Barrel Length and the .357 magnum

QuebecoisWolf · May 19, 2011

It's a another threat on the old debate - .357 vs .38.

We all know that it takes time for the .357s extra powder to burn, meaning that short 1 7/8" or 2" barrels don't allow .357s to get proper magnum velocity. Besides, shooting .357s out of teeny weenie guns isn't much fun anyway, especially guns made out of stuff that ends in -ium. In contrast, .357 is a fantastic defensive round out of a 6" or 8 3/8" inch barrel.

So, here's the question: in your opinion, what's the shortest barrel that allows .357s to burn enough powder to give a big advantage over .38 special?

I'm not just talking about a dozen extra feet per second, but enough extra velocity that the extra recoil, higher chamber pressure, and cost is worth it.

jimbobborg · May 19, 2011

4" barrels are the minimum I'd go for shooting .357 Magnum loads. I use .38 Special +p out of my Ruger SP101. And if I had the money, I'd get a 4" 610, but the 6.5" 610 I have now is sufficient.

Jim

trickg · May 19, 2011

I'd say a 4" barrel would probably do it. I've got a Ruger Blackhawk .357 with a 4 and 5/8th inch barrel and I know my Dad did a fair amount of jack rabbit shooting with that gun. He was not prone to using light loads - in fact, he once told me that there was a time in his life when the harder it kicked, the better he liked it. Having said that, the Blackhawk is a pretty hefty piece even with the 4 and 5/8ths barrel.

I think that unless you are trying to conceal it, anything shorter than 4" barrel is too short anyway - just an opinion of course.

jimbobborg · May 19, 2011

My Ruger SP101 with the 3" barrel is bearable with full power .357 Magnum loads. I've shot the heavier 154gr ammo out of it, and decided that something a little lighter is called for. Plus my groups were printing about 4" high at 7 yards with that combo. With 125gr ammo, the sights are dead on.

Jim

pop-gunner · May 19, 2011

2 inch .357 has a huge advantage over the .38
I guess I don't understand the question. No matter the barrel length the .357 has a huge advantage due to the additional pressure it can withstand.
Are you asking what the ideal barrel length for a .357 to get a full powder burn?
That would depend on the powder.

Kman · May 19, 2011

I'm not a big reloader, but I have a 4" model 19 and a 6.5" Taurus 608. For me, the 4" looses accuracy with 357 over 38's. The 6.5" actually groups better with factory 357 over 38.

I'd say 6" to take full advantage of 357, for accuracy.

Brychan · May 19, 2011

I'm a big fan of .357 mag with a 4" barrel, have owned a few, my current is a GP100. If I was to go longer I would go with a rifle, come to think of it I really want a lever action .357

trickg · May 19, 2011

Brychan said:
I'm a big fan of .357 mag with a 4" barrel, have owned a few, my current is a GP100. If I was to go longer I would go with a rifle, come to think of it I really want a lever action .357

Do it! A Winchester Model 1892 would be sweet, but you could probably survive with the Rossi copy.

EDIT - Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that Winchester ever made the 1892 in .357, but I know that Rossi does.

Lou45 · May 19, 2011

Back in the day, Smith&Wesson (I'm almost certain) did a study to determine what the optimum barrel length would be in a revolver that would generate the maximum velocity with the .357 Magnum cartridge loadings of the day. After testing various barrel lengths, it was determined the 8.375" barrel gave the best results. Anything less in length and the bullet didn't generate it's maximum potential velocity and anything longer would have the bullet slowing down in the bore before exiting the muzzle. Bear in mind, the aforementioned was determined way back in the day with the older loads available in that caliber. Nowadays, I'm sure with the numerous advanced various bullet types, weights, and powders, that all may have changed.

As far as barrel lengths go, if comparing .38 special to .357 magnum with the same bullet in the same barrel length whatever it may be (within reason), the .357 magnum will out perform the .38 special in velocity and subsequently, energy.

Dead Eye · May 19, 2011

I prefer the 6" barrel in my Ruger GP100. It puts a little more weight out on the nose, and adds more overall mass to the weapon. Helps it handle the additional force of the more powerful round.

Baccusboy · May 20, 2011

Your answer:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Compared to:

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

Magnumite · May 20, 2011

I think the question may be a practicality based thought. As Lou stated, long tubes are magnum friendly, allowing the cartidge to reach full potential. However, carrying, handling, and shootability in conjunction with adequate power become considerations.

The 357 is a smaller diameter 44 Magnum. Grizzly has indicated 2 and 2.5 inch barrels rob the big cartridges of their primary advantage, velocity and power. For practical portability and power considerations, the 4" 357 has been a favorite of shooters and LE for a good period of time, only losing favor to the desire for auto pistol/cartidges. Those pistol cartridges typically were built tiwards the 4" 357 load parameters.

The 125 grain 357 full power rounds were actually developed around the 4" barrelength of the revolver.

Llyrin · May 20, 2011

4" is fine. My Ruger Security Six told me so

Baccusboy · May 20, 2011

Based on the lengths I posted above:

A Corbon 125gr. JHP .357 magnum exits a 2" barrel at 904 fps.
A Corbon 125gr. JHP .38 special exits a 2" barrel at 723 fps.

A Corbon 125gr. JHP .357 magnum exits a 3" barrel at 1257 fps.
A Corbon 125gr. JHP .38 special exits a 3" barrel at 854 fps.

A Corbon 125gr. JHP .357 magnum exits a 4" barrel at 1496 fps.
A Corbon 125gr. JHP .38 special exits a 4" barrel at 996 fps.

A Corbon 125gr. JHP .357 magnum exits a 5" barrel at 1614 fps.
A Corbon 125gr. JHP .38 special exits a 5" barrel at 1045 fps.

There are a variety of other loads, weapons, calibers, and barrel lengths (up to an 18" barrel) to compare on that site. Choose along the bottom.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

Maverick0313 · May 20, 2011

My wife has a 3" S&W .357, now she wants a 6" version. How can you go wrong with a woman like this? And please stop laughing, I am talking about GUN barrel length.......

Lou45 · May 20, 2011

Maverick0313 said:
My wife has a 3" S&W .357, now she wants a 6" version. How can you go wrong with a woman like this? And please stop laughing, I am talking about GUN barrel length.......

Sorry, but someone just HAD to do it.

rj1974 · May 20, 2011

trickg said:
Do it! A Winchester Model 1892 would be sweet, but you could probably survive with the Rossi copy.

EDIT - Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that Winchester ever made the 1892 in .357, but I know that Rossi does.

They have a 92 and 94 in .357 :thumbsup:

QuebecoisWolf · May 22, 2011

Just to clarify, I do indeed have a .357 with a 4" barrel, but I've wanted an 8 3/8 inch Model 27 from the moment that I learned about it. That extra-long barrel has always made a lot of sense to me, based on what I know about ballistics.

There's a lot of talk of "length," inches," and "magnums" in this thread, so I may need to post a NSFW warning if we decide to "measure our guns."

In related news, Freud now spins in his grave at over 25,000 RPM.

Doc TH · May 22, 2011

357

The 357 will always give higher vel than 38 spcl for any specific barrel length. You have to decide for yourself if the increased muzzle flash, recoil, and potential difficulty in f/u shots is worth the increase in velocity in short barrel revolvers. For me, the answer is generally no.

Barrel Length and the .357 magnum

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Ultimate Member

Oddball caliber fan

Guns 'n Drums

Oddball caliber fan

Ultimate Member

Blah, blah, blah

Ultimate Member

Guns 'n Drums

R.I.P.

Banned

Teecha, teecha

Ultimate Member

Yankee-Rebel

Teecha, teecha

Retired and loving it

R.I.P.

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics