Eye Opening In-Sight - J Frame & 357 Mag

[Cal44]

One of the things that makes this whole subject confusing (and interesting as well) is that a few high end 38 Special +P rounds exhibit greater muzzle energy and velocity than do low end 357 Magnum rounds.

For example, Buffalo Bore has several 38+P rounds that are hotter than the 357 short barrel Gold Dot round I mentioned in a previous post.

And Physics is Physics. If the same weight bullet is shot from the same weight gun at the same velocity you will get the same recoil from a 38 Special as from a 357 Magnum.

 

[michpatriot]

Exactly

One of the things that makes this whole subject confusing (and interesting as well) is that a few high end 38 Special +P rounds exhibit greater muzzle energy and velocity as low end 357 Magnum rounds.

For example, Buffalo Bore has several 38+P rounds that are hotter than the 357 short barrel Gold Dot round I mentioned in a previous post.

And Physics is Physics. If the same weight bullet is shot from the same weight gun at the same velocity you will get the same recoil from a 38 Special as from a 357 Magnum.

This is the absolute truth, and all this discussion that seems to be a common thing when Scandium 357 snubs are brought up boils down to what the individual carrying and shooting is comfortable with.

 

[kthom]

The only thing I'd add to the last two posts is that felt or subjective recoil can feel better or worse if the grips on the small frame do not fit your hands well. The material that the grips are made from can and does make a difference. Physics is still and always is Physics. Same exact bullets in the same exact weight guns with the same length barrel will have very very close to the same recoil.

We are all different, so we have differening opinions about recoil. However, shooting the same +P or Mag rounds in one of the very lightweight revolvers will likely result in a high percentage of the shooters saying, if they are honest, that the recoil is not pleasant regardless. Physics is still Physics!

 

[WFR]

You think the 640 was bad with magnum loads, try shooting them in a 340Pd.

If you can't find one to shoot, just smack your trigger finger with a ball peen hammer.

I'll never forget when those came out and I was give the opportunity to shoot one.
Range instructor handed it to me with 2 rounds of .357 in it.
I handed it back to him with one loaded .357 still in it.
Take an aluminium baseball bat and swing it at the front of nearest passing high-speed train.
I'm not recoil sensitive but that was just downright obnoxious!

 

[dr. mordo]

The LGS owner has a 340 and let me fondle it - beautiful gun, but no thanks. I was amazed how light it is, and shooting anything more than .22 would be unpleasant.

 

[silentflyer]

.357's in a J frame? Yes you could do it.
No thanks for me, won't stick my hand in a hornets nest either.

 

[Chukar60]

I have a 60-10. It is tolerable and fairly manageable for me shooting 357. The mini 686 is the absolute minimum that I would consider shooting 357 out of. Lightweight or 2" J frames would not tempt me the least.

Whenever these discussions come up I am reminded of the sell off of 329 PD's after their introduction. Who would have ever thought a Scandium frame 44 mag could produce such unpleasant recoil?

 

[rwsmith]

I have a model...

I have a model 36 and a model 38. Heavy loads start to hurt on the 36 after a short while and standard loads hurt in the 38. I put a Hogue grip on the mod 38 that improved things a LOT. And these were only .38 special loads. I know I would have to put some big soft grips on a .357 J frame.

 

[ofnsaz]

When I use Pachmayr Compac Grips on my Model 60, it is a 357. When I use standard wood grips, it is a 38+p. I tried some of the tiny wood grips once. Then it was a 38 only, and not much fun then.

 

[jay72]

I have a 640pro with Crimson Trace LG-350 on it. It makes shooting even full house .357 not bad at all. The only thing is when shooting .357 is the cylinder release rubs on the upper part of my thumb so during cleaning I have to clean a little blood off of the cylinder release.

 

[American1776]

I found my 60-10 with Hogue wood to be quite shootable with magnums, surprisingly so. Shorter barrels, I see no point in using magnum loads.

Denis

I have the same experience with my stainless 649 in .357.

158 grain magnums, while stout and requiring more concentration, do not hurt me. I prefer the 158 gr. magnums because the 125 gr. have much too much muzzle blast.

 

[old tanker]

...158 grain magnums, while stout and requiring more concentration, do not hurt me. I prefer the 158 gr. magnums because the 125 gr. have much too much muzzle blast.

My sentiments exactly! I also find the heavier bullets do not generate as much muzzle flip. I ascribe this to "snappier" recoil velocity of the 125 grainers.

 

[American1776]

Very little terminal ballistic gain by using the .357 magnum loads out of the short 2" barrel anyway. They are uncomfortable to shoot, for sure.

I think from a 2 inch barrel, with *factory loads* (not boutique stuff), a 38+p will not do even close to 1000 ft/s. More like 850 at max. The .357 magnum will almost always do 1,100-1,200 ft/s.

that's a huge ballistic difference.

 

[OttoLoader]

Hornady critical defense 357 mag was advertised as about 1200 ft/s and 400 ft-lb from a 2 1/8 j frame. Also low flash. I may use it in winter or rural areas. Otherwise I use 38 +p.

 

[Joe4d]

One of the things that makes this whole subject confusing (and interesting as well) is that a few high end 38 Special +P rounds exhibit greater muzzle energy and velocity than do low end 357 Magnum rounds.

For example, Buffalo Bore has several 38+P rounds that are hotter than the 357 short barrel Gold Dot round I mentioned in a previous post.

And Physics is Physics. If the same weight bullet is shot from the same weight gun at the same velocity you will get the same recoil from a 38 Special as from a 357 Magnum.

Not exactly. You are leaving out the burn rate of powder, Slower burning powders can create alot more recoil while generating no additional velocity. (from short barrels)
Just look at real world chrono results comparing 357 magnum loads fired from a snubby, compared to a compact 9mm shooting 124 ish grain ammo. Most loads tend to be mid 1100's in bogth platform,, but big big difference in recoil.
Same weight, same velocity,, whats the difference ? Muzzle blast due to 357's generally using larger volumes of slow powder.
From a ballistics to recoil standpoint, 357 in a short barrel doesnt make alot of sense.

 

[michpatriot]

Get a spare

I have a 640pro with Crimson Trace LG-350 on it. It makes shooting even full house .357 not bad at all. The only thing is when shooting .357 is the cylinder release rubs on the upper part of my thumb so during cleaning I have to clean a little blood off of the cylinder release.

You could pick up another cylinder release.. And knock the edge off of it, buff the corners and put up the original for later when you want it back to stock..

 

[Mike@NDS]

Watch this video.


.38 vs. .357 MAGNUM IN SNUB NOSE REVOLVERS. - YouTube

 

[cjwils]

I have a 360PD, which is harsh to shoot with magnum loads. I got it to carry while backpacking because of its light weight. I do carry magnum loads in it while backpacking, but hopefully will never really need it against a bear, cougar, or a bad guy while out in the woods.