Choosing ammo for my revolvers

J

JimmyR

New member
OK, Lads and Ladies, I'm looking for opinions.

I have a pair of 357 revolvers that do night-stand duty for my wife and I- A 4-inch model 19 on her side, and a 6-inch Security Six on my side. I also have a S&W 642 that does some CC/BUG duty at times.

I have 1 box (25 rds) of 357 Magnum- Hornady Critical Defense with 125gr FTX bullets, 1 partial box (30 rds) of 38 Special +p- Federal Hydrashok with 129gr JHP bullets, and 1 box (25 rds) of 38 Special- Hornady Custom with 158gr XTP bullets.

I would like to have a full cylender and 2 reloads (speed loaders or strips) for each revolver.

I am planning on keeping the 357 in the Ruger- longer barrel, heavier revolver, plus my wife is about half my size, and she shoots mostly 38s anyways.

The 38's are where I am somewhat conflicted. If the bullet weights were the same, I'd throw the +p's in the Model 19, and carry the Hornady's in my snubbie. But with the 30gr difference in weight, would I be better off shooting the heavier bullet from the longer barrel?

Am I making much ado about nothing?
 
Am I making much ado about nothing?
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Well, yeah you are but heck, that's what we do here.

Do you have any problem shooting the 158 grain cart. out of the snubbie? For me they are quite a handful out of a small gun.

If that's not a problem then I think you're fine with either .38 carts in the 642. IMhO shot placement will be vastly more important than the difference between these rounds.
 
I actually just got some 158gr 38s, so that will be something I'm gonna look at.

I guess I'm more wondering about a lighter +p vs a heaver standard charge round.
 
One thing many people don't consider: firing .357 magnum inside your house will cause permanent hearing damage to some degree. 38+p might also cause a small amount of damage but maybe not; much less then the magnum. 357 is always, or nearly always going to have better stopping power but I myself would wonder if worse hearing was worth it. I'd go with 38s.
 
Elerius said:
One thing many people don't consider: firing .357 magnum inside your house will cause permanent hearing damage to some degree. 38+p might also cause a small amount of damage but maybe not; much less then the magnum. 357 is always, or nearly always going to have better stopping power but I myself would wonder if worse hearing was worth it. I'd go with 38s.
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That is an interesting point, and prompted me to see what other discussion has been had concerning the loudness of the round, and found this old thread:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=474181

Might be enough to make me re-consider the 357s...
 
Good .38spl & .357magnum loads for revolvers....

If you are looking for good carry or protection loads in .38spl or .357magnum then you have a few great choices.
For .357magnum, Id look at; Corbon DPX or 125gr JHP, Speer Gold Dot 125gr JHP, Remington Golden Saber 125gr JHP, MagSafe or Glaser Safety Slug(silver), Federal 125gr JHP.
In .38spl +P; the Buffalo Bore 158gr Lead SWC HP +P, Ranger T/T Series, the MagSafe SWAT, Corbon DPX, the Speer Gold Dot 135gr JHP +P(designed for the NYPD J frames), Golden Saber 110gr JHP, Hornady Critical Defense.
 
ClydeFrog, I am more looking to use the ammo I have now. It's all quality SD loads, so it's more a case of wanting to pair the ammo to the gun best, kinda like finding a wine to compliment a nice steak dinner. I have 3 choices, and really don't want to add a 4th bottle to my cellar...
 
As far as loudness, the 158 gr 38s from the 6" barrel is probably as good as you're gonna do.
There doesn't seem to be a wrong choice.
 
I think my plan is gonna be to load the 357s into my Ruger, the +ps into the Model 19, and the 158s into the snubbie. I think, with what I got, it may be the best way to utilize what I have.
 
I guess I'm more wondering about a lighter +p vs a heaver standard charge round.
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There really isn't a whole lot of difference between the two as the short barrels really do not make effective use of the +P charge

I wouldn't over think this.

The 357 will cause permanent damage when fired indoors - it will do so outdoors as well, but add in the reverberation from the walls and if you still are able to hear, you will have that lovely cicada chorus for the rest of your life - I know
 
BigD_in_FL said:
There really isn't a whole lot of difference between the two as the short barrels really do not make effective use of the +P charge
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Good reason for me to load them into my 4" Model 19.

Either that, or I may load both nightstand guns with the +Ps
 
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