Best snub 357/38 loads

[JERRY]

I haven't shot 357 in a few years but Winchester used to make a nice 110 grain 357 load it was in a white Box jacketed hollow point and out of my model 640 it expanded well in water jugs

 

[Peakbagger46]

My carry round is +P Buffalo Bore. 158g soft lead going 1,000 fps+ out of a 2” revolver? Yes please.

https://www.luckygunner.com/38-special-158-grain-p-lswchp-buffalo-bore-20-rounds

 

[defjon]

I haven't shot 357 in a few years but Winchester used to make a nice 110 grain 357 load it was in a white Box jacketed hollow point and out of my model 640 it expanded well in water jugs

Think I still got a box of this!

 

[defjon]

My carry round is +P Buffalo Bore. 158g soft lead going 1,000 fps+ out of a 2” revolver? Yes please.

https://www.luckygunner.com/38-special-158-grain-p-lswchp-buffalo-bore-20-rounds

I thought I had picked up this load back in 2020 when there was absolutely nothing on any shelves. I checked, looks like it's the non plus p version...

 

[defjon]

I do have some 158 gr semi wadcutters, plated or lead better you think?

 

[Peakbagger46]

I thought I had picked up this load back in 2020 when there was absolutely nothing on any shelves. I checked, looks like it's the non plus p version...

I think even their non +P is pretty fast, bet your just fine with that huge hollow point and soft lead.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Yeah, me too! I've come across basic material, but nothing specific for a 2-3" .38 Special revolver barrel -- I've just been seeing velocities from unstated barrel lengths so far.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/tested-the-polycase-arx-bullet/
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/polycase-38-spl-arx-ammunition/

This looks not great and very gimmicky.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

Nominal-for-caliber bullets (i.e. 158 gr. .38's) shoved by max load of TiteGroup, for me. Bullet weight is essential to hit POA in a fixed-sight fighting revolver.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

Federal HST 130gr -- The best of the best federal takes it off the market, for a new brand federal punch, then the old standard Gold Dot 135gr -- I Chronograph and Gel Test. Where is all of the 38 Special +P ammo. This pandemic is making me change carry ammunition in the middle of winter at that. I like to stay with one ammunition but often fire my carry ammo between 4 to 6 months of carry and reload with fresh. This practice now has me in a predicament where I am now having to change due to the great ammo shortage of the "PANDEMIC" What's King in Self Defense: Penetration or Expansion?

 

[defjon]

I think penetration. You have got to reach vitals.

 

[Catpop]

I prefer 2.7 BE under 148 WC boolit.
jmho