what to load my .357 with for home defense?

[Dr.Rob]

1) You are limiting the one fully-functional sense you have that can help you determine what is going on...

I'd rather go into a situation with my senses intact and my mind open, and be able to explain it that way later if things, unfortunately, went south.

+1 on that line of thinking.
In my snubby I like Remington 125gr JSP though I have fired a lot of 158 gr JHP out of it, mostly Federal.

 

[blindhari]

I listened the most to the old NCOs when I was in the army. Use only one eye at a time in night stiuations and alternate to let exposed eye recover. It don't matter if your deaf, if your'e dead, ear protection is secondary to survival. As for penetration, I still have almost a hundred rounds of Supervel, an old name in ammo with a well deserved reputation. Yeah you bet the're loud, but the BG on the other end of the gun will likely never hear it go off.

blindhari

 

[Sport45]

I keep .38spc 158gr LSWCHP +P in mine.

 

[skoro]

I used to keep my 357 loaded with Buffalo Bore full-house heavy magnum loads. After firing a few of these monsters outside, I realized that the blast in an indoors situation in the dark would be too dazzling and would make follow-ups very difficult.

I now keep it stoked with FBI loads, and feel confident that they'll take care of business if ever called on.

 

[Deanimator]

Federal 158gr. LSWC-HP +Ps.

 

[BlindJustice]

I keep a S&W Model 60 3" Bbl. .357 Mag loaded for HD
with Double Tap .38 Special +P 125 gr. Speer
Gold DOt DT rates at 1,135 FPS, I figure it is a little
less than that out of a 3" bbl. dropping it to just under
1120 fps = SPeed of Sound. Muzzle blast isn't bad, &
controllable recoil for follow up shot(s).

I have some Starline unprimed newe brass .357 Mag
cases as well as Leadhead hardcast 158 gr. SWC I'd like to
have loaded by a smaller manufacturer to about 950-975 FPS
as a .357 LIght /.38 Spcl FBI Load+ that would chamber
correctly in the 60/.357 Mag for HD/SD.

Randall

 

[Chris O]

.357 ammo

Here lately about whatever I happen to find available.Pickings are soooooooooo slim. CHRIS

 

[_N4Z_]

my current favorites

for HD.

GP100 is stoked with handloaded Hornady 158XPT HP over 14gr. of Alliant 2400. Also have 12 more of the same in two speedloaders.
SP101 is loaded with .38+p Remington 158gr. lead HP. 5 more of the same in speed loader.

And then Rem870 12ga. with assorted 00buck and slugs.

Were the situation worsen beyond the capabilities of the above, then a Kalashnikov with several loaded magazines is in the safe.

That's my set up.

 

[kmrcstintn]

inside home domicile...Remington 158gr lswchp .38 spl +p or either of these 125gr sjhp .38 spl +p loads--Winchester WWB Personal Defense, Remington UMC

 

[Hostile Amish]

Anything 158-gr HP