The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - For a .357Mag to reach full potential

Mello2u · October 10, 2012, 05:55 PM

If you look at the graph on the link:
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html

If you average the energies of all of the loads (excluding that low Blue line) at 2", it is just under 300 ft-lbf. Then compare that to the average at 4" which is just over 600 ft-lbf. So you get a bit more than a 100% increase for going with a 4" compared to a 2".

When you compare the 4" to the 6" barrel it shows an energy of just under 800 ft-lbf, you get an increase of about 30%.

When you compare the 6" to the 8" energy figure of about 900 ft-lbf; you have an increase of about 12.5%.

Guess this is why many people "settle" for a 4" or 5" barrel as "good enough".

October 10, 2012, 05:55 PM	#7
Mello2u Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2009 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,424	If you look at the graph on the link: http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/calibers.html If you average the energies of all of the loads (excluding that low Blue line) at 2", it is just under 300 ft-lbf. Then compare that to the average at 4" which is just over 600 ft-lbf. So you get a bit more than a 100% increase for going with a 4" compared to a 2". When you compare the 4" to the 6" barrel it shows an energy of just under 800 ft-lbf, you get an increase of about 30%. When you compare the 6" to the 8" energy figure of about 900 ft-lbf; you have an increase of about 12.5%. Guess this is why many people "settle" for a 4" or 5" barrel as "good enough". __________________ NRA Life Member - Orange Gunsite Member - NRA Certified Pistol Instructor "When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that justifies it." Frederic Bastiat