Barrel length vs velocity

7238 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by uponone, Apr 22, 2009

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · Apr 13, 2009

I have a 2" barrel 357 magnum for carry, loaded half with 38 Sp JHP and the other half with 357 JHP. Every other round is a 357. It also serves as a home defense weapon along with a 9mm.

Recently I have read that a 2" barrel does not allow the bullet to achieve sufficient velocity to cause a hollow point to expand inside a BG.
Any comments?

If the above is correct, I will probably get a 357 magnum with a 6" barrel for home defense. I have not been able to find a chart giving comparisons of muzzle velocity and foot pounds of muzzle energy using 2", 4" and 6" barrels.
Any references?

Any suggestions for Self Protection ammo for my 357 snubbie if JHP is no good in a 2" gun.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

greatdanes

· #2 · Apr 13, 2009

I know people who carry this stuff:

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=121256

This stuff is fairly expensive.

Mac45

· #3 · Apr 13, 2009

The .357 magnum round is designed for maximum performance from a 6" barrel. From a 2" bbl, you lose a significant ammount of velocity and acquire a truly prodigeous muzzle blast. Back in my snubnose days, I usually used Remington 38 spl +P 158gr lead semi-wadcutter hollow points. They produced very good expansion from a 2" bbl with a lot less muzzle blast. You can check out some gelatin tests here:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/subpage23.html.

While snubbies chambered for 357 magnum will perform alright with that round, you might be better served with a good 38 spl+P round. Its easier on the eyes, ears and hand and most work just about as well as the more powerful round.

Josh8042

· #4 · Apr 13, 2009

357 9mm said:
I have a 2" barrel 357 magnum for carry, loaded half with 38 Sp JHP and the other half with 357 JHP. Every other round is a 357. It also serves as a home defense weapon along with a 9mm.

Recently I have read that a 2" barrel does not allow the bullet to achieve sufficient velocity to cause a hollow point to expand inside a BG.
Any comments?

If the above is correct, I will probably get a 357 magnum with a 6" barrel for home defense. I have not been able to find a chart giving comparisons of muzzle velocity and foot pounds of muzzle energy using 2", 4" and 6" barrels.
Any references?

Any suggestions for Self Protection ammo for my 357 snubbie if JHP is no good in a 2" gun.

I have to ask... why would you load every other round with 357? doesn't that just make it harder to control the recoil? I don't see how that could serve any useful purpose.

brownie

· #5 · Apr 13, 2009

357 9mm said:
I have a 2" barrel 357 magnum for carry, loaded half with 38 Sp JHP and the other half with 357 JHP. Every other round is a 357. It also serves as a home defense weapon along with a 9mm.

Recently I have read that a 2" barrel does not allow the bullet to achieve sufficient velocity to cause a hollow point to expand inside a BG.
Any comments?

If the above is correct, I will probably get a 357 magnum with a 6" barrel for home defense. I have not been able to find a chart giving comparisons of muzzle velocity and foot pounds of muzzle energy using 2", 4" and 6" barrels.
Any references?

Any suggestions for Self Protection ammo for my 357 snubbie if JHP is no good in a 2" gun.

From a 2.5" S+W model 19 barrel

Federal .38 Special 129-grain Hydrashok +P average velocity 846fps

Win. .38 Special 158-grain LSWCHP +P average velocity 858fps

Remington .357 Magnum 125-grain SJHP (Full-house load) average velocity 1243fps

Even from the snub revos, the 357 will generate 50% more velocity and consequently more energy on threat than 38 +P's from the same gun.

You are going to "acquire a truly prodigeous muzzle blast" as Mac suggested from the 357 load out of a snub. Recoil will be uncomfortable for most as well.

That said, I carry a S+W 640-1 357 with 2 1/8" barrel with full house 357 loadings at times with a Berami Hi-grip tucked very concealed into under my belt. It's a hand full, but not something even my small framed wife has much of a problem shooting, but follow up shots are not as fast as with the 38's so that's also something to consider.

If I were to carry 38's in the snub, it would be the 150grain standard velocity wad-cutters made by Buffalo bore I employ in my 38 snubs, but there are many good loadings in 38 out there to choose from today.

Brownie

See less See more

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 13, 2009

Josh8042 said:
I have to ask... why would you load every other round with 357? doesn't that just make it harder to control the recoil? I don't see how that could serve any useful purpose.

I have the first round to fire as a 38 Sp with lower recoil so the second round will be quicker on target with the 357 load which will then provide a lot of stopping power.

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 13, 2009

Brownie, do you have a reference to compare my 357 in 2", 4" and 6" barrels?
What do you think of what I read that a JHP round, from a snubbie, does not achieve sufficient velocity to expand inside a BG? If that is correct, I need a different round in my snubbie.
When I go to the range, everyone takes notice when I fire a 357 magnum round. Even the 38 Sp has a decent recoil, but the 357 is much greater.
I will probably get a 357 magnum with a 6 inch barrel. Am I correct in thinking that the 6 inch barrel will reduce recoil? Of course, I will keep my snubbie.
The only problem with wanting to buy a certain ammo with a certain specification is the shortage of availability. I have to buy what is available so I can continue shooting.
My 9mm jams once with each magazine load. My 2 neighbors have the same problem with 380's and with their 1911 .45's from which they shoot 1000s of rounds.
Consequently, I trust a revolver more than an auto.

Cthulhu

· #8 · Apr 13, 2009

Remember that the advantage of a longer barrel is that there is more time for propellant to burn and the gases to expand against the bullet, giving the higher velocity.

I would guess the rounds designed for shorter barrels may have slightly faster burning propellant, allowing for more of it to be burned so you have more gas accelerating the bullet; and/or, the bullet is designed to expand better at lower velocities.

However, as Brownie pointed out, the .357 Mag load is still supersonic from a snubby. I would be more concerned about recoil management with the shorter barrel, so I can get all five or six rounds into the target accurately with that shorter, snappier barrel. Whether the rounds expand to your satisfaction or not, five to six rounds of 125-gr. in somebody's COM will give them a bad day.

-JT

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 13, 2009

Cthulhu, I am using 125 grain SJHP in 38 Special and 150 grain SFHP in 357 magnum for self defense. I have my six shooter set up to fire a 38 round first, then a 357 and so on.

If I had a choice, I would choose 115 grain HP for both, but with the ammo shortage, I take what I can get. For killing paper, I use FMJ.

It is fun to shoot a few rounds of 38 followed by a round of 357 and watch the attention of the other shooters at the range as they respond to the loud boom of the 357 magnum.

greatdanes

· #10 · Apr 14, 2009

I had (no longer) a Charter Arms .44spcl weighing about 20oz. (actually a bit less even). Recoil was a problem, especially on your second shot. I would scatter double taps sometimes many inches apart on rapid fire attempts and it took too long after the first shot to get back on target. I have never shot a stubby .357 but I imagine the recoil control problem would be as bad, or maybe worse, depending on the weight of the gun. It may just be me, but I found the small gun difficult fitting my hand, and the sharp torque was as bad as the recoil.

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 14, 2009

My 357 fits my hand perfectly, and all fingers are able to wrap around the grip. It weighs 26 ounces, so that does absorb some of the recoil, but it still kicks like a mule.
I have pretty much decided to add a 6 inch barrelled 357 magnum to my arsenal. It will equip me for better home defense with the snubbie and 9mm as backup.

jerm09

· #12 · Apr 20, 2009

My own chronograph date parallels Brownie. Here are some results with factory ammo.

M 640 w 2/18 inch barrel.
Speer GD 125 gr 1159 fps

M 60 3inch barrel 1253 fps
Speer GD

M 60 using .38 Spl 125 +P Nyclad Velocity 966 fps.

Taurus M 85 w 2" barrel same load 928 fps
Taurus M 85 with 125 gr Fed Nyclad std 885 fps
S&W M 642 129 gr Fed Hydra Shok 835 fps

I don't have much factory data, as I handload, but I will give a comparison.

M 640 with 2 1/8 inch barrel 125 Sierra 976 fps
M 60 3inch w/ same load 1051 fps
Those are not maximum loads and it may be that the longer barrel would give a wider difference with slow powder at max loads.

I carry Win 145 gr ST in my 640.

Regards,
Jerry

See less See more

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 20, 2009

Thanks to all for the replies. My gun addiction is kicking in. I am going to add a 20 shot 9mm, a 357 magnum with 6 inch barrel and a 1911 .45 to my arsenal next month.

I had briefly considered getting a 12 gauge shotgun for home defense, but decided I can more easily put my hands on a handgun. The more guns I have, the more places I can stash them for quick access if a BG comes calling.

brownie

· #14 · Apr 20, 2009

357 9mm said:
Brownie, do you have a reference to compare my 357 in 2", 4" and 6" barrels?
What do you think of what I read that a JHP round, from a snubbie, does not achieve sufficient velocity to expand inside a BG? If that is correct, I need a different round in my snubbie.
When I go to the range, everyone takes notice when I fire a 357 magnum round. Even the 38 Sp has a decent recoil, but the 357 is much greater.
I will probably get a 357 magnum with a 6 inch barrel. Am I correct in thinking that the 6 inch barrel will reduce recoil? Of course, I will keep my snubbie.
The only problem with wanting to buy a certain ammo with a certain specification is the shortage of availability. I have to buy what is available so I can continue shooting.
My 9mm jams once with each magazine load. My 2 neighbors have the same problem with 380's and with their 1911 .45's from which they shoot 1000s of rounds.
Consequently, I trust a revolver more than an auto.

Sorry I didn't see this post before now, here ya go 357 9mm:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Brownie

Josh8042

· #15 · Apr 20, 2009

brownie said:
Sorry I didn't see this post before now, here ya go 357 9mm:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

Brownie

Thanks for posting that Brownie.

The chart shows consistant 40-50% improvement in velocity when comparing a 2 in barrel to a 6 in barrel.

357 9mm

Discussion Starter · #16 · Apr 21, 2009

Brownie, thanks for the info. The velocity difference in the 2 inch vs the 6 inch 357 magnum is amazing.

uponone

· #17 · Apr 22, 2009

Josh look for a barely used S&W 27-2 6 inch barrel.

istols

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.