I took the info at ballisticsbytheinch.com and condensed it into a pure muzzle energy comparison (forget terminal ballistics for now). Data is average by caliber except in the case of 9mm which is divided into 9mm and 9mm +P).
Below is my analysis.
1. Note .357 MAG curve is much different than the others. Anyone know why? Different Powder ?(slower burning, shouldn’t 45 acp exhibit a similar curve?) These were not shot from a revolver so the cylinder gap theory is no good.
2. .357 SIG and 10mm curves on top of each other.
3. 45 ACP, 40 SW and 9mm +P curves all on top of each other.
4. Apparently .357 mag and 9mm at 2” are exactly the same . . . I was kind of surprised by that.
5. 380 ACP is sad and alone at the bottom.
6. .357 SIG is not 9mm +P.
.357 SIG @ 3.5” barrel = 9mm @ 6” barrel. SUCK IT, NAYSAYERS!
7. Things really start flattening out between 11-15 in of barrel length. I want an SBR .357 sig carbine right now!!!!!!
So this is just a comparison of muzzle energies. It’s very difficult to translate that comparison into terminal ballistics since terminal ballistics relies heavily on shape of bullet and expansion and all that crap.
These 2 things, muzzle energy and terminal ballistics should be addressed separately when choosing SD ammo. I.E. I’m not shooting ball ammo with very high muzzle energy for SD. Nor would I choose a JHP with low muzzle energy. There is a balance back and forth here that gets super expensive to test/verify.
Conclusion:
1. .357 sig is not 9mm +P.
Stop saying that.
2. Apparently .357 sig = 10mm
3. 45 ACP vs 40 SW vs 9mm +P caliber wars is a waste of time. Just choose one if you’re too wussy to choose 10mm or .357 sig.
Below is my analysis.
1. Note .357 MAG curve is much different than the others. Anyone know why? Different Powder ?(slower burning, shouldn’t 45 acp exhibit a similar curve?) These were not shot from a revolver so the cylinder gap theory is no good.
2. .357 SIG and 10mm curves on top of each other.
3. 45 ACP, 40 SW and 9mm +P curves all on top of each other.
4. Apparently .357 mag and 9mm at 2” are exactly the same . . . I was kind of surprised by that.
5. 380 ACP is sad and alone at the bottom.
6. .357 SIG is not 9mm +P.
.357 SIG @ 3.5” barrel = 9mm @ 6” barrel. SUCK IT, NAYSAYERS!
7. Things really start flattening out between 11-15 in of barrel length. I want an SBR .357 sig carbine right now!!!!!!
So this is just a comparison of muzzle energies. It’s very difficult to translate that comparison into terminal ballistics since terminal ballistics relies heavily on shape of bullet and expansion and all that crap.
These 2 things, muzzle energy and terminal ballistics should be addressed separately when choosing SD ammo. I.E. I’m not shooting ball ammo with very high muzzle energy for SD. Nor would I choose a JHP with low muzzle energy. There is a balance back and forth here that gets super expensive to test/verify.
Conclusion:
1. .357 sig is not 9mm +P.
Stop saying that.
2. Apparently .357 sig = 10mm
3. 45 ACP vs 40 SW vs 9mm +P caliber wars is a waste of time. Just choose one if you’re too wussy to choose 10mm or .357 sig.
Last edited: