2 1/2 revolver barrel ballistics, 357 vs 45acp, whats better?

stgdz · February 17th, 2008, 10:20 PM

Been looking at a model 66 and 325PD. Both are 2 1/2" models the 66 is a 357Mag and the 325PD is a 45ACP.

Ballistically the 45 should perform a bit better correct since there is more volume in the barrel compared to the 357 correct?
Most of the powder gets burned outside the barrel with the short barrel 357's correct?

forestranger · February 17th, 2008, 10:33 PM

Don't have a 45 with shorter than 4.25" and haven't chronographed my 2 1/2" model 66 but got these results from 3" model 13:

Win 145 ST-1168fps
Rem 125 GS- 1210
Fed. 130 HS- 1255
CB 110 JHP- 1455(hotter than I wanna shoot in k frame!)

aus71383 · February 18th, 2008, 01:45 AM

I believe the 325 is a significantly larger frame - an N I think. If it was a choice between 8 shots of .357 and 6 shots of .45 ACP, I'd take the 8 shots of .357. But since the comparison is a K frame all steel 6 shot .357 to a large frame alloy 6 shot .45....I'd go for the .45 in that case. You should get fine performance out of either, but you may find yourself wishing for .38+Ps if you get the .357, while with the .45 there's no excuse, not to mention you'll most likely find the recoil more tolerable. JMO

Austin

BikerRN · February 18th, 2008, 03:54 AM

I carry both .357 Magnum and 45 ACP in Revolvers.

If you can handle the .357 Magnum 125 Grain JHP's that is what I would carry and shoot. I shoot 185 Grain +P JHP's out of my 4" barrel 45 ACP. The reason I select the +P is because the 45 ACP, IMHO, is greatly affected when you go to a shorter than standard barrel. Standard in this case is 5".

All guns are affected by barrel legnth, some more so than others. I have found that while the .357 Magnum is affected, it has enough "reserve" energy to still perform well out of a short barrel.

Biker

coffeecup · February 18th, 2008, 07:44 AM

I cant for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to carry a gun that weighs as much as a brick and is not designed to fire the ammo you want to carry in it.

If you want a 357, buy a revolver--if you want a .45ACP, buy an autoloader. Lightweight(read comfortable to carry) models can be had in either caliber.

tns0038 · February 18th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffeecup

I cant for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to carry a gun that weighs as much as a brick and is not designed to fire the ammo you want to carry in it.

If you want a 357, buy a revolver--if you want a .45ACP, buy an autoloader. Lightweight(read comfortable to carry) models can be had in either caliber.

I agree with you.

stgdz · February 18th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffeecup

If you want a 357, buy a revolver--if you want a .45ACP, buy an autoloader. Lightweight(read comfortable to carry) models can be had in either caliber.

Well its for the wife.

-She won't holster carry so its a purse carry and I want to get something larger then a J-frame as she won't get proficient in that as she hates to shoot those.
-She likes the 686 as its a nice heavy gun to shoot. She also loves shooting 158grain 357's out of it, but complained that her hand started to hurt after a box.
-I won't give her a auto loader as she won't get proficient in failure drills, I just want something that will work every time she pulls the trigger limp wrist or not.
-I carry 45's outside of my J-frame.
-I am trying to consolidate my calibers to 45ACP so I figured the 325 would be better as its also 45acp. The 325 is also nice at light at 22ozs. I have no idea how much a model 66 2.5" weighs but I am guessing it is around 26-28ozs.

libertarian5 · February 18th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stgdz

-She likes the 686 as its a nice heavy gun to shoot. She also loves shooting 158grain 357's out of it, but complained that her hand started to hurt after a box.

My wrist gets sore after a box of .357's as well. The beauty of .357 is that you can practice with .38 special and carry the hot stuff for self defense.

MR D · February 18th, 2008, 01:02 PM

the "other" good argument for revolver over semi auto when using an auto rimmed cartridge (i.e. ,45 acp or 9mm) is manual of arms - if you are accustomed to revolvers, also ammo interchangeability or personal physical limitations - cannot rack slide due to arthritis...

same reason why I might buy a .40 S&W hi point carbine to go with my sig ...

senseiturtle · February 18th, 2008, 03:26 PM

If you're going with a .45, get an autoloader. That's what they were originally designed for... an "adapted" version to get as close as possible to the .45 long colt (revolver) in an autoloading form.

Also- .45 might be nice and fat ( .10 inches wider than .357 ), but it's also moving at roughly 60% of the speed of the magnum round. It is that speed which makes the .357 stand out from its size equivalents, the 9mm's.

These two cartridges really are apples/oranges. On the one hand, you're looking for "biggest hole possible", the "fat and slow" approach... vs. the "maximum energy deliverance possible", the "lighter and REALLY fast" approach. I chose the .357 because I view it as "closer to a rifle" in terms of performance and sheer impact. Of course, it has its drawbacks as well.

Of course, always use what's best for you... but yes, it's not uncommon for your hand to hurt after shooting a box of .357, especially in a lighter revolver. When I go to the range, I almost never shoot 50 of them... makes me tired of it really quick.

February 17th, 2008, 10:20 PM	#1
stgdz Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Buffalo, MN Posts: 84	2 1/2 revolver barrel ballistics, 357 vs 45acp, whats better? Been looking at a model 66 and 325PD. Both are 2 1/2" models the 66 is a 357Mag and the 325PD is a 45ACP. Ballistically the 45 should perform a bit better correct since there is more volume in the barrel compared to the 357 correct? Most of the powder gets burned outside the barrel with the short barrel 357's correct?

February 18th, 2008, 03:54 AM	#4
BikerRN Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: State of Discombobulation Posts: 1,927	I carry both .357 Magnum and 45 ACP in Revolvers. If you can handle the .357 Magnum 125 Grain JHP's that is what I would carry and shoot. I shoot 185 Grain +P JHP's out of my 4" barrel 45 ACP. The reason I select the +P is because the 45 ACP, IMHO, is greatly affected when you go to a shorter than standard barrel. Standard in this case is 5". All guns are affected by barrel legnth, some more so than others. I have found that while the .357 Magnum is affected, it has enough "reserve" energy to still perform well out of a short barrel. Biker __________________ "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

February 18th, 2008, 03:26 PM	#10
senseiturtle Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 84	If you're going with a .45, get an autoloader. That's what they were originally designed for... an "adapted" version to get as close as possible to the .45 long colt (revolver) in an autoloading form. Also- .45 might be nice and fat ( .10 inches wider than .357 ), but it's also moving at roughly 60% of the speed of the magnum round. It is that speed which makes the .357 stand out from its size equivalents, the 9mm's. These two cartridges really are apples/oranges. On the one hand, you're looking for "biggest hole possible", the "fat and slow" approach... vs. the "maximum energy deliverance possible", the "lighter and REALLY fast" approach. I chose the .357 because I view it as "closer to a rifle" in terms of performance and sheer impact. Of course, it has its drawbacks as well. Of course, always use what's best for you... but yes, it's not uncommon for your hand to hurt after shooting a box of .357, especially in a lighter revolver. When I go to the range, I almost never shoot 50 of them... makes me tired of it really quick. __________________

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February 17th, 2008, 10:33 PM	#2
forestranger Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 173	Don't have a 45 with shorter than 4.25" and haven't chronographed my 2 1/2" model 66 but got these results from 3" model 13: Win 145 ST-1168fps Rem 125 GS- 1210 Fed. 130 HS- 1255 CB 110 JHP- 1455(hotter than I wanna shoot in k frame!)

February 18th, 2008, 01:45 AM	#3
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,696	I believe the 325 is a significantly larger frame - an N I think. If it was a choice between 8 shots of .357 and 6 shots of .45 ACP, I'd take the 8 shots of .357. But since the comparison is a K frame all steel 6 shot .357 to a large frame alloy 6 shot .45....I'd go for the .45 in that case. You should get fine performance out of either, but you may find yourself wishing for .38+Ps if you get the .357, while with the .45 there's no excuse, not to mention you'll most likely find the recoil more tolerable. JMO Austin

February 18th, 2008, 07:44 AM	#5
coffeecup Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cadiz,Ky Posts: 585	I cant for the life of me figure out why anyone would want to carry a gun that weighs as much as a brick and is not designed to fire the ammo you want to carry in it. If you want a 357, buy a revolver--if you want a .45ACP, buy an autoloader. Lightweight(read comfortable to carry) models can be had in either caliber.

February 18th, 2008, 01:02 PM	#9
MR D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 737	the "other" good argument for revolver over semi auto when using an auto rimmed cartridge (i.e. ,45 acp or 9mm) is manual of arms - if you are accustomed to revolvers, also ammo interchangeability or personal physical limitations - cannot rack slide due to arthritis... same reason why I might buy a .40 S&W hi point carbine to go with my sig ...