The original topic was:
Does the "old 357" have more punch than the acp 45 ?
Appears to me that
Haycreek gave a good answer to his own question, within these parameters. Setting aside the thread veer, a minor expansion on the subject - - -
The "old" .357 load was a 158 SWC OR metal tipped bullet, rated at 1510 FPS from an 8-3/8 inch barrel. This was largely for marketing purposes--1500 fps was thought to be some sort of magic velocity, with which you crossed a threshhold of "nerve shock" and penetration and ability to take BIG game, including elephant! If you read the old books and magazine articles, the cartridges were first loaded using large primers, and fired in registered S&W revolvers, made of "special steel." There was some controversy about whether the Colt New Service would hold up under the massive pressures of the new cartridge.
It didn't take long for the ammo companies to begin "loading down" the .357, largely because the hottest rounds were difficult to tolerate in the shorter barrel revolvers. The rating was reduced to something like 1440 fps, and, when shot from 3.5 to six-inch tubes, ran somewhat slower. This was still a very powerful round, no mistake.
It was true then, and is still true today, that the .357 can accomplish some things not really possible with the .45 ACP. IF the old metal piercing bullets were used, the .357 could still disable an automobile. Most thinking lawmen realized this was really a job for a rifle. If the old soft lead SWC bullets were used and shot placement was precise, it could still take down an elk or even a big bear. Most responsible hunters realized that this was just a stunt, as well.
With smaller bullets at high velocities, the .357 was truly a longer range cartridge than the relatively slow .45.
The older loads were fairly controlable in the heavy frame revolvers. With the advent of the medium frame magnums, though, they were a bit hot for rapid fire. A K-frame S&W (The Combat Magnum, later called the Model 19) or a Colt .41 frame (The Three-Fifty-Seven, the Trooper, or the Python) was only marginally controlable with the hot rounds. This led to further reduction of the power of the cartridge, either by lessening velocity, reduction of bullet weight, or both.
Another factor was when public safety administrators became aware of liability issues. One of the seductive qualities of the .357 cartridge, penetrative ability, was also one of its drawbacks. A less powerful, lighter bullet loading, especially with a hollow point, posed less danger of overpenetration and ricochets.
The .357 magnum cartridge is unparalleled in versatility. I believe the original question may be answered,
Yes. As with many questions, though, there are additional considerations, and these are probably the reason the simple
yes is unsatisfactory. I really like a .357 revolver for field use, but prefer the .45 ACP on a daily basis. I think I could defend myself with my field revolver pretty well, and I know I could feed myself with my street .45. I simply think each is more suited for a specific purpose.
FWIW
Johnny
