suggest self defense loads

[1861]

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 .

[QuakertownRich]

I like Winchester 140gr SJHP's over 11.5gr of Blue Dot for the 357mag. For
38spl+p, I like 158gr LSWC/HP's over 5gr W231.

[1911shooter]

I still use 158gr lead wadcutter hollow points in my 38spl. but i'am hearing good things about Rem Golden Sabres.

[P-11 shooter]

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.

[coalman]

i like the winchester 110 grain hollow point personal protection load. in 357. good knock down power and easy to handle recoil even in small guns such as sp101

[1861]

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.

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 .

[QuakertownRich]

It has to be factory , I don't carry reloads for self defense .

Really? For me, I trust my life with what I load, as opposed to assembly line QC, but that's me.

[Roland of Gilead]

I hear from a lot of folks on another forum that they all really like Corbon DPX, although I've never tried 'em. The new Hornady Critical Defense is supposed to be pretty good too.

I'm still using the rest of the Hornady XTPs I've had around, and some leftover Golden Sabers.

[1861]

Really? For me, I trust my life with what I load, as opposed to assembly line QC, but that's me.

It's a legal thing with me .

[JoeWilliams]

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