.357 Magnum cartridge

Also known as

357 Magnum
.357 Mag

The .357 Magnum is a U.S. rimmed centerfire handgun cartridge introduced in 1934 to extend .38 Special performance for revolvers. Winchester still catalogs it in Big Bore, Silvertip, and Defender handgun loads, while C.I.P. publishes official cartridge dimensions and pressure data for the round.

.357 Magnum cartridge, Revolver cartridge, Munitions

Image source: Cartridge .357 Magnum.jpg

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Winchester Ammunitionmultiple ammunition manufacturers
Type: Revolver cartridge
Service note: Introduced in 1934; still in production
Designer: Elmer Keith / Phillip B. Sharpe
Designed: 1934
Produced: 1934-present

cartridge handgun revolver small arms

Specifications

Cartridge type: Rimmed centerfire handgun cartridge
Case length: 32.77 mm
Overall length: 40.39 mm
Bullet diameter: 9.12 mm / .357 in
Maximum pressure: 3000 bar
Representative load: Winchester Big Bore X357MBB, 157-grain SJHP

Compatible Handguns

Winchester lists .357 Magnum among its handgun ammunition calibers.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

Handgun/pistol, Handheld small arm / sidearm, Infantry Weapons

Handgun and pistol platform

Winchester lists .357 Magnum among its handgun ammunition calibers, so the general handgun and pistol page links to this cartridge family explicitly.

Sources: Handgun Ammo - Winchester Ammunition

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Commercial handgun ammunition for revolvers and defensive loads.
Used by: Revolvers, Handguns

Representative Winchester Loads

Winchester catalogs the cartridge across defensive handgun loads, with bullet weight and load line varying by product family.

Load	Bullet	Use
X357MBB	157-grain semi-jacketed hollow point	Big Bore line for personal defense and hunting.
W357ST	145-grain JHP	Silvertip line for personal defense.
S357MPDB	125-grain bonded jacketed hollow point	Defender line for personal defense.

Media

.357 Magnum cartridge Images

.357 Magnum cartridge, Revolver cartridge, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Cartridge .357 Magnum.jpg

.357 Magnum cartridge, Revolver cartridge, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Cartridge .357 Magnum.jpg

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Sources

The 38 Special Vs the .357 Mag - Winchester AmmunitionPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports the .357 Magnum's 1934 origin context, the longer case redesign, and the relationship to .38 Special revolver chambering. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Handgun Ammo - Winchester AmmunitionPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports Winchester's handgun ammunition lineup and the explicit inclusion of .357 Magnum among its popular handgun calibers. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 X357MBB - Winchester AmmunitionPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports the representative .357 Magnum Big Bore load data and the 157-grain semi-jacketed hollow point load line. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 W357ST - Winchester AmmunitionPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports the representative .357 Magnum Silvertip load data and the 145-grain personal-defense load line. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 S357MPDB - Winchester AmmunitionPublisher: Winchester Ammunition | Note: Supports the representative .357 Magnum Defender load data and the 125-grain personal-defense load line. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 357 Magnum - C.I.P.Publisher: C.I.P. | Note: Supports the U.S. origin, standard dimensions, and pressure data for the .357 Magnum cartridge. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 Cartridge .357 Magnum.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a .357 Magnum cartridge photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 .357 Magnum.pngPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a .357 Magnum cartridge dimensions diagram. | Accessed: 2026-06-27 .357 Magnum.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a .357 Magnum ammunition photograph. | Accessed: 2026-06-27