Mod 60 Defense ammo

[S&Wdave]

I have a pre lock Mod 60 2 1/8 " 357. As I get older I like the 357 ammo less and less. What would be a good home defense ammo in +P or 38 special. Thinking a lighter bullet also. Thanks

 

[diamonback68]

I use Speer Gold Dot 135GR +P .38SPL. They are made specifically for short barrel guns.

 

[photoman]

Hornady FTX 110gr
Buffalo Bore Barnes Lead Free 110gr

 

[Hack]

Remington Golden Saber 125gr .38 Special +P

 

[S&Wdave]

I think the Gold Dot 135+P short barrel would a good choice but at this time no one is selling anything, Obama panic !

 

[MikeyB]

Another vote for the Golden Saber 125gr +P. That's what I run in my Model 60 Chief Specials.

 

[luangtom]

I use Speer Gold Dot 135GR +P .38SPL. They are made specifically for short barrel guns.

I certainly agree with this choice. I carry it in both my 340PD and my M&P340.

 

[Chris L.]

All of these ammo recommendations are good ones. Remember that with the Speers you only get 20 per box instead of 25 for the same price or higher then most other brands.

Some may reason and say "what is your life worth", but it's not as if the other brands mentioned here won't get the job done.

 

[jglsprings]

I use Speer Gold Dot 135GR +P .38SPL. They are made specifically for short barrel guns.

That's what I use when I don't feel up to the Short Barrel 357 load.

 

[Hapworth]

A good question that gets asked a lot; run a search on .38 and .38 +P for defense, there's mountains of good reading.

Bottom line:

- Corbon DPX 110gr HP .38 Special +P
- Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135gr HP .38 Special +P
- Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP .38 Special standard pressure or +P (the +P version is closer to a mid-power .357, so watch your wrist).

Honorable mention:

- Hornady Critical Defense 110gr HP .38 Special standard pressure or +P
- Remington, Federal or Winchester's version of the FBI load

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Now please make way for the wadcutter crowd.

 

[Hapworth]

Remember that with the Speers you only get 20 per box instead of 25 for the same price or higher then most other brands.

Buy the LE packaged version and you get 30 extra rounds for $15 dollars more.

 

[shouldazagged]

Remington +P 158gr. LSWCHP. I've never tried the Buffalo version, but the Remington is very manageable in my 640 and the lead is slightly softer than some brands for a better chance at some expansion from a snub. That load, regardless of manufacturer, has a solid track record of getting the job done when push comes to bad guy.

 

[CoMF]

Some of the best +P rounds to be had in .38 are the Remington LHP 158 gr., Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 gr., Winchester PDX1/RA38B 130 gr. In standard velocity, the 148 gr. wadcutter and Hornady's 110 gr. FTX are well-regarded.

My personal recommendation would be the Remington LHP or "FBI" load, but you should give all of them a try and see which one shoots the "best" from your particular Model 60.

 

[gunfan]

"My personal recommendation would be the Remington LHP or "FBI" load, but you should give all of them a try and see which one shoots the "best" from your particular Model 60."

The FBI liked this load for a reason. It works.

scott

 

[KenBen22]

I have been using the Speer 135g GDHP as well in my M60 3". Prints good groups and recoil is managable. Look on GB for availability. Ammogirl sells by the case. Price is fair considering current events. Its old stock but $25 for 50 rounds. Not bad in my book. All have went bang so far.

 

[TAROMAN]

I have always been partial to the now discontinued (again) Federal Nyclad "Chief's Special Load".
Carefully hoarding my last few of them.

 

[riverrat38]

The Speer 135 gr SB comes in plus P and Magnum, so you have a choice. The Magnum is about 100 FPS faster than the plus P, no where near a full Magnum. More of a plus P plus. Maybe just right for the steel J frame's. Probably about the same as a plus P in a longer barrel. Its nice to have a choice. My M60 no dash is .38 Special only, so I use the plus P. It is very accurate, and shots near the POA in my M60. Your gun is a few ounces heavier, so it would handle the Magnum better, anyhow. I used to have a M60-10, and I used the Magnum in that. Not too bad. I tried the full power Federal 125 gr JHP, and it was too much for a quick follow up shoot, for me. A man has to know his limitations!

Best,
Rick

 

[M3Stuart]

.38 nyclad and 158gr LSWC are what I shoot in my 60-9 and 642.

 

[ceedubb2000]

I believe we have the same revolver, just different barrel lengths (I have a .357 Magnum pre-agreement Model 60-9 with a 1.5" barrel) and use Magsafe's .38 Special 37-grain SWAT load as my home defense ammo. The bullets fragment in sheetrock instead of piercing, and are guaranteed to stop just about anything or anyone coming at you. They run about $22.95 for a 10-round box, but have no specific shelf life so are perfect for home defense.

 

[hotrod150]

I prefer a plain old 158 gr soft lead SWC-HP, but nyclad is one of the few "named" ammo choices I like. Seems like I've heard conflicting reports on whether it is currently being produced. Taroman, what bullet weight is the "Chief Spl Load"? I seem to recall that they made nyclad in 125 gr HP & 158 gr SWC-HP?
Ceedub, did I read that correctly? A thirty-seven (37) grain projectile weight? And priced at $2.29 per round? Wow! is about all I can say.