Is there a downloaded .357 Magnum for self defense

[Baltimoreed11754]

I use Hornady Critical Defense polymer tip loads in my scandium airweight J frame. They make a couple different .38+P spcl loadings. But I also have Ergo grips on my gun that are better imo than the tiny boot grips that were on it. Carrying a Smith Victory 2 inch barrel right now with the HCD loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I didn't bother to mention the 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum load because its just/ not available. Winchester was doing a special run every 2 to 3 years a while back but I haven't seen any new for at least 4/5 years now. I do have 4 or 5 boxes left because it shoots scary accurate in my S&W M640 J frame. The recoil isn't all that bad and its a very accurate load for me. (very accurate) sure that revolver weighs 23oz but still... If you can find some it will carry extremely well in your M19.

 

[Kinman]

Back in the 70's I did some shooting with Fairchild AFB base cops. Their duty load was 158gr. HBWC inverted in the case over 2.8grs of Unique. I finished up a shoot by filling in for one of their gunners on the 600 yd line, as payment the head honcho handed me a coffee can and said "I noticed you shooting a .38, give these a try." The can was full of those cartridges, not only were they the best plinking .38's I ever shot, they were very accurate and according to the base cop were akin to hitting a guy with a Louisville Slugger. I would still consider that particular bullet combination if I was of the mind to carry a .38 caliber handgun for self defense.

 

[Claymore33]

YES

YES , IT IS CALLED .38 SPL +P

 

[BB57]

When I carry a revolver it's normally either a 2 1/2" Model 66 or a 3" Model 686+.

Unfortunately most full power .357 Mag factory loads use a colloidal ball powder - the bulk equivalent to H110/Win 296 as those powders give maximum velocity.

That extra velocity potential is mostly realized in long barrels. In short barrels they don't do more than about 50 fps faster in 3" barrel (and no faster in a 2 1/2" barrel) than a medium burning powder using half the charge weight. And a 9-10 grain charge of fast burning powder produces about 35% less recoil than a 20-21 gr charge of a slow burning colloidal ball powder.

Consequently, I started loading my own ammunition for .357 Magnum using both Hornady 125 ge XTP and 125 gr V Crowm bullets on top of a max load of Unique giving 1250 to 1300 fps in 2.5" and 3" revolvers.

They are both readily available (in normal supply chain times at reasonable prices. Loaded to the above velocities both expand well in ballistic gel. The Sig V crown penetrate about 16" and the XTPs about 17-18".

My other range load uses 158 gr plated bullets also launched with Unique. The hollow points work well as a range load and I just happen to carry them for self defense use as well.

——-

If I didn't hand load I'd opt for:

1) the Hornady 125 gr FTX Critical Defense factory load as it will do about 1200 fps in a short barrel and penetrate about 15" with excellent expansion; or

2) The Speer 135 gr gold dot short barrel. It's a lot slower at about 1075 fps but expands very well and penetrates about 13".


The Hornady 135 gr FTX Critical Duty doesn't do all that well in a short barrel as it expands well but slightly over penetrates.

Last time I checked, the polymer tipped Hornady FTX bullets are not considered hollow points in NJ, so you don't have to rely on the to and from the range exemption. But in the home, for home defense, it's not an issue.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I'm not a great believer in the "one shot stop"......

I think and train to do a .............

Fast double tap........... +P.38s for urban carry!

.357 158gr soft points out in Penn's woods

 

[Kinman]

I'm not a great believer in the "one shot stop"......

I think and train to do a .............

Fast double tap........... +P.38s for urban carry!

.357 158gr soft points out in Penn's woods

Hence the name BAM-BAM? I usually use the BAM-BAM....BAM technique myself.

 

[cjwils]

Look at Buffalo Bore short barrel ammo. I have used in a very light weight 2" .357, and the recoil is heavy, but not too severe.

 

[pantannojack]

I fired one each Speer 38 spcl +P 135g GDHP 2391; and Speer Lawman 38 spcl +P 125g JHP. They both felt maximum power for my 649-2 38 spcl and violently ruptured gallon milk/water jugs.

 

[Biggfoot44]

In random order , with last question first :

.38 +P in the better loadings , is reasonably adaquate .

From your profile ; if New Jersey ( affirmatively) Legal is a relevant parameter , your best choices are Cor Bob PowerBall and Federal Guard Dog , formerly EFMJ .

Back in the Late Revolver Era , R-P made a " Medium Velocity " 125 JHP for exactly that purpose . Various regional loaders did/ still so , mfg similar.

Considered as a class , .38 Spl +P+ " Treasury Load " , various boutique +P , plus the Original .357 Mag 110 JHP , still seen 8n WWB , plus various Boutique +P , will meet your power and controlability criteria . As a class , they will be closer to 10 inch of penetration than the Theoretical holy grail of 12 to 18 inches . Your decision how much you subscribe to Theoretical Holy Grail vs Real World results will shape your preferences .

 

[S-W4EVER]

There is another option:+P+ .38 Special.
Worth looking at if you want less than generic .357 ammo.

+1. My department issued the Treasury load (IIRC W-W 110gr. "Controlled Expansion") for about ten years and when needed it performed well (even though we carried the .357 Highway Patrolman revolver).

OP, have you tried other grips on your revolver? I like wood grips to look at but rubber grips for carrying & shooting.

 

[pittpa]

I shoot American Eagle .357 Magnum
Target flat nose half jacket
Grain Weight: 158
Muzzle Velocity: 1240
From my 3.5" 27-2 with wood target grips
The recoil and boom is a bit dramatic for me

Just got a 2.5" Model 19-3 and not looking forward to shooting the above ammo in that gun

QUESTION
Is there a downloaded .357 magnum self defense round that would be between the above ammo and +P38 Special

Or will the +P 38 Special with modern bullets be plenty

Bushmaster I think the gold dot 135 grain 357 short barrel ammo would be a great round in your revolver. It averages 1027 ft./s out of my J frame 1 7/8 inch barrel. That Velocity is a real sweet spot for that Ammunition. If I recall correctly it makes about 316 foot pounds of energy.
It is tolerable in my 12 ounce gun. It should be perfect for your gun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Naphtali]

Since I am partial to 158-grain projectiles — better for scaring bears off my back porch?? — were the Remington 38 Special "F. B. I. Load" I use be unavailable, I would consider CCI Blazer 357 Magnum 158-grain JSP (or is it JHP??). It is not a full power ammunition. And it used to be lower priced because its aluminum case is less expensive to make and also not reloadable. Please note that I typed "would consider". I have no idea about its availability, cost, actual chronograph and other ballistic test results. In the distant past before I bought a bazillion Remingtons at 33¢/ea, that had been my evaluation.

Just a thought.

 

[oddshooter]

Great suggestions. Good luck finding any available.

The suggestions are also quite expensive at the moment if found.

Handloading is always a great idea, but right now, not so much. Finding primers, powder, and bullets can be challenging today.

When things calm down to the "New Abnormal", think about stacking it high and deep.

Prescut

 

[yugolovr]

If there's is an issue with what kind of bullet can be used. I would use Buffalo Bore standard pressure 150 grain wadcutter. If there isn't an issue. I would use the same companies standard pressure 158 grain fbi load.

 

[IAM Rand]

Col. Bill Jordan: practice with 38s, carry 357. The model 19 can handle full 357 loads just as long as they are not all the time. If you are that worried about shooting full 357 then get a newer revolver. Model 66, 686+, or a 627. I have a 627 and am not afraid to go full load.

 

[grip frame]

Winchester white box .357 110 grain JHP.

Comes in 50 round boxes.

Great lighter recoil load in .357

 

[boatbum101]

IMHO the OP would be better served by a different handgun . 357 does have a bark to it but I don't find the recoil to be objectionable ( out of an N frame ???????? ) . For many years both of us carried 3" RB Model 13's or 65's . Outside the Rem 125 GS was our load , inside the BB 20A +P 158 LDHPGC . My wife was 110lbs & 5'2" .

 

[rays44]

You live in NJ like I do, so this is not for carry, presumably a house gun. Anything with power is going to be loud, especially in a 2.5" revolver. I'd go with Gold Dot .38's. You'll probably and thankfully never need it in Princeton.

 

[smoothshooter]

.38+P ?

Should be enough.