loads can be hard to find, but regular checks on the usual Internet ammo sites can turn them up relatively frequently. Good luck!
These loads are specially designed to expand AND penetrate at the velocities produced from short barrel guns. The lead core and bonded jackets are different from other Speer loads just for this purpose. In fact, if these bullets are driven to over about 1,000 FPS they over expand and their performance starts to drop off.
Next I would suggest the 125 grain Speer .38 +P Short barrel load (As has already been posted)
Of the two you posted, I would select the 125 grain load. The 158 grain Speer GD .357 is OK from a four inch barrel but is really in its designed area from 6 inch plus guns.
I keep the Speer 135 .38+P Short Barrels in my 2 and 3" Model 60's and use both the Short barrel .38's and .357's in my 3" Model 13 and 65's for defense loads.
The Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel loads can be hard to find, but regular checks on the usual Internet ammo sites can turn them up relatively frequently. Good luck!
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
One eye joe is a member in good standing and I'll vouch for him; I don't think he was was jumping on you -- though I can certainly see how it would seem that way, for whatever reason he always posts in capitals. He's good folk, though...
No offense taken then! Carry on...
Last edited:
Cal44
Well-known member
I know all the arguments for using 38+P -- and I do use that when I carry this gun.
Just thought I'd give 357 magnums a try at the range and wondered which to try first -- the 125 or the 158.
ridgewalker
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure I could probably shoot the 125 gr better out of your 3 inch barrel M 60. I am not sure I would want to shoot more than 1 cylinder at a time though.
You have probably seen this before but here is the ballistic data.
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101
My choice would be the 135 gr SB. Or if you felt you had to go a little hotter, I would choose the Remington Golden Sabers.
You have probably seen this before but here is the ballistic data.
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101
My choice would be the 135 gr SB. Or if you felt you had to go a little hotter, I would choose the Remington Golden Sabers.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
IMO the short barrel 135gr Speer ammo is hardly a magnum at all. The SB .38 Special +P is rated @860 fps and the SB .357 Magnum ammo is rated @990 fps. Like I said, hardly a magnum at all.
The M60 is an all steel revolver that weighs 23oz, a lot heavier than the 12oz Airlite J frames S&W is selling. I have a M640 which is the same gun only with a shrouded hammer and I usually shoot full power 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum ammo (rated @1290 fps) in it when I do shoot a magnum load. The additional weight of the all steel frame soaks up the recoil well.
