Handgun cartridge face-off: 357 Magnum vs. 10 mm Auto

[silicosys4]

I have both and prefer revolvers in .357. A .357 revolver is more versatile. It doesn't need moon clips, doesn't scatter brass far and wide, doesn't require magazines, won't malfunction due to damaged or poorly made magazines, can fire .38's, ammo is easier to find, and has comparable or greater power than a 10mm.

Capacity is a moot point as I wouldn't prefer carrying either for SD against man or beast and don't consider either adequate for hunting large game

I'd prefer 9mm cor urban carry and .44 spcl or magnum for the woods.

 

[Palladan44]

I had this same question in mind last year. I had to do a head to head experiment to get the answer for myself. I was afraid the 10mm would crush the 357 performance, but it DID. I wanted all those shiny six-guns in my safe to reign supreme, believe me.
I shoot almost exclusively handloads for these 2 calibers, so my opinion here is probably biased.
All of my top end 10mm handloads out-performed my 357s with room to spare. What I found was I can get a 180gr 10mm bullet over 1,400 fps far more easily and consistently than getting a 158gr .357 bullet over 1,350fps. These were both from 6" barrels. Accuracy remained great throughout the testing. I believe most handloaders who do both 357 and 10mm would agree with me, the results I found were far enough apart that I say this with confidence.

I've also found some of my 357 wheelguns shockingly slower than others....usually due to gas leakage out the cylinder gap, or what have you. I have some 4" guns that can't shoot any 158gr bullet much past 1,250 fps with ANY load, factory or handload. Loading a 10mm to shoot a 155gr or even a 165gr bullet below that level would take some downloading, in some cases below book minimums.....
Sorry 357.

 

[357 Terms]

I had this same question in mind last year. I had to do a head to head experiment to get the answer for myself. I was afraid the 10mm would crush the 357 performance, but it DID. I wanted all those shiny six-guns in my safe to reign supreme, believe me.
I shoot almost exclusively handloads for these 2 calibers, so my opinion here is probably biased.
All of my top end 10mm handloads out-performed my 357s with room to spare. What I found was I can get a 180gr 10mm bullet over 1,400 fps far more easily and consistently than getting a 158gr .357 bullet over 1,350fps. These were both from 6" barrels. Accuracy remained great throughout the testing. I believe most handloaders who do both 357 and 10mm would agree with me, the results I found were far enough apart that I say this with confidence.

Not sure how experienced you are with 357 Mag loads.
But, with max loads of VV N110 I can get to 1400fps with a 180grn XTP 357 in a 6.5in Blackhawk
6in Security Six, and a 5in 627.
Lol, I can get 1200fps (6in) with good old Universal with a 158grn bullet!!!
What powders are you using that you can't achieve over 1350fps with a 158grn (357) bullet from a 6in barrel?

 

[Palladan44]

Not sure how experienced you are with 357 Mag loads.
But, with max loads of VV N110 I can get to 1400fps with a 180grn XTP 357 in a 6.5in Blackhawk
6in Security Six, and a 5in 627.
Lol, I can get 1200fps (6in) with good old Universal with a 158grn bullet!!!
What powders are you using that you can't achieve over 1350fps with a 158grn (357) bullet from a 6in barrel?

WW-296 which I consider one of the best powders for Max loads. I have equal experience loading both 10mm and 357 Mag. Some have said my revolvers are just "Slow". Be that the case, is what it is I guess.

 

[357 Terms]

WW-296 which I consider one of the best powders for Max loads. I have equal experience loading both 10mm and 357 Mag. Some have said my revolvers are just "Slow". Be that the case, is what it is I guess.

Are you using max loads?
A heavy roll crimp?
Magnum primers? (vital with 296/H110)

296/H110 (max) should easily push a 158grn 357 WELL! over 1350fps from a 6in barrel.

 

[Palladan44]

Are you using max loads?
A heavy roll crimp?
Magnum primers? (vital with 296/H110)

296/H110 (max) should easily push a 158grn 357 WELL! over 1350fps from a 6in barrel.

Yes, all of the above.

 

[Mosin77]

For the purposes of this question I’d have to go with 10mm, since I could get it in a semi-auto and also as a revolver, and in theory could load it exactly how I want it.

In practice I’m far more likely to answer this question in the real world with a .357 magnum. You could buy one nice revolver and be set for life, really.

 

[BJung]

I own a revolver and my younger brother owns a G20. I've shot both. My choice would be the .357 because it's versatile and simple. I can shoot a hot load with a heavy bullet through it, snake rounds, wadcutters, and even silicon (glue gun) bullets with only the primer. At home I can have a speed loader ready without worrying about the magazine spring wearing out. I only have to load the cylinder, close it, aim, and pull the trigger. The 10mm requires the slide to be racked and this might be too much for my wife or daughter when I'm gone. I also think the .357 is more accurate with the sights on the barrel. The G20 has the sights on the slide and the barrel moves. In short, it's not as accurate. Besides accuracy, the 10mm barrel is not supported. I had Kaboom once with one, didn't like it, and still have my fingers and thumb. It just hurt. Then there is brass. 10mm and later 40 cal will be harder to find. Not with .357mag. I also cast so that's a plus but I can do the same with the 10mm too, I suppose. Last is the Cons regarding the revolver grips. I don't like how it feels in my hand nor the balance. 1911 frames fit my hand better. Glocks feel like roughed out grips made with bandsaw and a wood file. I don't like them either

 

[Smaug]

I own a revolver and my younger brother owns a G20. I've shot both. My choice would be the .357 because it's versatile and simple. I can shoot a hot load with a heavy bullet through it, snake rounds, wadcutters, and even silicon (glue gun) bullets with only the primer. At home I can have a speed loader ready without worrying about the magazine spring wearing out. I only have to load the cylinder, close it, aim, and pull the trigger. The 10mm requires the slide to be racked and this might be too much for my wife or daughter when I'm gone. I also think the .357 is more accurate with the sights on the barrel. The G20 has the sights on the slide and the barrel moves. In short, it's not as accurate. Besides accuracy, the 10mm barrel is not supported. I had Kaboom once with one, didn't like it, and still have my fingers and thumb. It just hurt. Then there is brass. 10mm and later 40 cal will be harder to find. Not with .357mag. I also cast so that's a plus but I can do the same with the 10mm too, I suppose. Last is the Cons regarding the revolver grips. I don't like how it feels in my hand nor the balance. 1911 frames fit my hand better. Glocks feel like roughed out grips made with bandsaw and a wood file. I don't like them either

There are a lot of good points here in favor of 357 Magnum, esp. regarding reloading components. The original 10 mm loading was quite hot, but probably didn't anticipate reusing brass.

One thing I feel you missed is that you can get 10 mm in a revolver OR auto, and that there are a lot of 10 mm autos out there besides Glocks. (I think those were the ones with the unsupported chambers?)

One thing about Glocks to keep in mind, from way before there were Glock fanboys. The Glock was designed to be simple, reliable, accurate, lightweight and with great firepower; for cops who would carry them all day but rarely shoot them. Ergonomics don't matter as much, unless horrible. Glocks took off, fanboys were born, but now there are other, better options. (esp. in terms of ergonomics and trigger)

 

[d'zaster]

I have both and like having both

 

[Alaskamike]

I'm another one who has both and likes both.

To me it's like asking, "would you rather have a world class filet mignon, or a world class ribeye?"

The only answer is, "both please."

 

[DR505]

I'm another one who has both and likes both.

To me it's like asking, "would you rather have a world class filet mignon, or a world class ribeye?"

The only answer is, "both please."

Blonde, Brunette, or Redhead...same choice.

 

[mcb]

Blonde, Brunette, or Redhead...same choice.

Clearly you have not dated a Redhead!

 

[BJung]

Which one is the .357 and which is the 10mm And what is the Redhead?

 

[DR505]

Clearly you have not dated a Redhead!

Au contraire! Just like a full power 180 grain .357 magnum in a scandium J-Frame!

 

[BJung]

I'll stick with my mild target loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a .357 Magnum fan.
The 2 guns I would choose are:
A S&W Model 627 w/5" barrel and a gold bead front sight.
A S&W Model 66 w/2.75" barrel.
I was thinking about a M640 J frame instead of the M66 K frame but I like the extra round the M66 affords me over the M640.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

The .357 will always win....................The 357 will always win...........Statistically and in the field.

 

[spraay]

This is just for fun; don't take it too seriously.

I think a lot of the pistol fans think of 10 mm as a do-it-all. (if you're a handloader, anyway)

Same for 357 Magnum, to the revolver fans.

For the purposes of this poll, assume your only other handgun is a 22LR of your choice. Your choice of one of these two centerfires has to do everything else. Assume you can have two handguns in your caliber. They can each be gunsmith specials, if you want. (since you only have three handguns, they should be JUST what you want)

I would pick .357 mag simply because I think it would be more versatile. As a hand loader I can load up some .38 sp wadcutters for the range, some .357 JHPs to make a backup load for hunting and personal protection, and some .38 sp shot loads for pests.

 

[BJung]

I would pick .357 mag simply because I think it would be more versatile. As a hand loader I can load up some .38 sp wadcutters for the range, some .357 JHPs to make a backup load for hunting and personal protection, and some .38 sp shot loads for pests.

Don't forget 9mm bullets if you really had to.

 

[SDGlock23]

Overall I just like the 357 Mag, something about it. The 10mm is okay, I've had my fair share of them but overall, it just lacks personality to me. That and in all honesty, I don't really think the 10mm can do anything you can't already do with a .40 or .45, it's just more expensive. Some people love it, I have no use for it. I'll take my 357's every time.

 

[RainDodger]

I am old. I simply don't want to have to procure another set of dies, different projectiles, different cases, and storage for all of that, and do the loading for yet again, another caliber. So, it's .357 Magnum for me. I don't need any more versatility than that cartridge provides. If I'm out on the side-by-side in bear country, I have other things and don't need to carry a .357 anyway. I carry every single day and I'm a range officer. I rotate my carry "items" often, just because. Part of that rotation is a 3" King Cobra and I feel quite confident when it's with me.

 

[Necessary_Nutrient]

The Springfield XDm is a mean 10mm Auto, gets better velocity out of 10mm than the G20 and has all metal sights plus great OSP options. I’ve got one in the discontinued 5.25 inch adjustable sight version and it’s my favorite auto. I also have a 6.5” Ruger BH in 10/.40 which gets great velocities out of 10mm handloads.

I vote 10mm although it’s close.

 

[BRatigan]

My vote for 357 Mag is because I have that caliber in a revolver and a rifle length lever action Win 73. I have 5 separate loads from 125 to 158 grain clad and coated recipes that are very accurate.

 

[westernrover]

I'm only interested in a medium to large-frame revolver, but as for 357 or 10mm, I could possibly go either way.
Since I bought about 60 moonclips and a BMT tool, I can't think of a reason to ever not use them with any cartridge.
I have several years' supply of SPP and no LPP. Until recently, that would have ruled 10mm out. SPP 10mm brass is now available. Previously, I would have had to use 40 S&W.
For a revolver, the 10mm Magnum is even more appealing than the 10mm Auto.

Ammo and bullet selection for revolvers is where 10mm breaks down. Most of the defensive ammo and bullets for 10mm chambers come from the much larger market for 40 S&W. None of the factory ammo will be rolled-crimped and best-suited for a revolver. The bullets will lack a crimp groove. While these features may not be completely unavailable, the selection, if any, will be extremely limited, and if these features are to be acquired through handloading, carrying them would preclude the benefits of factory ammo for that purpose. Adopting 10mm for a revolver will almost certainly involve accepting this compromise. Whether it is consequential or not no doubt depends on the mass of the gun and the power of the load, or a willingness to find suitable components, craft handloads and carry them.

Had the 10mm used the same caliber as the 41 Magnum, the bullet selection for both cartridges would have been much richer. Since the 41 pre-dated the 10 by 19 years, I can't think of a reason why it was good for 10mm to use the different caliber. To be fair, the 41 was always obscure and there wasn't a lot of compulsion for Norma to design the 10 with compatibility in mind. In retrospect, it would have been advantageous had they done so. As it is, I would rather have a 41 than a 10mm and the only reason I don't is because of my long-standing investment in 357 and particularly the small primers. I began with 38/357 because of the availability of small-frame revolvers in this chambering. I've since forsaken small revolvers, but not the 357. The case for switching to 10mm or even 41 isn't compelling. Had I begun with either of them, I could probably justify keeping them just as easily.