How did S&W put more oomph in the .357

[bushmaster1313]

My understanding is that the .357 case was only 1/8th inch longer than the .38 Special but with twice the velocity.

How did S&W (Remington) get such an increase in energy into what was basically the same case?

 

[m1gunner]

Lots more pressure.

 

[thearborbarber]

My understanding is that the .357 case was only 1/8th inch longer than the .38 Special but with twice the velocity.

How did S&W (Remington) get such an increase in energy into what was basically the same case?

There is also a huge boost in chamber pressure to drive the bullet out faster.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Lots more pressure.

How did they get more energy into the case to get the increase in pressure?

 

[lebomm]

Larger amount of a more powerful powder.

 

[8Ring]

The maximum pressure for a .38 spl round is around 17,000 psi. The maximum pressure for a .357 mag round is now 35,000 psi and it was probably somewhat higher up to a few years ago.

The longer .357 case would naturally hold a bit more powder than the .38 case, but the primary reason for the longer case was to prevent the .357 from being fired in older .38spl. revolvers that could not withstand the higher pressures.

Chris

 

[thearborbarber]

Also the case head on the 357 will be thicker.

 

[KEN L]

Actually, the case is 1/10" longer. The same load can be loaded in a .38 spl case and fired in a .357. The idea was to keep people from trying to load the hotter stuff in a weaker gun. Oh, by the way, they did the same with the .44's too!

 

[Snowbandit]

The same load can be loaded in a .38 spl case and fired in a .357.

This is not true. The .357 load in a shorter case could increase pressures to unacceptable levels. Good reason to not shoot someone else's reloads.

 

[CTSixshot]

Even though the case of the .357 Magnum is only marginally longer, you have to realize that the case capacity is used much more fully than with the 38 Special case.
Most 38 loads only fill the case about 15-30%. With a bulky powder like Trail Boss, you may fill the case more, but let's say you are using Clays or 231 with a light HBWC load...you can charge the case almost 7 times with a recommended load before it overflows. Because of this small charge volume relative to case volume with the 38 Special, it can be a dangerous caliber to reload. Double charge the 38 Special (you'll have to look hard to see the powder in the case even with twice the listed amount) and you are loading this cartridge to dangerous pressure levels.
The 357 Magnum is designed to use more of the case capacity, hence much higher pressures etc, and any double charge is usually very evident as the case overflows with powder.
Unless you actually reload these calibers, you'll not have these observations before you.