.357 Versatility.

My edc, when working, is a S&W 19-4 with a 4" barrel. It is more a hunters handgun than a hunting handgun, I almost always have a rifle with me.

My carry load at the moment is a 158gr RF bullet at 1120fps, it is accurate enough, and provide sufficient penetration to solve most problems I might need it for. However, I use the revolver quite often for delivering a coup de grace and for this the above load is unnecessarily loud and powerful. After a bit of experimenting I think I have now found the perfect load for this purpose, a 170gr SWC, in a .38 S&W case at 650fps. It is quiet and powerful enough for the purpose I need it for.

The two loads shoot close to the same poi at 10m.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/...pslvhcighy.jpg

Upper hole is from .38 S&W load, lower .357 load. Target was shot at 10m. I have adjusted the sights to move poi to the left after this target was shot.

http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/...psylzsmv77.jpg