10mm vs 357: Which is Better for Me?

Which is better the 10mm or the .357 round? This is a question we hear a lot. The answer might surprise you. Neither is better. They are each just slightly different. Those differences give one strength over the other as the circumstance changes and the stronger one is not always the same round.

The 10mm will be superior in some scenarios, and the .357 will win out over the 10mm in other scenarios. The real question is what do you want the round to do? When you ask that question, you can better choose between the two.

Factors That We Look At

Barrel length is a factor that can impact bullet performance. Average velocity, ballistic gelatin results, and how you use the round – target practice, hunting, or self-defense also play a part in how ammo performs. There are a lot of variables when you compare ammo – Caliber, longer ranges, longer barrels, heavier bullets or rounds, mm vs magnum, revolver cartridge vs rifle cartridge, etc.

1. Cartridge Specs

BULLET DIAMETER

10mm is equal to .40 inches
357 Magnum is equal to .357 inches

In terms of diameter, the .357 Magnum is slightly narrower than the 10 mm. That may have a difference in power and velocity depending on the length of the casing and the size of the grains. Higher pressure loads or hot loads can be telling as will be the stopping power, but you need more information to make that determination. It is little difference between a hunting scenario vs. a self-defense situation.

CASE LENGTH

10mm is .992 inches long
.357 case length is 1.290.

The .357 offers a longer case length which helps to offset its slightly narrower diameter. That means that you could find more powerful combinations in the .357 loads over the 10 mm loads. However, either option presents a powerful cartridge with plenty of kinetic energy.

OVERALL LENGTH

10mm has an overall length of 1.260 inches
.357 Magnum has an overall length of 1.590 inches

The .357 Magnum round is longer than the 10 mm round and part of that has to do with the fact that the 10 mm round is rimless while the .357 Magnum is designed with a rim that helps it sit in the chamber properly.

That difference also comes down to gun design. Guns designed to handle the rimless 10 mm round are generally semi-automatic pistols. 10 mm auto pistols are very popular with law enforcement and those who want to deliver round-after-round in a short period. In self-defense, you may only have one shot or an exceedingly small window to take down a target. The 10 mm auto pistols can do that.

MAX PRESSURE IN PSI

10 mm offers a max pressure of 37,500 PSI
.357 Magnum has a max pressure of 35,000 PSI

The 10-mill round has more pressure than that of the S&W .357 round. However, when you look at muzzle velocity, you find that there is a lot of back and forth between the two rounds. Much of the fight between them comes down to how the rounds are configured – grain size, bullet weight, etc. Which of these two rounds is better? It comes down to the configuration of the round and how you plan to use it. More is sometimes less, and a smaller or slower round might outperform a bigger and more powerful round given the right set of circumstances.

CASE CAPACITY IN GRAINS

10 mm has a case capacity of 24.1 grains
S&W .357 has a case capacity in grains of 26.2

Part of the difference here is the longer casing of the .357 even though the 10 mm is a slightly fatter round. The higher capacity here goes to the magnum revolver with the .357 round. More grains can mean heavier bullet weight and a shorter trajectory.

Another important aspect here for self-loaders over factory loads is that with the longer casing and more grains from the .357 you might find you can self-load a special mixture with unique properties.

The .357 caliber bullet was an upgrade to law enforcement agencies over the .38 special rounds. But many may be reaching for the .40 handgun cartridge due to the fastness of the semiautomatic.

BASE DIAMETER

10 mm has a base diameter of 0.425 inches
.357 Magnum cartridge has a base diameter of 0.379 inches

2. Velocity/Penetration

Is there a hands-down winner when it comes to velocity and penetration between these two rounds? A lot goes into that argument, especially shot placement at various distances. A conversion barrel over a stock barrel will also have a role to play in the outcome here.

If you are hunting you might realize the difference in accuracy and velocity vs penetration simply by analyzing the differences in your target – black bear vs, brown bear, vs polar bear. Same beast but a different build. Your Smith & Wesson .357 magnum loads might have more velocity simply because they can fire bullets that are lighter than those of the Glock 10 mm.

In FBI ballistic gel testing, the .357 was an overachiever. It over penetrated in comparison to the 10 mm handgun cartridge. That can be a problem in a self-defense situation. You don’t want the rounds to exit the target and deploy through walls where they may harm victims. The type of round you chose; however, can reduce excess penetration.

The smaller case capacity offered by the semi-auto 10-mill round means it generally has a slower muzzle velocity. Compare that with the slightly larger casing diameter means that bullets from the semi auto can be heavier.

Regardless, both rounds were designed for law enforcement and the differences that we explore here are small.

3. Recoil

Recoil is a critical consideration for all shooters. A smaller body handling a gun with massive recoil is going to shy away from pulling the trigger a second time. They will anticipate the recoil which can slow down shooting and remove focus from targeting into worrying over recoil.

Whether you are talking about home protection or bear protection, recoil becomes an issue. There is no way to get around the heavy recoil of both the .357 and the 10 mill. They are both designed to make a big hole. The size grain bullet rating can decrease recoil slightly. A slower muzzle velocity can decrease recoil slightly. A lighter bullet (not the round) can also reduce the need for higher power and that can reduce recoil.

In general terms, the .357 magnum ammo will most likely have a harsher recoil. That is due to the slightly high velocity of the rounds. A Colt Delta Elite, which is a semi-automatic pistol, would be a slightly better option for a new shooter or small shooter who needs less recoil. The .357 is likely going to transfer more power into the wrist and that makes a second shot harder to retarget and then refire.

4. Magazine Capacity

There is no doubt about which of the two wins in magazine capacity. The semi-automatic pistol can carry 10-15 rounds in its magazine depending on the type of magazine. A .357 revolver can carry anywhere from 5-6 rounds. More rounds mean more options to take down your target or more targets.

5. Uses

Hunting – Bear defense at home or camp is the primary hunting option for the .357 or the 10 mm handguns. However, there are .357 rifles. Both slugs will take down a deer, but you are going to have to be a perfect shot to do so ethically. When it comes to bears, the 10 mm is iffy. Bears have big bones, and you will have to pack rounds that will penetrate deeply and bypass bones. Otherwise, you just wound the animal and that makes a bear more deadly. Similarly, with the .357 magnum, your bear defense shot is going to need to be spot on to be a killing shot.
Target Shooting – Both the .357 and the 10 mill are popular for target shooting. Target shooting is a good way to see which of the two you like better from a shooting perspective.
Self-defense – Because accuracy for either of these calibers is going to come down more to user ability than the differences between the rounds – they are that close – that it is important to choose the caliber based on your ability to handle it. The recoil and accuracy are key but so is the ability to launch a second round quickly, especially if recoil is something that you fear.

6. Cost and Availability

At Berry’s, you can buy both the 10mm and the .357 rounds. Expect to pay a little more for the .357 and you can save a few bucks off a carton of 10 mm rounds. Both are available.

The Berry’s Difference

Berry’s is your family-owned expert and supplier for bullets and round storage, and reloading tools and supplies. We’ve been in business since 1960 and continue to offer expert advice and superior products. Learn more or shop our in-stock rounds now.