.357 Carbine Velocities

[flop-shank]

6" SS: Avg. 1552.8 fps., 989 fpe.

That's right, folks; almost a half ton of muzzly energetics from the old Ruger!

That's very impressive. I was using a jacketed bullet, but that's hot on the heels of the muzzle energy I got with my 5" .44 magnum.

38-44, when I threw the numbers in an online muzzle energy calculator I got 1002 fpe.

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
GENERALLY I find a carbine will give ABOUT 300 fps more than a revolver with the same load.
You must realise a FAST burning powder will not gain as much and Slow burning pistol powders will gain More in a longer barrel = longer POSSIBLE burn time. But longer barrels can also produce more FRICTION and actually SLOW the bullet with the Fast buning powder loads.
Unique is a good average powder. 231 on the fast side. 2400 on the slow end. 296 and H110 will really give a good boost in velocity.

 

[stiab]

You must realise a FAST burning powder will not gain as much and Slow burning pistol powders will gain More in a longer barrel = longer POSSIBLE burn time.

Missionary hit the nail on the head when it comes to this subject. It is best not to generalize, as the specifics vary greatly by load. I have not done the .357 carbine test, but I did the .45acp with 9 versions of factory ammo and one reload comparing a 4" M625 with a Marlin Camp carbine.

The carbine average increases were +60, +80, +80, +122, +139, +166, +191, +194, +222, and +251. If anybody is interested in which loads were which, email me and I'll let you know.

 

[n4zov]

You might find some interesting information about the effect of barrel length on velocity here:

Ballistics by the inch

 

[Faulkner]

Looks like it may become more difficult to get .357 lever carbines with first Winchester and now Marlin going out of production.

 

[jlanecole]

Marlin hasn't said they are going out of production that I know of. They are closing their facility in North Haven, but I'm guessing Remington will just produce them at another factory.

 

[38-44HD45]

That's very impressive. I was using a jacketed bullet, but that's hot on the heels of the muzzle energy I got with my 5" .44 magnum.

38-44, when I threw the numbers in an online muzzle energy calculator I got 1002 fpe.

OOPs! That's because my finger stuttered. The correct velocity is 1542.8, not 1552.8. Sorry! Thanks, Flop.

 

[Faulkner]

Marlin hasn't said they are going out of production that I know of. They are closing their facility in North Haven, but I'm guessing Remington will just produce them at another factory.

Well, I may have to try on one of those new Marlington lever guns when they come off the line.

 

[Erich]

those new Marlington lever guns

Most amusing, Faulkner; I'll have to borrow that.

 

[jlanecole]

Definitely a good one, although I guess they've technically all been 'Marlingtons' since the buyout in 2007. I have two, an 1894 and an 1895. They seem fine to me.