There have been many threads over the last months that have discussed the "stopping power" -- an ill-defined term -- associated with popular handgun defensive rounds. Further, there has been considerable discussion regarding the relative equality of .357 magnum and .357 Sig rounds. I shoot both; the .357 Sig in a Sig P-226 semiautomatic and the .357 magnum in a S&W 627 "N" frame revolver. Both firearms are terrific and both provide excellent accuracy and reliability.
I am not sure, however, that I agree the stopping power of the two loads is essentially equal (as some have claimed). To investigate, I retrieved the following data from Federal's Internet site:
.357 Magnum in Hydra-Shok or JSP
grains 158
Muzzle Velocity 1240
25 yard Velocity 1160
Muzzle Energy 535
25 yard Energy 475
Barrel length 4
.357 Sig in Hydra-Shok or FMJ
grains 125
Muzzle Velocity 1350
25 yard Velocity 1270
Muzzle Energy 510
25 yard Energy 445
Barrel length 4
Obviously the .357 Sig is slightly (~9 percent) faster, while the .357 magnum provides somewhat (~5 percent) greater energy. Recognizing that accuracy is the overriding variable, I would be interested in opinions concerning whether these ammunition differences are tactically consequential (for example, under what circumstances or scenarios would LEOs prefer one or the other round).
To keep this simple, I ask that you restrict your responses to the .357 Sig versus the .357 magnum round issue only -- not revolvers versus semiautomatics, 6 or 7 rounds versus 10 or more, etc.
Thank you.
[This message has been edited by RWK (edited February 17, 2000).]
I am not sure, however, that I agree the stopping power of the two loads is essentially equal (as some have claimed). To investigate, I retrieved the following data from Federal's Internet site:
.357 Magnum in Hydra-Shok or JSP
grains 158
Muzzle Velocity 1240
25 yard Velocity 1160
Muzzle Energy 535
25 yard Energy 475
Barrel length 4
.357 Sig in Hydra-Shok or FMJ
grains 125
Muzzle Velocity 1350
25 yard Velocity 1270
Muzzle Energy 510
25 yard Energy 445
Barrel length 4
Obviously the .357 Sig is slightly (~9 percent) faster, while the .357 magnum provides somewhat (~5 percent) greater energy. Recognizing that accuracy is the overriding variable, I would be interested in opinions concerning whether these ammunition differences are tactically consequential (for example, under what circumstances or scenarios would LEOs prefer one or the other round).
To keep this simple, I ask that you restrict your responses to the .357 Sig versus the .357 magnum round issue only -- not revolvers versus semiautomatics, 6 or 7 rounds versus 10 or more, etc.
Thank you.
[This message has been edited by RWK (edited February 17, 2000).]