BACKGROUND: I long suspected that complaints about muzzle flash in the .357 mag had less to do with the cartridge and more to do with the powders associated with the cartridge. Of course, this would be of little help unless respectable velocities can be generated with low flash powders.
There are several 'low flash' self defense cartridges on the market. One is the Hornady Critical Defense 125 gr .357 which generates a reported 1500 fps from an 8 inch barrel. This is similar to the velocities published in my 1980's Speer manual for 18.5 gr of 2400 and an 8 inch barrel, and 18.5 gr is above max for most modern manuals. I don't have a chronograph, but a web search has produced others' results around 1150-1200 for a LCR and 1300-1350 for a 3 inch GP. Velocities should be 1400+ for a 4" revolver. These would all be highly capable for SD!
EXPERIMENT: But is the Critical Defense actually low flash? We tested different cartridges in a LCR, 3" SP, and 4" GP, which is pretty much the full range of defensive revolvers. We tested a cheap factory 38 sp round (non +P), .357 Critical Defense, and a 125 gr bullet and 18.5 gr 2400 (17.5 gr for LCR) handload. These were shot after dark, snow on the ground so targets were visible, and after giving 20 minutes for our eyes to adjust.
RESULTS: Predictable. There was a noticeable increase in muzzle flash when moving from factory 38 sp to .357 critical defense. However, the difference was mostly noticed by the bystander and was about as big as the round to round variation in one ammo type. The shooter really had to focus on the muzzle flash to know the difference and neither impacted shooting in any noticeable way. The full 2400 loads caused momentary flash blindness in the shooter and a (very) much larger visible flash for the bystander. While these 2400 loads wouldn't be on my wish list, they definitely wouldn't stop me from doing my job even in pitch black.
CONCLUSION: When using modern factory self defense loads with low flash powders, high muzzle flash is not a very well founded critique of the .357 magnum. You would have to focus on the muzzle flash to notice the difference between a .38 and .357 and I don't think this will be happening. Further, the Critical Defense loads don't impact shooting with their muzzle flash. The 2400 loads did impact shooting with momentary flash blindness. However, if this is all the shooter has, they could work. The Hornady Critical Defense in .357 is a a great self defense round. It is powerful. It is practically guaranteed to expand. It is shootable by an experienced shooter in everything from an LCR to a GP. AND, NO, IT DOESN'T HAVE TOO MUCH MUZZLE FLASH!
Have a good week!
There are several 'low flash' self defense cartridges on the market. One is the Hornady Critical Defense 125 gr .357 which generates a reported 1500 fps from an 8 inch barrel. This is similar to the velocities published in my 1980's Speer manual for 18.5 gr of 2400 and an 8 inch barrel, and 18.5 gr is above max for most modern manuals. I don't have a chronograph, but a web search has produced others' results around 1150-1200 for a LCR and 1300-1350 for a 3 inch GP. Velocities should be 1400+ for a 4" revolver. These would all be highly capable for SD!
EXPERIMENT: But is the Critical Defense actually low flash? We tested different cartridges in a LCR, 3" SP, and 4" GP, which is pretty much the full range of defensive revolvers. We tested a cheap factory 38 sp round (non +P), .357 Critical Defense, and a 125 gr bullet and 18.5 gr 2400 (17.5 gr for LCR) handload. These were shot after dark, snow on the ground so targets were visible, and after giving 20 minutes for our eyes to adjust.
RESULTS: Predictable. There was a noticeable increase in muzzle flash when moving from factory 38 sp to .357 critical defense. However, the difference was mostly noticed by the bystander and was about as big as the round to round variation in one ammo type. The shooter really had to focus on the muzzle flash to know the difference and neither impacted shooting in any noticeable way. The full 2400 loads caused momentary flash blindness in the shooter and a (very) much larger visible flash for the bystander. While these 2400 loads wouldn't be on my wish list, they definitely wouldn't stop me from doing my job even in pitch black.
CONCLUSION: When using modern factory self defense loads with low flash powders, high muzzle flash is not a very well founded critique of the .357 magnum. You would have to focus on the muzzle flash to notice the difference between a .38 and .357 and I don't think this will be happening. Further, the Critical Defense loads don't impact shooting with their muzzle flash. The 2400 loads did impact shooting with momentary flash blindness. However, if this is all the shooter has, they could work. The Hornady Critical Defense in .357 is a a great self defense round. It is powerful. It is practically guaranteed to expand. It is shootable by an experienced shooter in everything from an LCR to a GP. AND, NO, IT DOESN'T HAVE TOO MUCH MUZZLE FLASH!
Have a good week!
