Looking for a 357 hollow point

[Muleskinner]

I'm looking for a 357 diameter hollow point bullet that will expand at 38 special velocities. My brother has an older five shot Smith & Wesson revolver that he does not feel comfortable shooting plus p amunition through. He just got his wear and carry permit and he would like to carry it as a backup to his 9 mm. He has been unable to find defensive ammunition that is not plus p and I told him I may be able to reload suitable ammunition if I can find the correct bullet. I'm looking for something that will provide decent expansion at velocities between 800 and 1000 ft per second. Does such a creature exist? Bullet weight isn't really an issue I'm more concerned with the performance. I would say anything between 125 and 158 grain would be fine

 

[joppaj]

How about the .38 FBI load? Technically a plus p but usually below 1k FPS. 158GR LSWCHP

 

[dannyp]

going to be hard to find anything expanding at those volocities . going thru the same thing with 300bo subs , not much there .

 

[John from MD]

I'm looking for a 357 diameter hollow point bullet that will expand at 38 special velocities. My brother has an older five shot Smith & Wesson revolver that he does not feel comfortable shooting plus p amunition through. He just got his wear and carry permit and he would like to carry it as a backup to his 9 mm. He has been unable to find defensive ammunition that is not plus p and I told him I may be able to reload suitable ammunition if I can find the correct bullet. I'm looking for something that will provide decent expansion at velocities between 800 and 1000 ft per second. Does such a creature exist? Bullet weight isn't really an issue I'm more concerned with the performance. I would say anything between 125 and 158 grain would be fine

I suggest this as an alternative. They have less recoil and excellent penetration and wound cavities. I carry them in my pistols.

38 Special 100gr. Xtreme Defender Solid Monolithic Hunting & Self Defense Ammo

Underwood Ammo offers the most comprehensive and innovative Lehigh Defense™ Supersonic Lead Free Handgun Ammo for personal defense & hunting. Shop now .38 Special Copper ammo with Solid Monolithic.

underwoodammo.com

Here is a video of gel tests with this particular cartridge

 

[85MikeTPI]

Hornady .357 38 Cal 125 GR HP/XTP

Hornady XTP bullets are famous for their ability to expand reliably across a wide range of velocities. Special features in the nose facilitate and control expansion on impact. Others, like the cannelure, ensure the jacket and core remain locked

www.greentophuntfish.com

 

[Park ranger]

I don't think your going to get it OP. 38 special with the Hornady FTX maybe.

 

[august1410]

I have a handful of these for short barreled .38 Special

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Reloader]

What joppaj said

Remington HTP 38 Special Ammo +P 158 Gr Lead HP - Ammo Deals

Remington HTP 38 Special Ammo +P 158 Grain Lead Hollow Point at Target Sports USA with free shipping available. Enjoy deals on 38 Special ammo for sal

www.targetsportsusa.com

 

[Uncle Duke]

In a non-plus P standard velocity offering, in what sounds like a snub nose, Hornady 110 grain FTX Critical Defense #90310. Will expand, decent penetration, bullet design will also shed clothing.



Be aware if selecting, that they also offer a plus P version....which you mentioned you don't want. That version is #90312. Just a "heads up."

You may find this ammo loaded only in brass (rather than nickel) cases due to nickel case availability issues.

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/handgun/38-special-110-gr-ftx-critical-defense#!/

 

[E.Shell]

Food for thought, note that many results are with a 2" gun:
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/revolver-ballistics-test/#38spl

 

[paperwork351]

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel J-frane

Buy Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection for USD 42.99 | Speer

Shopping for the Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection - Learn more about the latest Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection and other hunting, shooting or reloading gear at Speer.

www.speer.com

Find the 50 count box if possible
Lots of reviews

 

[BFMIN]

Plated lead HP would be my choice.
Pick your brand.

 

[Enfield303]

Take a look at the 158 grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint from Matt's Bullets. That bullet approximates the old FBI load.

158 Grain Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point (.359) [359-158-SWC-HP] - $25.00 : Matts Bullets

Matts Bullets 158 Grain Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point (.359) [359-158-SWC-HP] - This bullet works great in 38 Special but is not intended for 357 Magnum velocities. It is cast from 20:1 and is from a Cramer #11.

www.mattsbullets.com

I load it over Winchester 244 for all sorts of 38 Special revolvers and it is also very accurate out of an older S&W model 36.

 

[linkstate]

Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel J-frane

Buy Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection for USD 42.99 | Speer

Shopping for the Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection - Learn more about the latest Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection and other hunting, shooting or reloading gear at Speer.

www.speer.com

Find the 50 count box if possible
Lots of reviews

Slight thread drift. Have you been able to find this recently? Been watching for months. I even have alerts on a couple sites. I’ve only been able to find the 125 grain at gun shows and various websites. That isn’t even listed on the Speer site but on the Vista outdoors LE site….

 

[Threeband]

I have a handful of these for short barreled .38 Special

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome to 1985.

Back then, this was a constant subject of debate, as well as "filler" articles in gun magazines.
The handloaded upside-down swaged hollow base wad cutter was state of the art.

Here's a practical hint for your buddy: Elmer Keith was told by an old veteran that round balls were much better man-stoppers than were conical bullets in the Navy Colt.

 

[Pale Ryder]

How old is older? I have a 1970’s era J frame that I have occasionally shot +P out of. Shoot mostly 148WC or 158 LSWC standard pressure. 125 +P shoots a bit low. He could just go with the standard 158 LSWC. Plenty of souls have been laid out on a slab on Saturday nights with it.

 

[John from MD]

How old is older? I have a 1970’s era J frame that I have occasionally shot +P out of. Shoot mostly 148WC or 158 LSWC standard pressure. 125 +P shoots a bit low. He could just go with the standard 158 LSWC. Plenty of souls have been laid out on a slab on Saturday nights with it.

Smith and Wesson revolvers up until about 25 years ago were made to shoot 158gn bullets to POA. They will always shoot lighter bullets lower no matter what the load. When I used to shoot store bought 125gn (usually the cheapest) I just shot for group and didn't worry how low they impacted as I knew the 158's would impact where I pointed.

 

[teratos]

I suggest this as an alternative. They have less recoil and excellent penetration and wound cavities. I carry them in my pistols.

38 Special 100gr. Xtreme Defender Solid Monolithic Hunting & Self Defense Ammo

Underwood Ammo offers the most comprehensive and innovative Lehigh Defense™ Supersonic Lead Free Handgun Ammo for personal defense & hunting. Shop now .38 Special Copper ammo with Solid Monolithic.

underwoodammo.com

Here is a video of gel tests with this particular cartridge

Yep. Check out some reviews on the Xtreme Defender. The design is great at transferring energy.

 

[paperwork351]

Slight thread drift. Have you been able to find this recently? Been watching for months. I even have alerts on a couple sites. I’ve only been able to find the 125 grain at gun shows and various websites. That isn’t even listed on the Speer site but on the Vista outdoors LE site….

No joy finding any short barrel. Bummer.

 

[joppaj]

Buffalo Bore has short barrel, low flash .38. it isn't cheap, but it is available.