[roo_ster]

Howdy:

I intend to acquire a S&W M19-2 with a 2.5" bbl this weekend.

I was wondering what serious social 158gr .357mag ammo any of y'all might recommend?

I have shot 125gr & 110gr .357mag ammo out of 2" bbl revolvers in the past and found the lighter-weight loads to be the most unpleasant of .357mag loads, both recoil & blast-wise. Also, the light-wt .357mag loads are notorious for being hard on K-frames.

Thanks for your replies.

[machinisttx]

The semi jacketed hollow point from Remington will work quite well.

[KyJim]

If you shoot .357 magnums in a Model 19, make sure it is of the 158 grain variety. The lighter weights in .357 magnum can lead to flame cutting on the top strap and erosion in the barrel throat. Of course, you can also use .38 special +P.

As a previous poster mentioned, Remington still makes the 158 gr. load and a few of the smaller manufacturers do as well. The loading is not as easy to find as it once was, so you may have to look around a bit or buy off the Internet.

Oops! Just re-read your post and you were already aware of the problem with the K-frames.

[bestseller92]

You might try the CCI 140 grain JHPs.

[Marshall]

Speer makes a 158gr Gold Dot that I shoot out of mine. I like it. Remington's 158gr SJHP is not a bad round either.

If you're open to 145gr, Winchester's Silvertips are an accurate round and not too harsh on your K Frame. I shoot those too out of my Model 13HB.

[RustyShackelford]

For a well made high quality .357magnum snub, I'd use the 110gr JHP load for Speer Gold Dot or the 110gr .357magnum load from Corbon/DPX. :D

The Remington Golden Saber 125gr or 110gr would do well too.

Most gun experts and gun magazine writers suggest a factory made 110gr load for short barrel/snub type magnums. Muzzle flash, blast and recoil are all important factors. I shot a lot of 125gr Remington and Federal mag loads out of my 2 1/4" Ruger SP-101 and it stung like a MFer!!!

Rusty

[wnycollector]

Doubletap ammo makes a nice 158gr gold dot at very reasonable price's.

[timothy75]

158's arent exactley easy on the ears from a snub either. Try a box of quality 158's against 125's and if not significantly easier to shoot I'd go with the classic 125gr hp from fed,win,rem. Good luck

[Guillermo]

+1 for the Gold Dot

[strangelittleman]

You may want to look into the PMC 150gr. Starfire JHP & Blackhills 158gr JHP.

[Big Boomer]

The 158 grainers are optimal in a 2.5-3.5 inch bbl as you can get almost identical velocity from a 158 grain load as you can from a 125 grain or lighter load.

The 125's blow most of the powder out of the barrel while the heavier 158's allow you almost a full burn for the same velocity. More velocity with heavier bullet equals better performance.

But, depending on what you like, I am a big fan of the speer gold dot's at the snubbie levels. I also do like DPX but I have not found a 158 grainer yet :(

If you want some barn burners in the 158 check with some of the specialty manufacturers or reload.

For plinkin? Just get some berry's or something.

[roo_ster]

I already have developed a .357mag plinking load with 158gr LSWC & Trail Boss.

I think I'll buy up a few boxes of the 158gr suggestions, shoot for groups, and shoot over my chrony.

My social ammo for my Taurus small-frame snubby 651 Total Titanium .357mag is the Winchester 180gr Nosler Partition HP, which makes 1000fps outta the Taurus. I'll include that cartridge in the mix.

[buck460XVR]

for a cheap plinker factory round in 158 I found CCIs blazers to be satisfactory. They used to be less than $15 a box and were fairly accurate and on the mild side as far as recoil. Last I seen they were up to about $18 a box and hard to find. Since I now "roll" my own I doubt very much if I'll be needin' them anymore. My 686 really likes the 158 Gold Dots over H110.

[Big Boomer]

and shoot over my chrony.

shoot for accuracy first, or you might just be buying another chrony sometime soon :p

But I suspect you already know that...

[roo_ster]

Ask me how I learned to toss the included metal rods and just use wooden dowels...and have plenty of spares handy.

But, my first chrony is still my only chrony.

[seeker_two]

I like the S&B 158gr. FMJ's.....

[SAWBONES]

Both the Double Tap 158gr JHC and Buffalo Bore 158gr JHP .357 hit to POA for me in my 2.25" barrel Ruger SP101.

[stormyone]

I like shooting Speer Gold Dot & Double Tap 158gr's in my SP101.

[Oro]

First thing, get the right grips on your 19. Some just default to rubber, which is great if you want to shoot IDPA or 200 rounds per session. But if you want control and something that doesn't print, go with the stock magnas or a variant, and stick on a grip adapter. Here's my snubbie 19 with some faux ivory's I hand-fit with a high shoulder like the pre-war style, and added a Tyler T grip. It feels awesome, conceals well, and provides excellent control with 158gr SJHP factory loads.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd275/kamerer/S-W/19-5/IMGP3117.jpg

[The_Shootist]

...is that BB the "reduced recoil" .357 flavour ? Been thinking of trying of trying them out of my 686+. Not going to bother with them in my SP 101 as even the BB "FBI Load" .38 spl is pretty stout.

[roo_ster]

kamerer:

My buddy didn't have time to meet this weekend, so I will have to wait to get the SW19.

My thoughts as to grips for CCW were along the same lines (magna & tyler).

Heck, I am thinking of trying out that set up (magna & tyler) for my 4" SW629-2. I didn't like the stock target grips much, and the rubber Hogues I bought don't do much for recoil, either, are too clingy for CCW, and have all the looks & warmth of a turnip.

[SMore]

I like the Buffalo Bore 158 grainers from my 66 2.5":
38+P 158 LSWC HP @ 1050 fps
357 158 Gold Dot "Tactical low recoil/flash/noise" @ 1100 fps

Both are stout but controllable, with plenty of punch.

One local PD issues the Speer 158 Gold Dot for officers who carry .357's, so it is a good choice also.

[researchdoc]

+1 on the Double Tap....
If you can handle reciol and report.. you can get longer bbl speeds out of that short tube.

[evan price]

I had good luck with Pachmayr Gripper on my Model 10-8-HB. The Hogue grips look like- well, like Hogue grips. The Pachmayrs look better on the gun, are smooth enough they don't grab my shirt, and I get a good handful when I hold it. They make them with open back (slimmer) or full grip. Loved them on my Colt, love them on the Smith. Plus, $5 on eBay, couldn't beat it.

[ArchAngelCD]

I've found the 145gr Winchester Silvertip .357 Magnum round to be a very accurate round in a short barrel revolver. It's now the only ammo I use in my 2" M640.

The other ammos mentioned are also good but I've tried DoubleTap, Buffalo Bore, Speer, Remington Golden Saber and a few others and I always come back to the 145gr Silvertip because it's the most accurate in my revolver.

[SAWBONES]

Sawbones.....is that BB the "reduced recoil" .357 flavour

Hi Shootist.
No, it's the full power stuff with the "jacketed hollow cone" bullet. I haven't shot the reduced recoil Buffalo Bore stuff yet. The Double Tap .357 which uses the 158gr Gold Dot JHP is a close second to the Buffalo Bore in accuracy and precision as well as in felt recoil, and I'd be willing to bet the JHP bullet will expand more reliably than the JHC. These two are the most accurate 158gr .357 loads I've found.

[Gordon]

I shoot the 180 grain Winchester Partition Gold in my 2.5" 66 and 19 when in elk and bear country. It actually chrono's at around 1075 fps at 15' and I have no doubt it will do the deed if needs be.I too like the 158grain factory gold dot .357 and have used the Remington SJHP 158 for many years with no complaints! The Remington load hits 1200 FPS in my 66 snub.

[Water-Man]

Federal JHP

[stormyone]

For a well made high quality .357magnum snub, I'd use the 110gr JHP load for Speer Gold Dot or the 110gr .357magnum load from Corbon/DPX.

The Remington Golden Saber 125gr or 110gr would do well too.

Most gun experts and gun magazine writers suggest a factory made 110gr load for short barrel/snub type magnums. Muzzle flash, blast and recoil are all important factors. I shot a lot of 125gr Remington and Federal mag loads out of my 2 1/4" Ruger SP-101 and it stung like a MFer!!!


I don't think I've ever heard anyone recommend 110gr for a 357 snubby. I've always heard go for the heavier loads for penetrations sake.