re: S&W 38 Special Revolver Ammunition

For range shooting, just get whatever standard pressure .38spl load you want. 158gr is probably the best because it's the easiest on the gun and what it's probably sighted in for anyway.

As for defense, that's tricky. That gun could almost certainly handle a few +p's without screwing up, but like TOTH said, you probably should check with smith and wesson to find out. +p is definitely what you want if your gun can handle it. If it can't, you're still not undergunned. There are several bullets out there made to perform well at the low .38spl velocities. Google the "chicago load."