Best .357 carry ammo? (Snubbie)

E

EvilE

New member
I have a Ruger SP101 2.25" barrel, hammerless. She's a gem! What are YOUR recommendations for the best carry ammo? Golden Saber 125 gr?
 
I don't carry my S&W Model 13 w/3" barrel. Too darn heavy for my pocket. But I find that it handles the 125gr Golden Saber rounds VERY well. They're a midrange 357, neither a firebreather nor a mild one. Plenty of pop w/o harsh recoil. Seems your SP101 is very similar to my 13, so it would be a good choice.
 
Some people prefer to carry .38 +P due to very bright muzzle flash (and recoil) of .357 from a snubby. That could make a difference if you carry at night or in dark places.
 
I'd try both .357 and .38+P loads

See which works best for you. I've got the Speer Gold Dot, short barrel in my .38 SP-101 and prefer the mild recoil in compact revolvers.
 
This last go round I bought a box of Hornady Critical Defense 125 gr.. For the life of me I can't remember why, other than I must have read some test results somewhere.

Hey, it goes bang, so whatever.
 
I'm beginning to lose interest in "what's the best load" threads.
I just load my GP100 3" with whatever magnum load is handy.
Right now, it's loaded with Hornady 158gn XTP...I also have some of the 125gn Critical Defense, which seemed to do well in gel on YouTube.
Really, all I care about is that my revolver is loaded. I'm not gonna stress over magic bullets anymore.
 
+ 1 On the Hornady Critical Defense rounds.
Have them in my nickel plated 4" S&W model 19 on my hip right now.
 
I think amd6547 is right and it doesn't matter "what's the best load".
All handgun cartridges from .380acp to .45 Colt are so close in performance that the difference between various .357 HP loads is meaningless. In fact, it doesn't matter much if you hit a bad guy with .38+P or .357. You should be more concerned with training than choosing the best magic bullets. Find any quality SD ammo and use it. There isn't enough of a difference to waste time finding the best one if you can do better things instead, IMO.
 
I'd look at Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel .357 magnum 125 grain.

Plenty o' pop but not going to be as loud or flashy, with less recoil, than other rounds. In that SP101, which is heavier than most guns it's size, it should handle that round splendidly. You do NOT need barn-burning maximum power .357 magnum ammo in that gun, or any gun, for defense. It simply produces too severe a recoil and muzzle blast/flash/noise to be any good in a fightin' snub gun IMHO.

One is MUCH better off using these mid-power .357 shells in there snubs. Leave the hot full power stuff for a revolver with at least a 4" bbl.
 
Well I can't find golden sabers locally anyways. One gun store had em, but they were $34.99 for 25.
I can get hornaday critical defense for $26.49/25 at bass pro shop. I doubt the golden sabers are worth almost $10 more a box
 
best ammo for a revolver 2" and 4 ".

Today I shot over 300 rounds at my local range. from 38 special + P 125 grain to 357 mag 158 grain HP's. After my hands stopped from the pain of shooting 357 mag 158 grain JHP's. I switched to 38 specials +P and Remington 357 mag 125 grain ammo. The results were startling. I hit every round exactly where it was supposed go. I even shot 6 in the X at 30 yards with my 2" with laser sights. The Range Master commented on my excellent accuracy.
There were no jams, no miss-fires, nada.
If I get into a situation past 8 yards, I'd probably be another jerk that can't keep their nose out of other peoples biz.
It is my opinion, only, that semi autos like Glock or S & W are totally over kill and unnecessary. My opinion only is that I prefer 357 mag revolvers over semi autos any day and time anywhere.
We have been duped by the gun lobby and mandators. One well placed shot beats the hell out of 18- 22 shots from a semi auto.
 
Any good hollow point from 125 to 160 grains.

The lighter 125s are probably better if you carry in more crowded areas.

Heavier weights are better against larger animals and OK on human threats too, but they will not stop in a human most of the time.
 
The Critical Defense will be fine. With ammo availability and prices as they are, take what you can find in a jhp round and don't lose sleep over it - It's a .357 mag, for Pete's sake! Do try it out to make sure you're comfy shooting it in your snubby. If it's bucking too much, switch to a .38 sp +P. I shoot and carry Remington Express 158gr JHP in my 2.5" .357 and I find it manageable.

I agree that I wouldn't pay $10/box more for Golden Sabers....although I do think you get 25 per box as opposed to 20 for the Harnady Critical Defense. Either round will be more than adequate, I think.
 
For my 340PD (12 ounce snubby) I like the federal 140 grain Barnes bullet.

Here is a ballistics gel test I did on 2 rounds in 380, and since I had a lot of room for another test, I also ran the federal load through my .357. The round chronographed at 1100fps and was actually very pleasant to shoot compared to the full power 125 grain SJHP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l6vrb4Z-Lk
 
Best .357 carry ammo? (Snubbie)
Click to expand...

For the SP101 and other such heavier .357 snubs I suggest Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWHP .38 Special loads!

From your 2.25 inch barrel expect 1040 fps.

Controllable yet powerful and well known as a effective load proven by the FBI.

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And yes I have a few!

Deaf
 
In my 2 1/2" M-66 I carry Buffalo Bore 38/44 +P ammo. It's a 158Gr. LSWC at 1,250 FPS. The only draw back to it is the price, with shipping it costs $1.75 a round, so it's not range ammo.

I also have several boxes of the Underwood brand 158Gr. hard cast Keith LSWC. Have not had the chance to shoot any of it yet. At a $1.50 a round I will get some range time in with these.

Heavier weights are better against larger animals and OK on human threats too, but they will not stop in a human most of the time.
Click to expand...

Wyosmith. Sir, if you don't believe that the heavier weight bullets will not drop a human in a hot second, just ask John Dillinger who took two from Agt. C. Hurt's .357 Magnum. Or check with the thousands who have been put down with a 158Gr. LSWC .357 Magnum round.

Note to self, read and really understand any post before you respond to it:o
Wyosmith, please accept my apology..
 
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