38 Spcl vs 357 Mag

[Mr. Glock]

To give you some real world chrono data out of the same gun on the same day (remember, energy is exponential with speed):

6" Barrel:
Remington 130 gr 38 Spl Metal Case: 841 fps
Speer Gold Dot 125 gr 357M: 1259 fps

4" Barrel
Remington 130 gr 38 Spl Metal Case: 833 fps
Speer Gold Dot 125 gr 357M: 1162 fps

If you want to know why I like (and pay extra for) Buffalo Bore Ammo:
Buffalo Bore 158 gr 357M: 6": 1559 4" 1523


Another Day:

6" Barrel:
Speer Gold Dot 135gr 38 Spl +P: 1018

2.75" Barrel:
Speer Gold Dot 135gr 38 Spl +P: 953


And, again Buffalo Bore, this time a 158 gr LSWC 38 Spl Heavy +P
6"= 1154
2.75"= 1033

The Speer Gold Dot 357 Magnum 158gr was 1029 out of the same 2.75" gun on the same day, while the previously mentioned Buffalo Bore 158 gr 357 Magnum (which is a Gold Dot bullet) was 1309 in the 2.75"

[OhioPaints]

Sure, a .38 special can show great expansion, looks great in magazine advertising, but it won't penetrate deep enough. That's where the.357 shines, it can penetrate AND expand.

According to the FBI Quantico study on Wounding Ballistics, penetration is a critical issue. You can't incapacitate a bad guy with shallow penetration, no matter how pretty the bullet expands.

Ken

I understand and agree with everything you said EXCEPT for that.

There are several factors that determine penetration and velocity is only one of them. Cross-sectional density is another and is very critical. That's why for a given caliber the heavier rounds, even if they have less kinetic energy, tend to be the better penetrators. I agree that some of the old 110-gr HP loads in .38 Special might very well not make it. But the modern 125-gr and heavier loads are no slouches. The heavier the better.

And yes, I carry .357 Magnum, in 158-gr JHP flavor, but usually only in the summer. For winter carry I still like the trusty old .45 ACP.

Morne,

That's my point: if a bullet expands 1) it takes energy to deform the metal and 2) an expanded bullet has more drag and slows down more quickly. Both of those reduce penetration.

IMO, Only when you have plenty of penetration should you be willing to trade energy for expansion.

Ken