.357 Magnum Ammunition Questions?

[D.M.C.]

When I was a young and inexperienced shooter, I used to think shooting was all about the tech of the gun; what was new and what was cutting edge in terms of the design and the materials. Then I learned more and was schooled in concentrating on technique, breathing, and trigger control, ie practice-practice-practice, particularly through dryfire. Now I have become more aware about the subtle differences that ammunition types can make, and I find myself beginning the learning curve all over again.

I confess to pretty much total ignorance on the fine art of handloading and how people have experimented over the years as to what makes a fine .357 magnum round. But knowing at least my basic physics formula of F=MA, I am wondering something- and please forgive me if better minds have already asked this question and found the perfect answer, but I have to ask for my own peace of mind the following questions:

1) Why is the 158 grain considered the 'best' all around compromise of mass and velocity? I know that common wisdom says that this is so- but WHY is it so? This leads into my next question.

2) Having seen other calibers such as the .40 S&W use bullets as heavy as 180 and 200 grains, why have I not seen much in the way of .357 loads also making use of heavier grain bullets?

3) Have reloaders tried and failed to increase the maximum bullet weight that is practical for use in a .357 magnum? Is there a point where the efficiency is just simply compromised and you just end up losing the more you add? Is it the powder? What are the limitations?

Thanks for putting up with what may seem simple questions, particularly to those who handload. I am really becoming curious about the science behind making your own loads, how folks have really pushed the envelope for this particular cartridge, and what kind of advances we might see in the future.

 

[sgt127]

This may be too simplistic, but, the .357 originally was developed as a 158 lead semiwadcutter. Just like the .45 acp originally was developed as a 230 gr ball. Those became the standards of those rounds. Sights, from the factory, were regulated for those rounds. Some want a faster bullet...some heavier, and change just happens. But, the standard is 158 gr. It is what it is. But, have fun loading hotter, lighter, faster, heavier and slower as YOU see fit! It's a very flexible round.

 

[HelterSkelter]

most people consider the 125 grain load to be the best man stopper. the 158 will penetrate through a human body and thus not transfer all its energy, the 125 will stop before exiting the body and since it has a higher velocity it also has higher energy, and all that energy goes right into the tissue. the 158 is built more for penetration like if you have a larger target or need to shoot through light cover, it has less energy but more momentum.

 

[Lucky Derby]

180 grains is common in hunting or in wild animal defense loads.

 

[RhinoDefense]

The 158gr is a medium bullet that balances velocity and penetration. Quite simply it's a compromise between velocity and mass. Middle of the road or average is self explanatory.

We have loaded a 185gr cast and 225gr cast bullet in the 357 Magnum and 357 Maximum. They work well for hunting.

The limitation in the 357 Magnum is the cylinder length. In the single shot pistols like Thompson Center, the chamber can be throated without regard to OAL restrictions of the revolver.

 

[1911Tuner]

158 grains was established as the standard way back in 1935. If we remember that the original concept was as an outdoorsman's sidearm and geared more toward hunting or as a powerful defensive arm against large, dangerous animals and not as a self-defense tool, it makes a little more sense.

Modern handloaders took the concept further and developed loads with heavier bullets that provide more penetration, but that also negates the flat trajectory of the slightly lighter but faster 158. The wider practice of carrying the revolver as a defensive sidearm can probably be attributed to Bill Jordan, who lobbied Smith & Wesson for...and got...a more portable revolver in the caliber.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Check your reloading book and you'll see loads for the following in many different velocities.
110 gr
125, gr
140 gr
155,gr
158 gr
170 gr
180 gr

I have my 357 set up for 38spl rounds so I taylored my 110 357's to have the same point of impact. Otherwise I'd have to change my sights everytime I switched between .357 and .38.

 

[RhinoDefense]

1911Tuner, the .357 Magnum came about to deal with the inadequacy of the .38 Special through car doors and windshields. It was developed for law enforcement/defense applications first and foremost, then shooters began to test the terminal effects during hunting and the cartridge gained respect for medium game and small game hunting.

 

[USSR]

the 158 will penetrate through a human body and thus not transfer all its energy, the 125 will stop before exiting the body and since it has a higher velocity it also has higher energy, and all that energy goes right into the tissue.

Uh, that's not quite how it works. A round that passes thru is not wasted energy. What is important is a large, permanent wound channel, with an entry and exit hole to promote the rapid loss of blood and blood pressure. A bullet that does not exit has only done half the job.

Don

 

[lions]

the 158 will penetrate through a human body and thus not transfer all its energy, the 125 will stop before exiting the body and since it has a higher velocity it also has higher energy, and all that energy goes right into the tissue.

While the 158gr may not have transferred all of its energy, it did transfer all the energy that the target could possibly absorb. Whereas the 125 did transfer all of its energy but the target still had more energy to potentially be absorbed. It isn't about expending all of a bullet's energy, it's about how much is transferred to the target.

This isn't to say that one round is better than the other, there are to many other factors in play. I've just seen the same thing stated before and never really understood that line of thought.

 

[627PCFan]

Might be of interest-

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=563447

 

[Hanshi]

Contrary to the modern trend I've taken quite a few deer with both 125grn HP and 158grn HP. Both did a fine job with a slight nod going to the 125. Still a good 158grn HP combines penetration and expansion adequate for deer but may not be ideal defensively.