suggest self defense loads

[1861]

Winchester 130 grain .38 Special +P SXTs have proven to be the most accurate load for me out of both my old Ruger SP101 and my current S&W Model 66, so that's what I'm currently carrying. I'm going to be very interested in trying their new Supreme Elite Bonded PDX1 load in .38 +P, also. The Bonded PDX1 is the FBI's choice in .40 S&W, it's what resides in my wife's .45, and I want to see how it shoots out of my carry gun, the M-66.

Remington Golden Saber's are a good load, and Federal 158 grain +P LSWC-HPs have a good record in .38s.

In .357 Magnum, any 125 grain JHP is as effective a defense load as you can get in a handgun round. If you can stand to practice despite the muzzle blast, if the brilliant muzzle flash in a darkened house doesn't seem like a bad idea to you, and you can effectively control the recoil.

Below is a listing of "one shot stop" percentages for various .38 loads:
http://www.handloads.com/misc/stoppi...r=8&Weight=All

Thanks , the chart is interesting.

[Rauswaffen]

+1 for the FBI load. I use Buffalo Bore's and theirs is a little more powerful than the competitors

[Ronnies111]

I am starting back to carrying a light weight 4" barrel 357 mag.
need suggestion on good 38+p and 357 self defense load for this barrel length .

If you want the absolute best?

It's The load that's in your pistol when you need it.

[Stooperzero]

I got some Magtech Gaurdian Gold .38+P JHP's today for my Airweight.

ALternate Bedside gun TIll I get to Take it out and test different defensive ammo in it till it gets carry status .

[imashooter2]

I'm wondering.

Is a 4" barrel too long for the Speer gold dot "short barrel" ammo to work properly?

That's "the shiznitt" for snubbies.

In the Speer tech data package the table in section 6.8 shows a measured 860 fps for a 1.875 snubby and 935 fps for a 4 inch. I would say that would still be in schiznitt territory.

[40twist]

That was what I was wondering . I know it's the best in short barrel but not sure on the 4 " . It has to be factory , I don't carry reloads for self defense .

+100000 I definitely do not carry reloads in SD/carry firearms. Alot of good articles out there that explains why its a bad idea. Massad Ayoob writes a good one.

[1861]

+100000 I definitely do not carry reloads in SD/carry firearms. Alot of good articles out there that explains why its a bad idea. Massad Ayoob writes a good one.

Yep , years ago before I retired from police work , a partner of mine was involved in a shooting and had reloads . He almost got hung out to dry and this was before the world got as screwed up as it is now .

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

I have been using a .38 Special for a BUG for more years than I can remember and the two self-defense loads I use for the .38 Special are oldies but goodies:
1.) The "Super Vel load" which is a 110 grain+P loading.
2.) The "Treasury Load" is my favorite and the load I carry in BUG at all times. This is 110 grain +P+ jacketed hollowpoint ammunition that was sold in plain white boxes made by Winchester Western.
Both the Super Vel and the Winchester "Treasury Load" were pretty hot. Both of these loadings will exceed 1100 fps from my 3" J-Frames.
For a .357 Mag loading I would use just about any of the 125 Grain loadings. My favorite is the Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 357 Magnum 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point.

oracle

[Water-Man]

Double Tap Ammo .38 + P

[1861]

I have been using a .38 Special for a BUG for more years than I can remember and the two self-defense loads I use for the .38 Special are oldies but goodies:
1.) The "Super Vel load" which is a 110 grain+P loading.
2.) The "Treasury Load" is my favorite and the load I carry in BUG at all times. This is 110 grain +P+ jacketed hollowpoint ammunition that was sold in plain white boxes made by Winchester Western.
Both the Super Vel and the Winchester "Treasury Load" were pretty hot. Both of these loadings will exceed 1100 fps from my 3" J-Frames.
For a .357 Mag loading I would use just about any of the 125 Grain loadings. My favorite is the Speer Gold Dot Ammunition 357 Magnum 125 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point.

oracle

I use to love the old super vel , that was our duty round .