Best .38 spec Defense Load out of Snubbie

[Stainz]

I chrono-ed the Reminggton S38R12 .38 Special +P 158gr LSWCHP loads from my 2" M10, 3" M65, and 6" M66 to get the following: 834 +/- 5, 912 +/- 12, and 994 +/- 18 fps respectively. The rounds hit near enough to POA to be quite deadly at 15 yd with the 10 & 65 - and recoil is quite acceptable. They have an MSRP of ~$21/50; street/MO price ~$16-17. I like them... besides, the Speer 135 gr +P Gold Dots aren't available locally.

Stainz

 

[deputy tom]

And yet another vote for the 158 Gr. L/SWC/HP in either Winc. or Fed. offerings.tom.

 

[Bulldozer]

Remington R38S12 or Winchester 158 LHP gets my nod. I also have a nice 357 handload recipe that pushes the 158 LHP out of the 3" tube at 1025-1040 fps.

 

[The Rabbi]

.357 Loads??

Now that you mention it, Bulldozer, what are good self-defense .357 mag loads? I know the 125gr hollow point is king but what can be said about any others for penetration, lighter recoil etc? I found the Winchester was OK out of my 4" Model 19 but the Federal sent out a sheet of flame that was near blinding in daylight.

 

[Bulldozer]

Rabbi,

As far as 357 loads,I am partial to the following:

PMC-El Dorado Starfire JHP150-grain
Winchester Silvertip JHP 145-grain

I like the fact that they shoot dead-on with fixed sight guns,whereas the 125s in my experience are a tad off. I also have found the blast and flash to be a bit less than the lighter 110/125 crowd. My own view is that I like a bit more penetration/momentum from the 140-158 grain bullet in 357, rather than the lighter 110/125. This may be due to snow and winter conditions from November through mid-May in my neck of the woods.

The Silvertip is a fine all-around JHP that works well in a variety of scenarios, and is readily available at a reasonable price.

I have tested and recovered Starfire JHP in 38 +P, 357, and 45 ACP calibers and the results were consistently confidence-building. I can get the Starfire JHP dirt cheap and it works. It is an often-overlooked round.

Cor-Bon is supposed to have a 145-150 grain JHP, but I have not yet tried it out yet. My past experience with their magnum loads (used in a Taurus 617 and 627 Ti Tracker) was less than pleasant.