Lightsped
Member
Will a 38+p round deliver the same (or similar) results as a 357 mag round when being fired from a 5 shot 2 inch barreled snubnose revolver such as a Taurus or Smith?
38+p vs 357 mag
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ChristopherG
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No. Definitely not.
There's a fair bit of falderal on the 'net to the effect that a short-barreled gun loses so much velocity from a .357 that it might as well be a .38; but the truth of the matter is, a .357 will go significantly faster, every time, in every bullet weight.
The question that's more real and relevant is whether the considerable muzzle blast and recoil of .357 in a snub-gun is worth the ballistic gain. Depends, I think. If all you want is a pocket-carrying (i.e., lightweight) snub-gun, then .38 makes a lot of sense--and is all most people are really willing to shoot in a light gun.** If you want a steel belt gun that just happens to be a 5-shot, 2" revolver, then you may as well avail yourself of the greater power (and go one better; make it a 3" steel gun, and you're way ahead of the game).
Your question is, 'do they give the same results?' The answer is no in terms of straight ballistics. But it's not the only question to consider in making this choice. The only way to make this decision in an informed way is to go out and shoot examples of each, and see if a .357 snub is something you're interested in or willing to shoot. 'Cause a snub takes shooting to master--and if you don't shoot it, you won't master it, and the ballistics of your misses when the heat is on won't matter to anyone but the angels who keep track of such trivia.
**e.g., I carry a 12 oz S&W 340pd, which is a .357, but carry it with .38 +p LSWCHP's (except in the wilds, if it's my only gun there, which it's usually not). I can shoot .357's with it, but it's no fun, and not necessary to my way of thinking in most social settings I'm even remotely likely to encounter.
There's a fair bit of falderal on the 'net to the effect that a short-barreled gun loses so much velocity from a .357 that it might as well be a .38; but the truth of the matter is, a .357 will go significantly faster, every time, in every bullet weight.
The question that's more real and relevant is whether the considerable muzzle blast and recoil of .357 in a snub-gun is worth the ballistic gain. Depends, I think. If all you want is a pocket-carrying (i.e., lightweight) snub-gun, then .38 makes a lot of sense--and is all most people are really willing to shoot in a light gun.** If you want a steel belt gun that just happens to be a 5-shot, 2" revolver, then you may as well avail yourself of the greater power (and go one better; make it a 3" steel gun, and you're way ahead of the game).
Your question is, 'do they give the same results?' The answer is no in terms of straight ballistics. But it's not the only question to consider in making this choice. The only way to make this decision in an informed way is to go out and shoot examples of each, and see if a .357 snub is something you're interested in or willing to shoot. 'Cause a snub takes shooting to master--and if you don't shoot it, you won't master it, and the ballistics of your misses when the heat is on won't matter to anyone but the angels who keep track of such trivia.
**e.g., I carry a 12 oz S&W 340pd, which is a .357, but carry it with .38 +p LSWCHP's (except in the wilds, if it's my only gun there, which it's usually not). I can shoot .357's with it, but it's no fun, and not necessary to my way of thinking in most social settings I'm even remotely likely to encounter.
Imaginos
Member
Self Abuse
I carry 147gr HydraShock and practice with 158gr JSP in my SP101.
The magnum rounds are abusive and hard to control in rapid fire.
The concussion from these rounds is tangible to people standing near the shooter, and I tremble at the thought of dropping the hammer on this beast while shooting in a confined space like a vehicle interior while repelling a carjacker.
All things considered, I'll take the chance and abuse to have the extra bit of power at the other end.
I find the easiest way to control the weapon is to punch it back at the target as each round is triggered. The idea is to time the fall of the hammer with the sights coming back on target. I am able to do some decent shooting with this technique out to 15 yards. At 30 yards it is aim 8" high and single action only.
I carry 147gr HydraShock and practice with 158gr JSP in my SP101.
The magnum rounds are abusive and hard to control in rapid fire.
The concussion from these rounds is tangible to people standing near the shooter, and I tremble at the thought of dropping the hammer on this beast while shooting in a confined space like a vehicle interior while repelling a carjacker.
All things considered, I'll take the chance and abuse to have the extra bit of power at the other end.
I find the easiest way to control the weapon is to punch it back at the target as each round is triggered. The idea is to time the fall of the hammer with the sights coming back on target. I am able to do some decent shooting with this technique out to 15 yards. At 30 yards it is aim 8" high and single action only.
SAWBONES
Member
Agree with the above.
In any available "snubby" barrel length, from 1 7/8" to 2 1/2", the .357 Magnum rounds will provide more velocity and wounding capacity than any .38 Special round, whether "+P" or not, irrespective of bullet weight.
In your particular need, the difference may or may not be important, but the difference is there.
In any available "snubby" barrel length, from 1 7/8" to 2 1/2", the .357 Magnum rounds will provide more velocity and wounding capacity than any .38 Special round, whether "+P" or not, irrespective of bullet weight.
In your particular need, the difference may or may not be important, but the difference is there.
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