The .357 Magnum was developed in 1934 through the collaborative effort of Elmer Keith, Philip B. Sharpe, and D. B. Wesson of Smith & Wesson and Winchester. Although the effort was a collaboration, experts tend to give the lion’s share of the credit to Keith, an Idaho rancher, writer, and firearms enthusiast. Based on the S&W .38 Special, the .357 was intended to compare to Colt’s .38 Super Automatic. In the mid-1930s, the .38 Super Auto was the only American cartridge with a Muzzle Velocity over 1,000 FPS and the ability to penetrate automobile glass and vests that were often used by gangsters and bootleggers. The .357 was able to outperform most revolver cartridges on the market and quickly became the caliber of choice for law enforcement. In fact, D. B. Wesson wanted to use the .357 to reassert the company into being the premier law-enforcement armament provider. Wesson, along with the technical assistance of Phillip B. Sharpe, tweaked Keith’s original design only slightly to differ it from the .38. Sharpe was a member of the NRA’s technical division.

The introduction of .357 ammo heralded the beginning of the “Magnum Era.” The dual purpose cartridge is regarded by experts and used most often for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense.

Best .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo

 

Buffalo Bore: Tactical Short Barrel 158 Grain JHP

Buffalo Bore’s motto, “Strictly Big Bore – Strictly Business,” matches their attitude when it comes to manufacturing ammo for home defense. Tactical Short Barrel 158 Grain JHP works like clockwork in a snubnose.  It shoots at 1,400 FPS muzzle velocity and offers 606 ft-lbs. muzzle energy. It uses a nickel-plated brass casing and Boxer primer. 

Federal Ammunition: 158 Grain American Eagle .357 Magnum JHP

Federal’s American Eagle line is a well-respected name among firearms enthusiasts. The .357 line offers several rounds for self-defense. This 158 grain JHP bullet offers a muzzle velocity of 1,240 FPS and muzzle energy of 539 ft.-lbs. Note: In small weapons, this round has strong recoil.

Remington Ammunition: 110 Grain HTP SJHP

Remington’s HTP .357 Magnum SJHP is an excellent round for self-defense. The semi-jacketed hollow point, 110 grain bullet fires at a muzzle velocity of 1,295 FPS. New to the market, it is crafted with non-corrosive brass casing and premium Boxer primer. This cartridge offers excellent high terminal performance, delivering maximum accuracy, and instant-stopping power with proper shot placement.

Speer Gold Dot: Short Barrel 135 Grain JHP

Speer Gold Dot appears on most lists for being a top choice for shooters in every category. Their .357 Magnum Short Barrel 135 Grain JHP shoots slightly lower at a muzzle velocity of 990 FPS and muzzle energy of 294 ft.-lbs., which makes it an excellent choice for handguns and self-defense. It has a brass casing and is Boxer-primed.

Best .357 Magnum Home Defense Ammo

CCI Ammunition:  Blazer 158 Grain JHP

CCI is known for manufacturing excellent ammo using their patented CCI primers. Many self-defense experts rely on Blazer Brass for protection. This Blazer Brass JHP shoots at a muzzle velocity of 1,150 FPS, with a muzzle energy of 464 ft.-lbs.

Fiocchi Ammunition:  142 Grain FMJ-TC

Fiocchi is a well-established Italian munitions company that has a solid reputation for manufacturing reliable, high-quality products. This .357 Magnum 142 Grain full metal jacket round shoots at a muzzle velocity of 1,420 FPS and muzzle energy of 636 ft.-lbs. This new production ammunition is brass-cased, reloadable. non-corrosive, and Boxer-primed.

Hornady: Critical Defense 125 Grain FTX

Hornady manufactures a wide variety of superior ammunition and their .357 rounds are no different. Critical Defense is a top brand for Hornady. This 15 Gran FTX shoots 1,500 FPS muzzle velocity and has 824 ft-lbs. muzzle energy, using the company’s patented FlexTip bullet.

Sellier & Bellot: 158 Grain FMJ-FN

Since 1825, Sellier & Bellot has produced high-quality ammunition. Their experience shows in this 158 grain full metal jacket flat nose round. It shoots 889 FPS muzzle velocity and 278 ft-lbs. muzzle energy. The lower velocity drastically reduces recoil in short-barreled guns.

Best .357 Magnum Training Ammo

Magtech Ammunition: 158 Grain .357 Magnum SJSP

Magtech’s dedication to innovation and ability to produce quality ammo has given them a strong standing in the marketplace. The reloadable 158 grain, semi-jacketed soft point .357 Magnum bullet is manufactured with brass casing and Boxer-primed. It is known for accuracy with a Muzzle Velocity of 1,235 FPS and Muzzle Energy of 535 ft lbs. It is ideal for multi-use including self-defense, plinking, and range work.

Tula Ammunition: .357 Magnum 158 Grain FMJ

The Tula Cartridge Works was founded in Russia in 1880 and is one of the chief ammunition manufacturing plants in the world. Tula has gained a strong reputation for delivering an economical, rugged, and reliable product.

Tula’s .357 Magnum 158 Grain FMJ is at the top for the best .357 target shooting round and a good training round. Great for range training, it shoots at a Muzzle Velocity of 1,280 FPS. One downside might be that the steel casing doesn’t always make it easy to eject.

Fiocchi Ammunition: .357 Magnum 142 Grain FMJTC

Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics is a European company that has developed a stronghold in the marketplace by providing innovative, high quality products. This .357 Magnum 142 Grain round shoots at a Muzzle Velocity of 1,420 FPS. This new production ammunition is brass-cased, reloadable. non-corrosive, and Boxer-primed. Affordability, reliability, and high level of accuracy at long distances put it at the top for the best .357 ammo for the range.

CCI Ammunition: Blazer .357 158 Grain JHP

CCI is known for manufacturing some of the best .357 ammo in the marketplace. The aircraft-grade aluminum casing paired with a Speer bullet and CCI primers gives this round excellent accuracy on the range. Its hard metal coating atop the hollow point bullet helps to increase the ammo’s strength as well as thwart fouling in the barrel. It shoots at a Muzzle Velocity of 1,150 FPS, with a Muzzle Energy measuring 464 ft. lbs. In addition to range shooting, the CCI Blazer .357 bullet works equally well when hunting large game.

Best .357 Magnum Hunting Ammo

Small to Medium-Size Game

Barnes Bullets: 140 Grain VOR-TX

Barnes has been on the scene since 1880. The line was always a go-to for wildcats and African game hunters. Since 1974, Barnes honors that tradition and has ventured into innovative techniques. This 140 grain VOR-TX offers 1,265 FPS muzzle velocity and 498 ft-lbs. muzzle energy.

Federal Ammunition: Barnes Expander 140 Grain JHP

Federal makes good use of a Barnes bullet to make this 140 grain jacketed hollow point. It gives 1,400 FPS muzzle velocity and 609 ft-lbs. muzzle energy. The combination of Federal and Barnes makes winning ammo with controlled expansion.

Federal Ammunition: American Eagle 158 Grain JHP

Manufactured by Federal American Eagle, this 158 grain jacketed hollow point bullet allows for deep penetration along with great expansion capabilities. Touting a velocity of 1,240 FPS and Muzzle energy measuring 539 ft.-lbs., it is the best ammo for self-defense, hunting, and range training.

Fiocchi Ammunition: 142 Grain FMJ-TC

Fiocchi, a resilient brand based in Italy and the U.S. offers a 142 grain FMJ-TC for hunting small to medium-size game. It offers 1,420 FPS muzzle velocity and 636 ft-lbs. muzzle energy. The FMJ won’t over-penetrate or cause excessive damage to internal organs.

Hornady: Critical Defense 125 Grain FTX

Hornady’s Critical Defense ranks at the top for hunting and personal defense. The 125 grain FTX with FlexTip bullet is ideal for confronting targets. For those unsure of the right caliber for the job, Hornady offers a ballistics calculator to ensure you won’t over or under fire. This round offers 1,500 FPS muzzle velocity and 824 ft-lbs. muzzle energy.

Magtech Ammunition: 158 Grain SJSP

Magtech’s dedication to innovation and the ability to produce quality ammo has given them a strong standing in the marketplace. The reloadable 158 grain, semi-jacketed soft point .357 Magnum load is manufactured with brass casing and Boxer-primed. It is known for accuracy with a muzzle velocity of 1,235 FPS and muzzle energy of 535 ft lbs. It is ideal for multi-use including self-defense, plinking, and range work.

Speer: Gold Dot 158 Grain JHP

Speer Gold Dot remains on track with its 158 grain jacketed hollow point. This bonded round is excellent for small to medium-sized game as well as some bear and hogs. It works well in a handgun or rifle. The ammo offers 1,235 FPS muzzle velocity and 535 ft-lbs. muzzle energy.

Large Game Hunting

Buffalo Bore: Outdoorsman 180 Grain Flat Nose

Buffalo Bore is a go-to for Big Bore needs in the field. The Outdoorsman 180 Grain Flat Nose gives high power when and where it’s needed. The Flat Nose with high bullet weight ensures a better trajectory for the crucial shot. This round fires with 1,400 FPS muzzle velocity and 783 ft-lbs. muzzle energy.

Federal Ammunition: Power-Shok Ammunition 180 Grain SJHP

Federal’s focus on hydrostatic shock produces this Power-Shok 180 grain semi-jacketed hollow point for large game. The round allows for deep penetration along with controlled expansion to stop your prey in its tracks. capabilities. The round claims a muzzle velocity of 1,080 FPS and muzzle energy of 466 ft.-lbs.

Remington Ammunition: High Terminal Performance (HTP) 180 Grain SJHP

Some hunters live and die with Remington ammo. The company’s tried and true craftsmanship shows itself in the High Terminal Performance 180 Grain semi-jacketed hollow point. Accuracy and controlled expansion create hydrostatic shock in the largest game, leading to a humane kill. The round claims a velocity of 1,145 FPS and muzzle energy of 524 ft.-lbs.

Final Thoughts

Experts never agree on the ultimate all-around ammunition. The .357 Magnum ammo appears at the top of every list due to its stopping power, accuracy, availability, and reliability. The ammo carries the power necessary to dominate in any situation, whether in a snubnose, traditional revolver, or lever-action rifle. Where larger calibers bear the burden of possible over penetration, the .357 ammo is less likely to go through the target to cause collateral damage. The .375 Magnum ammunition can also be substituted with a .38+P for shots in close quarters, guns with a short barrel length or in situations where over penetration is a concern.

The .357 Magnum ammunition was first developed in 1934 by Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe, and D. Wesson of Smith & Wesson and Winchester. Based on the S&W .38 Special, the .357 ACP compared to Colt’s .38 Super Automatic. In the mid-1930s, the .38 Super Auto was the only American cartridge with the ability to penetrate vests and automobiles that were often used by gangsters. The .357 Magnum was able to outperform most revolver cartridges on the market and quickly became the caliber of choice for law enforcement. The introduction of the ammo heralded the beginning of the “Magnum Era.” The dual-purpose cartridge is used most often for target shooting, hunting, and self-defense.

Where to Buy .357 Magnum Ammo

After numerous requests, we set out to find the best online .357 magnum ammo store. While there are dozens of places to buy ammo online, not all offer the trifecta of product, service, and delivery times. With that in mind, we chose Ammo.com as our preferred vendor. The website is easy to use and separates ammunition by category: rifle, handgun, rimfire, shotgun, and popular ammunition brands. We’ve found the best .357 mag ammo prices combined with same day or next day shipping.

Ammo.com differs from many sites because it offers much more than low prices on .357 ammunition. As a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights, Ammo.com adheres to its mission statement: “We believe that arming the people – both physically and philosophically – keeps government fearing the people, just as our Founding Fathers intended. We exist for American gun owners, the modern-day militiamen who not only understand the true meaning of the Second Amendment but exercise it on a daily basis.”

For every purchase made on the site, Ammo.com will donate 1% to the customer’s choice of pro-freedom organizations. In addition to the list of Freedom Fighters, the site has a forum for firearms enthusiasts and Second Amendment defenders. They have great deals on ammo of all types, not just .357 Magnum.

Other Online Ammo Stores

1. Ammo Man – This online company was founded in New Hampshire in 1998. Because it operates solely as an e-commerce company, customers are required to place orders online and cannot visit a retail or warehouse location. To get the best prices on rifle or handgun ammo, it is recommended to buy in bulk. Ammo Man receives high praise for good customer service and free shipping over $99. Due to restrictions, Ammo Man does not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts or New York.
2. Ammunition Depot – This family-owned company has a large offering of ammunition, cases, magazine, gear, and accessories. Like Ammo.com, Ammunition Depot supports Second Amendment rights and keeps prices low to afford its customers the best in ammo. Customers praise Ammunition Depot for excellent service.
3. Bulk Ammo – Carries a wide variety of ammo including hard to find items. As the name suggests, this is one of the best places to buy bulk ammo online. Its online catalog is always up to date so you don’t have to worry about in stock items. Like Amazon.com, the site has a customer feedback section instead of standard testimonials.
4. Cabela’s – Many customers stay away from Cabela’s when it comes to purchasing firearms, but are on board with their ammunition sales. Cabela’s offers free shipping on orders of $50 or more. The online store has a good selection of ammunition from such major brands as Winchester, Federal, and Remington.
5. GunBuyer – This Florida-based company has a straightforward, easy to use site that makes buying ammo online simple and painless. In business since 2011, Gunbuyer has quickly risen through the ranks among customers due to competitive pricing and faster delivery than many of its competitors.
6. Lucky Gunner – Live inventory tracking is one of the top features at Lucky Gunner. This Tennessee-based retailer offers some of the best ammo prices, especially on bulk orders. The shipping can be a bit slow, but its return customers don’t seem to mind. Lucky Gunner is also known for its tech, so you never have to worry about orders being lost when using Firefox or Chrome.
7. Natchez Shooters Supplies – NSS has a large selection of ammo, firearm parts and accessories. The catalog is arranged by caliber or brand name to make the site easy to use. The only issue is that orders are never guaranteed so you should plan ahead for possible delays.
8. Outdoor Limited –The North Carolina-based company is at the top when it comes to customer reviews. A family-owned company, Outdoor Limited isn’t one of the big dogs but its stock and customer service are stellar.
9. RifleGear – Founded in 2007, RifleGear is one of the newer companies on the market. A regularly updated catalog features a live inventory count to prevent out of stock issues and their customer service is top notch. In addition to ammunition, RifleGear stocks items that might interest their customers including RifleGear exclusives, handguns, rifles, shotguns, accessories, and parts.

The following are the top picks for .357 Magnum Ammo:

Best .357 Magnum Ammo for Self-Defense

Buffalo Bore: Tactical Short Barrel 158 Grain JHP

Buffalo Bore’s motto is “Strictly Big Bore – Strictly Business.” That just what customers need when it comes to protecting themselves and their homes. This Tactical Short Barrel .357 Magnum load delivers like clockwork every time, offering safety and peace of mind.

Specifications:

• 1400 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 158 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 606 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

CCI Ammunition: Blazer 158 Grain JHP

CCI Blazer is one of the most trusted ammo brands. The company is known for its patented CCI primers and reliability. The Blazer 158-grain bullet is recommended by self-defense experts for protection.

Specifications:

• 1150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 158 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 464 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Federal Ammunition:158 Grain American Eagle .357 Magnum JHP

The Federal American Eagle line is a well-respected name among firearms enthusiasts. Federal American Eagle offers several types of .357 Magnum loads for self-defense. Users should keep in mind that while this round does the job, it has a strong recoil.

Specifications:

• 1240 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 158 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 539 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Fiocchi Ammunition:  142 Grain FMJ-TC

Fiocchi has a high standing in the ammo world as a company that manufactures quality ammo with consistent accuracy and reliability. The light bullet weight of this round helps to prevent over penetration upon impact.

Specifications:

• 1420 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 142 Grain
• Full Metal Jacket with Truncated Cone Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 636 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Hornady: Critical Defense 125 Grain FTX

Hornady Critical Defense is ranked high on many shooters’ lists. The patented Flex Tip ensures controlled expansion in JHP bullets. It also eliminates clogging and other delivery issues.

Specifications:

• 1500 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 125 Grain
• FTX Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 824 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Remington: Golden Saber .357 Magnum 125 Grain JHP

Golden Saber jacketed hollow points deliver excellent stopping power for self-defense performance. This .357 Magnum load gives nearly 100% weight retention, a high level of accuracy, and rapid expansion. It works well in longer barrel guns for maximum velocity.

Specifications:

• 1220 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 125 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 413 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Sellier & Bellot: 158 Grain FMJ-FN

Sellier & Bellot has the experience and technology to produce high-quality ammunition. This 158-grain bullet does the job without fear of overpenetration. Lower muzzle velocity reduces the recoil in short-barreled guns.

Specifications:

• 889 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 158 Grain
• Full Metal Jacket-Flat Nose Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 278 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Best .357 Magnum Ammo for Training

CCI Ammunition: Blazer .357 158 Grain JHP

CCI Blazer offers some of the best .357 Magnum ammo in the marketplace. The combination of Speer bullets and CCI primers is hard to beat on the range or out in the field. The JHP’s hard metal coating increases the round’s strength and thwarts fouling in the barrel.

Specifications:

• 1150 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 95 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 464 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Fiocchi Ammunition: .357 Magnum 142 Grain FMJ-TC

Fiocchi is an Italian company with a longstanding reputation for developing and manufacturing high-quality products. This new production round uses a full metal jacket bullet with a truncated cone that delivers excellent accuracy at long distances, perfect for plinking or target shooting. These Magnum rounds are affordable and a top choice for volume shooting.

Specifications:

• 1420 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 142 Grain
• Full Metal Jacket with Truncated Cone Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 636 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Speer Gold Dot: Short Barrel 135 Grain JHP

A list for top ammo isn’t complete without Speer Gold Dot. Unlike high velocity Magnum rounds, Speer’s .357 Magnum Short Barrel 135 Grain JHP shoots at a slightly lower muzzle velocity, which makes it a solid choice for range training and home defense.

Specifications:

• 990 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 135 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 294 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Best .357 Magnum Ammo for Hunting

Barnes Bullets: 140 Grain VOR-TX XPB

Barnes is a top choice for big game hunters whether they are using a .357 Magnum revolver, lever-action or semi-auto. This 140-grain Barnes® VOR-TX® is loaded with full power, deadly bullets. It offers terminal performance with handloaded precision in a factory-loaded round. The all-copper ammo opens instantly on impact, destroying bone, tissue, and vital organs for a fast, humane kill.

Specifications:

• 1265 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 140 Grain
• XPB Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 498 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Hornady: Critical Defense 125 Grain JHP FTX

Hornady’s Critical Defense is go-to ammo for hunting. The JHP bullet features patented FlexTip technology which increases accuracy and drastically reduces fouling in the barrel.

Specifications:

• 1500 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 125 Grain
• Jacketed Hollow Point Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 824 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

Buffalo Bore: Outdoorsman 180 Grain Hard Cast Lead Flat Nose

Buffalo Bore is a go-to for Big Bore needs in the field. The Outdoorsman delivers accuracy and ultimate stopping power in short-barreled guns, even J Frames. Avoid using it in light alloy guns due to possible damage. Buffalo Bore’s heavier bullets give full power when hunting large game, stopping prey in its tracks.

Specifications:

• 1400 FPS Muzzle Velocity
• 180 Grain
• Flate Nose Bullet
• Brass Casing
• Boxer Primer
• 188 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy

For more reviews of .357 Magnum ammo check out our guide on the Best .357 Magnum Ammo For Self-Defense, Range Training & More.

A trip to Alaska is sure to be one you won’t soon forget. The most important thing you’ll do is prepare for the trip and ensure that you show up in the right place, at the right time, with the right gear. 

Alaska hunting and fishing bring a lot of people to this area of the country and this guide should help you narrow down the criteria of a perfect trip.  

Choosing Your Destination

One decision you’ll have to make before even considering an Alaskan adventure is where you plan to hunt and fish. Are you going to trek it North into the tundra in search of caribou, elk, and moose? Or, are you more interested in staying closer to the water for smaller game, waterfowl, and bears? 

All the locals will recommend that you take to the saltwater along the southeast portion of the state. This is where the best hunting and fishing is and it’s home to some of the best salmon fishing on this side of the hemisphere. 

Now, if bear hunting is what brings you to the area, to track the bears, you want to track the salmon. To do this, you’ll have to understand the migratory pattern of the salmon. They move from the freshwater as a juvenile and travel out into the open water where they feed and grow before retreating back to the river to spawn as adults. There are a variety of factors that come into play here.

The number one factor is the migration of the baitfish that they feed on. The number of baitfish in each location determines which ones are more favorable than others. Three of the top places to fish in Southeast Alaska are Juneau, Sitka, and Prince of Wales Island.  

Planning the Trip 

As you’re thinking about the location in Alaska that you want to fish and hunt, you’ll want to prepare yourself for the trip by bringing along the most essential gear. Bear hunting season runs during the Spring and Fall so if you’re looking to kill two birds with one stone, you’ll want to come during those times. 

That said, depending on what species of salmon you’re trying to catch, you’ll want to cater to the peak season. Coho Salmon season is better during the fall while Chinook Salmon season is better during the spring and summer. Regardless of what season you come, you’ll be able to find fish either way so I would recommend planning around bear hunting season first. 

Now let’s talk about gear. 

If you’re traveling on an unguided hunting trip the first two essential pieces of equipment are a framed backpack and a folding saw with a bone blade. These are required for all unguided hunters. 

Hip boots, binoculars, knives, flashlights, and plenty of backup clothes are necessary as well. If you’re hunting with a .357 magnum, keep in mind that your shot needs to be right on the money to take down a grizzly. Always keep in mind that just because you see experts take down grizzlies with a .357 magnum, doesn’t mean you’ll have the same luck. If possible, you might want to step up to a .44 if you find yourself out there with a handgun.

I also recommend bringing a separate fishing backpack because you won’t want to carry all your fishing gear in the same framed backpack with your hunting equipment. If you’re traveling with another person, one of you can carry each bag. 

For fishing, you’ll want to bring a portable rod, some casting spoons, flies, and diving plugs. If you can find salmon eggs, they make the best bait for Chinook Salmon. 

Where to Fish

As I said earlier, there are three areas in the southeast section of Alaska where you’ll clean up best. Juneau, Sitka, and Prince of Wales. These are the three top locations but your chances of success differ based on the season you fish and what you’re targeting. 

Juneau 

The top fish to catch in Juneau is the Coho Salmon. You’ll have the best chance of catching these in the late summer and early fall months between August-September. In fact, Alaska has the highest catch rates of Silver Coho Salmon. The regulations for catching these fish have not changed in quite some time and there are no annual limits; just a six per day per person restriction. 

Sitka 

Chinook King Salmon are the target here and this is one of the most sought-after places to fish anywhere on the planet. The record for Chinook Salmon is 126 pounds and that record has stood since 1949. If you’ve ever wanted to add something to your bucket list, this is it. 

Prince of Wales 

This area is one of the southernmost portions of Alaska and it brings about great halibut fishing. They’re great tasting, they grow to unbelievable sizes, and they’re not that hard to catch if you can understand the regulations. 

Where to Hunt 

If you’re targeting brown bears you’ll be able to find them anywhere but Prince of Wales. They’re classified the same as grizzly bears so when we say “brown” we mean “grizzly.” 

Keep in mind that season dates change dramatically by location but for the most part, you can hunt bears from early fall all the way through to early summer. There are also restrictions based on your location that limit how many bears you can kill each year. 

In the event that you are in danger, you are allowed to shoot and kill a bear if you feel that your life is threatened. 

There are many different rules and regulations that apply and they vary based on what type of bear you’re after and where you’re hunting so be sure to read up on all the finer details. 

If a life-changing Alaska hunting and fishing trip has been sitting on your bucket list for a while, it’s time to finally cross it out. As you trek through the majestic landscape that is the last frontier, keep your gun handy, and your trigger finger ready.

By Syd

The gun under consideration here is the Smith & Wesson Model 60 J-frame with the 3″ barrel in .357 Magnum, a.k.a., the 60-15. The Model 60 is not a new design. Introduced in 1965, it occupies its own special niche in handgun history. It was the first regular production all-stainless steel revolver, and it was an immediate success. The original Model 60 was a .38 Special. Todays Model 60 is a .357 Magnum. It is available in 2 1/8 barrel, 3 barrel, and 5 barrel versions. Like all J-frames, it chambers 5 rounds. With its longer barrel and grip, it is as if the traditional short barreled snub-nose has been stretched for better performance.

Besides the fact that it was an all-steel J-frame revolver chambered for .357 Magnum, the characteristic which initially appealed to me about this gun was the grip. It felt like it was built for my hand. It’s just a smidgeon longer than the boot grip used on the smaller snubbies and it fills my whole hand. This gun weighs 24 oz. and balances nicely, although it seems just a tad nose heavy. While I like the boot grip on the small snubbies for concealment, it has always been a problem for me in shooting because, like the baby Glocks, I can only get two of three fingers onto the grip and the little finger is left flapping in the breeze. The black rubber Uncle Mikes Combat Grip on the Model 60 fills your hand and gives you much better support for firing hot ammunition. I eventually replaced the Uncle Mike’s Combat Grip with Hogue Monogrips because the Hogue grips are relieved better for speedloaders.

The 3 Model 60 has real sights which are adjustable, the ribbed top rail between the sights, the tapped and screwed-in black rear sight and rail along the top of the frame, and all surfaces are serrated to cut the glare. The front sight leaf is black and is pinned to the barrel. I can actually see these sights. The frame notch sights on the classic snubby really aren’t much use to me, although I have proven that I can use them if I really slow down and get my glaring blurs lined up right. The 3 barrel of the Model 60-15 allows the gun to have a 5 sight radius.

This gun feels more like a 5-shot Model 66 than a lightweight snub-nose. It’s beefy. It has the semi-bull barrel with full length extractor shroud and sights of the S&W magnums. It is, nevertheless, absolutely a J-frame. And it has the slim ergonomic contours which are so appealing about the J-frames. Comparing the Model 60 with a Model 637, everything lines up exactly, down to the smallest contour and detail of the frame: the frame, hammer, trigger, trigger guard, cylinder, and cylinder release are all identical. Where it differs is in the longer grip, longer extractor rod, and the beefier barrel. The longer extractor rod makes it considerably easier to knock the empties clear of the cylinder during a reload.

The 3 barrel and longer grip gives you a gun that performs better than the classic snubby. It has a better sight radius, better muzzle velocity, more reliable spent case ejection, and less punishment to your hands. For these benefits, you lose pocket carry. The 60-15 doesn’t disappear into a pocket like the classic snubby. I would imagine that it would be awkward in a jacket pocket as well.

After a considerable amount of surfing on the web, I have noticed is that it is hard to find holsters for it. Everyone makes leather for 2″ snubbies but very few build them for 3″ versions. Kramer, DeSantis and El Paso all claim to build IWB’s for 3″ j-frames but I’ll bet you they couldn’t do overnight delivery on one. It works with my other snubby holsters that are open on the bottom, like the Galco Speedmaster, Galco Deep Cover, and High Noon Secret Ally. It doesn’t work with the Galco shoulder holster for the snubbies because of the difference in the shape of the grip. Thumb break type holsters which are designed for the snubby boot grip will not work with the Uncle Mikes Combat Grip even though the actual frame of the gun is the same size. The thumb break strap does not reach around the back of the grips. I resolved to order an IWB holster, custom built by Rudy Lozano at Black Hills Leather. It is the subject of a full review found here, but for now I will say that I really like the holster and Rudy.

Aesthetics and Intangibles

I have been over this revolver with a magnifying glass, and like the other Smith & Wesson wheel guns I have known and loved, it is without flaw in fit or finish. It is good looking but not flashy, compact but very solid, simply good and right and the way it ought to be. Smith & Wesson has produced some weird iron handguns in recent years with exotic metals and day-glo plastic sights, but this isnt one of them. This is a revolver that reflects 149 years of handgun-building experience. Its not an experiment.

The first time I dropped cartridges into the cylinder, generic range ammunition I had never even heard of before, I knew it would fire. I bought some generic range stuff and a couple boxes of premium self defense feed different bullet shapes, charges, even different case lengths in .38 Special, .38 Special +p, and .357 Magnum, and it all fired without a single failure of any kind. I didn’t have to worry about bullet shapes or magazines that the gun didn’t like. There was no break-in period. No doubt, no concern, no need to run 200 rounds through the gun to make sure it worked behold the beauty of the revolver. This is not to say that one should not do reliability testing on a new revolver. On the contrary, one should test a new revolver as rigorously as one tests a new autoloader if the gun’s mission is serious work.

There is something enormously tactile about the Smith & Wesson all-steel revolvers. They feel good and solid in your hand. With an aluminum-frame Airweight, there is always an expectation for it to fall apart in the back of my mind, and with no good reason. My Airweight has literally had thousands of rounds put through it, and some of it has been pretty hot stuff, and it keeps on ticking. It has had much more shooting than these guns are really supposed to have. Dick Metcalfe did a 5000 round torture test on a couple of Airweights using +p feed and neither gun suffered any damage or distortion of the frame. But I still have this thing about the aluminum frame that one day I’m going to over stress it. With the steel guns like the Model 60, you get the feeling that they will still be sending rounds downrange 200 years from now, and probably won’t need service.

Systems which have stood the test of time appeal to me. Smith & Wesson has been building double action revolvers since 1880 a hundred and twenty years. The .38 Special cartridge has been around for a tad better than a hundred years. In that long sweep of time, Smith & Wesson’s double action .38 revolvers have served cops, soldiers, and citizens with distinction and an almost monotonous reliability and effectiveness.

These guns still evoke the cowboy times. The cowboys carried six-shooters but often left the sixth chamber empty so they could put the hammer down without the fear of accidentally setting off a round. So why not build a five-round cylinder with a safe ignition system which would allow the gun to be slim and easier to conceal and carry? Its .357 Magnum chambering reflects the advances in ballistics of the 1930’s. The Model 60, being the first stainless steel revolver, carries the metallurgical advances of the last half of the Twentieth Century. With its key-operated safety lock, it carries the mark of the gun control battles of the late 90’s. Lots of history in these little guns.

History won’t save your life in a fight if it is history alone and nothing is learned. The Model 60-15 imparts a feeling that much has been learned, and when you have it in your hand, there is a sense of quiet confidence and competence. In particular, these revolvers are built much stronger than the early models so that they can digest a steady diet of hot ammunition for better hollowpoint performance. The design has been through the fire time and again, and come through. Other handguns will load more rounds, reload faster, and launch powerful rounds, but you know what the Model 60 will do. If you do your part, it will do its part, every time, time after time.

The short-barreled revolvers have one purpose and that is self-defense. They’re not hunting guns, target shooters, or assault weapons. They are completely dedicated. If you’re going to hunt grizzly bears, assault fortified positions, or kick down doors and arrest criminals, the J-Frame revolver is not the gun you would pick for a primary. If you want a highly compact, easily concealed yet powerful personal defense handgun, these revolvers are hard to beat. They are simple, fast, and effective. They remain one of the easiest of all handgun designs to conceal and carry.

Interesting Lawyer-Friendly Stuff

The Model 60-15 has the integral locking mechanism with the little key-deal that fits in above the cylinder release. I guess this could be handy if my kids were still small. I know that many folks are offended by the imposition of these kinds of reasonable safety measures. They are seen as coerced concessions to states like California and Maryland who are increasingly demanding safety features be added to handguns. I resent being forced to do anything, especially by states that would really like to prohibit firearms altogether. On the other hand, I had small children at home once upon a time, and when they were still little doodles whose judgment I couldn’t completely trust, I used trigger locks on my pistols long before they were fashionable in some circles or mandated. I carried the key on my key ring so it would always be close by. The integral lock on the Model 60 could be useful in a number of situations, such as times when you might have to take the gun off and leave it in a locker or athletic bag.

There has been some discussion of these safety locks engaging when they shouldn’t. In the January 2005 issue of American Handgunner, Massad Ayoob published an article about three instances he knew of in which the internal locking device had failed and two of the failures caused the gun to lock up. All three cases were instances in which extremely hot ammunition, such as +p+ and .44 Magnum, were fired from ultra-light scandium and titanium revolvers. Ayoob’s analysis was, This is not necessarily an indictment of Smith & Wesson, nor even of the integral lock system that company uses. It may be more of a lesson that extraordinarily light handguns firing extremely powerful ammunition can be damaged by the battering of constant, extreme recoil forces. Still, it gives us pause. I have not been able to locate any anecdotes so far of the lock engaging during firing on a Model 60. Nevertheless, if this really worries you, it is relatively easy to disable the integral lock.

It also comes with a little sealed brown paper envelope which contains a single fired case. On the envelope is Smith’s FFL number, make, model, serial number, rifling characteristics, the tester’s name, signature, and date of test. Too bad this one won’t make it into New York’s database.

Range Report

The accuracy, weight, ammo versatility, good grip and good sights make this gun a sweet shooter. One of the charming characteristics of revolvers is their tremendous versatility of ammo. Your choices range from powder-puff .38 Special wadcutter all the way up to .357 Magnum. The longer sight radius and better sight picture had me immediately producing far better patterns than I do with traditional styled snub-noses. The additional weight makes it easy on the hands with excellent recoil recovery.

I can make 25-yard shots with a snubby with a hit average of about 3 out of 5 on a small Pepper popper, but if I have to make a 50-yard shot, I would prefer the 1911 or a Hi-Power. I could make a 50-yard shot with the Model 60 if I took my time and handled my trigger right. While I get much better hits with this gun than I do with a snubby, I am nowhere close to the kind of “ragged hole” patterns that I have achieved at times with the 1911. But this just gives me another excuse to go to the range.

I took the Model 60 to the indoor range and bought a box of Independence .38 Special 130g FMJ, Independence .357 Magnum 158g JSP, Remington Golden Saber +p .38 Special 125g, and a box of Federal .357 Magnum Premium HydraShok, 158g.

I was really pleased with the way the Model 60 shot. The most interesting revelation was that I shot it infinitely better double action than I did single action (still trying to figure out that one). Single action, I was really pitiful, all over the target; double action I started shooting nice grapefruit size patterns at 7 yards, rapid fire, without trying too hard. The tightest 5-shot string was with the Independence .357 a tidy little horizontal string about four inches wide.

The .38 Special was smooth and cream-puffy, nice, and pleasant to shoot. The +p was crisp and authoritative, and I came away with the thought that the +p Golden Saber was the best all-around load, and is the stuff that should be in the speed loaders. The .357 is predictably brisk. After 15 rounds, I was getting some sting in my palm, but I wouldn’t call it “hurt.” It was very manageable, even in rapid fire (“rapid fire” meaning the rate that the beats fall in “Stars and Stripes Forever,” or just as quick as I could regain the sight picture). (And no, Im no Jerry Miculek.)

The worst muzzle flash was from the Golden Saber, followed closely by the Federal, but I didn’t find either blinding.

It was a real delight to buy four boxes of weird-ass ammunition for it and know that all of them were going to work. They did. With a new auto, you really need to run at least 500 rounds through it to make sure it’s reliable and get it broken in. And even with that, you still know in the back of your mind that a bad magazine or an out-of-spec cartridge or poor support can cause it to jam. With several of my 1911’s, I have had to go through a period of working with them to get them to the point where I considered them 100% reliable. The Model 60 doesn’t have any of those issues. It just goes “Bang” every time. (And don’t give me a Glock pitch because they choke up and break parts just like any other gun. I have one shooting buddy who is on his fourth Glock because the previous three have broken.) I traded messages with a Special Forces type who was on his third tour in Afghanistan. His unit had rejected the M9 and adopted one of the Glocks. It broke out in the field and he couldn’t fix it. On his next leave, he bought a Ruger SP101 in .357 said he felt better with it than any of the bottom feeders. Of course, it was a secondary for him, but that spoke chapters and verses to me.

Carry?

Would you use this gun as a carry piece? As a police officer or soldier, no, unless it was a secondary to something with considerably more firepower. As a civilian who tends to mind his own business and not get into shootouts with armed gangs, sure. If you happen to be one of those folks who just prefer revolvers to autos for personal defense, you couldn’t do much better than this. Its not too terribly heavy, but its heavy enough that you can get in some good practice with it without tearing up your hands. If you have a bit of arthritis in your hands or arms and just cant stand the pounding of .45s and .40s, you can load this gun with standard .38 Special and have a soft shooting, but effective personal defense handgun. The extra barrel length will provide for somewhat better muzzle velocity and hollowpoint performance than a 2 snub-nose, usually 50-100 feet per second faster, depending on the load. The muzzle flip and recoil dynamics are not near as violent as with a 2 snub-nose, especially if you like to use +p or .357 loads. I really like to carry the Airweight snubbies but I hate practicing with them because they’re hard on my hands, and yet we know that we must practice with the guns we carry. The Model 60 can provide a vehicle to practice for snubby carry same reload, same ammo, same trigger, same leather without all of the abuse to hands and joints. And also, if you want to carry .357 Magnum in a compact package, the Model 60 in this configuration will handle it without inflicting pain.

With a 5-shot J-frame, the issue of firepower always comes up, and if you want to carry these guns, you have to deal with it. When the balloon goes up, five rounds is not a lot. Five rounds placed well will probably address most of the issues that a civilian will face, but you cant count on that. This means that you have to master the reload with a speed loader. I really like the Safariland Comp I speed loaders. They are spring loaded and kind of shoot the cartridges into the chamber. Another approach is to carry two J-frames, the proverbial New York Reload. When one gun runs dry, you simply draw the other. The New York Reload has some other tactical advantages: if someone manages to get your primary away from you, you have another weapon. Also, you can hand off a second gun to an ally in a situation in which you may be dealing with multiple assailants or have another person with you who you need to protect. Better yet, carry two J-frames and speed loaders. Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. In this era of autoloaders, is it possible that there are tactical advantages to revolvers?

Training With the Model 60

I took the Model 60, two speedloader pouches, and all seven of my speedloaders to Jim Higginbotham’s match and actually shot the first half of the session with the 5-banger. I only quit when I ran out of ammo and switched to the Commander for the remaining exercises. I got there early so I could talk to him. I opened the conversation with, “I’m going to annoy you today.” “Oh, really? How?” “I’m going to shoot my revolver.” He pulled back the left side of his vest to reveal a huge nickel-plated Model 29 .44 Magnum and said, “I’ve probably got more revolvers on me today than autos.” Another shooter was packing an Airweight as his BUG as well. I felt a little better.

The stages were more revolver friendly than I expected. Most were 3-5 round exercises, sometimes with reloads planned into them, but I didn’t actually have to reload at any time that others didn’t have to. My reloads were, of course, still criminally slow, but getting better. I would do a reload after every string just to practice it and get it smoother. By the end of 50 rounds, I was getting quicker. We did mostly variations on Mozambique and El Presidente with movement and reloads interspersed. I was very pleased with my hits. I only had to endure one, “Those of you who are deploying antique weapons systems are probably running low on ammo now,” after a 5-round stage.

Reloads are a major tactical issue regardless of what gun you use, but they are especially important with revolvers. While five rounds are usually enough for civilian self-defense situations, you have to plan for the instance where it wont be. This means working out a way to carry a reload, and learning to perform the reload in an emergency. Generally, this means using speedloaders. There are currently two speedloaders available for J-frame revolvers, the Safariland Comp 1 and the HKS 36A. Both of these speedloaders have features that commend them. The Safariland Comp 1 has a spring mechanism that releases and launches the cartridges into the cylinder when you push it against the ejector star. The HKS offering has a large knob which must be turned slightly to the right to release the cartridges which fall by gravity into the cylinder. I think the Comp 1 has the edge in speed of reloading, but the HKS is easier to grasp quickly on release knob.

On balances, I came away feeling much better about the wheel gun as a self defense option. The next step is to determine if the skill enhancements with the Model 60 transfer to the Airweight. In terms of reloads, I think it will, but I’m not so sure about marksmanship. The 60 is a whole lot easier to get good hits with than its short barreled cousins.

Summary

The Model 60-15 is a versatile and accurate revolver. It is somewhat larger and heavier than the classic snubby, but its size and weight enable it to be a pleasant practice gun without being too large for discrete concealed carry. Its longer barrel produces better performance in .38 Special ammunition, and its greater weight allows it handle full charge .357 Magnum without causing pain. The Model 60-15 is a solid performer which is a pleasure to shoot. For wheel gun fans, this is one that I would heartily recommend.

By Syd

A search term that seems to bring a lot of people here is some combination of Grizzly Bear and .357 Magnum. It seems that a lot of folks are interested in the question of whether the .357 Magnum provides adequate protection against grizzly bears or not. I am not a big game hunter but I have camped in bear country and been closer to them than I ever desired to be. So, the following is a moderately informed opinion, but not what youd call expert advice, and if Yogi gets you on your next trip to Yellowstone, dont blame me.

First, Id like to offer a bit of history on the building of the .357 Magnum legend. Back in the 30s when Smith & Wesson introduced the .357 Magnum, they wanted to demonstrate the great power of the cartridge. To this end, they hired professional hunters and equipped them with large N-frame revolvers with 8 barrels. These guns were loaded with the largest bullets and hottest loads they could handle without blowing up. With their loads, bullets, and long barrels, these revolvers produced awesome terminal ballistics. These expert hunters went into the field with these supercharged handguns and took elk, moose, and bears. A legend is born. The .357 Magnum will bring down a grizzly bear.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause.

A note on grizzly bears: they are smart, strong, mean, bulky, motivated and fast. The grizzly bear is the one predator in North America that truly inspires terror in my heart. No matter what you can do, he can do it better. He or she can be merciless in defending turf or litter, and may just kill you for kicks.

Because Smith & Wessons expert hunters with their hard-hitting revolvers were able to bring down bears with a .357 Magnum, does that mean that your Scandium framed 2 snubnose with wussy off-the-shelf loads will be able to do the same? Probably not. The expert hunter stalks the prey and takes the shot from the optimal range and angle. Ideally, the bear does not even know hes in danger. If you are hiking a trail and come upon a bear unexpectedly, you will not have the advantages of position, concealment and surprise. You will be drawing quickly and trying to get a shot off against a rapidly moving animal that may weigh 800 lbs. or so, and with a gun having considerably less power than the revolvers upon which the legend was built. In this scenario, the chances of getting a rapidly disabling hit on the bear drop to next to nothing. Unless you are extremely lucky, the bear is going to win this one. The .357 Magnum has the penetration to reach vital organs in the bear, but what are the chances of making that shot in an emergency?

In this observers humble opinion, the .357 Magnum is marginal at best for protection against bears. I would want something considerably larger. In handguns, the .44 Magnum would be my baseline. A 12 gauge Express Magnum loaded with slugs would be a lot better.

By Syd

There is little dispute that the .357 Magnum works. After all, there aren’t many handgun cartridges that can claim to have brought down moose, elk, and grizzly bears. Most of the other handguns that can lay claim to felling large game are generally considered to be too large and have too much recoil for practical self-defense applications. The .44 Magnum would be a good example. (Yes, I know the .41 Magnum has done it, but I have yet to run into a person packing a .41 for personal protection?) Yet, the .357 Magnum has done it while remaining manageable in a personal defense sized handgun. It’s a tail kicker, but it has its downside. The sound of a .357 going off is tremendously loud, even when wearing ear protection. Setting off a .357 indoors without ear protection would most certainly do damage to one’s hearing which could be permanent. The muzzle flash is very bright in the dark and could cause temporary vision impairment.

Controllability is a concern with the .357 Magnum. It was originally introduced for large-frame guns. In a smaller gun, the recoil is stiff. Follow-up shots could be difficult or at least slower as the shooter struggles to regain control of the gun after the recoil. You can control it if your hands and arms are strong, you can control it, but I think that even for a strong person who is used to powerful handguns, shooting performance would be improved by using .38 +p, especially on follow-up shots.

An issue with .357 Magnum ammo is its penetration. (It won’t go through the block of a ‘49 Buick unless you are firing steel core ammunition). A normal 158g .357 hollowpoint can penetrate about a yard in ballistic gelatin. This means it’s going to slice like a hot knife in butter through walls and siding. It can also shoot through large animals and emerge on the other side with enough velocity to hurt someone else. Over-penetration is a definite possibility. These are serious considerations that should be weighed before adopting the .357 Magnum as a carry load. For most situations, and especially in an urban setting, a solid .38 Special +P would be a better choice for personal defense. Its more controllable for follow-up shots, less prone to over-penetration, and less damaging to the sensory organs.

If, on the other hand, your primary area of operation is rural and wilderness, places where you are more likely to come across a mean pig or a hungry bear than you are the human variety of predators, and be outside during the encounter, the .357 Magnum with its greater power and penetration would be highly desirable. Sadly the range of a .357, one of its best features, is wasted and may be a liability in an urban environment. The .357 is a flat-shooting cartridge that retains better terminal ballistics at 150 yards than most other personal defense handgun cartridges. The mid-range trajectory of the .357 Magnum at 100 yards is only 3.5. At 50 yards it is only .8. At 100 yards, the 158g JHP .357 retains about 67% of the energy it had when leaving the muzzle (this means 360 foot-pounds of energy with a velocity of 1,015 feet per second). It’s easy to see why the range and ballistics of the .357 would be an asset in the country and a liability in the city.

.357 Magnum History

The 1920s launched an era that would change firearms history forever. Prohibition sent the United States into a tizzy. Illegal gin mills, moonshiners, bootleggers and speakeasies secretly fought against the new law, refusing to be forced into a dry nation. Along with the illegal operations came organized crime. Law enforcement struggled to battle gangsters with their inadequate .32 and .38 double-action revolvers. Cops demanded better guns and more firepower. Their weapons simply could not penetrate the bulletproof (ballistics) vests worn by the gangsters, nor could it combat the steel and glass of the automobiles that were coming into common use.

Elmer Keith, Idaho rancher and firearms enthusiast, began to work on a new type of ammunition that would surpass the commonly used .38 ammo. At the same time, Phil Sharpe, a gun writer and NRA technical adviser, set out to design a new type of ammo with higher velocity and more stopping power. The goal was to hit a muzzle velocity of 1,400 feet per second (FPS) using a 150g bullet. Sharpe approached Smith and Wesson Vice President Dan Wesson with the idea of creating the new ammo. Wesson saw the need for the new round and jumped on board. The three men pooled their talents. Smith & Wesson joined up with the ammunition division of Winchester Repeating Arms, and by 1934, the design had been completed. The design modified a .38 Special case, lengthening it by .125-inch. The cartridge held a 158g bullet that fired at 1,515 FPS. The following year, Smith & Wesson launched the .357 Magnum Revolver.

The .357 is credited with introducing the “Magnum Era.” Despite ups and downs, it remains a superior self-defense round often used by law enforcement. Law enforcement, military personnel, and Special Forces teams still use .357 Magnum handguns, mostly as backup and clutch pieces.

New Developments in the .357 Magnum

The impact of the .357 has not waned over time. However, the round isn’t limited to a revolver. It can be used in a small number of semi-auto pistols, lever-action rifles, and carbines. Applications include law enforcement, self-defense, target shooting, competition shooting, and hunting.

Today’s .357 Magnums are a far cry from what was available in 1935. One example of a new platform is the Smith & Wesson Model 60 5-shot revolver that was introduced in 1996. The gun couldn’t compete with the original since it could only shoot bullets 125g or less. Fortunately, newer styles don’t have such limitations. Several models have come and gone but the basic framework remains the same. The .357 Magnum continues to offer a high level of stopping power. Its levels of kinetic energy are enough to cause hydrostatic shock, a true benefit when a target needs to be put down.

A significant advantage of the .357 Magnum over other handguns is the ability to chamber a .38 Spl cartridge, although the .38 round is shorter. The same cannot be said for the .38. A .357 round is too long to fit in the chamber and a .38 Spl cannot withstand the pressure of the more powerful .357 Magnum round. This allows .357 users to load the lighter ammo, save money at the range, and enjoy the benefits of lighter recoil and less muzzle flash.

The introduction of semi-automatic weapons caused the .357 to lose popularity.

Semi-automatic pistols have a higher capacity and faster reloading times. Some believe that semi-autos are more powerful than a .357 Mag, but that’s not necessarily true.

.357 Magnum in the Prepper Community

It’s difficult to pigeonhole the type of weapon preferred by all preppers. Prepping has come into vogue in recent years, so the opinions of the new school and old school don’t always mesh. A .45 Magnum revolver is a sound choice in some instances but overkill in others. It’s readily available and adaptable to many situations. However, it isn’t a good choice for home defense, self-defense, or hunting. There is a good chance of overpenetration and collateral damage if used in the home or other tight spaces. In hunting, a .45 may leave nothing behind which often defeats the purpose.

There is also an issue of the “us vs. them” mentality. Revolvers vs. semi-automatics. Good points can be made on both sides. At the core, pros recommend a revolver to beginners or those that don’t fire guns regularly. A revolver has the intimidation factor for the target but doesn’t overcomplicate the process with unnecessary bells and whistles. Semi-autos share the intimidation factor, have higher capacity, are readily available in more styles, and offer many of those bells and whistles.

There is further division. In the revolver community, the argument centers on long barrel length vs. short barrel length handguns. Again, there are good points on both sides. If a person wants to carry concealed or keep a gun in the bedside table, then a short barrel snubby is probably your best choice. Serious preppers often choose a long barrel revolver because of the power and level of accuracy. In the end, it comes down to which gun meets the majority of your needs and makes you the most comfortable.

When it comes to traditional hunting, many preppers will use a .357 as a backup weapon. An old fashioned rifle may be a better bet if you’re going up against big game. The same can be said for the mythical angry bear that invades your camp in the middle of the night. (Sure, bears do enter camps but it’s usually because they are hungry, not angry. They aren’t hard to scare off.) If you’re hunting small to medium game, a .357 has more than enough power to do the job.

.357 Magnum for Concealed Carry

Using a .357 for concealed carry usually conjures images of long barrel length. While the weapon is a good choice in some instances, it is not ideal for concealed carry. It’s simply too heavy and too large to carry in an ankle holster or tuck into a pocket or purse. If you are considering a .357 for a concealed carry gun, your best bet is to latch onto one of the Smith & Wesson short barrel, or J-frame models. The 2- to 3-inch barrel makes the gun easy to handle and carry. It is still powerful and will provide the necessary stopping power in a home defense or self-defense situation. You could also go for a compact K-frame or a Ruger SP101 snub nose. Keep in mind that although the gun is small enough for concealed carry, it will be heavier than a typical .38 Spl. You should also be aware that ammo selection is critical for accuracy and recoil. Check out popular styles like JHP and FMJ (easy to reload)  from top manufacturers like Smith & Wesson, Speer Gold Dot, Hornady, Buffalo Bore, or Taurus.

Here are some other things to keep in mind when choosing a .357 for CCW. The pressure of a .357 is significantly stronger than a .38 Special. That means you will experience heavier recoil which can affect your accuracy. The bonus to carrying a .357 is that it can also be used with .38 Special and .38 Special +P ammo. However, a .38 Special cannot fire a .357 because of the high pressure. Doing so can cause a misfire, jam, damage the gun, or worse, injure the shooter.

Conclusion

The .357 Magnum has been popular since its introduction in the 1930s and shows no sign of vanishing from the military, law enforcement, and/or civilian use. Regardless of which camp you’re in, the revolver or semi-auto camp, there is a .357 Mag ammo to fit your needs. Proper training is key to find the gun and ammo that are right for you.

By Combat Controller

I was asked why someone would consider a .44 special over the .357 magnum for carry or general defense. Lets take a look at a few numbers first.

.44 special

180 gr XTP bullet with 10.7 gr of VV N350 will clock you about 1173 fps. Not too shabby. That is 549 foot pounds of energy from a .44 diameter bullet. Toting that around in a .44 snubbie will let some Goblin or Wild Critter know you were thinking of them.

.357 magnum

180 gr JHP over 12.5 gr of WC820 clocks at about 1,013 fps for 410 foot pounds. To push it up to 747 foot pounds we would need to go to a TMJ round over 13.8 gr of VV N110 for 1,368 fps. Possible, but really hot and quite the penetrator. In a hunting load that is great, in a defense load not so much. The average 180 gr hollowpoint handload will give you performance more in line with the first load, not the second. The hole of course will be a bit smaller and present less bullet surface. the hole will be .358 or so in diameter.

Lets take the .44 down to 145 grs. 356 foot pounds can be expected with a velocity of 1,056 fps.

The .357 on the other hand can get really moving with a hot loaded JHP and perform rather stunning feats. 920 foot pounds with a screaming 1,691 fps. A factory loading will give you something more like 1261 for 511 foot pounds though.

Moving up to 250 gr bullets we see a velocity of 1186 for 780 foot pounds in the .357.

The .44 special on the other hand will give you 1032 for 591 foot pounds.

Now the .357 typically gets loaded with lighter rounds, as it is a smaller diameter. Lets look at factory loads for a minute with off the shelf loads that a typical shooter might find themselves with and not the handloader.

110gr Winchester White Box 1,298 fps out of a 2 1/4 ruger SP 101 for 411 foot pounds. A 124 gr load will give you 1350 fps for 501 foot pounds. A 158 gr will give you 1320 fps and a foot pounds of 611. These are standard winchester factory loads I have clocked.

Now with a .44 you tend to get heavier ammo out of the chute. 180gr loads is where it starts for 920 fps and 338 foot pounds. Standard load though is 240 gr at 950 fps for 480 foot pounds.

For out of the box performance it is a bit of a wash, the .44 having the edge with a bigger diameter by a third again as much. Now the .357 might be a bit much according to some folks for self defense, as it is known to go through something and keep on going out the other side. Whereas a .44 special tends to plow into more stuff and come to a halt having dumped more effective energy into the target. The amount of energy the target retains is what it is all about. How many of those foot pounds is lost keeping that .357 trucking along after it exits? This is why the thunder ranch guys have semi-recently become enamoured of the .44 special in a combat wheelgun, and there are special models of .44 special (mind the puns there) for sale with the TR logo on it. Both will most certainly do the job on a goblin. The cost of practice ammo is a consideration though, so getting into handloading is a good idea if you do a lot of shooting.

I find the recoil on the .44 a bit less in a snub nosed revolver FWIW, YMMV.

By Stephen A. Camp

For as long as I can remember, the question of whether or not the .38 Special snub is as potent as the .357 magnum in a snub-nose revolver has been debated again and again. This is not an extensive article, but I think the answer becomes pretty clear.

I didn’t have a .357 with a barrel as short as the 1 7/8″ barrel on my snub thirty-eight’s so I just fired the .38 Specials out of a 2 1/2″ Model 19. The magnums were fired from the same revolver. It is true that .38 Specials will lose a little velocity when fired from a revolver chambered for the slightly longer .357 Magnum. The figures are slight, but later on, we’ll “give” another 50 ft/sec (which is a generous amount) to the measured thirty-eight special velocities.

Velocities are based on 10-shot strings of fire about 10′ from the chronograph screens.

• Ammunition Average Velocity (ft/sec):
  • Federal .38 Special 129-grain Hydrashok +P: 846 ft/sec
  • Winchester .38 Special 158-grain LSWCHP +P: 858 ft/sec
  • Remington .357 Magnum 125-grain SJHP (Full-house load): 1243 ft/sec
  • Handload: Rucker 158-grain CSWC: 1100 ft/sec
• Notes:
  • 7.0 grains Unique
  • Winchester Small Pistol Primer
  • Starline Case

At this point, I’ll have to ask you to accept that the 129-grain .38 bullet is approximately the same as the 125-grain .357 and that the 4 grains would not make any real difference. Also, the handloaded .357 round was used simply because I had no data on any factory magnums in that bullet weight. Note that this is not a “hot” handload in that caliber and bullet weight.

Now add the 50 ft/sec we spoke of earlier to each of the .38 average velocities and we get an “adjusted average velocity” of 896 ft/sec for the Hydrashok and 908 ft/sec for the LSWCHP. Compared to the 125-grain .357, we see that the magnum bests the .38 by 347 ft/sec. I find this a significant gain. With the heavier .38 Special bullet compared to the same weight slug from a .357 handload, we find a difference of 192 ft/sec in favor of the magnum and a medium handload.

The data provided was not extensive, but based on it and what I’ve seen on more than one occasion in the past, the little .38’s main advantage as a carry gun or BUG is that it’s light, small, and easy to conceal. Its ballistic payload is not equivalent to the .357’s in most cases. While it is true that both S&W and Taurus offer .357’s in very nearly the same size package, it’s been my experience that they border on being uncontrollable when shot in rapid-fire. Others may have had better luck. I’ll take my .357 magnums in a K, L, or N frame.

Little in this world is a hard and true fact and the same applies here. I note that out of a 1 7/8″ barrel S&W Model 642, Corbon’s 115-grain +P+ JHP averages an amazing 1188 ft/sec. This is in the .357 range of velocities and might be thought of as a “quasi-magnum” load. A Ruger SP-101 averages 1278 ft/sec with Triton 125-grain Quik Shok +P ammo, so we see the magnum winning again, but the .38 load does surprisingly well. Sadly, both of these loads are discontinued, as Corbon no longer uses and Triton’s out of business. Out of the 2 1/2″ Model 19, Winchester’s 110-grain .357 JHP averaged 1166 ft/sec so the Corbon .38 Special load beat it slightly in both velocity and bullet weight. These are exception to the rule. FWIW, with the thin forcing cone in the J-frame S&W, I’ve quit using the 115-grain load for fear of cracking it.

The notion that the .357 is so inefficient in the two-inch guns that it’s no more effective than a hot .38 Special just doesn’t seem to be true. While neither is at its best in the snub, the magnum is the more potent of the two with most ammo.

Best.

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The .44 Magnum is a large bore cartridge that was first introduced in 1956. A highly accurate round, the .44 Magnum was originally designed by Elmer Keith, an Idaho rancher, writer, and firearms enthusiast. Keith had previously developed the .357 Mag cartridge and solidified his reputation in the firearms community. Keith set out to create a multi-functional cartridge and convinced Smith & Wesson and Remington Arms Co. to manufacture it for the Smith and Wesson Model 29. Although Remington manufactured the first. 44 Magnum at Keith’s request, S&W is credited with introducing the .44 Mag to the public. Not many people seem to remember that Ruger beat S&W to market by a few months with a .44 Mag version of its single action Blackhawk revolver.

Keith had intended for the .44 to be used for hunting, self-defense, and target shooting. The cartridge is strong and packs a big punch. The .44 is extremely precise, giving the shooter as much as a 90% accuracy rate. However, the high-pressure causes it to carry a heavy recoil and muzzle flash, making it less than ideal for novice shooters or people of smaller stature. Those that find the .44 Mag a bit too intense may opt for the .44 Special, a slightly smaller cartridge with less recoil. Shooters should experiment using both rounds to find which is best suited to their style and experience. Note that .44 Special cartridges can be fired from guns chambered for a .44 Magnum, but the reverse is not true.

While the .44 Magnum seems to be the perfect bullet for self-defense experts often rebut the choice due to its deep penetration. They claim that the cartridge is too powerful for in-home defense and may cause collateral damage.

Superior Ammo

The .44 Magnum ammo has deep penetrating cartridges and precise shot placement. These features make it ideal for hunting even the largest of game. You can also use it for self-defense against elephants. Another advantage of this ammunition is that it uses flat point bullets. You will not have trouble with it as is the case with some high velocity, lightweight, pointed bullets.

The .44 Magnum ammo also has very good accuracy. If you load it with a heavy, non-expanding bullet, this ammo can easily shoot through large game such as bison and elk without trouble. The limiting factor of its cartridge is not terminal ballistics, but rather the trajectory of the bullet. It is going to work better if you limit your hunting range to 100 yards when shooting. The casing of this ammo is slightly longer compared to other ammunitions to prevent the far higher pressure cartridge from being chambered in when you are shooting, and in turn preventing possible deaths and injuries.

Best .44 Mag Self-Defense Ammo

Law enforcement relies on .44 Mag out in the field for its maximum stopping power. However, .44 Mag ammo is also an excellent choice for home defense. SP and JSP are best suited to home defense to prevent over penetration in close quarters while HP and JHP are better suited for law enforcement and open areas for maximum effect.

Buffalo Bore Anti-Personnel 180 Grain Lead Hollow Point

This round is touted as one of the best for self-defense. It is a no-nonsense ammunition designed for self-defense and eliminating two-legged targets. It has a Muzzle Velocity of 1500 fps.

Buffalo Bore Anti-Personnel 200 Grain .44 Spl Wadcutter

According to Buffalo Bore: “This load is designed to permanently and quickly disable human threats.” This round offers a Muzzle Velocity of 1300 fps.

Federal Ammunition 240 Grain Fusion Bonded JHP

This medium-priced American-made Fusion bullet with brass casing delivers a Muzzle Velocity of 1290 fps.

Federal AmmunitionHydra-Shok 240 grain Personal Defense

The new production Hydra-Shok 240 grain Personal Defense round is an excellent choice for concealed carry and law enforcement agencies. The center-post design delivers controlled expansion. The notched jacket gives maximum penetration. It offers a Muzzle Velocity of 1180 fps and Muzzle Energy of 742 ft-lbs.

Hornady Ammunition JHP XTP Load

HornadyXTP is highly recommended by seasoned shooters. The American-made self-defense cartridge makes the list for the best .44 self-defense ammo. It’s slightly more expensive than the Remington, but also more powerful. It boasts 1150 fps Muzzle Velocity.

Remington Ammunition 240 Grain HTP Rounds

Top of the list of the best .44 ammo for self-defense. Available in 240 grain SP and SJHP rounds, this American-made defense load is inexpensive, but powerful. It boasts 1180 fps Muzzle Velocity and 742 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy.

Speer Gold Dot Handgun Personal Protection 44 S&W Special

Speer Gold Dot has an excellent reputation for quality and accuracy. This 200 grain hollow point has plenty of what it takes for self-defense. It offers 875 fps of Muzzle Velocity.

Winchester Ammunition Platinum Tip 250 Grain JHP

A bit more expensive than the other brands, Winchester offers this American-made self-defense cartridge with 1250 fps Muzzle Velocity.

Best .44 Mag Ammo for Hunting

The following .44 Mag ammo is at the top when choosing rounds for hunting. Most are best suited to whitetail deer hunting, although, with proper placement, can be used on big game such as black bear, elk or wild hogs.

Deer Hunting

Black Hills 240 Grain

Black Hills is known for producing reliable, high quality products. This new production round is Boxer primed with reloadable brass casings. It delivers a Muzzle Velocity of 1260 fps.

Buffalo Bore 240 Grain Deer Grenade +P

Deer Grenade +P Ammo was designed specifically to do maximum damage to medium sized game and does not penetrate like a hard cast bullet. It offers about 30% penetration as a typical flat-nosed bullet, perfect for shallow game like whitetail deer, medium-sized pigs, and black bear. Deer Grenade has a Muzzle Velocity of 1550 fps. Great choice for the Redhawk or Super Blackhawk.

Hornady Ammunition 200 Grain XTP

HornadyXTP is highly recommended by seasoned shooters. The American-made cartridge makes the list for the best .44 hunting ammo. It’s slightly more expensive than the Remington, but also more powerful. It boasts a higher velocity of 1500 fps.

Big Game

Buffalo Bore 305 Grain Lead Long Flat Nose

This .44 Mag ammo is designed for big game. The flat nose offers straight and deep, 3+ feet of penetration. Unlike a round nose bullet which slides though matter, the flat nose cuts and smashes it way, doing maximum damage. It delivers a Muzzle Velocity of 1325 fps.

Cor-Bon Barns DPX 225 Grain 

Cor-Bons Barns DPX uses a solid copper hollow point bullet. It has a lighter recoil and faster recovery than rounds with a heavy bullet weight. It offers deep penetration while maintaining soft tissue integrity. DPX has a Muzzle Velocity of 1350 fps.

Remington Ammunition HTP Copper Handgun 270 Grain

New for 2019, this Remington sport round uses a Barnes all copper bullet. It has six expanding copper petals guaranteed to take down medium to large prey. It has a Muzzle Velocity of 1235 fps.

Remington Ammunition Hog Hammer 225 Grain

New for 2019. Remington’s Hog Hammer features Barnes XPB Pistol Bullets to deliver maximum knock down power from a handgun. Wild boars don’t stand a chance. It offers a Muzzle Velocity of 1235 fps.

Winchester Ammunition Supreme Partition Gold 250gr 

Partition Gold offers a low velocity resisting weight loss upon impact. The bullet’s rear lead core is locked in place for extra bullet integrity. It offers a Muzzle Velocity of 1250 fps.

Winchester Ammunition Platinum Tip 250 Grain JHP

This new production round is high performance ammunition featuring a patented, reverse-taper jacket design. The notched lead core delivers superior accuracy and weight retention. It gives a Muzzle Velocity of 1250 fps.

Best .44 Mag Ammo for Target Shooting

Magtech Ammunition 240 Grain SJSP 

Brazilian-based Magtech offers this SJSP bullet with brass casing, touting 1180 fps Muzzle Velocity.

Buffalo Bore Anti-Personnel 180 Grain Lead Hollow Point

This round is touted as one of the best for target shooting. It is a no-nonsense ammunition designed for self-defense and eliminating two-legged targets. It has a Muzzle Velocity of 1500 fps.

Fiocchi Ammunition: 240 Grain JSP

Coming in at the same price as the Remington, this foreign made, jacketed soft point, 240 grain round offers 1838 fps velocity.

Hornady Ammunition 200 Grain XTP

Hornady XTP is highly recommended by seasoned shooters. The American-made cartridge makes the list for the best .44 hunting ammo. It’s slightly more expensive than the Remington, but also more powerful. It boasts a higher velocity of 1500 fps.

PMC Bronze .44 Remington Magnum Ammunition JHP 180 Grains

Poongsan Corporation makes “PMC” (precision-made cartridges) ammunition for competition shooting and hunting. The company has a solid reputation for high quality and currently exports more than 100 different types of ammunition. This jacketed hollow point has a high velocity of 1,750 fps.

Remington Ammunition: 240 Grain HTP Rounds

Top of the list of the best .44 ammo for shooting targets. Available in 240 grain SP and SJHP rounds, this American-made defense load is inexpensive, but powerful. It boasts 1180 fps Muzzle Velocity.

Best 44 Magnum for Lever Action Rifles

The choices for ammunition for rifles, shotguns and pistols are myriad. Below are top picks for lever action firearms.

HornadyLEVERevolution 225 Grain

Hornady ranks at the top for lever action ammo. Unlike most .44 cartridges, HornadyLeverevolution is a spitzer style bullet with a polymer tip, making it safe for use in a lever-action magazine. It will stand up to a jacketed bullet without denting the primer or cause accidental fire. LEVERevolution travels 250 fps faster than the average traditional flat nosed round. Muzzle Velocity: 1410 fps

Jesse James, TML Label, .44 Magnum, Jacketed Hollow Point, 240 Grain

Firearms designer Jesse James created the perfect load by balancing accuracy, velocity, and recoil. Note that this round has a higher velocity than most. Muzzle Velocity: 1,589 fps.

Magtech Sport Ammunition .44 Remington Magnum 240 Grain Semi-Jacketed Soft Point

Magtech has been around since 1926. The company manufactures all its components, maintaining high and consistent quality. This new production round is the choice for plinking and competition shooting. Muzzle Velocity: 1,180 fps

Remington High Terminal Performance .44 Remington SJHP 240 Grain

Remington® HTP (High Terminal Performance) .44 Magnum Ammo combines premium primers, brass cases and propellants with a wide assortment of bullet designs. This ammo gives you the instant-stopping power you need. Muzzle Velocity: 1,180 fps

Winchester ‘USA’ 240 Grain SJSP 

Winchester USA Pistol, .44 Rem. Mag, JSP, 240 Grain For serious centerfire handgun shooters, U.S.A. Brand ammunition is used by serious handgun shooters and is an ideal choice for range training, plinking or competitive shooting. Muzzle Velocity: 1,180 fps

Conclusion

Firearms experts and enthusiasts may not agree on using .44 magnum ammo. The .44 Magnum is a powerful gun that is not well suited to concealed carry. It is an excellent choice for self-defense although some claim that the .357 Magnum is easier to carry and aim. It’s important to keep in mind that not all .44 Mag ammo is the same. Some brands and grades are appropriate for self-defense while other, less powerful, grades are more appropriate for target and sports shooting and cowboy action.

As one of the most popular calibers on the market, it can be expected that buying ammo online for your Smith & Wesson .38 Special is an easy task. Rather, it should be an easy task, but the popularity of the caliber means that many sites offer the product, some at ridiculous prices. What often happens is slow or non-existent service, inflated shipping costs, or the items always seem to be out of stock. I believe in loyalty and that sure-fire service and quality ammo is worth a few pennies more. Even if your site of choice offers the best ammo prices, don’t waste your time and money on some anonymous site that may or may not deliver your ammo. Stick with the tried and true – it will never fail you.

Best .38 Special Online Ammo Store

Our top choice to buy ammo online is Ammo.com. The site is operated by a team that offers low prices on ammunition and fast service. Orders placed before 3 PM will ship the same day. Orders placed later will ship the next business day. The website is divided by brand and caliber, making it easy to find what you need.

In addition to products and services, Ammo.com ranks as our best online .38 Special ammo store because they support Second Amendment rights.

Known as America’s Pro-Freedom Ammo Source, Ammo.com defends our right to bear arms. The company provides a forum for gun owners and freedom fighters to exchange ideas and steps up to the plate by donating to the customer’s choice of organizations like the NRA, Armed Citizens’ Educational Foundation, Homes for Our Troops. and the Institute for Justice. They also operate a Resistance Library, filled with informative and useful articles on everything from law to self-defense.

Other Top Online Ammo Stores

Academy Sports – Academy Sports is a nationwide sporting goods store that also has a strong online presence. The easy to use site offers low prices on ammo as well as reloading supplies. Ammo can be bought in bulk, so you’ll never run out.

Ammo to Go – Like most grassroots businesses, Ammo to Go started in a garage. Today, they operate a heavily stocked warehouse. Availability is shown online so you never have to worry about back orders. Ammo to Go routinely offers specials but be sure to check often because they sell out fast.

Ammunition Store – The name couldn’t be more straightforward. In addition to selling ammo, the site offers a lot of information on buying ammo online. The website isn’t updated regularly, so items may not be in stock. Call before you order.

Cheaper than Dirt – Cheaper Than Dirt offers a wide array of accessories and parts in addition to ammo. Ammo can be purchased by the box or in bulk. Searching is made easy as items are divided by caliber and brand. Receives high ratings from customers.

GunBuyer – Although it’s a relatively new site, customers rate GunBuyer on a high level. The site is streamlined and simple, offering good prices, and fast shipping times.

Lucky Gunner – Lucky Gunner appears at the top of many lists of where to buy ammo online. Like GunBuyer, Lucky Gunner routinely receives high marks from customers for low prices. The site also offers a shipping cost estimator, so you aren’t left wondering about additional charges. Lucky Gunner also has a live inventory count, so you will never have to worry about backorders.

Primary Arms – The company’s mission statement: “To provide firearms enthusiasts, professional shooters, and servicemen and women the highest quality optics at affordable prices.”

Primary Arms keeps true to its word and is known for competitive pricing and excellent customer service.

SGAmmo – This site usually falls at the top of best places to buy ammo online. They offer a wide selection and fast shipping times. Often referred to as Amazon.com for ammo, SGAmmo is known for hands-on customer service.

Sportsmans Guide – Sportsmans Guide has recently updated its image, streamlining its website, making it easier for its customers to find ammo. Customers can search inventory by caliber or brand name. SG claims 300,000 products in its catalogs and website and offers frequent deals.

Types of .38 Special Ammunition

Wadcutter (WC)

The wadcutter is a blunt bullet designed to sit flush at the top of the casing. Best for short distance shooting. Popular with short barrel guns such as snub nose (“snubby”) .38 Special revolvers.

Semi-Wadcutter (SWC)

Semi-wadcutters are flat with a conical nose. A great all purpose bullet commonly used in plinking, small game hunting, target shooting, and, less often, self-defense.

Lead Round Nose (LRN)

This bullet is an unjacketed lead projectile. Inexpensive, these bullets are common and popular. Not recommended for self-defense.

Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)

FMJ bullets are most commonly used in range training and target shooting. They are reloadable which keeps the expense low.

Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)

JHP bullets are the most common type found for .38 Special ammo. Common bullet weights include 110 grain, 125 grain, 129 grain, and 158 grain. They are often offered as +P rounds to optimize ballistics.

Best .38 Special Ammo for Range Training

Choosing the right ammo for home defense or personal/self-defense, can mean the difference between scaring away an intruder and being defenseless. Using a .38 Spl for home defense helps to eliminate the chance of over-penetration. All rounds are tested using strict FBI guidelines. Following is a list of the best .38 Special ammo for home/self-defense:

Black Hills Cowboy Loads 158 Grain CNL

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Conical Nose Lead (CNL)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 800 FPS

Sellier & Bellot 158 Grain FMJ

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 889 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 278 ft-lbs.

Federal Ammunition American Eagle 130 Grain FMJ

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 890 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 229 ft-lbs.

Black Hills 148 Grain HBWC

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 148 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Hollow Base Wadcutter (HBWC)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 700 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 161 ft-lbs.

Remington UMC 158 Grain LRN

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose (LRN)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Berdan
• Muzzle Velocity: 755 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 200 ft-lbs.

Sellier & Bellot 148 Grain WC

Recommended use: New shooters, competition shooting, target shooting, and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 148 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Wadcutter (WC)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 699 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 161 ft-lbs.

Remington High Terminal Performance .38 Special +P 110 Grain SJHP

Recommended use: Target shooting, personal defense, and hunting.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 950 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 220 ft-lbs.

Hornady Critical Defense FTX 110 Grain JHP

Recommended use: CCW, target shooting, personal defense, and small game hunting.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 1010 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 249 ft-lbs.

Hornady Critical Defense FTX .38 Special +P 110 Grain JHP

Recommended use: CCW, target shooting, personal defense, and small game hunting.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 1090 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 290 ft-lbs.

Federal Ammunition American Eagle 130 Grain FMJ

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 890 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 229 ft-lbs.

Fiocchi Ammunition Pistol Shooting Dynamics 130 Grain FMJ

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 950 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 260 ft-lbs.

CCI Ammunition Blazer Brass 158 Grain Lead Round Nose (LRN)

Recommended use: Target shooting and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Lead Round Nose (LRN)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Berdan
• Muzzle Velocity: 755 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 200 ft-lbs.

Best .38 Special Ammo for Home Defense

Choosing the right home defense or self-defense ammunition, can mean the difference between scaring away an intruder and being defenseless. Using a .38 Spl for home defense helps to eliminate the chance of over-penetration. All rounds are tested using strict FBI guidelines. Following is a list of the best .38 Special ammo for Home/self-defense:

Federal Ammunition Law Enforcement .38 Special +P 158 Grain LSWCHP

Recommended use: CCW, self-defense, and home defense.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 158 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point (LSWCHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 900 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 284 ft-lbs.

Hornady Critical Lite Defense 90 Grain FTX JHP

Recommended use: CCW, self-defense and home defense.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 90 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 1200 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 288 ft-lbs.

Federal Ammunition Personal Defense Micro 130 Grain JHP

Recommended use: Self-defense and home defense.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 890 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 229 ft-lbs.

Speer LE Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 Grain .38 Special +P Ammo JHP

Recommended use: Self-defense, home defense, and CCW.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 135 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 860 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 222 ft-lbs.

Winchester Defender 130 Grain PDX1 .38 Special +P Bonded JHP

Recommended use: Self-defense, home defense, and range training.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 130 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 950 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 260 ft-lbs.

Federal Ammunition Hydra-Shok 110 Grain JHP

Recommended use: Self-defense, home defense, and hunting.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 110 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 980 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 235 ft-lbs.

Magtech 125 Grain .38 Special +P SJHP

Recommended use: Self-defense, home defense, and hunting

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 125 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Pressure: +P
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 938 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 244 ft-lbs.

PMC Ammunition 132 Grain FMJ

Recommended use: CCW, self-defense, and home defense.

Specs:

• Bullet Weight: 132 Grain Bullet
• Bullet Type: Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
• Casing: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Standard Pressure
• Primer Type: Boxer
• Muzzle Velocity: 917 FPS
• Muzzle Energy: 232 ft-lbs.

Conclusion

Unlike handgun owners that use a semi-automatic, .38 Special shooters find it easy to buy a mix of rounds to suit every need. Keep in mind that you cannot shoot .357 Magnum ammo from a .38 Special due to increased pressure. Keep an eye out for new ammunition offerings on the market to make your .38 Special the best it can be.