What Is Magnum Ammo?

[Talyn]

A generic definition of magnum ammunition is typically “a cartridge equipped with a larger charge than other cartridges of the same size.” While this is essentially correct, it’s still a long way from the complete story.

What Is Magnum Ammo?

 

[KillerFord1977]

Magnums are funin .357 pistol and .270 rifle.

 

[uspatriot1960]

Good article. I have a question for those in the know. I know it's been thrown around about the velocity loss in an AR pistol. Some people think an AR pistol in 5.56 is pretty much useless with a 7.5" barrel. So, on that general principle, if you had a .357 magnum revolver with a 2" barrel, I'm guessing the .357 is designed for a longer barrel. I'm also guessing the .38 is also designed for a longer barrel. I'm also guessing that not all the powder from the .357 will be burned by the time the bullet leaves the barrel. So, the question becomes, if you have a .357 magnum revolver for CC or light woods carry with a 2"barrel, is it even worth it to shoot .357 out of it? Or will the difference in velocities be so minimal that it's not worth it? If you are going to get a snubby for CC or woods carry, might you just as well get a .38 rather than going up to a .357?

 

[HansGruber]

Good article. I have a question for those in the know. I know it's been thrown around about the velocity loss in an AR pistol. Some people think an AR pistol in 5.56 is pretty much useless with a 7.5" barrel. So, on that general principle, if you had a .357 magnum revolver with a 2" barrel, I'm guessing the .357 is designed for a longer barrel. I'm also guessing the .38 is also designed for a longer barrel. I'm also guessing that not all the powder from the .357 will be burned by the time the bullet leaves the barrel. So, the question becomes, if you have a .357 magnum revolver for CC or light woods carry with a 2"barrel, is it even worth it to shoot .357 out of it? Or will the difference in velocities be so minimal that it's not worth it? If you are going to get a snubby for CC or woods carry, might you just as well get a .38 rather than going up to a .357?

It depends on the load, as far as the revolvers go...but the velocity gain from .38 to .357 is usually pretty substantial, even in snubs.

.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs

We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and video

www.luckygunner.com

For example; the .38+P 129gr Federal HydraShok gets 797fps out of a 2” barrel; it's 130gr .357 magnum counterpart out of the same length barrel gets 1175; that’s a 47% increase. Definitely a step up.

Theres other loads where the increase isn’t quite as dramatic, but you’re usually gaining at least 200fps stepping up to the magnum.

Get into some of the boutique short barrel loads running special fast powder blends, and you can start seeing some pretty hefty velocity out of magnum snubs.

The big difference is that while short barrel magnum pistol loads exist, I am unaware of any designated short barreled rifle loads in 5.56 out there (.300, sure...but that was designed around a short barrel).

 

[uspatriot1960]

It depends on the load, as far as the revolvers go...but the velocity gain from .38 to .357 is usually pretty substantial, even in snubs.

.38 Special and .357 Magnum Self-Defense Ammo Ballistics Test - LuckyGunner.com Labs

We conducted ballistics gelatin tests for 38 self-defense revolver loads in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Here are the full results along with photos and video

www.luckygunner.com

For example; the .38+P 129gr Federal HydraShok gets 797fps out of a 2” barrel; it's 130gr .357 magnum counterpart out of the same length barrel gets 1175; that’s a 47% increase. Definitely a step up.

Theres other loads where the increase isn’t quite as dramatic, but you’re usually gaining at least 200fps stepping up to the magnum.

Get into some of the boutique short barrel loads running special fast powder blends, and you can start seeing some pretty hefty velocity out of magnum snubs.

The big difference is that while short barrel magnum pistol loads exist, I am unaware of any designated short barreled rifle loads in 5.56 out there (.300, sure...but that was designed around a short barrel).

Thanks. Don't have the .357 revolver yet, but that will likely be my next firearm purchase.

I think Hornady is the only company I've heard of making a 5.56/.223 round for short barrels.

Hornady SBR Ammo

Hornady's SBR Black load features a 75-grain boattail hollowpoint with exposed lead tip,

www.rifleshootermag.com

I don't know why more companies don't get into the market. My understanding is that AR pistols are a rage right now. And law enforcement and military use them for CQB situations. You'd think someone would come up with ammunition that would be optimal in a SBR/pistol.

 

[HansGruber]

Thanks. Don't have the .357 revolver yet, but that will likely be my next firearm purchase.

I think Hornady is the only company I've heard of making a 5.56/.223 round for short barrels.

Hornady SBR Ammo

Hornady's SBR Black load features a 75-grain boattail hollowpoint with exposed lead tip,

www.rifleshootermag.com

I don't know why more companies don't get into the market. My understanding is that AR pistols are a rage right now. And law enforcement and military use them for CQB situations. You'd think someone would come up with ammunition that would be optimal in a SBR/pistol.

Right.

So what I see is that Hornady load, while tailored for a short barrel as far as flash and bullet performance, still doesn’t boost the velocity of the round...that's the big difference between it and some of the short barrel .357 loads; I think DoubleTap, BuffaloBore, or Underwood (possibly all three) have loads that will beat 1300fps out of a 2” barrel.

 

[uspatriot1960]

Of course, finding .38 or .357 ammo now is not easy. Which is part of the reason I haven't pulled the trigger on a .357 revolver yet. I've seen .223, 5.56, 9mm, .40, .45, even .380 and other ammo pop up over the last year. But I don't recall having seen any .38 or .357 become available locally in a LONG time. My brother bought a Taurus 605 revolver and I've been keeping an eye out for ammo and have seen nothing available. I'd imagine purchasing some online may be a possibility, I haven't really looked into that. But finding very specific loads made for short barrels may be VERY difficult. I've seen more and more .223 ammo showing up, but haven't found any hollow point in a long time.