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About .357 Magnum Ammunition

The .357 Magnum cartridge is the product of a collaboration between Elmer Keith and Smith & Wesson and was introduced in 1935. Initial production of the cartridge was carried out by Smith & Wesson and Winchester. The cartridge has a long and storied history in the world of law enforcement and personal defense. For a considerable portion of the 20th century, a .357 Magnum revolver was a common service weapon utilized by law enforcement officers. Additionally, many shooters have employed the cartridge for competition purposes and defensive uses. The round is also quite popular with hunters of various generations.

Types of .357 Magnum Loadings

• Full Metal Jacket (FMJ):Like the name suggests, these types of loadings feature projectiles which are adorned with metal jacketing. This jacket is generally made of copper and will cover the tip and sides of the projectile. Typically, the base of the projectile is left uncoated. These types of loadings are well-suited for range use and are some of the most common types of ammo one will encounter.
• Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP):JHP loadings feature hollow point projectiles which are adorned with a full metal jacket. These loadings are generally found in the form of defensive ammo offerings and are designed to facilitate reliable expansion upon impact. Additionally, these types of loadings are designed to achieve adequate levels of penetration for defensive purposes while not overpenetrating the target and risking collateral damage. A good hollow point loading is one that achieves an appropriate level of penetration while expanding reliably upon impact within the target.
• Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP):These types of loadings feature jacketing on their projectiles which stops just before the tip of the bullet. These types of semi jacketed soft point loadings stand out from others due to the inclusion of a hollow point projectile. Typically, hollow point projectiles, like those found in SJSP loadings, feature notches which aid in expansion. These types of loadings are well-suited for defensive use.
• Semi Jacketed Soft Point (SJSP):Loadings of this type are often simply called JSP, or jacketed soft point loadings. These types of loadings feature projectiles with jacketing which does not fully cover the entire bullet. Typically, these loadings have flat or round nose projectiles which extend beyond the jacketing of the bullet. These loadings tend to make for good general-purpose ammunition.

Firearms that Use .357 Magnum Ammo

The market has a great deal of firearms available in .357 Magnum. These firearms will generally range from revolvers to lever action rifles. While not nearly as prevalent, semi-automatic pistols have also been available in .357 Magnum. Essentially, you will have no issue finding something chambered in .357 Magnum if that’s what you’re looking for.

.357 Magnum Interchangeability

Firearms chambered in .357 Magnum are capable of shooting .38 Special ammunition. The .357 Magnum cartridge is physically longer than the .38 Special cartridge, preventing it from being loaded into .38 Special chambered firearms. Due to the fact that the .38 Special is shorter than the .357 Magnum, it can fit into cylinders and magazine tubes without any issues. The fact that .357 Magnum chambered firearms such as revolvers and lever action rifles can accept .38 Special means that shooters have access to more affordable ammunition.

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