Need suggestions for a snubby .357 load

Status
Not open for further replies.
G

goon

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2003
Messages
7,394
What suggestions would you guys have for a load that will keep most of the power from a .357 SP-101 with a 3" barrel but cut down a little on the recoil and blast.
Since getting mine last week I've pretty much fallen in love with it. I've shot mostly .38 reloads using a variety of cast bullets (meaning whatever odds and ends I have around) and also some factory 158 grain .357's that I had around.
What I've found is that the .357's, although not terrible in terms of recoil, do have enough jump to them that they could stand to be cut down a bit. As I said, so far I've only tried the 158 grain loadings - Federal JSP's and Remington JHP's.
I still plan to carry at least 158 grain Hard Cast or JSP for use in the woods, but I'd like to have something with a little better recovery and a little less blast for CCW/HD use.
Any suggestions?
 
Speer's 135gr .357 Magnum Short Barrel Ammo is just what you're looking for. It's a light .357 Magnum round using a bullet proven to expand well and it's a very low flash round. Both the .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P 135gr loads were developed specifically for short barrel revolvers.
 
Thanks. I'll do some checking on that.
Also, is a standard 140 grain load more likely to be a little more controllable?
The 158's aren't exactly bad, but if I had to defend myself with one of them I better be sure to make the first shot count.
 
Remingtons golden sabre line would be another option to look into.

A standard 140 would have a bit less recoil. But the 140's Ive seen aren't standard. Thery're from cor-bon, pro-load, etc. Good stuff, but not on the weak end of things.
 
Why not just use 38 +P ammo? That should be sufficient for typical SD scenarios.
 
For factory ammo, I'll go along with Archangel--the GDSB 357 Magnum load runs about 970-1000 from a 2" barrel, and is shootable, even from a lightweight.

For reloading, there are any number of options available for loading up 140-gr. or 158-gr. loads in a 357. The Bushmaster gave you one--for less flash, try Ramshot Silhouette.

Of all these options, however, I carry the Buffalo Bore 20A--e.g., the 158-gr LSWC-HP 38+P+ load that runs about 1000 fps from a 2" barrel.

Jim H.
 
Another powder to try if you handload-

Vit-N110. It's for full power loads only. But VERY low flash in a short barrel gun. I've found it's accuracy and consistency to be top notch. The one drawback? It's a bit on the spendy side.
 
Thanks.
I'm planning to stick with factory loads for dedicated CCW/HD use but I'll be loading some reloads up for the proverbial rainy day. I've never bought Vit powders but the chances are good that even just a pound of it will last a long time for my full power magnum needs. I still also use a lot of Unique just because it works pretty well in a lot of cartridges.

Next time I get to the gun store I'll check out Speer 135 grain loads. My friend suggested them to me but right after buying the gun AND getting a Makarov the same day just because I got an awesome deal on it, my gun budget was totally shot. I figured I could get along with what I had for a little while.
And if I find that the "light" .357's are still too much for my uses I'll check into the .38 Special +P's. I really love being able to use such a wide variety of loads in one gun. ;)

BTW - I've noticed with my SP-101 that regardless of what load I'm shooting in it, it still seems to pretty much group in the same place at 20-25 yards.
It's putting full power 158 grain factory ammo, 125 grain .38 factory ammo (only had half a box), 158 grain reloads and even some little 100 grain cast SWC's I had into just about the same area. If you shot few different loads on the same target you'd probably not be able to tell which was which.
Not that I'm complaining...
I just found that a little odd.
 
I've noticed with my SP-101 that regardless of what load I'm shooting in it, it still seems to pretty much group in the same place at 20-25 yards.
It's putting full power 158 grain factory ammo, 125 grain .38 factory ammo (only had half a box), 158 grain reloads and even some little 100 grain cast SWC's I had into just about the same area. If you shot few different loads on the same target you'd probably not be able to tell which was which.
Click to expand...

That's a good thing. It says more about your gun than your ammunition choice.

Flat shooting ammo, which is common when shot at 25 yards or less, will all go straight from the barrel until it begins to drop.

You won't notice well-loaded or quality ammunition dropping at short ranges. Therefore, they should all go to where you're aiming until further distances when other factors come into play.

Buffalo Bore makes a low recoiling 357 round. It has a 158 grain bullet clocking at about 1000 fps. It seems like the ideal .357 load for a lighter gun.

But that's my opinion and it ain't worth much seeing as I don't own a .357. :p
 
Generally though I've noticed that different bullet weights or ammo from different manufacturers will often shoot to a different point of impact.
No complaints with it though - I like not having to use "Kentucky windage" to hit stuff.
Right now the sights are just a little low at 25 yards but I'm going to let them alone until I settle on some loads.
 
goon,
That Speer short barrel round is very controllable in a short revolver and I doubt you will find anything lighter unless you shoot a .38 Special +P. You will get ~1000 fps from that Speer ammo. Their short barrel .38 Special +P round using the same bullet will generate ~860 fps from the same revolver.
 
For Self-Defense TRY . . .

16.0 grains of Alliant 2400 rifle powder; 125 grain Hornady XTP Hollow Point; Magnum Pistol Primer. The massive flash signature alone will give an intruder a cardiac arrest, let alone the potency of the bullet. I DO NOT recommend this LOAD, but I use it anyway. cliffy
 
If it was a 1-7/8" snubby, I might use 148 grain DEWC with 5.5 grains of Bullseye. If you crimp to an overall length of at least 1.39" (some wadcutters have a crimp groove, others you seat flush with the end of the case), you can increase this to about 6.0 grains.

With a 3", you have more options. Like a 158 grain soft lead SWCHP and 6.5 grains of Unique.
 
My SP-101 puts the Winchester 145gr Silvertips in a neat little hole at 7 yards and a will put five into a group slighty bigger than a playing card at 20 yards. Its not the biggest, newest, loudest zombie stomper round but it sure makes me feel comfortable know I can put them where the front sight is pointed.

M'bogo
 
primary: Speer Gold Dot 135gr jhp .357 mag 'short barrel' load

secondary: Remington Gloden Sabre 125gr jhp .357 mag

tertiary: Winchester WWB Personal Defense 110gr sjhp .357 mag
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

larryw
  • Locked
3" Snubbie 357 Chrony Results
Replies
1
Views
838
paul105
P
N
  • Locked
.357 Velocity (S&B)
Replies
11
Views
1K
cpileri
C
D
  • Locked
difference in .357 ammo?
Replies
9
Views
709
gamestalker
G
F
  • Locked
.38/.357 ballistics, blast and hollow point oh my
Replies
16
Views
2K
Snapping Twig
S
T
  • Locked
Several Questions about .357
2
Replies
26
Views
1K
BluesBear
B
Back
Top