Are "Magnums" magnums anymore

[Full Metal Jacket]

there are very few ammo makers that offer full power 357 magnums nowadays, unfortunately.

 

[Steve C]

They don't list the test barrel lenght though so I assume that's from a six inch barrel.

You know what happens when you "assume". If you go on Remingtons sight and do an ammo comparison for their Express ammo you will see all the ballistic information for the .357 mag, .41 mag and .44 mag are all from 4" barrels. They used to say vented test barrels as most, if not all, manufacturers began using them to simulate the cylinder/barrel gap of a revolver 20 years ago or so as "truth in advertising".

Magnum ammo hasn't changed, its still the same velocity as it ever was.

Before the beginning of the 80's no one owned a chrono except a business that could afford several thousand for one which was the cost of a couple new cars at the time. Manufacturers published data generally from fixed breach test barrels 8 to 12" in length so velocities where on the high side vrs reality. Then the average hobbyist started buying chrono's and testing ammo they found the ballistic charts of the time overly optimistic and the manufacturers changed their methods in response to their complaints.

1,400 to 1,500 fps from a 8-3/8" barrel would be about what you can expect from ammo that will do 1,235 fps from a 4".

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

Magnum ammo hasn't changed, its still the same velocity as it ever was.

uh, nope.

 

[buckeye8]

I was underwhelmed when I first started shooting .357 Magnum. Then I bought a reloading press and a can of H110. Now it feels like it "should".

 

[Hurricane]

Man if you guys want to feel a .357 magnum, load up 125gn jacketed hp's and put 15 grains of Blue Dot behind it. They are very potent, although will show signs of overpressure.

I got the recipe in Hornady's fifth edition. I bought the 7th, and it doesn't recommend using blue dot. But I tell you- it is wonderfully violent.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

According to Accurate Arms Blue Dot is not safe in the .357 Magnum when used along with a 125gr bullet. They actually took down their online load data site for a short time to remove the data that wasn't safe. I wouldn't use Blue dot in the .357 Magnum any longer especially when there are so many other good choices on the market.

 

[greenlion]

Manufacturers have to load what sells. 357 owners buy one box of Elmer Keith Memorial Magnums and decide that is the last 357 they will shoot through their gun. They end up shooting .38 special. Myself, I am glad manufacturers are making mid-powered .357 magnum rounds. They have plenty of power and are still controllable for actual self defense shooting. If I want more power, I will step on up to a .44 magnum, or a 10mm revolver. I don't see the point of putting up with all that recoil from such a small bullet. If I want more recoil, I also want a bigger bullet.

 

[buck460XVR]

Man if you guys want to feel a .357 magnum, load up 125gn jacketed hp's and put 15 grains of Blue Dot behind it. They are very potent, although will show signs of overpressure.

I got the recipe in Hornady's fifth edition. I bought the 7th, and it doesn't recommend using blue dot. But I tell you- it is wonderfully violent.

......and folks wonder why they "watered" down the reloading manuals.

 

[ArmedBear]

...not to mention discontinued magnum K-frames...

 

[greenlion]

Sometimes I wonder if some handloaders are more interested in blowing things up than making accurate ammo that is practical. Don't know how many times I've heard people talking about being able to push a .45 colt to 44 magnum velocities. Don't know why they don't just buy a 454 casull to begin with, and not risk losing an eye.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you really want "wonderfully violent" from a .357 Magnum round without doing anything dangerous try working up to the Max charge of W296/H110 with that 125gr bullet. You will not believe what violent is until you shoot that AND, it won't be dangerous like the Blue Dot load.