Forgive me if this is a silly question, but I'm wondering if there's a brand of .357 magnum ammo that, out of a 3 or 4 inch barrel revolver, approximates the ballistics of the 45 acp out of a 5 inch barrel semi auto. I mean foot-pounds of energy, wound channeling, things like that. Thanks in advance.

I don't know about foot pounds, wound channel, etc., but the 125 grain JHP .357 Magnum (the real one, not these reduced velocity "home defense" type rounds - by that I mean 125 grain JHP at 1,400 fps) has, for all practical purposes, the same stopping power as the Federal 230 grain Hyda-Shok, which has been one of the best performers.

That would be to powerful for me. I asked this because the full powered 357's are too much for most to handle. And the lower powered loads are basically 9mm +p's. I'm looking for a happy medium, both in terms of recoil and ballistics.

Try something in 44 special. Milder recoil than 357 full house loads. Plus makes a hole that starts with "4"

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Dyin ain't much of a livin

i like the 145 grain winchester silvertips. they aren't as hot as the 1400 fps 125 grain loads but still pack quite a punch.

just checked ballistics 101. looks like they are closer to 45+p.

Try looking at the Buffalo Bore web site. They offer 3 different 38 +P "Heavy" loads that are basically 38/44 loadings with muzzle energies ranging from 300 - 440 ft.lbs. Note, I would NOT trust these in a +P rated 38 spl. revolver but they should be fine in a 357 Magnum and offer power levels in the range you are looking for. If you are looking for a purely defensive round the 20/20A with the 158 gn. hollow cavity semi wadcutter in soft lead at 1000 fps. should do nicely. Following is a link to the web page.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...duct_list&c=22

more of less just about any 357 will be able to do what the 45 can do and then some.. you would only have to worry when u get into snubbys

if your realy curious though look for a guy called brass fetcher on youtube he has high speed camera footage of bullets going into ballistics gell

Here's a great way to burn up some time:
The Box O' Truth - The Box O' Truth

check on the ballistics on mild-moderate 41 mag & 44 special as well.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

I'd prefer using an L frame revolver rather then an N frame, so 357 magnum makes sense to me.

The 125 gr. loads don't have much recoil. I saw in another post that you will be using an L frame. That's what I have and my 125 gr. reloads are a piece of cake to shoot out of the L frame. They're LOUD but not much recoil at all and very accurate, too.

Factory ammo for the 45 can have energys from 245 to 534 ft/lbs..............
Factory ammo for the .357 can go from 199 to 600ft/lbs.......
(834 with the longer barrels)

Recoil depends on what weight bullet and the velosity you deceide on.

.41 mag, best of both, big slugg, fast moving with lots of ME..

If you don't like the 'hot' 357 loads, try the 357 Remington Golden Sabers. Noticeably milder recoil but excellent documented wound performance.

.41 mag doesn't come in any L frame model, and it's not economical either.

This is the only "Factory" low recoil SD load that I know of that has a 125gr bullet at 1220fps and 413 ft/lbs of energy.

I have really small hands, so an L frame would be the most ergonomic. Also, 45's and 41's are expensive to practice with.

Below are some numbers for Speer Gold Dot self defense ammo and it looks like the .357 Magnum develops and delivers more energy than the .45 Auto. Then again, the hole the .45 Auto makes is very big and counts for something. Which is better, I don't know. I do like both but I normally carry a J frame in .38 Special. There is some very good ammo out there and I used all Speer to try and keep things level.

If I had to choose between the .357 Magnum and the .45 Auto I would choose a 158gr .357 Magnum...

Speer 125gr Gold Dot HP .357 Magnum
Velocity - 1450 fps
Energy - 583 ft/lbs
Momentum - 25 ?

Speer 158gr Gold Dot HP .357 Magnum
Velocity - 1235 fps
Energy - 535 ft/lbs
Momentum - 27 ?

Speer 230gr Gold Dot HP .45 Auto
Velocity - 890 fps
Energy - 404 ft/lbs
Momentum - 29 ?

Speer 200gr Gold Dot HP .45 Auto +P
Velocity - 1080 fps
Energy - 517 ft/lbs
Momentum - 30 ?

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I carry the Speer 230gr Gold Dot HP .45 Auto in my S&W 4506, and in no way would I feel "undergunned" going against a .357 magnum revolver...Unless the distances were long, and the revolver had a long barrel.

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Dann Fassnacht
Hoquiam, WA

Although I don't shop at cheaperthandirt.com, I do use their ammunition section to compare bullet ballistics when shopping for a bullet of a particular speed/grain for my application. If you look at some of the various loads, they give the numbers at the bottom of the bullet descriptions. You'll find that, even with the same grain weight and bullet style, not all 357's are created equal. There are definitely some "vanilla" loads for 357 available from all major manufacturers.

OP.. what are you most likly to have to defent your self from, animal or human?

Defense from humans.

Apples and oranges. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. It's more about shot placement than caliber. Personally I carry Hornaday .38 +P Personal Defense in my .38/.357 caliber revolvers when I'm not out in the woods. For me it's not the recoil of the .357 as much as it is the muzzle flash and potential over penetration in a personal defense situation. As far as hand size goes, the round butted Nframes aren't that much bigger than a round butt K/Lframe, and the Nframe in a proper holster conceals about as easily.

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Even older, even crankier....

TNOUTDOORS9 Guns & Ammo Reviews - YouTube watch some of this guys stuff Brass Fetcher - YouTube

his as well will give u some ideas..

OP, I have a taurus 445 (no taurus bashing folks) that is the size of a k frame smith. It's a 5 shot 44 special and it is my favorite carry piece. I have two k frame smiths and an n frame but the taurus is perfect. P I can hear the gasps from the non-believers but it is so. I've out 300 rds thru it so far (some very hot ones) including 300 grain hardcast LFN's with 5 grains of unique. So don't limit herself to only 357. There are A LOT of options. I have 3 other carry guns in 357 but they are heavier and harder to control. My girlfriend who is very recoil sensitive even likes the 44. Just some food for thought

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Dyin ain't much of a livin

I'm not talking about concealed carry; more like a home defense or duty sized gun. Sorry if I gave that impression.