Centurian77
Member
Looking for muzzle velocity for Federal 158gr JHP .357 Magnum out of a 2 1/8" barrel, even more specifically out of a Model 60 .357 magnum.
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Needle Muzzle velocity for .357 out of a 2 1/8"
- Thread starter Centurian77
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handgunner356
Member
Every gun is differant but I would expect 1100-1150fps out of a 2.125".
Dennis The B
US Veteran
As a rule...
...of thumb, you can subtract 50fps, for each inch of barrel shorter than six inches. Most commercial ammunition muzzle velocity is determined using a six-inch barrel.
Thus, your 2.125" barrel revolver will lose about 200fps.
YMMV.
...of thumb, you can subtract 50fps, for each inch of barrel shorter than six inches. Most commercial ammunition muzzle velocity is determined using a six-inch barrel.
Thus, your 2.125" barrel revolver will lose about 200fps.
YMMV.
I've chronoed that ammo in my Ruger SP101 with 2 1/2" barrel about a dozen years ago. I have to go check my log book but I know it was only slightly above 1,000 fps. I know Remington 158gr JHP was a little faster and it was still under 1,100 fps.
I'll check my log book later and will confirm.
I'll check my log book later and will confirm.
pogo2
Member
Try the Buffalo Bore website
The Buffalo Bore Ammunition website publishes lots of test data on the muzzle velocities of their various ammunition from specific models of guns. It is enlightening to scroll through the data shown to get a feeling for how velocity varies with barrel length. For example, on the page for the company's low flash .357 ammo designed for shorter barrels they show the following:
Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
The Buffalo Bore Ammunition website publishes lots of test data on the muzzle velocities of their various ammunition from specific models of guns. It is enlightening to scroll through the data shown to get a feeling for how velocity varies with barrel length. For example, on the page for the company's low flash .357 ammo designed for shorter barrels they show the following:
Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
Alk8944
US Veteran
From my 640-1 the lot of Federal 158 gr. Hydra-Shock I chronographed went 1117.
Every gun is a law unto itself. I would expect yours to go somewhere in the range of 1050 to 1125, you will never know until you chronograph it.
OP
Centurian77
Member
I did chronograph it and only got 970 avg FPS, Federal 158gr .357 mag JHP.
Okay, I just checked and here is what my log book has in it:
Federal 158gr JHP - Avg 1,012 fps (10 shots)
Remington 158gr SJHP - Avg 1,052 fps (10 shots)
This was with my Ruger SP101 with 2 1/4" barrel back in summer of 2001. On the same day I had these other factory 357 Magnum results with the same revolver:
Remington 158gr SWC Lead - Avg 982 fps (5 shots)
Federal 125gr JHP - Avg 1,217 fps (10 shots)
Reminton 125gr SJHP - Avg 1,221 fps (10 shots)
Winchester 145gr Silvertip - Avg 1,129 fps (5 shots)
Winchester WWB 110gr JHP - Avg 1,093 fps (10 shots)
Winchester 38 Special+P 158gr LSWC-HP - 822 fps (10 shots)
Corbon 38 Special+P 110gr JHP - 1,152 fps (5 shots)
I'm not surprised.
You loose a lot of speed when shot out of short barrel.
Also, a different revolver but same model as yours may give as much as 80+ fps more. Every gun is different.
xcop
Member
chrono
Many times when shooting cartridges with a lot of blast the first screen is tripped by the blast and not the bullet. This will give a lower reading. I find when this happens to me I step back another 5 feet and usually the readings go back up towards what was expected. The 357 has a lot of blast and in the short barrel a lot of unburned powder exiting the barrel. Try 5 feet further back.
Many times when shooting cartridges with a lot of blast the first screen is tripped by the blast and not the bullet. This will give a lower reading. I find when this happens to me I step back another 5 feet and usually the readings go back up towards what was expected. The 357 has a lot of blast and in the short barrel a lot of unburned powder exiting the barrel. Try 5 feet further back.
FWIW all my chrono data is recored at 15-16 feet from the muzzle. Due to the range design I can't put it any closer than that. I know most chrono data is recored 10 feet from muzzle but I don't think the extra 5 feet makes much difference.
Texas Star
US Veteran
I think small frame .357's are best used in three-inch barrels. The velocity difference is worth the modest added bulk. One also has a longer stroke of the extractor rod, to help kick out empty brass.
And the 140-145 grain bullets are probably the best compromise between velocity and penetration. Published tests usually show them travelling at about 1200FPS from three-inch barrels.
T-Star
And the 140-145 grain bullets are probably the best compromise between velocity and penetration. Published tests usually show them travelling at about 1200FPS from three-inch barrels.
T-Star
