357 Maximum American Derringer

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Boberama

New member
I noticed American Derringer has silly models in 30-30, 45-70, and 357 Maximum.

Any idea of how these would perform from such a short barrel?
I'm surprised American Derringer hasn't chrono'd them.



-Boberama (album's out Monday)
 
Any idea of how these would perform from such a short barrel?
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Deafeningly. Seriously: at close range, the performance of those cartridges in a Derringer would be irrelevant: they'd get the job done, and deafness alone would rout the enemy, (and I imagine the recoil might be snappy, too.)
 
I have own a 357 magnum derringer and have shot a 45/70 derringer recently.

The 357 with 110 grain bullets. It felt about like 158 grains from my J-frame so it was not that bad.

The 45/70 was in an entire new league of hand gun recoil for me.
 
I'm not surprized

Boberama said:
357 Maximum American Derringer
I noticed American Derringer has silly models in 30-30, 45-70, and 357 Maximum.

Any idea of how these would perform from such a short barrel?
I'm surprised American Derringer hasn't chrono'd them.
Click to expand...
Any velocity would be sorely disappointed, I think.

Velocity out of a gun with a given breech to muzzle dimension would be greater the more of that dimension were devoted to barrel than to cartridge (to a point).

A gun with 3" breech to muzzle with a 1.5" cartridge, most of which is filled with air vs a similar gun with 3" breech to muzzle with a .5" cartridge? 1.5" barrel vs 2.5" barrel? Big difference.

As long as the cartridge does not get so short as to limit the amount of the powder you could use, shorter cartridge will give you greater velocity. GIVEN A CONSTANT breech to muzzle dimension constraint.

I suspect a 380 ACP or 9mm would a give .357 maximum a run for its money if fired from a gun that measured 3" breech to muzzle. At 2", I am pretty sure there would be no contest. .357 Max cartridge case alone is 1.605"

Lost Sheep
 
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They haven't chornographed them because it would put off sales for people to know how poorly they perform, despite the loud noise and muzzle flash.

Dave
 
I had an American Derringer in .357. I did shoot hot .38's in it, but no way would I shoot .357's. It was very hard to hold on to.:eek: It was stolen from my truck.:mad:
 
I can remember once, bout 15 years ago, guy had one in 45-70, and was at
our silhouette range in New Braunfels, Tx. Anyway, this guy came up to me
and couple of my buddies and asked if we would like to shoot it. He had alot
of cuts and scrapes on his face, and we asked him what had happened. He
told us the derringer kicked so hard, it was comin outta his hand and hitting
him in the face! :D We all looked at each other, and started laughing! I told
him that I didnt think I wanted to shoot it, but thanks very much! My buds
and I walked off and had a good laugh. I couldnt believe the idiot would keep
shooting it when it was doing so much damage to his face!
 
I tried some calculations and also compared the cartridges to other cartridges used in derringers.


I'm thinking the .45-70 would reach 1000-1100 ft/s with a 300-gr bullet.

The .30-30 might reach 1400-1500 ft/s with a 170-gr bullet.

Both from 4" barrel length minus C.O.L.



Just wild guesses, but I compared the figures to other large cartridges fired from short barrels. Rough estimates.
 
357max_sbh.jpg


The tall round is a 357 Max next to a 357 Magnum. Even the Mag out of a derringer would not be fun. Full power loads out of my SBH here kick pretty nicely. I cannot even begin to think what they would be like out of derringer.

357max_casehead.jpg
 
The 45/70 was in an entire new league of hand gun recoil for me.
Click to expand...

At least you fired it. I love my Ruger No.1 in 45-70 but I'm not so sure I'd be keen on shooting a derringer 45-70.

Any idea of how these would perform from such a short barrel?
I'm surprised American Derringer hasn't chrono'd them.
Click to expand...

I'd guess because the velocity is likely very low.
 
A 30-30, 45-70, or 357 Maximum fired from a Derringer would be wicked!!!
One thing for sure, if fired in low light no flash-bang would be needed!!!
 
I had a guy with a .357 Derringer next to me at the range one time. Even with double hearing protection, it felt like someone slapping me in the side of the head every time he shot, and with only regular protection it was way over what I am comfortable with. To me they are virtually useless for any kind of real world situation.
 
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