Model 60 ammo

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caseye65

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Just bought a model 60 since they run 357 as well as 38 I'm having trouble choosing what to carry as a defensive round. Was thinking about either .38 Spl Ammo by Hornady - 125gr JHP or .357 Mag Ammo by Hornady - 125gr JHP. Let me know what you think and why its a snub nose and i have heard many argument on grain size and length of the barrel so let me know what you think.
Thanks
 
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I prefer the Speer .38 +P 135gr Short Barrel because the bullet is designed to expand at snubby speed, and I don't carry .357 in a snubby. If I had to, it would be something less than full mag power, like Golden Saber.
Suggest you shoot an IDPA BUG scenario with your candidates and see if you can hit anything at speed before you choose. Job one in defense is hit the target.
 
I carry 38sp Hornady Critical Defense or Critical defense lite in all my J frames. Even though I am sure it is very effective .357 is a little too much in my little Js.
 
Good suggestions above. Since you can buy many .38 and .357 defensive loads in 20-25 round boxes, try a few and see which have good accuracy, tolerable recoil and won't break the bank. You may get along with full 125 gr .357s but probably not :).
 
I have shot both .38 & .357 Hornady Critical Defense in my M640 hammer less snub nose. I carry the .357 Critical Defense round for two reasons. First, the .38 drops around 200 fps and 200 fpe.(8-900fps vs 1100 fps)from the .357 round. Second, there is a bit of difference in recoil but I would prefer stopping power over a minor pain in my hand for a couple of minutes. Think about this. How many rounds will you fire in self defense? 5-10 instead of going to the range and shoot 50 rounds at a paper target. At the range the paper target will Always lose. Will you win or lose in a self defense fight with a underpowered round? Placement is critical but stopping the threat is equally important.
 
Based on reviews that I have read, I have chosen to carry Winchester PDX-1 Defender .38 +P, 130grain in my 3" Mod. 60-15. Readily available and shoots point of aim at 10-15 yards. Can't ask anything more from a SD round.
 
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I load my own lite loads in 357 cases, but if I had to buy my ammo, I would use Speer Short Barrel or 38 +p. Shooting any kind of serious 357 in a Model 60 is not much fun.
 
Thanks everyone I have not shot it yet, but am extreamly eager to see how it handels both 38 and 357 just wanted to get an opionion on what y'all carry. Like previously stated why buy a 357 if your not gonna use it!
 
I like the Speer Short Barrel 135 grain in .38 special in my j frame's. However, I just got the same round in .357 and although I haven't been to the range with them yet, I'm pretty excited about trying them. They maybe the new carry round in my Model 60 and 640.
 
My .357 Smith snubs (except the 360Sc with its titanium cylinder) like the 110gr .357 Mag. JHP loads. R-P and W-W load this bullet weight and offer it in 50-round boxes. The W-W version is often available at Walmart for about $27 a box.

I shot my Model 60 LadySmith .357 two weeks ago with the R-P 110 load and the Perfecta 158gr practice load. Both were controllable on pie plates, even with the UM boot grip. I won't shoot the 125gr "planetwreckers" in these guns, but may try the 145gr W-W Silvertip in the 60 next time out.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
kaaskop49 said:
My .357 Smith snubs (except the 360Sc with its titanium cylinder) like the 110gr .357 Mag. JHP loads. R-P and W-W load this bullet weight and offer it in 50-round boxes. The W-W version is often available at Walmart for about $27 a box.

I shot my Model 60 LadySmith .357 two weeks ago with the R-P 110 load and the Perfecta 158gr practice load. Both were controllable on pie plates, even with the UM boot grip. I won't shoot the 125gr "planetwreckers" in these guns, but may try the 145gr W-W Silvertip in the 60 next time out.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
Click to expand...

Groo here
If you "MUST" shoot 38's in a 357 ,,,
Clean well EVERY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I shoot a few 38's in my m-60 PRO but Most have been 357's.
110gr to 200 gr [Groo Monster Maulers]...
For a full time carry, look at the Buffelo Bore 38-44 loads
AKA Outdoorsman load.
158gr SWC at 1100 from a 4in, 1000 from a snub.
Hits hard , lower pressure [ 38 +P] short case to help ejection.
And also low flash..
 
ExcitableBoy said:
Why buy a .357 if you don't want to SHOOT .357???

Life is full of mysteries!
Click to expand...

Because the same gun is not available in 38 Special, and because the platform has already been modified to accommodate 357 Magnum length and power level. I would rather have the 38 Special-only gun, but the manufacturer has to offer it that way. If you only have one or a few guns though, choosing versatility can make sense, given a realistic chance that 357 Magnum will actually be used on occasion.
 
My M&P 340 is loaded w/the Speer 135 grain +P b/c I've found that even the mildest .357 too much for accurate/fast follow up shots. I chose this no lock model in 2012 for the front sight as well as its light weight frame.
 
Casey, any of the ammo you mentioned should work just fine. Understand some guns "like" one style of ammo over another. Finding the right one can be trial and error.

I carry Underwood brand 38 special +P ammo ( 1200 FPS and 550 foot pounds of energy) in my 640, as .357 Ammo is just no fun to shoot in a J frame. I often load the same ammo in my 2 1/2" K frames.
 
For many folks the J-frame class guns in .357 are heavier and have longer grips. Firing .38 Special is less powerful, but still effective. I carry the 638 with Hornady low recoil rounds because my wife can shoot it well. She carries the M 38 with a much better trigger.
Geoff
Who notes it's better to carry than not.
 
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