Also known as 357 Smith & Wesson Magnum, 357 Magnum is a smokeless powder cartridge with a 9.07mm bullet diameter. Smith & Wesson and Winchester introduced it in 1934 as a successor of 38 Special Ammo. This handgun cartridge is an ideal example of extremely effective terminal ballistics.
357 Magnum Ammo Specifications:
Cartridge case: .38 Special
Case type: Straight Rimmed (R),
Bullet diameter: 9.07 mm (.357 inch)
Neck diameter: 9.6 mm (379 inch)
Base diameter: 9.6 mm (379 inch)
Rim diameter: 11.2 mm (.440 inch)
Rim thickness: 1.5 mm (.060 inch)
Case length: 33 mm (1.29 inch)
Overall length: 40mm (1.59 in)
Case capacity: 26.2 gr H2O (1.70 cm3)
Primer type: small pistol magnum
Maximum pressure: 35,000 psi (240 MPa)
Maximum CUP: 45,000 CUP
357 Magnum ammo is available in weights ranging from 110 to 200 grains. The case of the cartridge is 1.155 inches long that allows more space for the propellant to hold three grains of powder. Due to the higher powder charge, this cartridge can fire a 125-grain bullet at a velocity of about 1450 feet per second which is more powerful than its competitors. It is an ideal choice for plinking, self-defense, target shooting, and hunting. This handgun cartridge delivers excellent stopping power without creating much recoil to support the easy handling of a handgun. The excellent ballistic performance makes it an ideal choice for shooting practice and serious competitions. It is manufactured by several brands including Federal Ammunition, Federal American Eagle Cartridge, Fiocchi Cartridges, Hornady, Winchester, CCI Blazer Rounds, and Remington.
Designed by Smith & Wesson, 38 Special ammo is a centerfire rimmed cartridge commonly used in handguns. It is also compatible with a few semi-automatic carbines and pistols. Also known as 38 S&W, .38 Smith & Wesson Special, or 38 Spl, this handgun cartridge is popular for its accuracy and manageable recoil. It was used as the main service cartridge for most US Police departments between the 1920s and the 1990s.
38 Special Specifications:
Cartridge Case: .38 Long Colt
Cartridge Case type: Rimmed, straight
Diameter of Bullet: 9.1 mm (.357 in)
Base diameter: 9.6 mm (.379 in)
Neck diameter: 9.6 mm (.379 in)
Rim thickness: 1.5 mm (.058 in)
Rim diameter: .44 in (11 mm)
Length of Case: 1.155 in (29.3 mm)
Overall length: 1.550 in (39.4 mm)
Case capacity: 1.52 cm3 (23.4 gr H2O)
Max pressure: 17,500 psi (121 MPa)
Smith & Wesson is the manufacturer of 38 Special Ammo. But now, several other companies are also manufacturing 38 Special Ammo. 38 Special Ammo is good for hand loaders. 38 Special Ammo is almost similar to 38 Short Colt, 38 Long Colt, and 357 Magnum, except for the difference in case length. As the construction is identical, 38 Special Ammo can be used in handguns chambered for 357 Magnum. 38 Short Colt and 38 Long Colt can be fired safely from handguns chambered for 38 Special. The straight walls of the cartridge, rim’s head spacing, accessibility of earlier fired cases, and the compatibility with 357 Magnum firearms made it much popular.
