.40SW Vs. .357 sig

[rigger7]

How do both rounds fair up at longer distances? ie 50 to 100 yards.
rigger 7

[fortyofforty]

While both rounds will hit anything you aim at, even up to 100 yards, the .357 SIG is a flatter-shooting round. That is, the bullet travels in a straighter line and arcs less than the .40 S&W, requiring less "hold over" on the part of the shooter. That said, the .45 ACP also arcs on its way to the target out to 50 or 100 yards, but is highly accurate. I don't find the .40 S&W to be as inherently accurate as the 9mm or .45 ACP, and I haven't fired enough .357 SIG to decide about that round, but have seen some tiny groups fired at 50 yards. I can say that the muzzle blast and recoil make it relatively unpleasant for me to shoot extensively, unlike the 9mm or .45 ACP. The .40 S&W is somewhere between those extremes, at least for me.

[glock20c10mm]

Here are the numbers based on Hornady ammo with XTP bullets between their loaded rounds of 357SIG and 40S&W. We'll look at two different bullet weights in each which correspond well in terms of sectional density. The Hornady 357SIG 124gr and 147gr loads, and the Hornady 40S&W 155gr and 180gr loads. Hornady's velocity claims are based on a 4" barrel.

Hornady claims these velocities:
357SIG 124gr - 1350fps
357SIG 147gr - 1225fps
40S&W 155gr - 1180fps
40S&W 180gr -- 950fps

For the drop in trajectory amounts, for the 147gr 357SIG round I'm actually going to figure it at 1200fps, and also 1200fps for the 40S&W 155gr load, as the drop tables I'm using only go to the nearest 50fps.

And the trajectory drops at distance, all based on a 25yd zero, are as follows:
357SIG 124gr(1350fps), @ 50yds = -0.5", @ 100yds = -6.3", @ 150yds = -19.2", @ 200yds = -40.4"
40S&W 155gr(1200fps), @ 50yds = -0.9", @ 100yds = -8.5", @ 150yds = -24.9", @ 200yds = -51.2"

357SIG 147gr(1200fps), @ 50yds = -0.8", @ 100yds = -7.9", @ 150yds = -22.8", @ 200yds = -46.5"
40S&W 180gr(950fps), @ 50yds = -1.7", @ 100yds = -13.3", @ 150yds = -36.6", @ 200yds = -72.6"

So as you can see, it's not as simple as asking what general round drops significantly more or less than another, it's what round with a specific bullet weight drops more/less than another round with a specific bullet weight. On top of that, every manufacturers bullet has a different ballistic coeficient than the next. Sometimes they are close, and sometimes not.

Hornady's .355 cal 147gr bullet has a particularily high ballistic coeficient compared to other, as it is a boat-tailed bullet. Therefore, with anyone elses .355cal 147gr bullet, the numbers above for the 357SIG 147gr load would probably be equal to the 40S&W 155gr load, maybe even a hair more(greater drop at distance).

Bottomline, I think this will basically answer your question.

[fredj338]

AS Glock20 shows, there is little diff. in trajectory of service rounds out to 100yds. It will come down to your ability to hit anyhting at that distance. As far as terminal bal. perf. I would want the heavier bullet past 50yds.

[Dr. Courtney]

My .357 Sigs shoot more accurately than my .40 at the longer ranges. While I had a farm business, I actually shot a number of varmints and deer out past 50 yards, and the accuracy and terminal performance of the .357 Sig was more than adaquate for the job. One does need to make some effort to choose a load that is more accurate at 50-100 yards and to practice at these ranges.

Michael Courtney

[Boris Bush]

Dr. Courtney

What weight bullets were you useing and what velocity?

[glock20c10mm]

My .357 Sigs shoot more accurately than my .40 at the longer ranges.
Exellent point, especially with service style cartridges our of combat style handguns. If one round groups 1" or better at 25yds, and the next can't muster better than about 4" at the same distance, think about what that translates to at 100yds, let alone 50yds. Definately a serious point to consider if you personally expect makeable shots on a thoratic cavity sized target at 100yds, give or take.

[kensteele]

i've shot tracer in all 3 cals and they all appear to shoot flat....very flat.....out to 100 yards. you can't tell the difference visually. :)