40 S&W beats the 357 Sig

[Haycreek]

While I have good accuracy and "muzzle blast" from the Glock 357 Sig, and I enjoy the XD 40 S&W, I have under the impression that the 357 Sig is the velocity champ of the two.
I was surprised to find in the Hodgdon reloading data, that the 40 S&W loaded with a 135 gr Nosler jhp is 1480 fps with 12.0 grains of Longshot powder with 32,400 psi, while the 357 Sig loaded with a 135 grain Nosler is 1316 fps with 36.900 psi.
I normally load rounds for precision accuracy, and hardly every load to the max, but I found this interesting, now to pickup some Nosler jhp in 40 cal, and start at the "start load powder weight" and work up slowly from there for an accuracy load---just for the fun of it

 

[Claude Clay]

the 357 SIG is optimized for the 124 gr jacketed TC bullet.

in that regard it is a 1 trick pony--but it is a really really good trick.

 

[Haycreek]

Agreed, the 357 Sig is optimized with the 124 grain bullet, and the 40 S&W is generally thought to do better than the 357 sig with bullets weighing 155 gr or more, and they do, but the 135 grain data is an eye-opener.

 

[DevilDog0402]

I'm guessing that it would be due mostly to the difference in case capacity because of the bottleneck ??

 

[Z-Michigan]

I don't think it's the difference in case capacity. The .40, having a larger diameter, has more area for the hot gas to push against. Pressure is force x area, so with more area, the same pressure can generate more force.

 

[Chem Geek]

I don't think it's the difference in case capacity. The .40, having a larger diameter, has more area for the hot gas to push against. Pressure is force x area, so with more area, the same pressure can generate more force.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Haycreek]

Energy comparison:

40 S&W 135 gr @ 1480 fps = 656 fpe

357 Sig 135 gr @ 1316 fpe = 519 fpe