What be in y’all’s opinion the best ammo, as in bullet weight and design to have around for a carbine? Hunting/SD. Plus P 38’s are a lot easier to find than the magnums (and cheaper)…

Reloads.

Not sure man but I'd be sniffing around Lost River Ammo

158 gr LSWC in the 38.

This.

My buddy has a Marlin 357 that he keeps loaded with Hornady 140gr leverevolutions

+P is nowhere close to 357. Not even 357 lite. Warmed up 38 special.
For hunting I use either a 158 XTP or a 358156 gas check and the max listed load of 2400 in my Henry single shot (deer). In my 6 1/2" Blackhawk the 357446 and 14 grains of 2400.
SD, factory +P JHP.
Tin cans, whatever is left from other projects.

Carbine? I could get along with 180 flavor in that I bet just fine.

Nothing needs to be maxed anyway. I"ve shot enough pigs and deer etc.. with 9mm that its shot placement.

Take what makes you happy. Accuracy is always a plus.

FWIW we run 158 coated lswc in 38 loads. Would use at least that maybe more or a good light Lehigh max penetrator in the 357 if we used it on anything these days.

Yeah I bought a Henry x model

Some carbines run better with the 357 than the 38sp. Something to consider.

Was just going to ask if anyone has a problem with 38 Special feeding in a 357 Magnum carbine. I have not but I use round nose bullets.

https://www.lostriverammocompany.co...in-Wide-Nose-Keith-Semi-Wadcutter-50-RND

Having run this in a couple revolvers, along with some of his other ammo, I'd start here and probably not have to look any further.

American eagle 158 gr sp is a an off the shelf given.

My Marlin sits stoked with 180 gr hardcast but my threats might not be same as yours. Still I’m content with that load to do whatever I’d ask of a 357 carbine.

That’s the truth. What are you going to hunt?

Btw the American Eagle 158 JSP will absolutely kill a deer ina carbine or 2.5” barrel

Hunting what? I shot 140 grain XTPs with a max load of Win 296 out of a Marlin 1894C on a jackrabbit hunt a decade or more ago .. they were quite spectacular. Enough velocity to blow up, enough weight to carry through. I can't say they were better than 110s or 125s but I can say they were damned fun.

If you're after bigger things .. deer, etc, i'd give 158 grain JSP or 180 grain JHP ammo a serious look. Given what's most available to me right now, that'd be Hornady XTPs.

I'd use 180 grsin LFN or WLFN hard cast witj s max load of 296/H-110

. For fsctory loaded ammo Lost River Ammo for sure

Wadcutters can be a bit persnickety, but otherwise, no. 38s feed just as well as 357s in my Rossi.

If running in a carbine the LBT FN profile will have better feeding properties and similar meplat dimensions on the killing side over a SWC.

I have a 180gr dual crimp in that design that allows 357 length seating and function with 38 cases.

That sounds like a very interesting load.

It makes hay in the 38/44 Heavy Duty or Outdoorsman and allows either less pressure or more powder capacity in 357 Maximum wheelguns too.

I love the 358429 Keith bullet, but levers don't like sharp shoulders and edges.

A FN LBT helps if levers are on the menu.

I load the Hornady XTP 158 gr in new Starline .357 cases for a lady friend. Using those and her Rossi .357 lever rifle, she has killed 4 deer on her 90 acre farm.

Many years back I killed a Black Bear with a 38/44outdoorsman. Dumb me I sold it and regretted it for a very long time. I found a replacement in decent shape and I'll never sell that one. I don't know the velocity but I load a .38 Spl. case quite hot running the Lyman #358156 gas checked bullet. It's also very accurate with a 148 gr. wadcutter and 3.1 gr. W231.
PJ

OP, what are you hunting?