Lindcott Armory Compare / .357 Magnum vs .38 Special
Cartridge comparison
.357 Magnum vs .38 Special
.357 Magnum is faster (1,650 vs 1,000 fps); .357 Magnum carries more energy (750 vs 310 ft·lb); .38 Special recoils less.
.357 Magnum →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–500 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.38 Special →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .357 Magnum | .38 Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | Revolver |
| Introduced | 1934 | 1898 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.357″ | 0.357″ |
| Case length | 1.29″ | 1.155″ |
| Velocity | 1,180–1,650 fps | 710–1,000 fps |
| Energy | 450–750 ft·lb | 200–310 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 35,000 psi | 17,000 psi |
| Recoil | 12–20 ft·lb | 6–10 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 100 yd | 50 yd |
FAQs
- Is .357 Magnum faster than .38 Special?
- .357 Magnum is faster — up to 1,650 fps versus 1,000 fps.
- Does .357 Magnum hit harder than .38 Special?
- .357 Magnum carries more muzzle energy (750 vs 310 ft·lb).