What would you run through your J-Frame?

[Quattro15]

Ok, I've got a 360PD. I freakin' LOVE this gun for carry but I want to get the most out of it.

Right now I'm carrying it with Speer Gold Dot JHP .38 +p ammo.

My question is what is the best ammo to run in a .357 J-Frame?

.38, .38+p, .357 of some sort?, how about the newer "short barreled ammo?, hollow point, wadcutter, ?????

What would be the most ideal round for such a small pistol that would allow for good follow-up shots and expansion/penetration?

I'm not asking what is the best round bar-non but what do you guys prefer?

Thanks!!

 

[Quattro15]

Ok, I've got a 360PD. I freakin' LOVE this gun for carry but I want to get the most out of it.

Right now I'm carrying it with Speer Gold Dot JHP .38 +p ammo.

My question is what is the best ammo to run in a .357 J-Frame?

.38, .38+p, .357 of some sort?, how about the newer "short barreled ammo?, hollow point, wadcutter, ?????

What would be the most ideal round for such a small pistol that would allow for good follow-up shots and expansion/penetration?

I'm not asking what is the best round bar-non but what do you guys prefer?

Thanks!!

 

[Revolver King]

1st I would never use 357 load in a J frame, I like my hand too much. I did it once and I have never forgot the pain. I only use Federal Nyclads in all my J frames. This bullet was designed just for the short barrel gun. That being said I am sure you are going to get many different opinions.

 

[indiandave]

I use my homemade wadcutters at the range. For carry ammunition it's Buffalo Bore 158 LSWCHP's std. pressure. I agree with Revolver King. .357's and a light weight gun does not make for fun shooting.

 

[DLK]

If you really want that .357 load (which, from the chronographing results I've seen isn't a foregone conclusion - there's usually at least a 150 fps difference), I like the 135gr Speer Gold Dot for short barrels.

It's a little bit of a lighter magnum load - makes 1,100 fps or so, but with noticably reduced kick and muzzle flash.

I find it comfortable to fire in a steel J-frame and tolerable in a 340/360. Not fun, but tolerable enough to get through a few cylinders. The increase in punch is significant enough to me to make it worth while.

 

[Texas Star]

When I can find them, I use Speer's Gold Dot 125 grain .38 Plus P in my M-60-4. Otherwise, Federal's 129 grain Hydra-Shok. Haven't found lead Plus P's in some time, or I'd use them. (HP.)

My particular gun thinks it's a target pistol with the Gold Dot.

I haven't so far found Gold Dot in the Short Barrel 135 grain version. I think it is probably the ultimate jacketed load in snub .38 ammo. But the earlier 125 grain Gold Dot has a big nose cavity, and goes out of a three-inch barrel at well over 900 FPS. I think it will stop man or dog, certainly snakes.

But the lead Plus P HP's are the best all-round business load in a .38. I just wish that shops sold them more often.

These are defense loads. I practice most of the time with Remington or Winchester standard lead loads, 158 grain.

T-Star

 

[coach22]

In my 340 PD, I tried:
Corbon 357 DPX, Speer GDSB 357 and
Federal 357 "Reduced Recoil" which it ISN'T.
If I had to choose one, it would be the DPX.
For me, it had the least recoil of the 357's.
That said, for me, fast follow up shots are what matters.
There have been issues with lead bullets in Scandium guns,
so those aren't in the mix for me.
My 340 is loaded with Buffalo Bore 125 grain 38+P's.
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#38spl
I also have Pachmayr Compacs on it,
which would make shooting 357's easier to handle,
but since fast follow up shots are what's important to me,
I am completely comfortable the way my gun is set up.

 

[Shorty4T]

+1 here for the FBI load 158 gr. LSWCHP, the word is the Remington (R38S12) or Buffalo Bore is preferred. The Remington is what is in the M60 that I carry every day.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[Bacon]

Having owned a 640-1 and shot 357's through it, I can say that it is not a pleasant experience. After putting 100 IMI 357's through it the first time my hand was left with a distinct impression of the stiff recoil. Although the 357 GDSB's I later bought had less recoil it still made shooting my first snubby more difficult than with just 38's.

Since we are supposed to practice with a round that is close to what we carry I have gone over to Speer 38+P GDSB's. Still a very effective round and one that is easier to follow up with.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Howdy,

The 640-1 that I carry is all steel. I don't have a problem shooting .357s out of it. I wouldn't call spending a day shootin a hundred or more of them a fun filled day, but they are manageable. I really don't find follow up shots problematic. In the winter time in these parts, the bad guys wear big thick heavy coats too!

My carry choice is the .357 135gr. JHP short barrel Gold dots.

This gun gets carried a lot and shot enough to remain proficient. It is not my "have fun at the range" gun.

WG840

 

[Cruiser RN]

I use Speer 135 grain JHP + P as my carry ammo.This bullet was designed for snubby use in cooperation with NYPD.They adopted this load after evaluating it in actual shootings.

 

[pinkymingeo]

In my 340PD and 360PD I shoot a 125gr jacketed bullet in 357 brass over 6.5 AA2 with Federal primer and a crimp Godzilla couldn't budge. This chrono's 930fps, a little faster than the GDSB which I clocked at 910. I fooled around quite a bit before settling on this load, which is minimal recoil and, once you get used to it, actually fun to shoot! Much more pleasant than the GDSB. I put 50rds through one PD or the other weekly, and sometimes keep going because I'm enjoying it. IMHO it's plenty for self-defense, as long as you put the 125 where it belongs.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Those Speer 135gr .38 Special +P Short Barrel rounds will do a very good job in your Airlite. That bullet was specifically designed to expand at velocities generated in a snub nose revolver. (as little as 800 fps)

I'm a big fan of 158gr LSWC/HP ammo and 148gr WC ammo. Both will also work well in your J frame. I carry the FBI Load made by Remington. (Part #R38S12) The lead is soft enough to expand when fired from a snub nose but hard enough to penetrate too.

 

[rburg]

We're growing a country full of pantywaists. Everyone is afraid of a little recoil. History shows it a little differently. For example, back in the early 1930s all you could get with any power was a semi-auto with 38 supers, or the .38/44 heavy duty ammo. It was said to be "fearsome" in his recoil. Then in 1935 S&W came out with the .357 Magntm.

Everyone was scared to death of the recoil, and it was often said only a "real man" could even hold on to the gun. By about 1955 enough shooters had used the 357 and no one lost his arm, so S&W introduced the 44 Maggie. Again, stories of gloom and doom. People of smaller stature were advised against even trying a single round.

As time advanced, we saw some other boomer introduced. Each cycle its been said you can't stand the recoil, be afraid, very afraid, etc.

Now they introduce the 357 in a package that's easy to carry and conceal. And again, even our seasoned shooters are crying and whining, running for cover. In 15 or so years, they'll probably laughing at us, too.

Me? I have a number of J frames. Even a 360Sc. What do I use? I've kind of settled upon my old favorite, 148 gr wadcutters.

 

[Bacon]

Oh gosh rburg, now you've gone and hurt my feelings.

I'd start crying if they had the right emoticon.

PS - Those IMI 357mags are the real thing. I bought them back in the 80's but haven't seen them for sale in a long time.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
I use Speer 135 grain JHP + P as my carry ammo.This bullet was designed for snubby use in cooperation with NYPD.They adopted this load after evaluating it in actual shootings.

+1

I leave the FBI load for my 4" 64 where I know it has enough velocity to reliably expand.

 

[rdrancher]

We're growing a country full of pantywaists. Everyone is afraid of a little recoil. History shows it a little differently. For example, back in the early 1930s all you could get with any power was a semi-auto with 38 supers, or the .38/44 heavy duty ammo. It was said to be "fearsome" in his recoil. Then in 1935 S&W came out with the .357 Magnum.

Everyone was scared to death of the recoil, and it was often said only a "real man" could even hold on to the gun. By about 1955 enough shooters had used the 357 and no one lost his arm, so S&W introduced the 44 Maggie. Again, stories of gloom and doom. People of smaller stature were advised against even trying a single round.

As time advanced, we saw some other boomer introduced. Each cycle its been said you can't stand the recoil, be afraid, very afraid, etc.

Now they introduce the 357 in a package that's easy to carry and conceal. And again, even our seasoned shooters are crying and whining, running for cover. In 15 or so years, they'll probably laughing at us, too.

Me? I have a number of J frames. Even a 360Sc. What do I use? I've kind of settled upon my old favorite, 148 gr wadcutters.

Dick, ya got me bad. I took it hook, line and wadcutter sinker.

rd

 

[LOBO]

Speer .38 special 135gr +P Gold Dot

 

[perrazi]

if you don't have to penetrate a windshield or a door, hbwc loaded backwards at 800fps work good with very little recoil. not a long range load though.best inside 50ft.

 

[rburg]

Originally posted by rdrancher:

Dick, ya got me bad. I took it hook, line and wadcutter sinker.

Well, you can't be serious all the time... I have trouble being serious...ever!

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Right now I carry the Speer 135gr.+P JHP. But when the reintroduced Federal 125gr LHP starts hitting shelves I'm going to try it out.

 

[ifilef]

The Speer .38 sp. 135 GDHP +P is my carry load in a 442, but I only have 3 in the cylinder (due to my perceived unremarkable penetration in bare Bal Gel); the two remaining cartridges are the FBI Rem R38S12. The first 3 are the Speer. Why? I can shoot them more accurately than the Rem LHP +P and can tolerate the recoil better. YMMV.

Figure if 3 don't do the job then the remaining 2 Rem should be of benefit. So, I've compromised...

I would never buy a snub in .357 and if I did I'd carry .38's in it and practice with those .38 loads...I'm not a glutton for pain.

If I could find a true defense round, currently manufactured, that has adequate penetration and expansion without the +P I'd go with it. BB should really be tried by me, but I haven't gotten around to it and I don't like the price. Moreover, it's more exotic and less in keeping with more commonly accepted SD rounds.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by ifilef:
BB should really be tried by me, but I haven't gotten around to it and I don't like the price. Moreover, it's more exotic and less in keeping with more commonly accepted SD rounds.

There's nothing exotic about Buffalo Bore's loads except maybe their name.

Whatever powder they use evidently allows them to meet SAAMI pressures with much higher velocities OR the mainstream makers are loading very weakly compared to SAAMI stds.

Either way, Buffalo Bore loads the .38 Special as it should be and makes it so that our grand old cartridge cannot be outdone by the 9x19.

BB's 158 gr +P LSWCHP is what rides in my .38 K frames and often is what rides in my .357 as well.

 

[MTKTM]

Originally posted by rburg:
We're growing a country full of pantywaists. Everyone is afraid of a little recoil. History shows it a little differently. For example, back in the early 1930s all you could get with any power was a semi-auto with 38 supers, or the .38/44 heavy duty ammo. It was said to be "fearsome" in his recoil. Then in 1935 S&W came out with the .357 Magnum.

Everyone was scared to death of the recoil, and it was often said only a "real man" could even hold on to the gun. By about 1955 enough shooters had used the 357 and no one lost his arm, so S&W introduced the 44 Maggie. Again, stories of gloom and doom. People of smaller stature were advised against even trying a single round.

As time advanced, we saw some other boomer introduced. Each cycle its been said you can't stand the recoil, be afraid, very afraid, etc.

Now they introduce the 357 in a package that's easy to carry and conceal. And again, even our seasoned shooters are crying and whining, running for cover. In 15 or so years, they'll probably laughing at us, too.

Me? I have a number of J frames. Even a 360Sc. What do I use? I've kind of settled upon my old favorite, 148 gr wadcutters.

Funny post rburg.....it is true how perceptions of recoil have changed. I remember the hype you describe as well, and also how "brutal" the 45ACP 1911 was to shoot.

I have a 340PD and my carry round-of-choice is the Winchester Silvertip 145gr. HP.....mostly because I got a supply of them a few years ago and haven't used them all up, but it's also a good round.

I'm kinda wondering when they're gonna come out with a scandium/titanium/unobtainium 500?

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Use whatever you can handle 38+p or 357mag
don't expect the bullet to expand at less than
1000fps.
I think we worry about control, blast, kick,
etc To much on a snub that will be used
at almost arms length in the heat of the moment.
Hit your target with the barrel and shoot!!!
The gangbangers do this and have a hit ratio
way higher that they should.

 

[mkk41]

When I carry my M-37 , the first two rounds are Glaser Safety Slugs. The other 3 (and the speedloaders)are usually 125gr Federal Nyclads or Winchester 125gr +P Silvertips.

 

[dannyeller]

I use the .38 +P Glaser Silvers or the MagSafe Defenders. I know already the distain for frangibles....

However, real world stats prove these things to be very effective! they are stepping out at over 1200fps from a 642, are loud as hell, and although they do have some kick it feels less than the standard 158gr practice loads I use. And I shoot those at about 200-300 at a time. And... I still have no problem using that hand for beer curls once home.

The blast is vicious but for this type of gun I feel that blast is a virtue not an issue. This is an up close do it quick type of defense weapon and a huge blast from a foot or two away will certainly help in deterring an attack.

 

[luangtom]

I carry either my M&P 340 or my 340PD daily stoked with Speer GoldDot 135-gr +P SB rounds. If they are good enough for large departments, then they are good enough for me. They would also stand a better chance of cross-exam in court.

 

[norfdet]

The Speer GDHP 135gr+p SB round is probably the BEST all around round you could put in your j-frame. You will probably find that most people with magnum j-frames (especially titanium ones) don't shoot or carry magnum ammo in them. Of those that carry 38's in them, I would wager that most use the Speer round. I use that same round in ALL my 38/357's regardless of barrel length.

 

[glypnir]

I like the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel for .357 Magnum in my 640-3. But it isn't a real pleasure to shoot.

Sorry to be boring and serious, but I've done a bit of experimentation on my own, and the recoil seems siginficantly more painful to me when I shoot the modern way (two handed) than when I shoot with the old one-handed bullseye style that those tough guys of the 1930s used to use.

With bullseye style shooting, the one hand seems to move back and up more, so more of the recoil gets absorbed in elbow and shoulder.

With two-handed, it seems to all go to the heel of my hand.

Also from watching littler guys get moved around by the recoil from things like .44 Magnums, I think that the bigger you are, the less the body moves, and the more the recoil gets absorbed by the heel of the hand.

So I think that us big fat, overweight, overfed children of prosperity, shooting two-handed, get more recoil from the same pistol than those hungry, skinny, Depression era guys shooting bullseye style.

Never mind that they were shooting their boomers in heavy all steel N-frames, while we've got the advantage of Scandium J-frames that weigh less than half as much.