WWB .357 158gr ammo unusually powerful

[peacebutready]

About a couple of years ago, I read a review of .357 revolvers in Gun Tests magazines. When using WWB 158gr ammo, the velocity measured computed to 650 ft./lbs of energy through a 4" barrel. The typical amount of energy for 158gr factory loads is 535 ft./lbs. I was wondering why WWB is more than 100 ft./lbs. more powerful. Does anyone know?

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm guessing because the bullets are going faster.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I remember back in the early to mid 1980s the Remington green box practice ammo was so hot and had so much recoil no one liked to shoot it. I bought a box and it was pretty bad, even out of an N frame Smith.
I expect WWB may be the same way now. I guess it has to have something going for it to set it apart from the other bargain brands.
I would buy it over something a lot weaker, it would make me feel like I was getting my money's worth, I suppose. It's not bad ammo.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I would like somebody to show me the catalog listing in the past 30 years for WWB .357 Mag with a 158 gr bullet...

 

[mjsdwash]

I consider all major brands "reduced recoil". Some less reduced than others.

 

[mjsdwash]

30's loads supposedly made 800lbs, Buffalo Bore still does

 

[Deanimator]

I've never shot the WWB .357. I do know that the WWB .44 Magnum is the most powerful handgun ammunition of ANY kind I've fired.

After buying the Collector Grade book on the S&W .357 Magnums recently, I've been thinking about getting my Model 27s out. I'll have to see if I can get some of the .357 WWB from Walmart or Cabelas.

 

[DWFan]

158gr @ 1365 fps?
Prvi Partizan 158gr JHP is pretty potent stuff too for a factory load. Don't know how true it is, but I was told 1300 fps from a 6" revolver (S&W).

 

[Dibbs]

I'll say this, I'll take PPU over WWB any day. IMO, PRVI Partisan is fine ammo.

 

[fxvr5]

30's loads supposedly made 800lbs, Buffalo Bore still does

1938 Remington-DuPont catalog, 357 magnum, 158 gr metal point, 1510 fps, 8 3/8" barrel.

 

[fxvr5]

I would like somebody to show me the catalog listing in the past 30 years for WWB .357 Mag with a 158 gr bullet...

Winchester 1981 357 Magnum 158 grain 1235 fps, 4" vented barrel.
Winchester 1976 357 Magnum 158 grain 1410-1425 fps, 8 3/8" barrel.
Winchester 1960 357 Magnum 158 grain 1400 fps 8 3/8" barrel.

 

[Mike C2]

I've never shot the WWB .357. I do know that the WWB .44 Magnum is the most powerful handgun ammunition of ANY kind I've fired.

By far the hottest I’ve chronoed from my 6 1/2” Model 29. 240gr bullet at 1430 fps. I’m not really recoil sensitive, but that stuff hurts my hand after a couple of cylinders, even with a padded palm glove.

 

[Catpop]

Foot pounds is a calculated figure, not a measured/recorded one. It is calculated from fps and bullet weight.
It drives me nuts when a gun writer states “recorded” ft/lbs figures! Unless he has access to some special equipment I’ve never heard of on a daily basis, he should reframe from using incorrect terms.
IMHO

Note: Please correct me if I’m wrong!!!!!!

 

[Gary A]

Just looking st their current website, they show no white box, 158 grain .357. They show two versions of 158 grain .357 in the Super-X line, both listed at 1235 fps, 535 ft/lbs, from an unspecified barrel length. I’m assuming 4 inch. Perhaps there was an error in the story? It’s been known to happen.

 

[buck460XVR]

It would take a 158gr bullet traveling about 1375 FPS to produce 650 ft/#s of energy. Not a far cry, depending on test components.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Winchester 1981 357 Magnum 158 grain 1235 fps, 4" vented barrel.
Winchester 1976 357 Magnum 158 grain 1410-1425 fps, 8 3/8" barrel.
Winchester 1960 357 Magnum 158 grain 1400 fps 8 3/8" barrel.

Since at least the mid-1980's, the WWB (or Winchester White Box) value line-up has contained only a .357 Mag 110 gr JHP at a reduced loading. Winchester Super-X is different, with nominally three 158 gr loadings during that time- JHP, JSP, and LSWC. One can assume that the OP or Gun Tests confused Super-X for WWB.

 

[Gary A]

I don’t know but if a 158 grain makes 1235 and 535 from a 4 inch barrel, seems like 1375 and 650 from an 8 3/8 inch barrel might not be out of the question.

 

[fxvr5]

here is a member's buffalo bore data: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/buffalo-bore-357-magnum-loads.844277/

 

[MaxP]

Muzzle Energy figures help sell ammo...

Most factory magnum ammo isn’t as hot as it used to be. You almost have to go to the more boutique manufacturers for “magnum” velocities.

 

[Deanimator]

By far the hottest I’ve chronoed from my 6 1/2” Model 29. 240gr bullet at 1430 fps. I’m not really recoil sensitive, but that stuff hurts my hand after a couple of cylinders, even with a padded palm glove.

I carried it in my 6" 29-2 the last time I went deer hunting. I didn't get to use it, but I have no doubt it would have stopped a deer... or a BMD.

 

[fxvr5]

Muzzle Energy figures help sell ammo...

Most factory magnum ammo isn’t as hot as it used to be. You almost have to go to the more boutique manufacturers for “magnum” velocities.

Evidence?

 

[MaxP]

Evidence?

The evidence is in the fact that so much ammo sold has this figure printed on the outside of the box. Many folks actually believe it to reveal something significant.

Or were you challenging my assertion that magnum ammunition isn't as hot as it used to be? Much ammo is loaded down now. Consider the .454 Casull. The SAAMI maximum on that one is 65,000 psi. Even companies like Buffalo Bore don't load it to that level and more mainstream companies load it even softer.

I believe some companies do load it "properly," but many don't. Shoot some factory .44 Mag ammo over a chronograph and be prepared to be underwhelmed. Granted, powder technology has improved as well and now we can attain higher velocities in many cases with lower pressure. I remember Brian Pearce acquired a case of early Remington .44 Mag ammo and it was running 1,450 or thereabouts. That stuff was really hot back then.

 

[RecoilRob]

Modern strain-gauge technology is partly responsible for a general reduction in pressures being that it is VERY sensitive and can chart transient pressure spikes that older CUP type measurements just could not. So what a CUP test might say maxes out at 35,000 could very well have a spike over 40,000 but of such brief duration that the copper slug just doesn't compress from it. Of course lawyers and product liability come into play now a days too, but I believe the pressure measurements to be the major factor in things being toned down a bit.

 

[fxvr5]

I remember Brian Pearce acquired a case of early Remington .44 Mag ammo and it was running 1,450 or thereabouts. That stuff was really hot back then.

That number is meaningless without bullet weight and barrel length.

 

[peacebutready]

Just looking st their current website, they show no white box, 158 grain .357. They show two versions of 158 grain .357 in the Super-X line, both listed at 1235 fps, 535 ft/lbs, from an unspecified barrel length. I’m assuming 4 inch. Perhaps there was an error in the story? It’s been known to happen.

That's a good point. Maybe it was a typo. Perhaps they meant 550 ft./lbs.