Opinions on which of these is best snub carry load?

Are both of these 357 chambered?

I've used both the 357 and 38+p version of Speer's short barrel loads. The 357 version was really nasty. I shot two cylinders worth out of my LCR and I did NOT want to shoot the second batch of 5. Something about the recoil impulse; it's very sharp and abrupt. I can shoot other 357 loads out of the gun more comfortably (still not many at once though!).

Never shot the .38 Hornady load, but I've shot the 357 Critical Defense from the LCR and it wasn't too terrible. Big recoil but not so sharp a smash to the hand.

So, I can vouch for the Speer .38 short barrel load at least.

Also, I would recommend you try the Remington Golden Saber in both .38+p and 357. The 357 load gives more oomph but is still not bad to shoot since it's a "mild" 357 load.

Google for "TNOutdoors9" and watch his videos on the .38 ammo ballistic testing. He's probably one of the best internet amateur ballistic gel testers.

PS: The muzzle blast and flash from any full power 357 load in the LCR is quite impressive, especially in an indoor range. I wouldn't use full- power 357 loads for self-defense unless I had no alternative, but that's just my opinion.

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In my Colt Magnum carry I shoot the Gold dot and in my 2" 38 special colt agent I like the Federal Nyclad.

I like Corbon DPX and Corbon 125 JHP 357. In my SP101 and back up LCR357.

I wanted to throw this out there, these are numbers I got from a 3" Ruger SP101:


38 Spec 158gr +P Buffalo Bore LSWCHP (lists 1000 fps): 1,098 fps avg (stout for a .38!!)
38 Spec Federal 158gr +P LSWCHP: 869 fps avg
38 Spec +P 135gr Speer "Short Barrel" Gold Dot (lists 880 fps): 999 fps avg
.357 Mag 135gr Speer "Short Barrel" Gold Dot (lists 990 fps): 1,102 fps avg
.357 Mag 125gr Remington Golden Sabre (lists 1220 fps): 1,238 fps avg
.357 Mag 110gr CorBon Gold Dot (lists 1500 fps): 1,382 fps (mild recoil)

Overall, I was very pleased with the short barreled Gold Dots, and would use the .357 Mag version, recoil was very light.

SDGlock23 said:

I wanted to throw this out there, these are numbers I got from a 3" Ruger SP101:


38 Spec 158gr +P Buffalo Bore LSWCHP (lists 1000 fps): 1,098 fps avg (stout for a .38!!)
38 Spec Federal 158gr +P LSWCHP: 869 fps avg
38 Spec +P 135gr Speer "Short Barrel" Gold Dot (lists 880 fps): 999 fps avg
.357 Mag 135gr Speer "Short Barrel" Gold Dot (lists 990 fps): 1,102 fps avg
.357 Mag 125gr Remington Golden Sabre (lists 1220 fps): 1,238 fps avg
.357 Mag 110gr CorBon Gold Dot (lists 1500 fps): 1,382 fps (mild recoil)

Overall, I was very pleased with the short barreled Gold Dots, and would use the .357 Mag version, recoil was very light.

Click to expand...

Yes, out of the 3" SP101 I imagine the recoil would be less than an LCR.

If it matters.... I recently (four days ago) bought some commercial .38 Spl +P. Normally, I'd roll my own, but in this rare case I wanted some store-bought. Everywhere I looked online, most brands were either sold-out or had very few choices. The exception was Hornady Critical Defense. Every vendor had that in stock, and that's what I bought.

Stress_Test said:

Are both of these 357 chambered?

I've used both the 357 and 38+p version of Speer's short barrel loads. The 357 version was really nasty. I shot two cylinders worth out of my LCR and I did NOT want to shoot the second batch of 5. Something about the recoil impulse; it's very sharp and abrupt. I can shoot other 357 loads out of the gun more comfortably (still not many at once though!).

Click to expand...

Yep, that to which you refer is recoil velocity. Typically the lighter, faster loads exhibit this type recoil. Years ago I got an old box of .Remington 357 125 gr. HP's and shot them in my 4" Security Six. HOLY COW! Talk about muzzle blast, concussion, and fire belching, wrist-twisting recoil!

I typically carry home cast SWCHP's in my 38's and 357's.

35W

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135g 38+p is my favorite. I also have 158 LSWCHP +p and Critical Defense 110g +p.

I give the Critical Defense to my mom, she lives in a townhouse and is very recoil sensitive. She's getting better though.

Neither.
Buffalo Bore 158 grain LSWCHP +P.
It runs a true 1,000 fps from a J frame snub, unlike the optimistic velocity claims
of the big ammo companies.

What do I REALLY think?

There is more than 1 good choice at this time. Capitalist competition is a beautiful thing when it works.

My personal fave is the Speer Gold Dot SB because;

1. it achieves consistent excellent results
2. that is what I have experience with

A lot of the responses you will get will have the same basis.

What I also think is that every Buffalo Bore I was willing to pay for was excellent. The Speers worked well enough that there would probably be little practical difference. Some BB loads mount Speer's Gold Dot bullets. The XTP's and no doubt a few others will also achieve great results though I cannot attest to them. With the ammo situation nowadays it will likely come down to what's available when you have to make the selection.

What I am seeing is that most of the time it will be the Buffalo Bores that are available. They are also usually the most expensive. Coincidence? I think not but rest assured the few you can buy will work well.

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel is my choice. As for recoil and blast, it's not like you will be shooting hundreds of these every week at the range. Practice with some 38+P and run a cylinder or two of the good stuff through it periodically, but carry it with the good stuff.

I also like the Hornady 140-grain XTPs. 1350 fps and 566 ft/lbs at the muzzle, more than the 158s. I don't think they make it anymore though.