.38 Super Vs .357 SIG, how do they compare?

[KnightOfTheOlde]

.38 Super Vs .357 SIG, how do they compare? Thanks!

[Preußen]

Depends on whose ammunition you're comparing.
Winchester, Remington, and PMC load their Super 38 ammo to about the same power level as standard 9mm.

Corbon & double tap load it to +P pressure and velocity - almost the equal of the .357 Sig. The difference is so negligible that it's moot.

paging Bob :cowboy:

[AusShane]

Depends on whose ammunition you're comparing.
Winchester, Remington, and PMC load their Super 38 ammo to about the same power level as standard 9mm.

Corbon & double tap load it to +P pressure and velocity - almost the equal of the .357 Sig. The difference is so negligible that it's moot.

paging Bob :cowboy:
Yeah what he said :)
where the .38 super really shines - reloading, main problems are your pretty much restricted to a 1911 or Tangfoglio - cant think of any other platforms that are available in .38super, most factory loads are very similair to the 9mm where as the 357sig starts at 1350fps with a 125gn projectile - not much of a comparison there. But the factory 357sigs are going about as fast as they can withing the pressure limits, i have managed to get them faster by handloading and others have managed to do even better with longer barrels. You seriously can do some serious damage by handloading the .38 super but hey remember the the nay sayers on handloading for self defense.

[Glolt20-91]

Yeah what he said :)
where the .38 super really shines - reloading, main problems are your pretty much restricted to a 1911 or Tangfoglio - cant think of any other platforms that are available in .38super, most factory loads are very similair to the 9mm where as the 357sig starts at 1350fps with a 125gn projectile - not much of a comparison there. But the factory 357sigs are going about as fast as they can withing the pressure limits, i have managed to get them faster by handloading and others have managed to do even better with longer barrels. You seriously can do some serious damage by handloading the .38 super but hey remember the the nay sayers on handloading for self defense.

Both will get the job done, Corbon DPX gives identical MVs for the two calibers plus 9x23mm.

I believe the SIG P226 is one of the best, balanced pistols produced today and I would choose the .357SIG in that model over other calibers offered. I've practiced lots with the 1911 so the .38Super gets the nod for me; plus it is much more versatile to handload than the .357SIG and brass is considerably less expensive in bulk quantities.

The .38Super has been one of the most pleasant shooting surprises that I've experienced in years, and I expect those who shoot the .357SIG/9x23mm feel the same way about those calibers. The .38Super has the same COAL as the 10mm, therefore needs a larger framed pistol.

I bought a .38Super barrel from Lonewolf for my G20 and was surprised by the increased accuracy over the 6"KKM/10mm barrel. Need to sort out some timing and magazine issues when I get enough time.

I CCW a Para/.38Super most of the time and it clears leather often out back on real predators and it provides hard hitting terminal ballistics when fired. Good for two-legged or four-legged predators up to and including mountain lion, yes, I've seen them and tracked them on the property and feel very confident with the .38Super caliber.

I assume the P226 in single action is the same way, but the Para 1911 has extremely fast and accurate split times.

If one handloads, vast bullet selection in .355", .356" and .357" up to about 160grs hardcast favors the .38Super, plus the cost of brass is much less in bulk.

Bob :cowboy:

[SDGlock23]

Bob, can you use actual .357" pistol bullets in the .38 Super, like ones designed for the 357 Mag? What is the actual bore diameter of the .38 Super?

[Glolt20-91]

The .38Super SAAMI specs at .356", Hornady has load data for both 9mm and .357mag bullet numbers in their reloading manual.

Bob :cowboy: