I have some excellent favorite loads from the old Speer manual for short-barreled revolvers and compact autos using Blue Dot powder and medium weight Sierra JHC bullets. Blue Dot gave the highest energy ratings in medium capacity cases.
My favorite for a 21/2″ M-19 RB S&W was (X)gr. Blue Dot over a 125 or 140gr. Sierra JHC. This load gave max energy and excellently consistent accuracy inside the 19′s effective 25yd range.
If this Blue Dot data isn’t in the newer Speer or Sierra manuals, try finding another reloader with the older versions. Mine are around 35 years old, and, in some ways, superior to the newer ones.

With a 2.5″ barrel you will get what you get – and be happy. lol.

For personal protection – stick with factory ammo. You might defend yourself and do ok with the cops – but – in a civil court they can make you to be some kinda weird scientist trying to make cop-killer bullets. Go with Federal ‘Personal Defense’ or similar name.

I did have a cute Ruger SP-101 for concealed and responded well to nearly any load near the max. Mostly I ran factory through it – it was not a fun gun to fire – just handy. Most of my 357 work has been with much longer barrels and 180gr bullets.

Hope this helps

One thing to remember, the S&W Model 19 has been determined less than desirable for full magnum load as a continuous diet. Thus the design of the ‘L’ Series S&W.
With that said, I found that full magnum loads in my Colt Lawman MKIII never reached their claimed power. I had good results however with the +P .38 Spl. Loads. Bullseye and Red Dot were my preferred loading powders. The years have stretched my ability to recall the load data (with certainty) so I will recommend using a reliable reference such as Sierra manual.

O.K., then go with WW 231.