I have an opinion that 357 ammo is designed for revolver and should hit whatever velocity peak before 12 inches. The real answer would be someone here with good chronograph experience, the ammo and time could sort this out with much more than an opinion. Perhaps someone can point to a print or online exam of the question with chrono evidence. This forum likely has the right person(s) for the data and study.

 

I have an opinion that 357 ammo is designed for revolver and should hit whatever velocity peak before 12 inches.

Something to consider is the cylinder gap of the revolver and the pressure loss through it vs the sealed breech of the Marlin rifle which will put all of the generated energy behind the projectile.

 

Lucky,

some reloading manuals have data for both pistol and rifle. Maybe checking out some online info by Hodgdon might help you out.

I have .45 Colt calibers in pistols (Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter) and a Marlin Limited in 16.25" and Cowboy in 20".

Without having some actual data in from of me, I know that your POWDER selections help determine velocity peaks within certain barrel lengths.

You may be correct in that the 16+ inchers just might supply you alittle more 'Umph', especially if you use some good slow burning powders like H110, 2400, AA9 and LilGun.

I'll be interesting in seeing what someone post here that actually has some good data with the .357 on these various barrel lengths.


..........Widder

 

Widowmaker...forgot to mention in my original post; All of my hunting ammo is with factory loads (Winchester 158 gr JSP) or similar by other brands....I am not reloading right now. Even my practice ammo (38 special 158 gr SWC) is factory. Some years ago I got a great deal on bulk factory ammo and I'll be using that supply for awhile yet.

 

I thought the 1894c's had 18" barrels...?

18.5" actually. The only 20" 1894 in 357 was the octagon Cowboy. Marlin has also done 357 Mag 1894s in 24" and 16". But the C has always been a 18.5".

I've got my best results in 357 rifles using slower burning powders like 2400 & H110 out of a 24" barrel.

 

A website which may be helpful: BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: Home

 

You're right Willy...mine is the basic 1894c so it should be 18.5", I guess I was thinking about my 336 when I wrote 20"! I think that ballistic chart will help me decide what I should do, thanks ddc.

 

My concern about bobbing one back to 16" is some overzealous gun cop won't measure the barrel back to the bolt like you're supposed to and say it's a SBR.

 

That is probably why every 16"-ish gun barrel I've ever seen is cut to 16.1" or 16 1/4" or 16+fudge factor". Just in case our friendly ATF agent has a short ruler...

 

Good point Willy...in looking at the chart, it looks like it wouldn't effect the velocity, but the expense of the modification compared to only the 2" i would be removing doesn't make worth while to me. Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

some of the things we do in our modifications aren't really 'wise' if we look at it from a money vs. performance aspect.

some of us, especially ME, do it for cosmetic purposes.....because we just want to.

Kinda like buying a Ruger MKIII .22 pistol and sending it off to Volquartsen just to have another barrel put on it.....because it looks good.....


..........Widder

 

Based on the data from BBTI I can safely say the the 357 magnum in most commercial loads reaches maximum velocity at about 16" to 17" so cutting the barrel down to 16 1/4" will not cost you anything in muzzle velocity. You will have to shorten the magazine so you'll give up at least one round of magazine capacity. You may have to get a different barrel band too.

 

Yes. Interesting that the max velocity for all rounds but for one was at 16". So I guess all a longer barrel gives you is more sight radius?

 

Im with widow....my CS at 18.5" is ok, but my '81 vintage 1894 .44 seems slightly long. Im mulling a barrel chop to 16.5" just for the handy factor....and cause it looks cool. I figure whatever velocity i may lose by cutting 3.5" is more than made up for by that gained by the cartridge in a 16.5" barrel (vice any handgun-length barrel).