what is a magnum?

[deadeye dick]

I recently started reloading .357 magnum--.38 sp. in my Blackhawk. The manual says the bullet diameter for both the 357 & 38 sp. is the same diameter (.358) What makes a .357 & .38sp different from each other besides the length of the brass and powder weight? Could'nt you use a .38 or.357 load in the same case as they will both chamber. I am loading .357 in .357 cases with 125 gr.rnfp lead 4.0 gr.titegroup oal 1.590 38sp--same bullet 3.2 gr. titegroup oal 1.455 They both shoot well in the gun.

 

[Sam1911]

The manual says the bullet diameter for both the 357 & 38 sp. is the same diameter (.358)

Yes indeed!

What makes a .357 & .38sp different from each other besides the length of the brass and powder weight?

Nothing. You've got it!

Could'nt you use a .38 or.357 load in the same case as they will both chamber.

Yes. However, loading a magnum load into a .38 Spc. case and firing it in a gun not designed to handle the much higher pressure of the magnum load would be a very bad idea. It would be the same as taking any other round and heavily overloading it.

On the other hand, using a .38 Special load in a .357 Magnum gun is just fine. Whether in a .38 special case or a .357 Mag case doesn't matter much.

 

[MtnCreek]

what is a magnum?

It's the big bottle of champagne.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Another thing to consider is loading data worked up for the longer .357 Magnum case will result in much higher pressures in the shorter .38 Special case, due to less volume. The less room for expansion, the more pressure.

You'll also find that .357 Magnum brass is constructed a little heavier than most .38 Special brass. The stronger brass helps contain the greater pressure of the magnum loads.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Sam1911]

It's the big bottle of champagne.

Actually no. The Magnum wine bottle is still one of the little ones. The BIG one is the Nebuchadnezzar.

But yeah, that's where the name seems to have come from.

 

[PJSprog]

Yes. Do not intermingle the two ... for all of the above listed reasons.^^^

 

[Rule3]

But at what velocity or pressure does a 357 magnum truly become a MAGNUM??

Is a mouse fart load of 800 fps in a 357 Mag case still a Magnum?

 

[Sam1911]

It's a magnum if it is in a magnum case because it won't fit into a .38 Special chamber.

Otherwise, any load breaking top end .38 Special "+P" pressure levels (~19,000 CUP) would have to qualify.

 

[PJSprog]

True. There is overlap in the +P/Magnum data. The danger isn't in a "mouse fart" .357 load. The real danger is in a magnum load in a .38 Special case that could be fired from a revolver not designed to handle that kind of pressure or energy.

 

[silicosys4]

Actually no. The Magnum wine bottle is still one of the little ones. The BIG one is the Nebuchadnezzar.

But yeah, that's where the name seems to have come from.

Haha, but would it be more impressive if the line was..."being that this is a .44 Nebuchadnezzar...it will take your head clean off"?

Actually, if we were going by size alone, the Melchizedek would be the biggest champagne measure that I could find....Dirty Harry SHOULD have been carrying a .44 Melchizedek...Kind of glad they picked one of the SMALLEST bottles of champagne to donate the moniker.

 

[Robert101]

Wiki states, "A magnum cartridge is a firearms cartridge larger than, or derived from, a similar cartridge."

That is pretty much it in an nutshell. The 10MM, for instance, isn't a magnum due to the fact that it preceded the 40 S&W. There is a 10MM magnum that is longer and will accept more powder. Our traditional .357 and 44 Mags all are enhanced versions of a smaller (or shorter) design.

 

[ATLDave]

That is pretty much it in an nutshell. The 10MM, for instance, isn't a magnum due to the fact that it preceded the 40 S&W. There is a 10MM magnum that is longer and will accept more powder. Our traditional .357 and 44 Mags all are enhanced versions of a smaller (or shorter) design.

And what, pray tell, was the parent cartridge of the .41 magnum?

What REALLY makes something a magnum? When the manufacturer(s) decide to call it that (and especially when they get SAAMI to agree). That's 100% of the test right there.

 

[Rule3]

What then is a 357 Maximum

It's really a Super Magnum

 

[Jeff H]

I think the pressure was the defining factor but The line is blurrier than it used to be. When the basic handgun loads were 45 colt, 44 special and 38 special, the magnum was a big step up in power and pressure. In this day and age, those pressures have been lowered and the slightly more modern 9mm, 10mm, and 40S&W operate at close to the same pressures .

 

[ReloaderFred]

Jeff H,

You'll have to leave the 9mm out of your analogy, since it was invented in 1902. Other than that, you're correct.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[steve4102]

What makes a .357 & .38sp different from each other besides the length of the brass and powder weight? Could'nt you use a .38 or.357 load in the same case as they will both chamber.

Yes and NO. You can load 38 special loads in a 357 case, you cannot load 357 loads in a 38 Special case. Case size/volume plays a huge role in powder charge and pressure.

If you decide to follow bad advice here and load 357 loads in your 38 cases, count all your fingers and other important body parts before you go to the range. Then when/if you return home, count them again and see if they are all still attached.

Good Luck!

 

[Dframe]

Magnum is an advertising gimic, to try and sell guns to people. It sounded real dangerous and mean back in 1935 when S&W first made it up, and used it as a marketing tool. Today in the world of .500s .45/70s and 454s.......NOT so much.

 

[IWAC]

MAGNUM: Large; Das Eargesplitten Loudenboomer.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I recently started reloading .357 magnum--.38 sp. in my Blackhawk. The manual says the bullet diameter for both the 357 & 38 sp. is the same diameter (.358) What makes a .357 & .38sp different from each other besides the length of the brass and powder weight? Could'nt you use a .38 or.357 load in the same case as they will both chamber. I am loading .357 in .357 cases with 125 gr.rnfp lead 4.0 gr.titegroup oal 1.590 38sp--same bullet 3.2 gr. titegroup oal 1.455 They both shoot well in the gun.

Magnum is an advertising gimic, to try and sell guns to people. It sounded real dangerous and mean back in 1935 when S&W first made it up, and used it as a marketing tool. Today in the world of .500s .45/70s and 454s.......NOT so much.

If you want to know the REAL story, check out any biography of Elmer Keith. Nine parts genius, inventor and ballistician. One part promoter.

You will find your TRUE answers there.

Lost Sheep

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I recently started reloading .357 magnum--.38 sp. in my Blackhawk. The manual says the bullet diameter for both the 357 & 38 sp. is the same diameter (.358) What makes a .357 & .38sp different from each other besides the length of the brass and powder weight? Could'nt you use a .38 or.357 load in the same case as they will both chamber. I am loading .357 in .357 cases with 125 gr.rnfp lead 4.0 gr.titegroup oal 1.590 38sp--same bullet 3.2 gr. titegroup oal 1.455 They both shoot well in the gun.

You may be new to reloading the 38/357 but it seems you have a fairly good understanding of the two cartridges.

The 38/357 are two of my favorites to load and shoot. They are easy to load and a lot of fun when done... (and there are some great revolvers chambered in both too)

 

[dbltaps]

A delicious ice cream bar!

 

[dodo bird]

Please no one post a picture of a rubber labeled MAGNUM next to their 50 bmg.