What is your 357 Mag SD load?

[Che762x39]

What do you load in your 357 Magnum revolver for personal protection against two legged varmints?

... or 38 Special is good enough? Thanks in advance.

[Dutch Henry]

I use .357 Magnum. "Too much is adequate".

[Che762x39]

I preferred the 158 JHP when I was in the field as a hunter or just camping. The 125 JHP appears to be the better load for SD based on google searches and watching YouTube videos.

http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppingpower.asp?Caliber=5&Weight=All

Has interesting data for SD type shootings.

[J-cat]

125gr Gold Dot

[kcstott]

If I were to carry a 357 or keep one around for home and self defense. my theory has always been the heavier hotter rounds wins. But if we are talking snub nose carry pistol. I'll stick with a 9mm in 147JHP. the 357 out of short barrels is no better than a 9mm

[TMB 1]

158gr SWC at 38 Special +P velocity.

[WHH]

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/

This is obviously factory ammo, but there's good information on how various bullets perform in gelatin with a heavy clothing overlayer. For instance, the 158 gr Speer GDHPs failed to expand even at ~1200 fps muzzle velocity. The 125 gr bullets didn't expand at 1200 fps but did at 1400 fps. The 135 gr "short barrel" GDHP was good to go at 1069. There are some surprises in there. The other thing you'll see is that many hollow points fail to expand at +P 38 loadings. Federal Hydra Shok might as well be FMJ.

[pennstater]

I've also heard the 125's are pretty good in .357. But, I like the 158 JSP a bit better. Just me. Thinking the 180gr Cast Core would be a stopper tho. Nasty!
Especially from a lever rifle. Nasty+.

[trackcage]

Voted for the 38 special. Out of CCW-length barrels, I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze to use 357 mag over a good +p in .38spl.

[Che762x39]

I just bought a S&W 686 Plus mostly for nostalgic reasons.

Actually 38 Special +P will do. Recently I have been reloading the X-Treme plated 125 grain FP in 38 Special. In the past I liked the Speer 158 grain LSWCHP which I recalled had better groups than the lighter 38 caliber bullets.

[G-Man WC]

I would think the 38 +p would group better.
I just started to reload for flyweight .38 RugerLCR-x 3"
and have been firing it exclusively DA. Oddly enough it groups better DA with stiffer loads.
I think the trigger pull and more trigger time is needed.
For me the coated 158gr MBC LSWC and bullseye has been a good combo. Tweaking the charge still and playing with W231.
-g

[Sunday]

38special. You don't want to scare them with the magnum's noise.

[Featureless]

+P .38 Special 158 gr lead hp in a S&W 6" 586.

[tomrkba]

I use Federal 158 JHP or Speer Gold Dot 125’s. 1250-1400 FPS is what I look for.

[Kokopelli]

.38 Special +P 125 grain JHP.