I have been looking for speer gold dot short barrel 357 magnums (135 grain) for ages with no luck !! Does anyone have a source of them ?

I have heard that Speer only makes a run of this ammo every now and then.

There are a few ammunition search websites, and one of the best ones currently shows none in stock. The last time I recall seeing any for sale was several years ago.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Looks like I better not shoot whst few I have . Thenks for the replies .

I haven’t seen any for several years. I did get lucky and found 6 50 rd boxes of 38 +P short barrel at a pawn shop for $15 a box and 3 boxes of 44 spl at another place for $27 each.

The only Gold Dot I am seeing are 9, 40 and 45 @ $40 for 20.

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213th FBINA

I've never been able to find the 135 grain 357 short barrel load for sale. The 38 Special +P short barrel version is often available.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Behind the Line Supply has some 135gr. 38Special +P short barrel listed on their website at 69.99 a box.

I just loaded up three boxes of them. Bought the bullets years ago, and since the ammo drought has dried up most things Gold Dot, decided to put them to good use in a .357 Mag handload for my new Colt Viper.

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Retired LE Instructor/Armorer

The bullets (components) are available again. There is also some recent production .38+P available, so keep your eyes open for the .357 version.

I bought five boxes for $66 shipped back in 2018. Here’s a screenshot from ammoseek right now.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Interesting, that is where I looked a few days ago, perhaps Speer has made a run.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I reload Hornady XTPs for my revolvers.

For non reloaders if you need a favorite load buy it by the case.

$1.50+ per round is gross. I can make them for about $0.45 each, and that's with inflated component costs.

Here's my take and a hint also.......
Forget the 135 grain Gold Dot short barrel magnum load! Get yourself some Buffalo Bore .38 Special +P 158 grain SWCHP-GC (#20A). They will do well over 1,000 fps (1025 - 1040 fps is my actual chronographed results tested from a 2" Model 60-7, tested multiple times with 2 different chronographs). It packs more velocity, more foot pounds of energy, and will probably expand better. They are also available directly from Buffalo Bore.

To me, 357 Magnum ammo does not perform anywhere near its intended potential from 2" barrel guns and is basically a waste. It was designed for 6" barrels but yes, also works fairly well in 4" barreled guns too. Yes, they do make "short barrel" .357 ammo but IMHO it's basically not efficient at all. BTW, it will have lots more muzzle flash than the BB .38 special +P mentioned above.

Heavy .38 Special +P Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

No big thing................

Just load the 125 grain Gold Dot
and breath easy.

What gun are you using these in?

Hornady makes their Critical Duty load in a 135-grain .357 Magnum version. It's feistier than the Speer load; it's basically a 135 going the velocity of a full-power 158. I found it when I was looking for a replacement for my old faithful R-P 158-grain SJHP load that recoils more than my 72-year-old self likes. It shoots to the same point of aim as the 158s in my 681-2.

I wouldn't shoot it in a J frame. I might give it a try in my 19-3.

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Regards,

Chuck

Winchester 145 silvertip has been available lately, another good option.

I use it in my Kimber K6s ( yes I know that is a bad word on this forum) and my 640 pro also. I also have them in my 4 inch model 13 and 6 inch Python

It's spendy, but in-stock currently at Speer.

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Todd

This isn't much help, but nowadays I find the ammo 1) that works and 2) that I can actually find and buy.

Lucky Gunner says (I tried to stick close to what you specified):

.38 Special rounds


Federal 125 gr. Hi-Shok +P

Federal 130 gr. HST Micro

Hornady 125 gr XTP American Gunner

Remington 125 gr Golden Saber +P

Winchester 130 gr. PDX1 Defender +P

Winchester 130 gr. Ranger bonded +P

Winchester 130 gr. Train and Defend


.357 rounds (most overpenetrate)


Barnes 125 gr Tac-XPD

Barnes 140 gr XPB VOR-TX

Buffalo Bore 125 gr Barnes XPB Low Flash Short Barrel

Buffalo Bore 125 gr Barnes XPB

Buffalo Bore 125 gr Barnes XPB

Winchester 125 gr PDX1 Defender

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Thanks for the heads up. I actually bought a couple of boxes from a forum member here a few weeks ago. And now looks like it is available on ammoseek again !

I am a fan of luckygunner also and saw those same results. Those are all good rounds you list. Thank you .

I used to search endlessly for 357/38+P gold dots and found them too difficult to find to be relied upon. Ended up going to Winchester Silvertips and Norma Safeguard which are both much easier to find and expand well even from a 2.5" barrel or less.