40 S&W vs 357 Sig vs 45 ACP.

[BioDemon]

I have a 40 S&W and have been thinking of getting a 357 Sig barrel for it. My wife's 357 mag does seem to do more damage than my friends 45 acp in roles of wet news paper and to water jugs. At the range the 45 acp puts bigger holes in paper. My 40 S&W seems to fall in between the two. All Out of a 4" barrel the 357 125gr at around 1300-1400fps, The 40 S&W 155-165gr at 1100-1200fps, and the 45acp 230gr at 850-1000fps. http://stevespages.com/page8f.htm and
http://www.firearmstactical.com/ammo_data/ammodata.htm are some of the places I've gathered information on ballistics other than first hand experience. Please note: I'm comparing all with 4" barrels. So here it is again the small fast vs. heavy slow debate. I now the 45acp, 40s&w, and 357 are all good. All penetrate about 18"-20" of gelatin or Water with good HP bullets, I'm just wondering after blasting up water jugs, fruit, shooting into mud, and seeing first hand what fast little bullets do, why not a 357 Sig? When talking to people about stopping cougars or bears and I mention a 40 S&W they always say "WHAT, I'd WANT AT LEAST A 357 MAG !". Ya, for bear a 44mag or 50AE would be cool but I've got to decide 357 vs 40. I added the 45acp to make a point for heavy slow. The 45acp and 357mag are both legendary stoppers. I just wonder what's really better, 357sig or 40s&w?

[only1asterisk]

BD,

Less caffeine, more paragraphs.

:D

David

[shield20]

From all that I have seen and read there is no real difference performance-wise between the calibers. The biggest diff. will probably come from barrier penetration, where the .45 seems to suffer the most.
Personally I like the bigger hole of the .45, and then the .40 over a .355 - you are not so dependent on expansion - (although with the latest bullet designs expansion is a bit more a sure thing) and +p ammo in .45 can get the fps up there if you are looking for more speed.

There are some cost and availability issues with the .357, and very limited round choice. Also remember one of the positives of the true .357 Mag was in its bullet design w/huge HP opening - you will not get that design to work in an auto, so you will not be getting quite the same performace, no matter what the numbers say.

Me? I would stick to the .40, seems to offer the best of everything, in the real world too, as long as its recoil isn't an issue for you - which is probably a mute point compared to the sig's kick and boom.

[BioDemon]

Thanks Shield, I realy don't mind the recoil at all of the 40 S&W. What your saying makes sence. Ya, a 45 +p is going to be about the best of the three but the gun I like the most for feel and shooting I must decide 40 S&W or 357 Sig. Thank's
One thing realy going for the 40 S&W I feel is mag cap over 45ACP atleast in the same sized frame.
Perhaps I should cut down on the caffeine.