Snubbie ammo

Speer 135 Gold Dot short barrel and Remigton 158 LSWC-HP are my go to rounds.
Will

I like the FEDERAL 130grain HST MICRO load for my S&W model 36. This is a +P load and looks like a hollow base wadcutter loaded backwards. It's wadcutter like profile makes it a slow reload, so I use WINCHESTER "D" 130 grain jhp for my speed-loaders. It is a standard pressure load and quite controllable, while still likely to expand.
I prefer at least a 4 inch barrel and medium frame on .38 Special, so I can get some velocity and keep recoil under control. Otherwise, I do not see much advantage for a .38 snubby load over a more compact .380ACP like my GLOCK 42.

Jim

Nothing wrong with a dead soft HP SWC in a +P load. Even if it does not expand it is about the biggest, heaviest slug you can reasonably launch from a snub. Very soft lead bullets tend to expand/smash even at modest velocities.

I would get something from 125 +P to 158 +P. What ever you shoot the best is what you will carry. Some bullets are better at expanding than others. A wadcutter does not need to expand to be effective.

I've been loading the Speer 135 gr Gold Dot in 38 spl +P and 357 Magnum.

I like Speer 158 GR mag ammo

Currently Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel. Looking very hard at Underwood Extreme Defender solid copper rounds. They offer sterling performance in my 9mm semi-auto's.

Wife:
Federal Gold Match 148gr HBWC in the cyl
Rem 158gr LSWC in speed loader

Me:
Rem 158gr +P LSWCHP FBI load

Want to try out the Underwood 158gr LSWC+P, but it is never in stock.