J Frame Snub Owners: What is your favorite carry load?

[Data]

Just a question of curiosity ...

As for myself, I carry a J Frame Snub as well. My current configuration is the 360 PD. Albeit, an ultra-lightweight Scandium/Ti J frame. Recently, I have switched over to the .38 Special instead of the high-powered .357 load. I have been carrying Federal's Classic C357B 125gr. JHP for nearly two decades. As a result of this particular load being out of production, I have decided to switch over to a different round. My current load is the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .38 Special +P 135gr. The recoil is still fairly mild compared to the full house 125gr JHP. I do keep a stash of .38 Special Ammunition in various brands and loadings as well. i.e. Wadcutters, GDs, HSTs etc, etc.

 

[BKLooney]

 

[Data]

Fantastic load! I have considered that particular load due its reputation as a street stopper. It appears to me that it's hard to come by these days (i.e. Federal & Winchester and Remington) ... unless you buy from a boutique cartridge maker such as Buff. Bore Amm. ... which tends to be more on the expensive side if one should decide to stock up.

 

[rockquarry]

Any 158 grain load (except full metal jacket) that shoots to point-of-aim or very close to it at any distance up to and including 25 yards, has recoil that I can quickly recover from, and is accurate. It may be a standard pressure load or a +P, may be a hollowpoint, cast, jacketed, etc. It's far more important to hit the target than obsess over Internet gunfighting loads.

 

[Data]

Always.

Obsession never hurts anything, but the wallet. But, it's fun to obsess every now and then. I am guessing that it's true with firearms as well. Aesthetics are important to me, but I know better that function overrides beauty in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Eddietruett]

I carry a 230gr lead wadcutter from Badman Bullets stroked by 2400. It gives around 1000fps out of a 6” revolver. I’m guessing around 850fps out of a 2” revolver. Not fun to shoot but it hits hard. I’ve seen too many HP’s fail to expand due to velocity, clothing etc., so I’ll go with hard hitting penetration

 

[ruger 22]

Standard velocity 158 grain. Plenty adequate for close range which is what the snubbies were made for. Shot placement and repeatability are the most critical factors here.

 

[max503]

Wadcutter from my press.

 

[Borderboss]

When I decided I just had to have a J-frame snub, I eventually settled on trying to find a 940. I felt that the 9mm out of the short barrel would be a better performer than a .38 +P, and I felt that a .357 version would be just to punishing to me as the shooter. I like my 940-1 and like the use of full moon clips.

 

[Data]

Please note that my original post was about what you guys like and carry in your J frame Snubs as of July 13, 2023.

My post was not intended as a stopping power debate or about shot placement theory as I am sure most of us know already. Please stay on topic, and help prevent digression for the benefit of everyone. Thank you.

Sincerely, Data.

 

[rockquarry]

Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158(?) grain cast hollow point SWC in a Model 638.

However, I'd be quite content with anything else that meets the standards I listed in post #4.

 

[snuf]

Standard 148 gr wadcutters

 

[jbtrucker]

Buffalo Bore 150 gr Hard Cast WC or 130 gr FMJ. The Fiocchi only fired out of K and L frames. I can't handle +P or Magnums in a J Frame

 

[326MOD10]

Gold Dot 135 Grain for Short Barrel Revolvers in .38 Special.

I also have the same thing for the .357 for my 640.

Made for the snubby and has data to show it is effective.

And good luck on your thread drift. I asked once where to buy .38 Wadcutter on line and and over half the responses were over how that was not a good load and how to train a new shooter.

 

[Baxter6551]

Hornady Critical Defense non plus P load

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Federal's micro HST 135gr JHP-WC with 4.5gr Unique.....

CHEERS!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Many years ago I was testing .38 ammo on the department range. I was quite amazed that Winchester Silvertips was grouping very tight out of my J frame. I've always believed that rapid proper placement was the key to survival. They have been my carry load every since.

Yes I imagine there are many better loads today, those designed for short barrels come to mind. But decades later Silvertips still group for me.

 

[madmikeb]

In my 640 Pro Series I use 125 Hornady XTP over 7.2 Unique in 357 magnum cases. I'd rather shoot my 4" 500 then full bore .357's in a J frame!

 

[rockquarry]

Many years ago I was testing .38 ammo on the department range. I was quite amazed that Winchester Silvertips was grouping very tight out of my J frame. I've always believed that rapid proper placement was the key to survival. They have been my carry load every since.

Yes I imagine there are many better loads today, those designed for short barrels come to mind. But decades later Silvertips still group for me.

I don't shoot much .357, factory or handloads, but still have about a box-and-a-half of 145 Silvertip. I've had it for years. Is it really that much better than a lot of other ammo? I don't recall ever shooting groups with it like I do with my handloads.

 

[Holden6v8]

Lead HP, "FBI Load"

Been carrying these for 40 years when I carry a J. 158 lead HP +P, still a very good load for the J, more manageable than 357 and still carries terminal energy even without expansion, can be pretty iffy from short barrels.