Best defensive .357 magnum ammo for a J-frame AND an N-frame

[LoneStarWings]

Hi,

I have two wheelguns, both are S&W's. One is an M&P 340 5 shot J-frame (1&7/8") and the other is an M&P 327 R8 8 shot N-frame (5").

I use the j-frame for pocket carry and will use the 327 (when it comes in this week) for nightstand/truck carry. In the interest of consolidation, I'd like to stock up on one type of good hollow point for use in both of these guns.

In the 340 I've shot Gold Dot for short Barrel 135gr, CorBon DPX 125gr, and full-power Fiocchi 357c 125gr (1450fps) . I can do about 3 cylinders of all of these before pain begins to be a problem. But the Gold Dot seems a little more controllable with less flash, so i've been carrying those.

Recently, I've read that the .357 gold dot short barrel has a problem with bullets coming apart on impact because its bullet was intended for the .38 gold dot and the associated lower velocities, so this gives me pause. I may switch back to the Cor-Bon DPX.

I was looking into the Federal C357B 125gr SJHP but I don't think it would be wise to use this in the J-frame. I've heard bad things about flash and recoil from the 1400+ fps .357 loads.

Besides the Corbon DPX and Gold Dot, which rounds should I buy a few boxes of and try in both guns?

Thanks!

 

[ChristopherG]

In the interest of consolidation, I'd like to stock up on one type of good hollow point for use in both of these guns.

I'd say you're overvaluing consolidation. I've been down the same road and had to accept some time back that different loads suit different guns--and these two are prety different guns.

I've got a 340 and a 627 Pros (like your 327 but steel, so heavier, but also a shorter barrel, so not THAT much heavier). The 135 Gold Dot is about as much as I care to shoot in the 340. If you haven't shot full house .357's in your 340, do not go stocking up on them with the plan to do so. For the 327, though, real live .357's are the bee's knees. The N-frame is a match for real, thumping loads, and anything that is shootable (to most people) in the 340 is going to be wasting the capacity of the big gun.

Of course, if there are other considerations that lead you to want to shoot a light load in the N-frame, fine; but I find it so well matched to the 125 gr. SJHP's at 1400-1450 fps that anything else feels wrong.

 

[bestseller92]

Personally, I'd go with +P .38s in the J frame and 125 grain JHP magnums in the big N frame.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Yes, I've shot full power magnums out of the 340 j-frame and it was do-able but not the best shooting experience I've had. It was fiocchi 357c 125gr Semi-Jacketed Soft point ammo. I think I shot 25 rounds of it in one range session and had a sore wrist for a week or so. For carry I think I'd like to be able to have slightly quicker follow-ups than what I could get with something like that.

 

[71Commander]

.38 spl. +P 135 gr. Gold Dot.

 

[wnycollector]

I tend to be pretty old fashioned when it comes to my ammo choices for .38's and .357's. The 125gr .357 has been the gold standard for the .357 for half a century. Your fiocchi 125gr JHP ammo should perform very well out of a 5" barrel. IMOO If its accurate in your revolver, I say leave well enough alone.

When I carry my M36 it is loaded with the remington +P 158gr LSWCHP (AKA the FBI load). I find it to be accurate and shoot POA in my snub, plus it has been stopping bad guys since the early 1970's.

 

[harrygunner]

Different guns may "like" different ammo.

I ran several different kinds of ammo through my S&W 640 .357 Mag J-frame. The Winchester 145gr Silvertip was the most accurate in that gun. The flash was also the lowest.

If that works for your J-frame, I'd imagine the bad guy would be unhappy that you have it in your M&P 327.

 

[igxqrrl]

I won't get into ammo specifics, because I'm no more expert than the next guy. Generally I just buy whatever "defensive ammo" the store happens to be selling. But I will echo some of the other sentiments. I've got an MP327 R8, a 386NG and, until last week, an MP340 CT.

I shot a few rounds of 'defensive' .357 out of the 340, and that was enough for me. After that I mostly shot .38 +p. My follow-up shots with .357 were not accurate.

I can handle .357 from the 386NG just fine. It's not particularly pleasant but quite do-able.

.357 from the 327 is a blast.


If I were looking to use the same ammo in two of these guns, I'd stick with the 386NG and 327. Sorry to answer a question you didn't ask

 

[RandyB]

.38 spl. +P 135 gr. Gold Dot.
Or the FBI load in .38 with 158 +p LHP.

 

[TheotherMikeG]

I've found factory 357 rounds to be too difficult to shoot out of a j-frame, or even a k-frame snub. I've settled on Buffalo Bore 38 sp +P LSWCHP. There's a non +P version also that mimics the old Remington FBI load that generates about 860 fps. See it here. If you scroll down the page, they also list a 125 gr jhp load that generates 921 fps from a 2" barrel.

 

[Clipper]

Good ol' fashion 145gr Winchester silvertip HPs have never failed me yet...Doesn't seem to matter what I shoot 'em in, STs have always been accurate and dependable. They may not be the latest gee-wizz, gotta have it round, and doesn't get the respect it deserves, but there's a reason they've been around as long as they have. I find them to be one of the more pleasant to shoot .357 rounds as well.

 

[Water-Man]

Do yourself a favor and look into Double Tap Ammo.

 

[LoneStarWings]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Sounds like .38+P is where it's at. For some reason I just feel wrong carrying .38's out of these guns though. Haha I should probably just do that though.

I wish there was more ballistics testing out there for the various .357/.38 loads like there is for 9mm and .40.

I'm also thinking about the 125gr Remington Golden Sabers too, but I dunno. Maybe I will just try some of the classic 125gr Federal SJHP's in my 340 snub and see how it goes.

 

[19-3Ben]

Do yourself a favor and look into Double Tap Ammo.

YUP!!!

I carry their 158gr .357mag load in my 3" SP101. Oddly I don't see it on their website anymore. It was a 158gr God dot, that I chronoed at 1325fps from my 3 1/16"bbl.

Gives "fire breathing" a whole new meaning.

 

[Water-Man]

19-3Ben...You're right. I don't see it either. In that case look at Buffalo Bore. It kicks butt even more!

 

[19-3Ben]

I actually called up and spoke to Mike. It's not on the website because they ran out of bullets. Waiting on Speer to deliver more 158gr HP's and as soon as production resumes they'll put it back on the site.

Whew!!!!

 

[wnycollector]

I carry their 158gr .357mag load...Gives "fire breathing" a whole new meaning.

I load my 2.75" Ruger security six with that load...yes it does bark some