.38 special vs. .357 magnum

[6_gunner]

I'm curious about this comparison: .38 special from a 6" tube vs. .357 magnum from a 3" tube.

Let's say they're both firing 125 grain JHPs. How would velocity, expansion, penetration, etc. compare?
Anybody have any first hand experience comparing these two configurations?

Sorry if this has already been discussed, I didn't see it anywhere.

 

[MCgunner]

I haven't clocked my new to me 3" .357 yet, will soon. But, I'm thinking about 400 fps advantage magnum in your apples and oranges 6" .38/3".357 comparo wouldn't be off much for the 125 grain bullet. Moving up to magnum pressures is significant in a 3" tube. Of course, longer barrel length is going to help the magnum more than it does the .38 due to the burn rate of the powders and pressure levels involved. I have a 6 1/2" .357 and a 3" and a chronograph, so I guess I could find out.

 

[45+]

MC - I would be very interested in seeing the numbers if you do the shootin'. Please post for all to see.

 

[MCgunner]

I just got the 3" .357 for carry and intend to chrony my loads over it anyway. I'll take the blackhawk and shoot some .38 out of it. I have a partial box of .38+P 125 grain Winchester I can use, but my .357s are hot handloads, so that will skew the results I'm afraid. They're hotter than run of the mill off the shelf, more along the lines of Buffalo Bore. I'll get out there probably by the weekend and post results.

Looking back in my notes, I see I have a .38 125 grain handload I shot out of the Blackhawk. It's definitely +P at 14.5 grains 2400. That's the charge weight I normally use under my 158 grain cast magnum load. It fired 1330 fps for 491 ft lbs. I don't think a box of .357 Remington 125 grain is gonna top THAT out of a 3" gun.

That handload fired 1091 fps/330 ft lbs from a 4" Model 10 Smith and Wesson. 2400 is a slow powder for .38, so barrel length will effect it much as it does the .357 loads.

Not sure the above means anything. I rarely chrono factory stuff. Heck, I rarely SHOOT factory stuff.