load ? Was this term coined specifically for the .357 magnum ? Im just curious. Thx

Sir, not every cartridge is loaded to maximum power. The .357 in particular is available in a number of reduced loadings, say 1,200 fps rather than 1,400+. In this instance, the 1,400+ load would be "full house" or "full power," while the 1,200 fps load would not.

Exactly what the term was coined for I don't know, but it seems to be used most often in reference to magnum cartridges.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

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Wishin' don't make it so.

THx for that clarification.

I hope I explain this correctly. Back in the day "Proof House" used to test gun actions with very hot loads called "Proof" loads. (usually twice the safe pressure for factory ammo) Today the manufacturers do all that in-house. A very hot load was called a "Proof House" load or a "Full Proof House" load. Over time the term was shortened to a "Full House" load. (I think I got that right but if not I'm sure I'll be corrected shortly) That term is used for a lot of full pressure loads but mostly for Magnum loads for some reason.

I think the The Birmingham Proof House in England was established in 1813 and is still doing the same work now.

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SWCA #3437

The previous posts are probably right about where the name came from.

But I use the term all the time for loads in my guns that are magnum guns that I have handloaded with 296/H110 powder. When I use this powder it is for one reason and that is magum power. It is louder, kicks more, and shoots a bigger muzzle flash than a standard pistol powder like Unique or Titegroup. It produces more velocity and hits harder too. I load it up until accuary drops off or I start to get pressure signs because it is not a safe powder to download with. I have let some of my friends that are die hard 1911 guys shoot my 627 that has 4 cream puffs and 4 full house loads in it so they can see what they are missing. Everyone of them comes away smiling and tells me they would like to get a revolver because of the ability to shoot such varied loads.

fire a 158gr jsp load (like Federal American Eagle) and then follow it with a 125gr jsp load (like Remington UMC) or a 125gr jhp (like Hornady XTP) and compare muzzle blast, audible report, and concussive force (stand o the side while someone fires off a few) and you will understand the term 'fullhouse'

The term is also very commonly applied to customizing guns. One that is Full House has all the bells and whistles. From the original post I did not get the impression the term was used in a way specific to ballistics.
Keith

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Keith Herrington

The house the bullet lives in (the casing) is full (with a compressed charge of slow burning powder).

The term "full house" means complete. As commonly used it DOES NOT refer to proof loads. It designates full performance standard loadings. As Ron H. pointed out there are many "less than full performance" loadings both in factory loads and handloads. There are valid reasons for not trying to drive a given bullet as fast as posssible within pressure limits......but since such loads are very common in magnum handgun cartridges it was natural that a designator for full obtainable performance loads would arise.

"Full house" was a phrase coined by poker players on the old frontier. They would load their sixshooters with heavy loads when heading out for a night of drinkin' and gamblin'. They referred to these heavy loads as "full house", in hopes that if a gunfight were to erupt, they'd beat out "three of a kind", "flush" and "two pair" loads that were also popular in those days. Of course, the king of the hill was the "royal flush" load, but lawyers have made that one virtually impossible to find any more.

I don't know the origin of the term but I, and a few others that I hang out with, use it to describe a factory load that's more powerful relative to other loads. In my mind, Remington UMC 125gr. magnums are definitely "full house."