Snub nose 357 mag recommendations

[chief38]

IMHO I wold not shoot 357 Magnums from a 2" J Frame. There is just too much recoil and not enough advantage in a 2" barrel. Follow up shots are slower, muzzle flash can hinder you at night and a J Frame is just not meant for magnums - at least imo. Magnums from 2" bbls. are not nearly as impressive as they are from longer barrels and again IMO,just not worth all the downsides.

IMHO the best ammo for a 2" J Frame is the Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC (1,025 fps out of a 2" bbl.) and if that recoil is a bit too stout, then try the 135 grain +P Speer GDHP at about 835fps. Those two loads are about the best and most reliable I know of for a J.

If you are set on carrying the 357 magnum cartridge then I'd suggest stepping up to a 3" vintage M65 (K Frame). If concealment and all day / every day EDC is what you are looking for, the 5 shot J with the two loads above would be a very good choice.

 

[sniper]

"Mild" 357 Magnum???Of course!

Just picked up a 340 and looking for 357 magnum ammo recommendations for ccw. I am not recoil sensitive. My other jframe is packing the 38 +p , so really wanted this 340 for 357 magnum. Something that will allow for decently quick follow up shots.
Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

I finally found a box of it, and shot a few of the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. Short Barrel 357 Magnum load, and I was impressed. Soft recoil, and seemingly good velocity/performance out of my 4". Of course I was shooting my GP 100, so recoil was very mild, but if/when I get a 3" Model 60, that wil likely be my carry round.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I finally found a box of it, and shot a few of the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. Short Barrel 357 Magnum load, and I was impressed. Soft recoil, and seemingly good velocity/performance out of my 4". Of course I was shooting my GP 100, so recoil was very mild, but if/when I get a 3" Model 60, that wil likely be my carry round.

The Speer 135gr GDHP Short Barrel .357 Magnum ammo is hardly a Magnum load.

The 135gr .38 Special +P is clocked @860 fps and the .357 Magnum is clocked @990 fps. But, that's what makes it shootable in a 12oz and 14oz snub nose revolver.

 

[colt_saa]

Obviously, 357 Magnum from such a light gun is not for everyone. We all need to know our capabilities and limitations and keep within those.

There is no appropriate blanket comment that nobody should shoot Magnums from a J-frame or It says Magnum so I am going to shoot Magnums.

We all operate at different levels

I just looked at my notes, my oldest 340/360 was purchased more than 21 years ago

It has probably in excess of 7,000 rounds through it by now. Not a single round was 38 Special

Initially that first 340PD carried Remington 357 Magnum 125 grain JHPs. Mostly because I had access to 5 open cases of that ammo, but that is also a round that have learned to trust. Those 125s moved out of that 1 7/8" long barrel at 1124 FPS. That is actually the average from two of the 340s

Once that 125 ran out I switched to the Hornady Custom 140 grain XTP. That supply is down to it's last case so it will soon be time to switch again.

That will probably be to the Hornady 135 grain Critical Defense. The cartridge claims 1250 FPS from their 8" vented test barrel, so it is loaded down a bit from what 357 can achieve. I have not chronographed any of that from a 340/360 revolver

In the first decade that I had a Model 340, about 60 of my associates at FHP and a few Sheriff's Offices used it to run through their backup or off duty qualification courses. More than two thirds passed their Department's course which did not surprise me as the folks that wanted to try it were mostly the more practiced/skilled shooters. Very few of the new hires or less active Department members even wanted to try the revolver at all

The Speer Gold Dot 357 Magnum low recoil load using the 135 JHP is not close to a 357 Magnum load. It is more like a 38 +P++ or a 357 -- if you prefer. Since it is loaded above the SAAMI spec for 38 +P, Speer chose to load it into 357 Magnum brass.

That 357 Magnim Gold Dot is a great offering for those that are not ready for a full 357 Magnum, but are still capable of something beyond 38 +P+

I am sure I do not need to say this after reading your posts, buy whatever ammunition that you decide on, make sure you run 100 or more rounds through your revolver so that you are prepared for how things react

 

[colt_saa]

Federal used to make a 147 Grain Hydra-shok 38 special, +P+ load. Just a stunning performer in anything I shot them in. HOWEVER, I never shot them in any kind of 38 snubby. I carried them for a long time in Magnaport 2.5" custom model 19. Controllable, nice expansion, not too bad of a muzzle flash. They were LE only as I recall. If you can find them, buy some.

Regards, Rick Gibbs

Most all ammunition that is loaded over pressure (+P+) from the major manufacturers has a For Law Enforcement Use disclaimer printed on each box.

It is for liability since the ammunition is beyond industry standards.

The Departments used to sign a letter saying they under stood that pressure issue. It used to go along with the purchase order. I have been out of it for a decade so I do not know if that is still standard practice.

I can not find a record of having ever chronographed that 147 +P+, but I did shoot it into Ballistic Gel back in 2003

My file does not indicate how many rounds were averaged, but it should have been 3.

16.7" of penetration with an average retained weight of 124.8 grains. The core expanded to .451" while the jacket expanded to .952"

The firearm was probably a Colt Agent back then . . . I forgot to make a note. Who knew I would be looking back at it 20 years later and trying to remember what we did

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been loading the Speer 135gr .357 GDHP SB replica ammo. Way back when Speer released single page load data for each of their Gold Dot handgun cartridges I spoke to a Rep at Speer and she suggested I give their Power Pistol load a try as a replica. I was able to replicate the velocity and the feel of the recoil. Mind you, it's not the top end charge because I was looking for just under 1,000 fps like the factory ammo. (1,045 fps)

I use Speer .357 Magnum Nickel Brass, a CCI-550 primer, the correct SB 135gr bullet from Speer and a charge of 8.8gr Power Pistol.

I also worked up.the .38 Special +P GDHP SB load with success. AV is 846 fps, just slightly under the factory ammo velocity. I use AA#5 for that load as suggested by the same Speer Rep.

She did not tell me which powder they use in the factory ammo and wouldn't expect her to but she did make suggestions which worked out well...

 

[Old cop]

I've owned a no-lock 340PD for years but keep +P in it. I'm not recoil sensitive either but magnum loads in an 11 oz gun make follow-up shots almost impossible to control. It feels like catching a 90 MPH fastball barehanded when that backstrap slams into your palm.

 

[kaaskop49]

I have been loading the Speer 135gr .357 GDHP SB replica ammo. Way back when Speer released single page load data for each of their Gold Dot handgun cartridges I spoke to a Rep at Speer and she suggested I give their Power Pistol load a try as a replica. I was able to replicate the velocity and the feel of the recoil. Mind you, it's not the top end charge because I was looking for just under 1,000 fps like the factory ammo. (1,045 fps)

I use Speer .357 Magnum Nickel Brass, a CCI-550 primer, the correct SB 135gr bullet from Speer and a charge of 8.8gr Power Pistol.

I also worked up.the .38 Special +P GDHP SB load with success. AV is 846 fps, just slightly under the factory ammo velocity. I use AA#5 for that load as suggested by the same Speer Rep.

She did not tell me which powder they use in the factory ammo and wouldn't expect her to but she did make suggestions which worked out well...

Sorry, Mod, I don't understand. Why would a factory rep provide information enabling and encouraging someone to avoid buying their factory product?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[riverrat38]

Sorry, Mod, I don't understand. Why would a factory rep provide information enabling and encouraging someone to avoid buying their factory product?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

So the inquirer could make their own ammo using the factories bullets. If they are going to sell the bullets they use in their ammo, they should support the user with data. The same reason they produce factory loading manuals specifying their products.

73,
Rick

 

[kaaskop49]

Thanks, Rick. Appreciate the explanation. I'd still rather sell, say, 100 factory rounds loaded with whatever bullet we're discussing vs. 100 bullets. YMMV.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Nevada Ed]

I rate the Speer 135 +P Gold Dot load a maximum "Controllable load" in a J frame snub nose.
The Remington "FBI" load needs more practice, to learn how to control it's heavier recoil.

Any revolver in the 20 oz. range will do a LOT better with 38 +P loads,
for most shooters and if you are lucky enough to have a K frame, all is good to go,
in reducing recoil and getting back on target, quicker, with 357 loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Sorry, Mod, I don't understand. Why would a factory rep provide information enabling and encouraging someone to avoid buying their factory product?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I have no idea why, I can't know what she was thinking. She was on the help line and helped me. Besides, I'm buying their factory ammo for carry and their component bullets for practice. IMO that's a win win for them.

 

[38SPL HV]

Suggest a strong 38 Spl +P load from either Underwood or Buffalo bore. My 357 Mag ammo very rarely sees barrel lengths less than 4 inches.

 

[rosewood]

I have no idea why, I can't know what she was thinking. She was on the help line and helped me. Besides, I'm buying their factory ammo for carry and their component bullets for practice. IMO that's a win win for them.

That is called customer service!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That is called customer service!

Absolutely true and appreciated. That was a while ago, can't speak about now.

 

[SteveInAustin]

IMHO I wold not shoot 357 Magnums from a 2" J Frame. There is just too much recoil and not enough advantage in a 2" barrel. Follow up shots are slower, muzzle flash can hinder you at night and a J Frame is just not meant for magnums - at least imo. Magnums from 2" bbls. are not nearly as impressive as they are from longer barrels and again IMO,just not worth all the downsides.

IMHO the best ammo for a 2" J Frame is the Buffalo Bore 158 grain +P LSWCHP-GC (1,025 fps out of a 2" bbl.) and if that recoil is a bit too stout, then try the 135 grain +P Speer GDHP at about 835fps. Those two loads are about the best and most reliable I know of for a J.

If you are set on carrying the 357 magnum cartridge then I'd suggest stepping up to a 3" vintage M65 (K Frame). If concealment and all day / every day EDC is what you are looking for, the 5 shot J with the two loads above would be a very good choice.

It never fails there's always at least one person who answers a question not asked or tries to tell someone "don't shoot 357 in a snubbie". The OP made it clear that's what he WANTS to shoot so if you don't have an answer save the lesson for your kids. JFC.
To the OP. I've tested hornady critical defense in my gp100 2.5" snubbie and they expand well in gel and penetrate 14-16". That would be my recommendation.

 

[petepeterson]

It never fails there's always at least one person who answers a question not asked or tries to tell someone "don't shoot 357 in a snubbie". The OP made it clear that's what he WANTS to shoot so if you don't have an answer save the lesson for your kids. JFC.
To the OP. I've tested hornady critical defense in my gp100 2.5" snubbie and they expand well in gel and penetrate 14-16". That would be my recommendation.

Or someone busts out a 700 day-old thread. That seems to happen a lot, too.