What kind of drop is there in velocity/energy when you fire a .357 round from a 2"-3" barrel? It's my understanding that the .357 was designed for 4"-6" barrels and has a slower burning powder and needs the longer tube to get up to its intended velocity. True? Is there any place on the web where I can see some ballistics tables of .357 from short barrels?
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.357 rounds from a short tube?
- Thread starter martin6
- Start date
Ben Shepherd
New member
357 was originally designed around an 8" barrel.
The general guideline is 50fps per inch of barrel, one way or the other.
However the velocity difference will vary widely depending on the powder type and bullet weight used.
The general guideline is 50fps per inch of barrel, one way or the other.
However the velocity difference will vary widely depending on the powder type and bullet weight used.
Last edited:
velocity drop
In general, the 6" will beat the four inche by a considerable margin using magnum type loads. In mine, the 125 grain Gold Dot wil do 1530s from a 6" GP100; 1440s from the 4". The real drop off comes when you go down to the 2.25" gp 100 which gets 1240 +- a few feet per second.
.38 special loads loose only minor velocity between the 6- 4" but the short SP drops off significantly.
In general, the 6" will beat the four inche by a considerable margin using magnum type loads. In mine, the 125 grain Gold Dot wil do 1530s from a 6" GP100; 1440s from the 4". The real drop off comes when you go down to the 2.25" gp 100 which gets 1240 +- a few feet per second.
.38 special loads loose only minor velocity between the 6- 4" but the short SP drops off significantly.
Eric Larsen
New member
Energy drops accordingly also, ...a 600 FPE magnum load from a 5" barrel will drop to around 400 FPE from a 2 1/2".....THATS ALOT!
Its pretty much the same as an average JHP 9mm from a 4" barrel.
Just for comparison.
Shoot well
Its pretty much the same as an average JHP 9mm from a 4" barrel.
Just for comparison.
Shoot well
I get all my magnum revolvers with six inch or longer barrels. I only use non-magnum chamberings for shorter barrels.
Too little gain for all the flash and blast of magnums in the shorter barrels. Just as soon use heavy, slow cast SWC bullets from the 2.5", 3", and 4" tubes.
Perhaps the .44 Bulldog is the best choice for snubs? Big, heavy, slow bullet....
Too little gain for all the flash and blast of magnums in the shorter barrels. Just as soon use heavy, slow cast SWC bullets from the 2.5", 3", and 4" tubes.
Perhaps the .44 Bulldog is the best choice for snubs? Big, heavy, slow bullet....