Snubby .357 ?'s

[Fiery Red XIII]

For cheaper rounds, out of a 2inch or less barrel, any recommendations? I'm completely asking out of curiosity, so pls don't flame, but could JSP's be decent for defense? Or do they still way overpenetrate? How bout for wildlife/big dogs? Or wadcutters, or hp's, in .357 or .38+p? Please share experience. I've never seen wounds w/handgun JSP's that I know of.

Red

[fredj338]

For cheaper rounds, out of a 2inch or less barrel, any recommendations? I'm completely asking out of curiosity, so pls don't flame, but could JSP's be decent for defense? Or do they still way overpenetrate? How bout for wildlife/big dogs? Or wadcutters, or hp's, in .357 or .38+p? Please share experience. I've never seen wounds w/handgun JSP's that I know of.

Red
A JSP will tend to penetrate deeper as it expands more slowely. For protection agains soft skinned predatores, any decent JHP from 125gr up will work in a magnum loading.

[Ak.Hiker]

You did not say what model of 357 Magnum you have. If it is one of the ultra light weight models I would go with a 38 Special +P like the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot just to control recoil in a self defence loading. Buffalo Bore loads a 150 grain cast WC in 38 Special that might make a good field load in an ultra light 357 Magnum. If the gun is up to it for woods carry it is hard to beat a cast loading for deep penetration. The Federal 180 Cast Core is a good load that is not quite as stout as the Buffalo Bore and CorBon cast loadings. I do not think I would even consider any of these 180's in an ultra light 357. They can be fired in a Ruger SP 101 or S&W Model 60. I run hot 180 cast loads in my SP 101 all the time.

[Fiery Red XIII]

You did not say what model of 357 Magnum you have. If it is one of the ultra light weight models I would go with a 38 Special +P like the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot just to control recoil in a self defence loading. Buffalo Bore loads a 150 grain cast WC in 38 Special that might make a good field load in an ultra light 357 Magnum. If the gun is up to it for woods carry it is hard to beat a cast loading for deep penetration. The Federal 180 Cast Core is a good load that is not quite as stout as the Buffalo Bore and CorBon cast loadings. I do not think I would even consider any of these 180's in an ultra light 357. They can be fired in a Ruger SP 101 or S&W Model 60. I run hot 180 cast loads in my SP 101 all the time.

Sorry, Taurus 617...Stainles b/c they don't make titanium anymore.

Red

[Ak.Hiker]

With the Taurus 617 I would also take a look at the 125 grain 357 Magnum loads. The Remington Golden Saber is a good one if you want a 357 Magnum with a little less recoil than the full power loads like the Federal 125 JHP. Try out several 125's in your gun and carry the one that you can shoot the best. I still would go with a cast loading if you need the 357 for protection from animals but for self defence the 125's would be hard to beat.

[Fiery Red XIII]

Thanks Ak Hiker! I also thought of doing the first 3-5 .38+P and the last 2-4 .357 mag...is that dumb?

Red

[Ak.Hiker]

I am sure you will get some good input from others on this subject. When hiking with the SP 101 depending on the area I am in I sometimes will load the first one or two with a 158 grain 357 Gold Dot and then the last three or four are loaded with Buffalo Bore 180 grain 357 cast. But this is for trail use not a typical self defence set up. Rather than mix 38 Specials and 357 Magnums you may want to look at some of the reduced recoil 357 Magnum loadings. They are hotter than the 38 Special +P but less than a full power 357 Magnum. The 125 Remington Golden Saber 357 Magnum is an example of a medium powered loading.

[mitchshrader]

go look, AGAIN, at the 158 + P SWCLHP ..

given that it performs adequately, (it does)..

and that the MINIMAL recoil is the issue with any ultra light handgun.. (it is)

and that maybe the miscreant has a friend or two and you may need to shoot rapidly at more than one target (you might just)..

adding on 50% more power slows down an aimed second shot.

if your idea is to make the first guy deader, that's not a problem.

if your idea is to get lead in the 2nd guy before he gets lead in you, it's a problem.

yes, the .357 cartridge has better ballistics out of a 2" barrel than a .38 does.

what it doesn't have is better shootability. the rare bird that can shoot the .357 as well as the .38 does exist, but he paid a LOT to grow that skill.

approximately 40c a round for .357 practice ammo these days. And you'll be shooting considerable of it, to maintain the edge.

what's REALLY gained, for MOST people, is a warm fuzzy rabbit foots feeling that they have the mighty .357..

which is a crappy reason to pick a gun.

a nervous guy with a .38 is likely more alert and consequently safer, if it comes to that.

i sold a K frame 3" .357 cause it wasn't fast enough back on target, compared to a 6" .. and compared to a 3" .38 +P.

you may find out different, but i'd use a shot timer, and shoot a couple hundred rounds with each, before I'd decide which suited my skill level best.

i didn't EXPECT to sell off that 3" K frame, after hunting for it 2 years.. but 2 range sessions and I was convinced.

badguys don't march single file.

[J.P.]

The 125 Remington Golden Saber 357 Magnum is an example of a medium powered loading.
That's a good round,IMO for a small lightweight 357mag.
It's an excellnt bullet design and a lot more controlable than any 125gr full power load. I like it but I still go with .38+Ps a lot of the time.....just depends on the gun.

[J.P.]

go look, AGAIN, at the 158 + P SWCLHP ..

given that it performs adequately, (it does)..

and that the MINIMAL recoil is the issue with any ultra light handgun.. (it is)

and that maybe the miscreant has a friend or two and you may need to shoot rapidly at more than one target (you might just)..

adding on 50% more power slows down an aimed second shot.

if your idea is to make the first guy deader, that's not a problem.

if your idea is to get lead in the 2nd guy before he gets lead in you, it's a problem.

yes, the .357 cartridge has better ballistics out of a 2" barrel than a .38 does.

what it doesn't have is better shootability. the rare bird that can shoot the .357 as well as the .38 does exist, but he paid a LOT to grow that skill.

approximately 40c a round for .357 practice ammo these days. And you'll be shooting considerable of it, to maintain the edge.

what's REALLY gained, for MOST people, is a warm fuzzy rabbit foots feeling that they have the mighty .357..

which is a crappy reason to pick a gun.

a nervous guy with a .38 is likely more alert and consequently safer, if it comes to that.

i sold a K frame 3" .357 cause it wasn't fast enough back on target, compared to a 6" .. and compared to a 3" .38 +P.

you may find out different, but i'd use a shot timer, and shoot a couple hundred rounds with each, before I'd decide which suited my skill level best.

i didn't EXPECT to sell off that 3" K frame, after hunting for it 2 years.. but 2 range sessions and I was convinced.

badguys don't march single file.

Good post.
I use the 158gr+p as well in the M36, but it does ultimately boil down to what you can shoot the best.
Fast accurate hits count, misses don't do anyone any good.
I love K-frames! :supergrin:

[Gunnut 45/454]

Fiery Red XIII
I would think 158 JSP's out of a snubby would be a good SD round-penertration wise!
At snubby velocity's you might not get alot of expandtion though! Now shooting 125 JSP's might be a better choice? I like two holes in everything I shoot-including BG's they tend to bleed out better with two holes! :)