.357 Magnum
Revolver cartridge designed by Elmer Keith and Phillip B. Sharpe
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 | ||||||||||||||||
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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)[1] | |||||||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||||||
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Test barrel length: 4 in (102 mm) (vented) and *6 in (buffalo bore) Source(s): Federal,[2] Buffalo Bore, [3] |
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.
References
change- ↑ "SAAMI – Z299.3 – Centerfire Pistol & Revolver – 2015"
- ↑ "Federal Cartridge Co. ballistics page" Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. federalcartridge.com.
- ↑ "Buffalo Bore Heavy 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition page"