My EDC is a snubnose 357. Opinions on best SD ammo?

[iGun_TX]

Yes, I know there are better guns, but for my specific day to day activities (and need for deep concealment), I have gone from carrying a subcompact 9mm daily, to having a 2" snubnose as a backup...but now my backup has become my main gun and my 9 is usually my backup.

Anyway, back to my original question..does anyone have any opinions on the best ammo for self defense in this type of gun?

I'll be perfectly honest, I don't trust several of the "premium" brands. Am I the only one who puts this much thought into this?

Some of the premium hollow points I've seen gel tests on YouTube, you might as well be shooting a FMJ for half the price. Zero expansion, over penetration, etc...Needless to say, if I am ever faced with a threat in real life, I need better results than that.

Granted, I understand that YouTube gel tests are only as reliable as the person making the video, among other factors.

But for example one brand that I just do not feel confident with at all anymore, is pretty much anything by Federal (Hydra-Shok, etc..). I've seen enough to know that this is simply not a good option for me in any caliber.

I have been carrying 38+P in Remington Golden Sabre for about a year now, but am having a hard time finding those in quantities less than a few hundred in that caliber. I switch out my carry ammo usually at the end of each summer.

So I'll probably be switching to Critical Defense in 357 in a few months.

But to be honest, I don't know if it is worth it to carry a magnum caliber in a snubnose, because you are not going to get anywhere near magnum velocities in a revolver less than 4". I'd rather stick with 38+P, if possible.

Speer Gold Dot is usually my go-to for any self defense ammo but I can NOT find it anywhere in 38+P.

Yes, I sit around pondering things like this for days at a time haha.

Pretty sure there are other threads on this, so feel free to point me in the direction.

 

[Big Green]

I mean if you're going all out carry .357 instead of .38 in that thing than you might as well go all out!

https://www.underwoodammo.com/produ...p-jacketed-hollow-point?variant=7865902891065

 

[Moonpie]

https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/303-speer-gold-dot-38-special-135-grain-p-short-barrel-hp.html

 

[Longhorn1986]

I carry Barnes 125gr TAC-XP in my Model 60.

Regarding the .357 vs .38 in a snubbie debate, take a look at Paul Harrell's video:

 

[MikePotts]

I carry the .38sp +P Buffalo Bore 158gr semi wadcutters- sure hope they'll work

 

[Frank59]

I carry a S@W 686 plus 7 shot 357! I use Remington 125 Grain Jacketed Hallow Points! I also like Federal Personal Defense 158 grain JHP! Hornady has some good stuff as well!! There may be better guns but the reliability and firepower of a magnum revolver is a huge sense of security for me personally! Good Luck sir!!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Can't hardly beat a 686....

 

[TxStetson]

Yes, I know there are better guns, but for my specific day to day activities (and need for deep concealment), I have gone from carrying a subcompact 9mm daily, to having a 2" snubnose as a backup...but now my backup has become my main gun and my 9 is usually my backup.

Anyway, back to my original question..does anyone have any opinions on the best ammo for self defense in this type of gun?

I'll be perfectly honest, I don't trust several of the "premium" brands. Am I the only one who puts this much thought into this?

Some of the premium hollow points I've seen gel tests on YouTube, you might as well be shooting a FMJ for half the price. Zero expansion, over penetration, etc...Needless to say, if I am ever faced with a threat in real life, I need better results than that.

Granted, I understand that YouTube gel tests are only as reliable as the person making the video, among other factors.

But for example one brand that I just do not feel confident with at all anymore, is pretty much anything by Federal (Hydra-Shok, etc..). I've seen enough to know that this is simply not a good option for me in any caliber.

I have been carrying 38+P in Remington Golden Sabre for about a year now, but am having a hard time finding those in quantities less than a few hundred in that caliber. I switch out my carry ammo usually at the end of each summer.

So I'll probably be switching to Critical Defense in 357 in a few months.

But to be honest, I don't know if it is worth it to carry a magnum caliber in a snubnose, because you are not going to get anywhere near magnum velocities in a revolver less than 4". I'd rather stick with 38+P, if possible.

Speer Gold Dot is usually my go-to for any self defense ammo but I can NOT find it anywhere in 38+P.

Yes, I sit around pondering things like this for days at a time haha.

Pretty sure there are other threads on this, so feel free to point me in the direction.

While I agree with your assessment that you won’t be getting Magnum velocities from a snubby, I don’t understand your reasoning for using anything slower. Let’s look at it this way. Instead of 357 Magnum velocities, you’ll be getting 38 +p or 38 spcl velocities out of your revolver. If you start with 38 +p ammo, you can expect to drop to 38 spcl velocities or maybe even lower.

 

[Darkpriest667]

I carry Barnes 125gr TAC-XP in my Model 60.

Regarding the .357 vs .38 in a snubbie debate, take a look at Paul Harrell's video:

Paul doesn't shoot ballistic gel, which is why I like his reviews. He shoots meat targets which much more simulate shooting a body of any animal than the gel does.

 

[iGun_TX]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. I didn't think I'd formulated my questions very well, but I think I got all the answers I was looking for.

Mine is a 2.25" Ruger SP101.

 

[SQLGeek]

Paul doesn't shoot ballistic gel, which is why I like his reviews. He shoots meat targets which much more simulate shooting a body of any animal than the gel does.

I really like Paul's videos. They add a great perspective and his meat targets are quite unique.

 

[seeker_two]

While I agree with your assessment that you won’t be getting Magnum velocities from a snubby, I don’t understand your reasoning for using anything slower. Let’s look at it this way. Instead of 357 Magnum velocities, you’ll be getting 38 +p or 38 spcl velocities out of your revolver. If you start with 38 +p ammo, you can expect to drop to 38 spcl velocities or maybe even lower.

No. At worst, you'll get 9mm+P velocity. It will be considerably more powerful than .38+P. What I suggest is finding a round that you can shoot 5 rounds in a 5" circle at 5 yards in 5 seconds. If you can do it repeatedly, then that's the round you want.

 

[Longhorn1986]

By the way, this should settle the 9mm vs 357 Mag question:

 

[DubiousDan]

By the way, this should settle the 9mm vs 357 Mag question:

No surprises there.

 

[BRD@66]

Is he wearing hearing protection? I can't see it if it's there.
And then there was that one dud that only flew at 1423 fps

 

[Longhorn1986]

At the end of the day, carry & shoot whatever the hell you want. I know what I use and why and have no reason to change. Your mileage may vary....

BTW, Harrell uses form fitting ear plugs in his videos.

 

[RoadRunner]

No. At worst, you'll get 9mm+P velocity. It will be considerably more powerful than .38+P. What I suggest is finding a round that you can shoot 5 rounds in a 5" circle at 5 yards in 5 seconds. If you can do it repeatedly, then that's the round you want.

That is sound advice.

.

 

[easy rider]

Is he wearing hearing protection? I can't see it if it's there.
And then there was that one dud that only flew at 1423 fps

Dud

 

[DubiousDan]

Is he wearing hearing protection? I can't see it if it's there.

Custom molded ear plugs are hard to see if they're flesh colored.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

/\...so close to OOC.