.357 revolver barrel length

Outriderdark · 03-05-2006, 09:43 PM

How much does barrel length effect the velocity and stopping power of a .357 magnum?
Is there some sort of website that has some tables or something showing the difference?
I'm having a disagreement with a buddy who says the difference is negligable unless you're hunting at long range.
Any info?

Mooseman684 · 03-06-2006, 01:04 AM

Fact is a shorter barrel will Not develop the Muzzle velocity that a longer Barrel will...But at 10 to 30 feet the bullet is just as deadly,maybe more so due to the slower speed with less tendancy to penetrate but to release energy in the target Body,hence MORE Shock to internal organs which causes more death than just Bleeding ! The difference in a 2 inch Barrel versus a 6 inch barrel velocity wise is 200 to 350 fps faster with a 6 inch and Muzzle Flash is less than with a 2 inch ! Hope this Helps.
Rich

Bull Barrel · 03-06-2006, 06:01 AM

I've shot a 2" .357 and there is a lot of flash--even in the daylight--for self defense the 2" would be fine. My 6" Ruger Security Six .357 was a real sweetheart too shoot, but too large to conceal easily.

Outriderdark · 03-06-2006, 06:03 AM

Thats what I thought. Thanks!

BattleRifleG3 · 03-06-2006, 12:25 PM

With barrels that short, each inch of site radius makes a big difference in accurate aiming. An important factor in my opinion. From the armchair, I've considered 4-6" to be a good length for defense use, and 6-10" for sporting use.

fred · 03-07-2006, 06:26 AM

The Speer Reloading Manual 12th Ed. has a nice table on p. 444 for muzzle vel measured with a variety of firearms at different bbl lengths. 2.5-2.75" snubbies average ~1200 fps for 125 grain load they tested while 4" bbl averaged ~1364 fps and 6" averaged~1433. As expected there is substantial variation from gun to gun of the same barrel length (tightness of the cylinder gap being one variable that comes to mind).

Roy Collins · 03-07-2006, 12:29 PM

4" is good all around size for most applications (carry-Sport). Of course concealment size down or sport/hunting size up.

mark8252 · 03-20-2006, 09:22 PM

I have a SW 686 with a 8 3/8 inch barrel.
It is the most accurate handgun I own.
Also one of the most fun to shoot. Beats up those pop cans pretty far away.
I hope someone answers your question. I just like to shootem.
I think the velocity of any of the 357's is gonna make the bad guy quite dead at home defense distances. More dead is likely not gonna matter much.

03-05-2006, 09:43 PM	#1
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	.357 revolver barrel length How much does barrel length effect the velocity and stopping power of a .357 magnum? Is there some sort of website that has some tables or something showing the difference? I'm having a disagreement with a buddy who says the difference is negligable unless you're hunting at long range. Any info? __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

03-06-2006, 01:04 AM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,693 Images: 2	Fact is a shorter barrel will Not develop the Muzzle velocity that a longer Barrel will...But at 10 to 30 feet the bullet is just as deadly,maybe more so due to the slower speed with less tendancy to penetrate but to release energy in the target Body,hence MORE Shock to internal organs which causes more death than just Bleeding ! The difference in a 2 inch Barrel versus a 6 inch barrel velocity wise is 200 to 350 fps faster with a 6 inch and Muzzle Flash is less than with a 2 inch ! Hope this Helps. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-06-2006, 06:01 AM	#3
Bull Barrel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia Posts: 239	I've shot a 2" .357 and there is a lot of flash--even in the daylight--for self defense the 2" would be fine. My 6" Ruger Security Six .357 was a real sweetheart too shoot, but too large to conceal easily. __________________ Beautiful Noisy Deadly Machines--What's Not to Like? :assult:

03-06-2006, 06:03 AM	#4
Outriderdark Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 1,125	Thats what I thought. Thanks! __________________ "Would it make you feel better, little girl, if they was thrown outta windows?"-Archie Bunker

03-06-2006, 12:25 PM	#5
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	With barrels that short, each inch of site radius makes a big difference in accurate aiming. An important factor in my opinion. From the armchair, I've considered 4-6" to be a good length for defense use, and 6-10" for sporting use. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-07-2006, 06:26 AM	#6
fred Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NC, USA Posts: 184	The Speer Reloading Manual 12th Ed. has a nice table on p. 444 for muzzle vel measured with a variety of firearms at different bbl lengths. 2.5-2.75" snubbies average ~1200 fps for 125 grain load they tested while 4" bbl averaged ~1364 fps and 6" averaged~1433. As expected there is substantial variation from gun to gun of the same barrel length (tightness of the cylinder gap being one variable that comes to mind).

03-07-2006, 12:29 PM	#7
Roy Collins Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Louisville Kentucky. Posts: 316	4" is good all around size for most applications (carry-Sport). Of course concealment size down or sport/hunting size up.

03-20-2006, 09:22 PM	#8
mark8252 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 180	Perfectly Good Question I have a SW 686 with a 8 3/8 inch barrel. It is the most accurate handgun I own. Also one of the most fun to shoot. Beats up those pop cans pretty far away. I hope someone answers your question. I just like to shootem. I think the velocity of any of the 357's is gonna make the bad guy quite dead at home defense distances. More dead is likely not gonna matter much.