Is 357 Magnum good for beginners?
Daniel Martin
Updated on July 30, 2026
45 Colt is the round of tradition with the cowboy guns, but . 357 Magnum is better for beginners. . 357 Magnum can also fire .
What is a 357 Magnum good for?
The . 357 Magnum is renowned as an accurate cartridge. So much so it is popular with silhouette shooters who reach out to 100 yards, or more, to knock down small steel targets. It is more than accurate enough for close-quarters battle and hunting at reasonable ranges.
Is a 357 Magnum worth it?
Time and data have also unquestionably revealed that when compared to these auto-pistol cartridges, the . 357 Magnum does a better job at stopping bad guys. Depending on which study you give credence to, its considered to be somewhere between 5 percent and 15 percent more effective.
Is a 357 more powerful than a 9mm?
The 357 Magnum round loaded with a 125-grain projectile reaches almost 1,500 feet per second and strikes targets with 585 foot-pounds of energy. Needless to say, ballistically, it outperforms the 9mm. The 357 Magnum also has no problems reaching the FBI standards and even exceeding them.
Can a 357 stop a bear?
357 Magnum or other similar-caliber load, a well-placed shot with a good bullet will certainly kill a bear, but it's not recommended. Wayne Bosowicz carried a Colt Python . 357 Magnum revolver for years as his bear gun.
43 related questions foundWhat has more recoil 38 or 357?
The ballistics numbers simply don't lie, 357 Magnum loads are high velocity and will have considerably more recoil than a 38 Special.
What has more recoil 44 or 357?
The . 44 Magnum has higher recoil action than the . 357 due to the heavier cartridge weight and the increased diameter of the barrel. Factors such as hand strength and stance also can affect the recoil.
What handgun is used by Navy SEALs?
For now, the M9 continues to be the primary sidearm for U.S. uniformed personnel worldwide and the P226 continues to be the primary handgun of the SEALs. Why do Navy Seals use a Sig P226? The simple answer is the weapon has proven itself in service for more than 30 years.
Is 357 worth it in a snub nose?
The heavy bull barrels common to that class of pistol helps get back on target faster and tame muzzle flip, and the larger grips make for an easier impact on the hand. A snub . 357 is going to kick. Not only will this make full-house loads unpleasant to shoot, follow-up shots will take far longer than with a .
What is the most powerful handgun?
The Smith & Wesson Model 500 has held its rank as the world's most powerful handgun since it was first introduced in 2003.
Is .357 still popular?
In 2034 it will be 100 years since this powerful and reliable caliber of bullet was introduced. Key point: These guns are known for their capabilities and their stopping power.
What is the best all around handgun caliber?
The . 357 Magnum, 10mm and . 357 Sig rounds are better fits, as all three are capable (and proven) in both roles.
What does Magnum mean in guns?
A magnum cartridge is a firearm cartridge with a larger case size than, or derived from, a similar cartridge of the same projectile (bullet) caliber and case shoulder shape. The term derives from the .357 Magnum, the original cartridge with this designation.
Is 357 Magnum a big round?
357 Mag is a much smaller diameter bullet than its . 44 Mag counterpart. While the case and overall length are similar, the . 44 Mag is much wider and voluminous cartridge that can hold more powder and withstand a higher amount of pressure when the powder is ignited.
What model was Dirty Harry's gun?
In the 1971 movie Dirty Harry, actor Clint Eastwood introduced the world to the double-action Smith & Wesson Model 29 . 44-cal. Magnum revolver—"the most powerful handgun in the world." It was a crown S&W wore proudly, albeit briefly.
How powerful is the 357 Magnum?
Full power . 357 Magnum loads push a 125-grain bullet to 1,450 f.p.s. from a 4-inch barrel. This is the case with Remington, SIG Sauer, Speer and Winchester ammo. Federal's 125-grain loads show a published speed of 1,440 f.p.s. Hornady offers two 125-grain loads, one with an XTP bullet and the other with a FTX bullet.
How many bullets does a 357 Magnum hold?
357 Magnum has a magazine capacity of nine rounds. It has also become popular as a "dual use" cartridge in short, light rifles like the American Old West lever-actions. In a rifle, the bullet will exit the barrel at about 1,800 feet per second (550 m/s), making it far more versatile than the .
Is .38 and .357 the same?
But here's the deal: Because the two rounds are loaded with bullets that are the same diameters, but the 357 Magnum merely has a longer case and more powder, the 38 Special cartridge can be safely fired in guns marked 357 Magnum, but not vice-versa.
Are 9mm and 357 the same?
357, . 380 auto and 9mm ammunition are all the same caliber. (Caliber is the size of the projectile, or bullet.) The different names are for marketing reasons or because of where the cartridge was developed.
Do all 357 revolvers shoot 38?
No; . 357 Magnum was specifically designed so it cannot be fired from handguns chambered in . 38 Special, but you can shoot . 38 Special in a gun chambered in .
What bullets can you use in a 357 Magnum?
357 Magnum can safely and readily shoot the following rounds: . 38 Short Colt, . 38 Long Colt, . 38 Special, .
Is 9mm or 38 Special more powerful?
Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.
Will a 357 go through an engine block?
The Magnum 357 was designed to “bust an engine block”. Although it is heavier than modern engines, anything that will penetrate this one shouldn't have any problems with an aluminum block that is modern.