Is a .357mag needed? Why not a .38sp?

[sharps4590]

.357....one cartridge I never could find affection for. I've had a half dozen or more... a few Ruger BH's and whatever their DA revolver is, S&W Mods. 19, 686, 27 and I think a Rossi or something else thrown in the mix. They all went down the road fairly quick. It's a good cartridge, possibly a great cartridge but for all its the flash/bang, I can get more for less trouble with 44's and 45's.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I have a mold that drops .38 boolits at 173 grains. Powder coated and loaded over 7 grains of HS 6 they shoot superbly out of my 5" Model 27. Hit the 50 yard gong with authority. My 1956 K 38 can't handle a load like that so it gets fed a 105 grain Lee swc over 3 grains of VV N310. I enjoy shooting both but I do like the kick of the .357.

[charlie b]

I know I have seen it somewhere but can't find it.

Velocity comparison in 2" snubs, .357 and .38spl (+P), for various factory loads (no hotrod handloads).

PS never mind, I found it.

[358429]

The hot rod handloads is where it is. You don't always have to drive fast.

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[BunkTheory]

It is good to have options. 357 snub has the option to be a real powerhouse, the nuclear option, if you choose. Size comparision with other pistols in the pictures. That's the hookset for me, the power to weight ratio. It can be comfortably carried while chipping and splitting wood for hours, driving, walking, cc, without rubbing me wrong or bumping the handle into stuff.

Yes I know the short barrel handicaps the terminal ballistics. That's why I like Winchester 296!

I think there is credence to the cannon theory posted earlier.

Imagine a defense scenario. Kinda unrealistic, just hear me out. Camping out in the woods, awakened by an aggresive bear/ very bad dog, biting you, trying to eat you, maybe aggresive because it is suffering disease. If you had the barrel pressed up against the animal and fired the gun, would that be a barrel obstruction, or would the muzzle blast fill the thoractic cavity and pop him like a balloon? My untested unproven opinion is that the expanding gasses will sort it out like stomping a tomato.


When you shoot magnums the muzzle blast is onerous, pushes brass on the floor forward when shooting at the indoor range, bends grass at the outdoor range. Rings the bell when you hit the steel plate, imagine striking it with a ball peen hammer, as hard as you can swing it, if you are strong.

If I ever use it without earplugs all I'll say is WHAT? DID YOU SAY? HUH?


*drinks coffee*



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actually there is scientific evidence of what happens with muzzle blast... the flame and the pressurized gas follow the bullets a ways.

Saw photos of an individual who had a muzzle to skin contact discharge of a black powder revolver into his chest.
ALL gas followed the bullet. it CHARRED the outside of all organs in the chest cavity, and the bullet went through the lungs.. the inside of the lungs were charred as well.

I mean "crap, this chicken breast fell in the coals and i never noticed" kind of charred.

[BunkTheory]

Actually human ballistics are not the thing to be concerned about..

Everything online all points to penetration with animals being the important thing. Hence the ".40 diameter, 200 grain, 1000fps" rules of thumb for hunting deer or bear.

The 200 grain load in 38 special or 38/44 was supposed to have been created to smash through the breast bone of a black bear...

SO what is the goal we reach for? Expansion or penetration?

[358429]

The goal is control. Recondition ourselves to shoot stronger and stronger guns without losing sight of control.

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[BunkTheory]

The goal is control. Recondition ourselves to shoot stronger and stronger guns without losing sight of control.

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Makes no sense at all to do that.

[358429]

Makes no sense at all to do that.

It's very sensible to do that.

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[358429]

By using a grip strength exerciser on a semi-regular basis and stretching and massaging my hands,

I prevent damage from repetitive motion from my job, or from bullet casting or reloading with a hand press.

My fingers are powerful in spite of my hand size. I can squeeze the hand of a big man so hard that he will scream like a cat after you step on his tail.

Handloading has allowed me to adjust, and increase bullet weight and powder charge, the power level!, so I can condition my hands for the impact from recoil. 15.5 grains of Winchester 296 with a hundred and fifty five grain lead hollow point bullet, loaded in short 357 mag brass, powder coated, sized 358, is no joke, especially with snub nose 20 ounce revolvers.

It lives locked in a Safariland retention holster, inside the sleeping bag when I sleep under the stars. Better not wake me up...

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[robertbank]

Jerry Mikulak (SP) had no feeling in his right thumb from shooting handguns. You will never shoot as many rounds as Jerry does but the you can damage the nerves in your hand if you shoot a lot of hot loads. Strength in your hands won't stop the effect of the handgun recoil on your hand, elbow and shoulder.

You may be the strongest guy on the planet but a microscopic virus can maim you just as badly as an overloaded handgun, so too a simple law of physics.

Take Care

Bob

[358429]

And soon I will share the road with unskilled drivers. That will be my largest risk today I believe.

Be safe and shoot skillfully.

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[tazman]

I have to avoid high recoiling handguns. I have arthritis in my hands and wrists. High recoil is very painful for me. Shooting gloves don't help.
Building up a resistance/tolerance is not an option.
I can handle 45ACP, 44 Special, and 357 mag in full sized firearms. Anything more powerful will cause me problems.

[shooting on a shoestring]

I’ve built up resistance and tolerance for the heavy recoiling revolvers.
I resist shooting them and tolerate the people that do.

[charlie b]

ROFLMAO

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[Daekar]

I have shot full-power 357 loads in a K frame and a J frame. Didn't like it, won't carry it, won't practice with it. Mild 38 spl loads in those guns for me if I actually want to hit anything, because minute-of-barn door is the best I get out of the full-power stuff.

My break-action Encore pistol with a 12" barrel feels wrong with anything but heavy loads. 245gr @ 1250fps, 158gr @ 1900+fps.

Never shot a large-frame revolver, but I'm betting an N-frame isn't half bad.

[358429]

I bet that Encore pistol would really smack the steel plates! What is it chambered in, I am guessing 357 Max?

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[dverna]

Some people tolerate recoil better than others. But most people cannot handle recoil as well as they think they can.

If you can shoot well with a heavier load, it makes sense to me to take all the advantages you can for serious work.

Then you have the "real men" who like to take a pounding even for casual shooting. Hey, whatever turns their crank. Most of the guys I used to see at the public ranges were not very good shots with heavy loads, but at 10 feet, accuracy may not matter much.

[Daekar]

I bet that Encore pistol would really smack the steel plates! What is it chambered in, I am guessing 357 Max?

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Actually it's just regular 357mag, but it seems to be a fast barrel. I was really surprised at the numbers it puts out... I guess MGM did a nice job on it!

I had a recommended load from a bullet manufacturer of 10.1gr of Lil'Gun to achieve subsonic velocity with a 230gr wadcutter, but the 245gr RF from Accurate came out over 1200fps with that charge. Had to drop more than 2 full grains to get subsonic.

But yes, it does smack the plates with authority! I am super impatient for my suppressor to arrive... it's going to be super fun to thwack the plates with that thing on there. I might even SBR it so I can put a stock on.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I think my everyday. 357 loads are about 80% of full on magnum loads. While stout they are not punishing and give me fine off hand accuracy. I have similar loads for .44 spl and magnum. In the .44's I would not hesitate using them on deer. I really enjoy revolver shooting.