What .357 magnum ammo do you carry in your J-frame?

[oldiesradio1560]

I have a 640-1 Pro Series that is my daily carry. I have No problem shooting any .357 factory load from 158gr. FMJ to 110gr. JHP. I know a lot of people carry a .357 with .38 or .38+P but If you carry a .357 magnum and carry .357 magnum ammo in it what .357 ammo works for you? Currently carrying 125gr Hormany Critical Defense FTX but want to explore to see if anything else is better.

 

[michpatriot]

Speer

I like the short barrel 357 135gr GoldDots, not too hot, not too cold just right for my 340PD. If I had a all steel j frame I might try to get proficient with 158gr 357 rounds. If I feel the need for more penetration less expansion i.e. Woods round I like the BuffaloBore 158 gr 38 special+p outdoorsman. I tried their 180 gr 357 outdoorsman but the recoil was a little brisk out of a 11.4oz j frame LOL!

 

[1sailor]

Just as a good starting point check out the link at the end of my post. Lucky gunner tested several brands of defensive ammo in the most common defensive calibers including .38 Special and .357 Magnum. Not the end all and they even caution not to necessarily choose by comparing their results but it gives a good base line. They show the recovered bullets and even show video of the rounds entering the ballistic gelatin. One quite noticeable thing is how many .357 defensive loads way over penetrated. The Gold Dot short barrel mentioned above actually performed very well in .357 and not too badly in .38 special. I read somewhere that the gold dots were originally designed to be fired in short barrel pistols that were once widely used as BUG's by many police depts. That's just internet chatter though so take it for what it's worth. https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

 

[KEN L]

This is what I feed my 640-1 Pro Series as a regular diet.
It feels just right!

 

[photoman]

The short barrel Gold Dots are a good option but hard to find at a decent price. SG Ammo listed a fresh batch (ten cases or so) on Friday and they were all gone by Sunday morning.

 

[1sailor]

If you reload then buying the bullets themselves isn't too bad.

 

[Amp]

Still using Hornady. Both 38 and 357.

 

[SpartyME]

 

[yrunvs]

I carry Buffalo Bore 158 grain semi wadcutter hollow points standard load in my J frame Model 60. It's like a 38 special +P load also low flash.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

The critical defense ammo has become our regular carry ammo in 38, 38+p, and 357. It is designed for short barrels with low flash, appropriate powder charge and very controllable and accurate. Ballistics are about as good as it gets from the 125 grain 357 load from a snubie.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[snowman.45]

I like the short barrel 357 135gr GoldDots, not too hot, not too cold just right for my 340PD. If I had a all steel j frame I might try to get proficient with 158gr 357 rounds. If I feel the need for more penetration less expansion i.e. Woods round I like the BuffaloBore 158 gr 38 special+p outdoorsman. I tried their 180 gr 357 outdoorsman but the recoil was a little brisk out of a 11.4oz j frame LOL!

The GDHP 135gr. SB is my favorite magnum load. I keep my 340 and 640 loaded with it when in the hills, and always carry an extra reload of this round, even when carrying the Buffalo Bore 158gr. +P LHPSWC in the gun.

 

[snowman.45]

I'm wanting to try that .38 Micro load, just can't find them anywhere, yet.

 

[photoman]

I'm wanting to try that .38 Micro load, just can't find them anywhere, yet.

SG Ammo had some Friday but was gone in 48 hours. From the few tests I've seen, it's not working well out of a two inch barrel. If that proves to be the case, then very disappointing as HST has shown to be a very good round in all the other calibers.

 

[SpartyME]

I'm wanting to try that .38 Micro load, just can't find them anywhere, yet.

Of all places, my local Walmart had them.

 

[Cal44]

I'm wanting to try that .38 Micro load, just can't find them anywhere, yet.

Surprisingly, Wal-Mart out here in Roseville California stocks this load.

The store near me almost always has a few boxes in stock.

 

[snowman.45]

Thanks for the information Cal44, SpartyME, and Photoman44. I'll look into that.

 

[trailmix]

If you are looking for low recoil, somebody already mentioned the Short Barrel Gold Dot which is about the lightest .357 that I have tried. In my 649, I usually carry Remington 110gr SJHP which is another low power .357 as well although I haven't seen it around lately. If I cant find the SJHPs I usually go with Remington Golden Sabers or Hornady Critical Defense 125gr.

 

[sawlog]

I use 125 grain federal 357b. Sjhp

 

[ldryder]

I carry Golden Saber 125 grain in my M&P 340.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Put me in the Speer Short Barrel 135 grain Gold Dot camp! Like the fellow said; not to much, not to little, Just right in my 640-1!