bullet power question

beantole

May 23, 2003 02:50

When comparing the cartridge size (length) of the .38 special with the .357 magnum it seems to me that the .357 magnum may have maybe 50% more powder than the .38 special. Why then is a typical .38 special
rated at 250 foot pounds and the .357 magnum at a much, much larger 550 foot pounds? Does anyone know why? Thanks.

Bruce

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  gunnut505

  May 23, 2003 04:55

  It's that old formula at work again! Goes something like; velocity squared times bullet weight times a constant gives energy. Or else that's the formula for remembering the combination to the safe.
  
  If you know it all; you must have been listening.WEAR EAR PROTECTION!

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  Iroquois Scout

  May 23, 2003 05:31

  Energy=Velocity (in feet per second)squared X The weight of the bullet grains. All divided by 450,240.

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  beantole

  May 23, 2003 08:47

  Thank you for the equations but it still does not explain why the .357 magnum has about 50% more powder than a .38 special cartridge but more than 2X the power of a .38 special. Does anyone know?
  
  Bruce

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  Ballistic

  May 23, 2003 09:06

  It is really that important to know? The only thing that it will make a difference to is the one that it gets shot by.

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  gruntled

  May 23, 2003 11:12

  Kenetic energy increases by the square of the velosity increase. So small increases in velosity equal large increases in Kenetic energy.
  I am inclined to believe that momentum is badly overlooked & in that case the increase is only linear so your observation would be more correct.

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  nmyers

  May 23, 2003 11:28

  It's not that difficult.
  
  The .38 spec was originally developed at a time when powder was relatively bulky, so a large volume case was needed to hold the powder. With modern powder you could actually cut a .38 spec case in half, & still get in enough powder for an effective round.
  
  The .357 case COULD have been made the same size, but the designers wisely made it a little too large to prevent anyone from accidentally trying to load it into a .38 spec revolver.
  
  Some target shooters will hold a .38/.357 revolver pointed upward at first, then lower it to the target, in order to get a consistent distribution of powder for each shot.
  
  Neal

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  buckdeer

  May 23, 2003 11:40

  a lot of the problem stems from the ammo companies downloading 38 specials because of all the older guns chambered in that caliber. the 357 mag. being much newer and therefore the guns so chambered newer they are loaded much hotter

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  beantole

  May 23, 2003 12:35

  Well, thank you all for some interesting answers and theories. I guess I will just be happy that the .357 magnum is powerful if (God forbid)
  I ever have to use it for self-defense.
  
  Bruce

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  richbug

  May 23, 2003 19:28

  The question is simple, the .357 is capable of handleing 3 times the pressure of the 38 special, more pressure generally equals the ability to make more velocity which equals more energy with equivalent bullets......
  
  Why does everyone feel the need to burn that much powder?

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  rldowns3

  May 23, 2003 19:54

  I guess it depends on what types of powder is used for the tests and the exact grain load of powder and weight of the slug, and yea you could probably chop a significant portion of the .38spl case down and still get the same powder load but, why not just buy a 9mm. I suppose you could load the .38 up to about the same power as a .357, there is enough case volume for it but I wouldn't suggest shooting it out of a .38spl revolver LOL.
  
  
  So, who's your favorite big screen cowboy?

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