MagnumDweeb
Member
This is something that has been bothering me for awhile now. I'm only 26 now. But I've learned that the .357 magnum in a 158 grain SWC, is commonly on run at 1100-1250 fps nowadays from a six inch barrel. Thanks to a post by rcmodel-
Just looking at a 1967 Shooters Bible.
(Velocities from 8 3/8" barrels)
Remington offered only three .357 Mag loads.
158 Hi-Speed Lead SWC @ 1,410 FPS.
158 Hi-Speed Lead Metal Piercing @ 1,410 FPS.
158 Hi-Speed JSP @ 1,550 FPS.
Winchester offered two.
158 lead SWC @ 1,410 FPS.
158 lead Metal Piercing @ 1,410 FPS.
Norma only had one load.
158 JSP @ 1,520 FPS.
Too often when I've done research on the velocities offered by a lot of ammunition manufacturers, they list the .357 magnum commonly at a velocity of 1100fps to 1250. They don't list the test barrel lenght though so I assume that's from a six inch barrel.
From a model 28 six inch barrel, the .357 magnum commonly ran a 158 grain SWC at 1400fps as I understand it. Now the SAAMI tuned down most ammunition in 1970s, setting its own standard that some have voiced the opinion of being that it was the gun manufacturers wanting to avoid possible lawsuits for poorer built guns exploding.
There is Doubletap with its hot running ammunition, Wolf Gold on its website lists the 158 grain JHP running at 1607fps(but sportmansguide.com for the same ammunition lists 1235), and there is Fiocchi with some JHP loads running over 1400fps(but what is the barrel lenght), not to forget Buffalo Bore, but the rest of the guys seem to have neutered the once hard hitting .357 magnum round.
Handloaders still get great mileage from their own stock but the commercial market at large seems to have tuned down the .357 magnum.
I'm not saying a 158 grain JHP .357 magnum running at 1150 fps doesn't have a place, it does certainly as a HD/SD round but mayhaps in my past childlike perception "MAGNUM" meant something. Saying it meant power and awesomeness. Something to fear and secretly yearn to tame better than all others for the prestige of it. My first gun was a Ruger Security Six 4" .357 magnum I foolishy traded away and I laughed when my friends feared it as I shot and hit small targets at 25 yards with it while making it all look easy.
Shoot my nickname on here is "MagnumDweeb." Most good quality guns as I understand it can stand up to steady shooting with the 158 grain pushed between 1250-1400fps. Why does it seems only so few are prepared to stand up and take advantage of that.
Just looking at a 1967 Shooters Bible.
(Velocities from 8 3/8" barrels)
Remington offered only three .357 Mag loads.
158 Hi-Speed Lead SWC @ 1,410 FPS.
158 Hi-Speed Lead Metal Piercing @ 1,410 FPS.
158 Hi-Speed JSP @ 1,550 FPS.
Winchester offered two.
158 lead SWC @ 1,410 FPS.
158 lead Metal Piercing @ 1,410 FPS.
Norma only had one load.
158 JSP @ 1,520 FPS.
Too often when I've done research on the velocities offered by a lot of ammunition manufacturers, they list the .357 magnum commonly at a velocity of 1100fps to 1250. They don't list the test barrel lenght though so I assume that's from a six inch barrel.
From a model 28 six inch barrel, the .357 magnum commonly ran a 158 grain SWC at 1400fps as I understand it. Now the SAAMI tuned down most ammunition in 1970s, setting its own standard that some have voiced the opinion of being that it was the gun manufacturers wanting to avoid possible lawsuits for poorer built guns exploding.
There is Doubletap with its hot running ammunition, Wolf Gold on its website lists the 158 grain JHP running at 1607fps(but sportmansguide.com for the same ammunition lists 1235), and there is Fiocchi with some JHP loads running over 1400fps(but what is the barrel lenght), not to forget Buffalo Bore, but the rest of the guys seem to have neutered the once hard hitting .357 magnum round.
Handloaders still get great mileage from their own stock but the commercial market at large seems to have tuned down the .357 magnum.
I'm not saying a 158 grain JHP .357 magnum running at 1150 fps doesn't have a place, it does certainly as a HD/SD round but mayhaps in my past childlike perception "MAGNUM" meant something. Saying it meant power and awesomeness. Something to fear and secretly yearn to tame better than all others for the prestige of it. My first gun was a Ruger Security Six 4" .357 magnum I foolishy traded away and I laughed when my friends feared it as I shot and hit small targets at 25 yards with it while making it all look easy.
Shoot my nickname on here is "MagnumDweeb." Most good quality guns as I understand it can stand up to steady shooting with the 158 grain pushed between 1250-1400fps. Why does it seems only so few are prepared to stand up and take advantage of that.