The best record for the .357 125 jhp is from the long barrel. From the 2 inch barrel, wouldn't the 158gr. jhp be a better choice round, hitting harder and penetrating deeper?
I would love to know what they actually changed about that cartridge to 'specifically engineer' it for short barrels. I mean, did they do anything other than load it with a faster burning powder?
I imagine you'd get higher velocity and more reliable expansion with the lighter bullet. Personally, with snubbies especially, I prefer heavy bullet & guaranteed penetration, as you indicate. (But I prefer even heavier, slower bullets at lower pressures--I shoot them better.)
Anyway, either of your preferred loads would certainly be rough on any BG. Recommend you make your decision based on your impressions of flash, blast & recoil of each load--which do you shoot better? I know I get more flash out of a standard-pressure .38SPL Hornady 125g JHP than I do from a +P 158g LHP by Winchester. Either has significant merit, but the Hornady's flash alone rules it out for me--don't want that during night fire. It's been a while since I triggered a 125g .357 in low light, but I remember the blast & fireball were awesome.
I chronographed the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain (+P) short barrel from my 2" S&W 37-2 Airweight. They averaged 856 fps, which is not too shabby for a 2" .38 Special. My midrange standard pressure 125 grain RNL handloads averaged 722 fps out of the same gun (they ran 824 fps average out of a 4" gun). My 158 grain RNL (+P) handload averaged right at 800 fps out of the 2" barrel and 890 fps out of the 4" gun. The factory 158 grain SWCHP(+P) loads from the big manufactures are rated anywhere from 850fps to 890fps, so my handloads are right there.
I won't try to argue whether or not a 135 grain JHP at 850 fps is "better" than a 158 grain LSWCHP at 800 fps. I think either would work well. I carry the 135 grainer because its less prone to damage in speed strips or speed loaders than the soft lead bullet. I carry on a badge, so I have to tell the department which load I'm carrying. Therefore, I can't carry LSWCHPs in the gun and the 135 grainers for reloads. I probably would if I could. I like heavy bullets in .38 Special.
IMO, a 158 grain JHP isn't a good choice for a 2" gun. 800 fps +/- probably isn't going to be enough oomph to expand a JHP that is deisgned for .357 Magnum velocities as most 158 grain JHPs are. As for 135 or 158 lead, I think its a toss up.
It's not possible to have a bad .357 Mag round, but I've settled on the medium powered 125 gr. Corbon DPX for my 2 1/4 incher. 2nd choice would be the "short barrel" Gold Dot.
the 135 grain "short barrel" load has less powder than the full house rounds do. The muzzle flash is reduced. The speed and power are also greatly reduced... I am sticking with 125 grain or 158 grain full house loads in my 340. (besides imagine what that burning powder/expanding gasses would do to some one with a contact shot.)
Personally, I like either the Speer GDHP in 135gr or the CorBon 125gr for my 642.
Jim D.
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