Lack of availability - Speer .357 135gr short barrel

[Monster Zero]

What's up with this? Can't find it anywhere... Settled for Hornady 125gr defense loads, but... What's up with the Speer short barrel?

The ultimate load for short barrel 357s. I hope they start making it again, probably after they do all the government contracts...

Has anyone heard anything about it?

 

[Y-T71]

The only thing I can answer with is (as I'm sure you're well aware) there is a shortage of nearly everything.

Your .357 short barrel load may be important to you (to be honest, after reading up on this load a little, I'd really like to get my hands on some as well!) but to the folks who make the decision on when and what they're going to use their production capacity for next might not have the same priority as yours.

Right now 9mm and .223/5.56 seem to have priority over a lot of other cartridges simply because that's what manufacturers are able to sell the most of.

Just my opinion

 

[Lennyjoe]

Just reload them…lol

 

[Y-T71]

There's a solution.

 

[unclenunzie]

The 38 special version shows up from time to time, and sells out fast. I have not seen the 357 variety in years. For what it is worth, I recall the 357 was a low-end power load, might consider the 38 version as a very good choice anyway. And if you're considering that, the Winchester Ranger Bonded (RA38B) also has an excellent reputation. That is what I buy if I can't find the Speer load.

 

[Rexster]

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, .38 Special, is, occasionally, available. I keep it on my Midway USA in-stock notification list. I was able to get my ration of two boxes, of 20, earlier this year, or maybe it was last year.

 

[LaneP]

I loaded some of those 135gr Speer GD over 15gr 2400 and they generated 1110 fps out of the 1-7/8" bbl of my Ruger LCR. But MAN they stung the palm something fierce. I guess if you are in a life or death struggle you wouldn't notice but for range practice, not comfortable for long.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I loaded some of those 135gr Speer GD over 15gr 2400 and they generated 1110 fps out of the 1-7/8" bbl of my Ruger LCR. But MAN they stung the palm something fierce. I guess if you are in a life or death struggle you wouldn't notice but for range practice, not comfortable for long.

I tried various loads listed on that Speer paper and ended up with the Unique load. The rest were either too inaccurate, too stout or too much fireball for my liking. The Unique load was the most accurate, recoil reduced and didn’t give a big flame when struck.