2 inch 357's what does your ammo chrono at?

308 · Jul 27, 2009

I'm interested in getting some velocity figures for the j frame 357 magnums.
I've handloaded for 25 years and plan to put some loads together soon for my 65 and 649 but have not had time to do so yet.

Just wanting to know how much velocity you will lose between 4", 3", and 2" barrels in 357.

I would be interested in bullet weights between 125 and 160 grains or there abouts.

Also if you have chronoed results with factory ammo in the short gun post them too.

Thanks: 308

canoe on the yukon · Jul 27, 2009

If the cartridge is loaded to it's full (and safe) potential,it can acheive "nearly" 1400 fps with a 125 gr jhp from a snubby.This will vary from gun to gun,of course.Most of the negative comments about such loads revolve around what a particular shooter finds comfortable to use.I find that to be subjective.What bothers Smith will not neccessarily bother Jones.

Velocity loss from barrel reduction varies.The best anyone can give you are ball park estimates or examples of particular pieces they've tested with the chrono.

Wayne M · Jul 27, 2009

158gr ctc/12.5grs AA#9 give me 1250fps(+/-) in 6." The same load gives me an honest(NOT average) 1150fps in 2 1/2." Of course any 158gr bullet will give the same spread. I even substitute 158gr jhp on rare occasions.

Paul105 · Jul 27, 2009

My format always gets messed up, so I hope this is readable.

1 7/8" S&W 340 or 360 at various times.

Factory Loads:

158 gr LSWHP +P, .38 Rem Fact, 752.5 fps
130 gr FMJRN, .38 Am Eagle, 680
130 gr Hydra-Shok, .357 Fed Fact, 1159 fps
180 gr LWFN, .357 Fed Fact, 905 fps

Handloads:

185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1022.5 fps
158 gr CSWC, 13.5gr H-2400, 1074.5 fps
158 gr JHP - XTP, 13.5gr H-2400, 1009 fps
158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1019 fps
158 gr Rem JHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 945 fps

Yes, the first handload is really a 185gr (not 158gr transposed)

HAND LOADS chronoed in differnt barrel lengths:

Using Blue Dot and 158gr Rem JHPs and 158gr Lead RNFPs

Marlin 18" ,158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1482.5 fps
Marlin 18" ,158 gr RJHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1405.5 fps
Ruger BH 6.5" ,158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1272.5 fps
Ruger BH 6.5" ,158 gr RJHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1225 fps
Ruger SP101 3" ,158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1171
S&W M60 3" ,158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1166
Ruger SP101 3" ,158 gr RJHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1139.5 fps
S&W M60 3" ,158 gr RJHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1129 fps
S&W M360 Ti 1.9" ,158 gr LRNFP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 1019.5 fps
S&W M360 Ti 1.9" ,158 gr RJHP, 9.6gr Blue Dot, 945.5 fps

Using Lil'Gun and 185gr LGNGC from Beartooth Bullets:

Marlin 18" ,185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1713 fps
Ruger BH 6.5" ,185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1388 fps
S&W M60 3" ,185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1174.5 fps
Ruger SP101 3" ,185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1160.5 fps
S&W M360 Ti 1.9" ,185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1022.5

Paul

308 · Jul 27, 2009

Thanks all for your answers, Paul105, that is the kind of info I was looking to get!

It seems as if much over a 1000 is hard to obtain with 158's and heavier weights in the 2 inchers.

185 gr LFNGC, 14.7gr Lil'Gun, 1022.5 fps- I'll bet thats a handful in a j frame ain't it!!!

Lets hear some more: 308

pps · Jul 27, 2009

Buffalo Bore 158gr lswchp-gas checked in 38+p at 999fps.
Speer GDHPSB 135gr in .357 was a little slower than the 38+p buffalo Bore at 925 +/-

Homie · Jul 27, 2009

In a 340, Winchester .357 Mag. 125s went 1179, 4" 19-1403.

Remington' s Medium .357 went 1057, 6"19-1346.

I don't think 1400 would be fun in the 340!!!

Good shooting.

Paul5388 · Jul 28, 2009

Here's some .38 Special data from a comparison of different lots of powder in three barrel lengths in 4 guns. The Rossi is similar to a 6 shot K frame.

Landric · Jul 29, 2009

Different magnum loads from my Ruger SP101 .357 2 1/4":

Speer Gold Dot Factory 125 grain JHP, 1242fps

Federal Classic Factory 125 grain JHP, 1293fps

158 grain XTP, 9.0 grains AA#5, 1011fps

158 grain LSWC, 8.5 grains AA#5, 1006fps

Same loads in a 4" 681-3:

Speer Gold Dot Factory 125 grain JHP, 1392fps

Federal Classic Factory 125 grain JHP, 1428fps

158 grain XTP, 9.0 grains AA#5, 1092fps

158 grain LSWC, 8.5 grains AA#5, 1093fps

fredj338 · Jul 29, 2009

All from a 2 1/4" SP101:
145gr WWSTHP factory - 1170fps
125grXTP factory - 1274fps
135grGDSB factory - 1098fps (1121fps M66 2 1/2")
125gr RemJHP, 9gr Unique - 1233fps
IMO, you would have to push pretty hard to get 125gr @ 1400fps out of a 2" snub.
For slightly larger platform, easier to shoot, more rounds & better ballistics, the P239 in 357sig pushes 125grJHP @ 1300fps+.

2 inch 357's what does your ammo chrono at?

308

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