.357 Magnum
Also called: 357 Mag, three-fifty-seven
A strong revolver cartridge for protection and short-range hunting, and one that also fires milder .38 Special rounds.
- Type
- Handgun
- Bullet diameter
- .357 in
- Case length
- 1.29 in
- Overall length
- 1.59 in
- Typical bullet weights
- 125 to 180 grains
- Typical muzzle velocity
- About 1,150 to 1,450 fps
- Recoil
- Moderate recoil
- Quarry
- Backup & defense, Deer, hogs & pronghorn
- Typical range
- Defensive use at close range; some hunters take deer at short range where handgun hunting is legal
- Availability
- Very common
Safety: A .357 Magnum revolver can fire .38 Special, but a .38 Special revolver can never fire .357 Magnum. Never put .357 Magnum ammunition in a revolver not marked for it.
What it is good for
- Backup protection against animals and people.
- Short-range handgun hunting of deer and hogs where legal.
- Practice with milder .38 Special ammunition.
Where it falls short
- Recoil and muzzle blast are noticeable, especially in light revolvers.
- It lacks the power of a .44 Magnum for large animals.
- Handgun range is short, and shooting skill matters.
Easily confused with
- 9mm Luger: nearly the same bullet width, but a semi-automatic cartridge with much less power.
- .44 Magnum: a larger revolver cartridge with a wider bullet and more power.
Field notes
Introduced in 1935, the .357 Magnum was made to give revolvers a big power boost. Because it can also use .38 Special rounds, it is easy to practice with.
Related guides
Numbers are typical factory-load figures, not guarantees. Use only ammunition that matches the cartridge stamped on your firearm and is made by a reputable manufacturer, and follow the manual. Legal game cartridges, minimum calibers, and non-toxic shot rules differ by state and area. Check your state's current regulations; our state resources directory links to each state's official rules. Not sure which rifle to buy? Try our hunting rifle wizard.