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.357 Magnum vs .38 Special: Maker-Page Loads and SAAMI Specs Side by Side

By Cole Harlan, EditorUpdated Nov 4, 2026How we verifyEditorial standards

This page puts .357 Magnum and .38 Special side by side using only our own ammo guides, .357 Magnum ammo (35 loads) and .38 Special ammo (37 loads), plus the cartridge specs SAAMI publishes in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022. The guides copy bullet weights, velocities, energies and test barrels from maker product pages (checked Nov. 4, 2026). We don't rate or rank cartridges, and we don't subtract one maker's velocity from another's, because their test barrels differ.

How to read this page: every number is copied from a maker page or from SAAMI, and a test barrel length sits next to every velocity. A dash (—) means the maker has no load in our tables for that cartridge. Fire only the cartridge your firearm's maker says it is chambered for.

SAAMI specs side by side

These are the figures in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022, the centerfire pistol and revolver standard (approved Dec. 13, 2022). Pressures are maximum average pressure by transducer. The same figures appear in our .357 Magnum and .38 Special guides.

Measure	.357 Magnum	.38 Special
SAAMI name	357 MAGNUM [357 MAG]	38 SPECIAL (38 SPL) / 38 SPECIAL +P (38 SPL +P)
Drawing issued / revised	05/29/1979 / 07/06/2021	05/29/1979 / 07/08/2021
Maximum average pressure (transducer)	35,000 psi	17,000 psi
Maximum average pressure, +P (transducer)	SAAMI lists no +P cartridge for it in this standard	20,000 psi
Cartridge overall length	1.405 in min to 1.590 in max	1.275 in min to 1.550 in max
Case length	1.290 in (−.020)	1.155 in (−.020)
Bullet diameter	.3580 in (−.0030) jacketed; .3590 in (−.0030) lead	.3580 in (−.0030) jacketed; .3590 in (−.0030) lead
Bore / groove diameter	.346 in / .355 in	.346 in / .355 in
SAAMI velocity test barrel	10.000 in solid or 4.000 in vented	4.000 in vented or 7.710 in solid

Load ranges by maker and test barrel

Each line groups one maker's loads that share a test barrel, so a velocity is only ever shown with the barrel it was measured in. Ranges are bullet weight and muzzle velocity as the maker page prints them. Do not read across makers: their barrels and bullets differ.

Maker	.357 Magnum loads in our table	.38 Special loads in our table
Federal	4 in test barrel: 1 load, 154 gr, 1,340 fps 4 in vented test barrel: 5 loads, 125 to 180 gr, 1,080 to 1,440 fps 6 in vented test barrel: 4 loads, 140 to 180 gr, 1,130 to 1,410 fps test barrel not listed: 1 load, 170 gr, 1,610 fps	4 in vented test barrel: 4 loads, 130 to 158 gr, 690 to 890 fps test barrel not listed: 1 load, 100 gr, 960 fps 4 in vented test barrel, +P: 3 loads, 120 to 130 gr, 900 to 1,000 fps
Speer	2 in vented test barrel: 1 load, 135 gr, 990 fps 4 in vented test barrel: 2 loads, 125 to 158 gr, 1,235 to 1,450 fps	test barrel not listed: 1 load, 125 gr, 865 fps 2 in vented test barrel, +P: 1 load, 135 gr, 860 fps 4 in vented test barrel, +P: 2 loads, 158 gr, 900 fps
Remington	test barrel not listed: 11 loads, 110 to 180 gr, 1,090 to 1,450 fps	test barrel not listed: 8 loads, 110 to 158 gr, 710 to 950 fps test barrel not listed, +P: 7 loads, 110 to 158 gr, 890 to 995 fps
CCI	test barrel not listed: 3 loads, 158 gr, 1,150 to 1,250 fps	test barrel not listed: 2 loads, 125 to 158 gr, 755 to 865 fps 4 in vented test barrel, +P: 1 load, 125 gr, 970 fps test barrel not listed, +P: 2 loads, 125 to 158 gr, 850 to 945 fps
Hornady	5 in test barrel: 1 load, 180 gr, 1,050 fps 8 in vented test barrel: 6 loads, 125 to 158 gr, 1,250 to 1,500 fps	4 in test barrel: 1 load, 90 gr, 1,200 fps 4 in vented test barrel: 3 loads, 110 to 158 gr, 800 to 1,010 fps 4 in vented test barrel, +P: 1 load, 110 gr, 1,090 fps

Same maker, same line, both cartridges

Where one maker sells the same product line in both cartridges, the loads are listed here side by side exactly as the maker pages print them. We match lines by the maker's own product-line page (Hornady by load name). Compare only within a row, and check the test barrel in each cell.

Maker line	.357 Magnum	.38 Special
Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok	357 Magnum: 158 gr Hydra-Shok Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,240 fps, 539 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item P357HS1	38 Special +P: 129 gr Hydra-Shok Jacketed Hollow Point, 950 fps, 258 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item P38HS1
Federal Train + Protect	357 Magnum: 125 gr Versatile Hollow Point, 1,440 fps, 575 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item TP357VHP1	38 Special: 158 gr Versatile Hollow Point, 830 fps, 242 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item TP38VHP1
Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection	357 Magnum: 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point Short Barrel, 990 fps, 294 ft-lb, 2 in vented test barrel, item 23917GD	38 Special +P: 135 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point Short Barrel, 860 fps, 222 ft-lb, 2 in vented test barrel, item 23921GD
Remington Golden Saber Defense	357 Magnum: 125 gr Brass Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,220 fps, 413 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 27600	38 Special +P: 125 gr Brass Jacketed Hollow Point, 975 fps, 264 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 27606
Remington High Terminal Performance	357 Magnum: 180 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,145 fps, 524 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22239 357 Magnum: 158 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,235 fps, 535 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22231 357 Magnum: 158 gr Jacketed Soft Point, 1,235 fps, 535 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22233 357 Magnum: 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,295 fps, 410 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22237 357 Magnum: 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,450 fps, 584 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22227	38 Special +P: 158 gr Lead Hollow Point, 890 fps, 278 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22297 38 Special +P: 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 945 fps, 248 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22303 38 Special: 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 950 fps, 220 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22293 38 Special +P: 110 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 995 fps, 242 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22295
Hornady American Gunner	357 Magnum: 125 gr XTP® American Gunner®, 1,500 fps, 624 ft-lb, 8 in vented test barrel, item 90504	38 Special: 125 gr XTP® American Gunner®, 900 fps, 225 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item 90324
Hornady Critical Defense	357 Magnum: 125 gr FTX® Critical Defense®, 1,500 fps, 624 ft-lb, 8 in vented test barrel, item 90500	38 Special: 110 gr FTX® Critical Defense®, 1,010 fps, 249 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item 90310 38 Special +P: 110 gr FTX® Critical Defense®, 1,090 fps, 290 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item 90311
Hornady Custom	357 Magnum: 158 gr XTP®, 1,250 fps, 548 ft-lb, 8 in vented test barrel, item 90562	38 Special: 158 gr XTP®, 800 fps, 225 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item 90362
Federal American Eagle Handgun	357 Magnum: 158 gr Jacketed Soft Point, 1,240 fps, 539 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item AE357A	38 Special: 158 gr Lead Round Nose, 770 fps, 208 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item AE38B 38 Special: 130 gr Full Metal Jacket, 890 fps, 229 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item AE38K
Remington Performance WheelGun	357 Magnum: 158 gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter, 1,235 fps, 535 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22223	38 Special: 148 gr Target Master Wad Cutter, 710 fps, 166 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22267 38 Special: 158 gr Lead Round Nose, 755 fps, 200 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22281 38 Special: 158 gr Lead Semi-Wadcutter, 755 fps, 200 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 22271
Remington UMC Handgun	357 Magnum: 125 gr Jacketed Soft Point, 1,450 fps, 584 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23738 357 Magnum: 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,450 fps, 584 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item R23970	38 Special: 158 gr Lead Round Nose, 755 fps, 200 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23724 38 Special: 130 gr Full Metal Jacket, 800 fps, 185 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23730 38 Special: 130 gr Full Metal Jacket, 800 fps, 185 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23731 38 Special: 130 gr Full Metal Jacket, 890 fps, 229 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23669 38 Special +P: 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 945 fps, 248 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23754 38 Special +P: 125 gr Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point, 945 fps, 248 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 23771
CCI Blazer Aluminum	357 Magnum: 158 gr Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,150 fps, 464 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 3542	38 Special: 158 gr Lead Round Nose, 755 fps, 200 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 3522 38 Special +P: 158 gr Full Metal Jacket, 850 fps, 253 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 3519 38 Special +P: 125 gr Jacketed Hollow Point, 945 fps, 248 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 3514
CCI Blazer Brass	357 Magnum: 158 gr Full Metal Jacket Flat Nose, 1,250 fps, 548 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 5337	38 Special: 125 gr Full Metal Jacket, 865 fps, 208 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 5204
CCI Blazer Brass HP	357 Magnum: 158 gr Jacketed Hollow Point, 1,150 fps, 464 ft-lb, test barrel not listed, item 5207	38 Special +P: 125 gr Jacketed Hollow Point, 970 fps, 261 ft-lb, 4 in vented test barrel, item 5338

What the sources say when you choose

These are points taken from the figures above, each with the page it rests on. They are not recommendations or scores.

If pressure rating is your question: SAAMI lists a maximum average pressure of 35,000 psi for .357 Magnum and 17,000 psi for .38 Special (transducer). It also lists .38 Special +P at 20,000 psi. Source: SAAMI Z299.3-2022.
If bullet weight is your question: the .357 Magnum loads in our table run from 110 gr (Remington High Terminal Performance 22237) to 180 gr (Remington High Terminal Performance 22239). The .38 Special loads run from 90 gr (Hornady Critical Defense Lite 90300) to 158 gr (Federal Train + Protect TP38VHP1). Sources: those maker pages.
If you want to see the printed velocities: the slowest and fastest .357 Magnum muzzle velocities in our table are 990 fps, 2 in vented test barrel (Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection 23917GD) and 1,610 fps, test barrel not listed (Federal HammerDown Handgun LG3571). For .38 Special they are 690 fps, 4 in vented test barrel (Federal Gold Medal Handgun GM38A) and 1,200 fps, 4 in test barrel (Hornady Critical Defense Lite 90300). These come from different barrels and bullets, so we show them side by side without a difference. Sources: those maker pages.
If you are comparing against a box or a chronograph: SAAMI's velocity test barrel is 10.000 in solid or 4.000 in vented for .357 Magnum and 4.000 in vented or 7.710 in solid for .38 Special, and maker pages often list a different barrel or none, as the table above shows. A shorter barrel than the one a maker lists will likely give lower velocities than the box. Source: SAAMI Z299.3-2022 and the maker pages linked above.
If chamber fit is your question: SAAMI publishes a separate cartridge drawing for each, with case length 1.290 in (−.020) for .357 Magnum and 1.155 in (−.020) for .38 Special, and bullet diameter .3580 in (−.0030) jacketed; .3590 in (−.0030) lead and .3580 in (−.0030) jacketed; .3590 in (−.0030) lead. Check the cartridge named in your firearm's manual or marked on its barrel. Source: SAAMI Z299.3-2022.
If +P matters to you: SAAMI lists .38 Special +P (20,000 psi) as separate cartridges with their own pressure limits. Our .38 Special table includes +P loads such as Federal Personal Defense Hydra-Shok P38HS1. Fire +P only in a firearm its maker says is rated for it. Sources: SAAMI Z299.3-2022 and the maker pages linked.

Not yet verified

Winchester and SIG Sauer loads are not in either guide's table (see the "Not yet verified" section of each guide).
Prices, recoil, accuracy and hands-on results are not in our data, so this page says nothing about them.

See the full tables in our .357 Magnum ammo guide and .38 Special ammo guide, the new ammo of 2026, all ammo releases and all comparisons.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SAAMI maximum pressure for .357 Magnum and .38 Special?

SAAMI lists 35,000 psi for .357 Magnum and 17,000 psi for .38 Special, both measured by transducer, in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022.

Do .357 Magnum and .38 Special use the same bullet diameter?

SAAMI lists .3580 in (−.0030) jacketed; .3590 in (−.0030) lead for .357 Magnum and .3580 in (−.0030) jacketed; .3590 in (−.0030) lead for .38 Special in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-2022.

Which test barrel do the makers list?

It varies by maker and load. SAAMI's velocity test barrel is 10.000 in solid or 4.000 in vented for .357 Magnum and 4.000 in vented or 7.710 in solid for .38 Special. Our tables show the barrel each maker page lists next to every velocity, and some pages list none.

Which is better, .357 Magnum or .38 Special?

We don't rate or rank cartridges. This page copies maker-page figures and SAAMI specs side by side, and it does not cover price, recoil or hands-on results.

Where do these numbers come from?

From our own ammo guides (.357 Magnum ammo and .38 Special ammo), which copy maker product pages, and from SAAMI Z299.3-2022.

SAAMI specs side by side

Load ranges by maker and test barrel

Same maker, same line, both cartridges

What the sources say when you choose

Not yet verified

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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