Whats best for 38 special/ 357 bullets?

[HoneyBee]

With some serious scrounging, I've been able to scrape up some Sierra, Speer and Remington  357 bullets in weights of 125 jsp, 158 and 180gr.jhps.
I also have 125 gr xtps and 140 gr FTX s.
In this caliber I shoot a 357 /38 special henry lever action carbine, Ruger blackhawk 357 mag and SP 101mag.
My question is, will the jsp & jhp bullets mushroom well at lower velocity's as in the the 38 special or are the xtps a better choice for that load?
I hunt a variety of critters as well as wanting self defense loads and lighter ammo for plinking.

Also if you had to choose between tightgroup  and clays powder for 357, 44 mag and 45 colt, which would you choose?
Thanks for your opinion!

[Fl0und3rz]

IIRC, Paul Harrell did a test of some self-defense loads from typical carry platforms. 

It's been a while, but I had thought he discussed reliable expansion in lower velocity loads out of these shorter barreled revolvers.


All around bullet?  Probably a 158 grain SWC, especially if it feeds reliably in your Henry. 

Some comparisons with other types of bullet types are here.

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2020/7/20/whats-the-best-38-special-ammo-for-self-defense/


I thought I had read that the Speer Gold Dot was supposed to be a reliable expander at lower velocities.  But that's not necessarily the results people get.

https://homedefensegun.net/snub-nosed-revolvers/

I don't know if I'd mix the SD with the other uses as you end up with compromises, where you might not get the desired results on either end of the spectrum, either for end use or the type of platform used, as there is such a large spread in velocities you are talking about.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

Otherwise, I like XTPs for carry, and they get about the same reviews as Gold Dots for penetration and expansion, all else being equal.  And they're relatively cheap, for a JHP.

[CP]

I’m not a fan of 125g in revolvers.  Google “force cone cutting” to see why.  They should work fine in your carbine. 

As for the powder, Clays works for plinking loads.  Tightgroup is a better choice for standard and +P .38 and for .357.

[HoneyBee]

Thank you, great info.
Just what I was looking for.

[huntingfool7]

Don't know how they'd cycle in the Henry but I'd vote for a hard cast wadcutter for small game to self defense.