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Doc Holliday 1950

New member
I do have a question from the floor.

I have a 2" 357 mag/38 spec. revolver and it weighes 26 ozs. For SD what are your thoughts on Fed 38 +P 129 grain HP vs. Hornady 357 mag 125 grain HP? I can handle both equally well.
 
if you can handle the 357 as well as the .38, then go with the magnum. the enormous boost in velocity over the .38 will far surpass any advantage from the slightly heavier bullet

I personally am going to switch from the 125 hornadays .357 back to something in 38 +p, because I am not as proficient with the magnums. but the 38s really suffer from 2" barrels
 
Not even considered, but when I carried a little revolver, my choice was the .38 Special +P 158 gr. SWC.

But then I chucked the small bores and went to the .44 Special with a 240 gr. JHP.

Bob Wright
 
skizzums-
if you can handle the 357 as well as the .38, then go with the magnum.
Click to expand...

Yep.

For me personally it would be a little hard on the hands but if you handle both equally well then no contest...go the magnum route.
 
Thanks. All the online stuff says contradicting
Things. Forgot to mention I have a laser site on this baby.Sorry, I'm new at this.
 
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The info shouldnt be contraindicing, your looking at around 850-900 fps with the .38, to 950-1050 with the .357. That will give you better penetration with a better deformation of the bullet.most people decide with the round they can truly handle well, if you can go bigger/faster, then do it. But always be aware that shot placement is more important than caliber, especially when talking pistols.
 
I can handle both equally well.
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Are you saying you can handle the recoil of each round while "target shooting" or that you can stay on target, with the same proficiency, during rapid fire? These are two different animals.
 
Are there any other loads that one would recommend to use in my 2". 357?
Any thoughts on Remintgon's 38 spec +P 125 grain SJHP?
This is the best site I've come across for good reliable info.
 
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I would choose the 38 Spec load. Why? If you shoot the magnum load indoors at night with no hearing protection you will receive quite a surprise. The muzzle blast and flash will be outstanding. Make sure you can still operate in the dark indoors with the magnum load before you use it. The 38 Spec load will still be authoritative but not as bad as the 357 Magnum load. Also if for any reason you should miss your target the Magnum load should be capable of going through more walls that the 38 Spec. You don't want to hit some innocent person in the next room, apartment, or home.
 
i will second that, 357's as you already know are super loud. i cant recommend a good 38 load because i have only been carrying 357, i know i will NOT recommend federal hydrashocks, i have tested many through a sub 2" barrel that did not expand. i hear good things about gold-dot, though do not have any first hand experience
 
these were over a year ago, not sure if federal still makes this round. if i remember right, it was a 148gr. your bullets may as well be faster and better perfoming. the top is a hydrashock .38+p. this was my 3rd failure to open out of the same 20round box. i know ppl have had better experience with it from 3" or greater, but just doesn't work for me in a snubbie
 
Quote:
I can handle both equally well.
Are you saying you can handle the recoil of each round while "target shooting" or that you can stay on target, with the same proficiency, during rapid fire? These are two different animals.
Click to expand...

And wait till you fire that 357 round withOUT hearing protection......:eek:
 
just picked up these on my lunch break, ill test em out in the snubbie when i get home. i assume they will be very comfortable since they arent even +p.
 
My preference vote goes for the .357 mag. load.
I like Fed. & Rem. 125 grain h.p. based on Sanow reports for 1 stop shots.
(just an opinion fellas & ladies)
About shooting INDOORS.
Here's my opinion on that. The 12 bore, ALL the magnum handguns, will absolutely blind you at night INDOORS not to mention you won't be able to hear much for a while.
So why chose a weapon like that for INDOORS defense work.
Once while buying a s.g. from a fellow he showed me his "bed side" defense
handgun. A 4" 44 magnum with red dot sight and laser.
Wow! I just shut up and bought the s.g.
I prefer the .45 full size auto for a bedroom handgun.
Power is a plenty, flash & noise far, far, less than the mighty magnums.
Just a point to ponder.
 
I great appreciate "all" of the responses. This 2" IS NOT my primary SD at home. This is for going about outside and I shoot outside, So noise isn't a question nor powder flash. I guess it all comes down to a control issue. I am re-learning my SD knowledge that I knew in the 70's. All responses are really important. I am not going to get into a gun battle with a 2" 6 shot 357 mag revolver. If I need more than this I'm in big trouble.
 
okay, got around to it, very good results wiith the 110gr Hornaday 38spl from sub 2 snubbie, leaps and bounds above results from hydra-shok


only 13 and half inch of penetration into water, but thats pretty darn good for a standard 38 no +p

will likely be carry load, i will do accuracy testing tomorrow, the recoil was super light and pretty quiet considering an indoor shot in the garage
 
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