Revolver · SAAMI
.357 Magnum
Powerful revolver cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.357″ · 9.068 mm
- Introduced
- 1934
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .38 Special
- Primary use
- Self Defense, Hunting, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1934
- Type
- Revolver
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Elmer Keith / Smith & Wesson
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 26.2 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18.75
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 35,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Max range
- 2150 yd
- Recoil
- 6.2–8.4 ft·lb
Introduced by Smith & Wesson
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .357 Magnum. Parent case: .38 Special.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.07 | 0.357 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.18 | 0.440 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.52 | 0.060 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 32.77 | 1.290 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 40.39 | 1.590 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .357 Magnum is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
53 reloading powders listed for .357 Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .357 Magnum
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1934 by Elmer Keith, Phil Sharpe, and S&W. Response to increasingly fast cars and body armor during Prohibition. Dirty Harry made .44 Mag famous, but .357 came first.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .357 Magnum use?
- .357 Magnum typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .357 Magnum?
- .357 Magnum uses a 0.357″ (9.068 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .357 Magnum still in production?
- .357 Magnum is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is .357 Magnum used for?
- .357 Magnum is primarily used for self defense, hunting, target.
- What is .357 Magnum based on?
- .357 Magnum is derived from the .38 Special case.
- What are the best powders for .357 Magnum?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .357 Magnum include N310, Vihtavuori N320, Titegroup, N330, among 53 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .357 Magnum archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 270 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
