The .357 Magnum
 

Nation	Year	Max. press.
U.S.A.	1935	37600

What is there left to say about this cartridge? It is the .357 mag, the most widespread and popular magnum cartridge around, the original magnum round and the first pistol cartridge designed as a hunting round. The official year of it's introduction is given as 1935, but in truth, some version of the round had been used since the twenties. This was the result of experiments using large frame revolvers chambered in .38 Special. The .38 rounds were loaded up with what we would today consider to be .357 charges. Initially it was thought to introduce special hi power .38 loads, and special, large cylinder revolvers to fire them. Upon careful consideration, it was realized that many shooters would simply take their existing .38 revolvers, and use the new ammunition, with unfortunate results. It was decided to redimension the round somewhat, marginally increasing its length, and calling the new round the .357 Magnum after it's true bore diameter. The new guns would also chamber the .38. Initially the guns were offered with 8 3/8 inch barrels to get the most out of the new rounds.