.357 Magnum

The .357 Magnum cartridge is a pistol cartridge. It has a high stopping power and enough penetration power to shoot through many kinds of body armor. It was based on the .38 Special. Revolvers that shoot the .357 Magnum can also shoot the .38 Special.

.357 Magnum
.357 Magnum ammunition
Type	Handgun / Carbine
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Elmer Keith, Phillip B. Sharpe
Designed	1934
Produced	1935–present
Specifications
Parent case	.38 Special
Case type	Rimmed (R), straight
Bullet diameter	.357 in (9.1 mm)
Neck diameter	.379 in (9.6 mm)
Base diameter	.379 in (9.6 mm)
Rim diameter	.440 in (11.2 mm)
Rim thickness	.060 in (1.5 mm)
Case length	1.29 in (33 mm)
Overall length	1.59 in (40 mm)
Case capacity	26.2 gr H2O (1.70 cm3)
Primer type	Small Pistol Magnum
Maximum pressure	45,000 CUP, 35,000 psi (piezo)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy 125 gr (8 g) JHP Federal 1,450 ft/s (440 m/s) 583 ft⋅lbf (790 J) 158 gr (10 g) JHP Federal 1,240 ft/s (380 m/s) 539 ft⋅lbf (731 J) 125 gr (8 g) JHC Buffalo Bore* 1,700 ft/s (520 m/s) 802 ft⋅lbf (1,087 J)
Test barrel length: 4 in (102 mm) (vented) and *6 in (buffalo bore) Source(s): Federal, Buffalo Bore,

It was first made to stop criminals wearing body armor and hiding in cars. It was the fastest handgun cartridge made until the .44 Magnum.

It is popular for hunting and self-defense. Most guns that shoot the .357 Magnum are revolvers or lever-action rifles, but there are also some semi-automatic pistols that can shoot .357 Magnums, such as the Desert Eagle.