Super magnum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A super magnum is a longer version of a magnum handgun cartridge. The most widespread of these calibers are the SuperMag family of super magnums were proposed and tested by Elgin Gates in the 1970s.
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[edit] Calibers
[edit] Gates' SuperMags
Gates tested super magnum cartridges in .357, .375, .44, .45, .50, and .60 caliber. Gates' SuperMag cartridges are all 1.610 inches long—about 3⁄10 of an inch longer than a standard magnum—and use the same bullets as the original magnum cartridges. The extra powder can increase muzzle velocity up to 30–40% over the original magnum rounds.
In the 1980s Dan Wesson Firearms began to produce revolvers chambered for the .357, .375, and .445 SuperMag cartridges. In 2000 they added .414 Supermag, and .460 Rowland.
[edit] Other super magnums
There have been other cartridges that were created by extending the length of existing magnum cartridges. Some of these are:
- The .327 Federal Magnum, based on the .32 H&R Magnum
- The .357 Remington Maximum, based on the .357 Magnum and virtually identical in dimension to the .357 Supermag
- The .444 Marlin, a rifle round based on the .44 Magnum
[edit] Details and performance
[edit] .357 SuperMag
Based on the .357 Magnum cartridge, a revolver designed for the .357 SuperMag can also fire .357 Magnum, and .38 Special rounds.
| Bullet | Load | MV (ft/s) |
|---|---|---|
| RCBS #35-200FN | 19.0 GRS. H4227 | 1468 |
| 19.0 GRS. WW296 | 1489 | |
| Lyman #358627GC (210 gr) |
19.0 GRS. H4227 | 1495 |
| 19.0 GRS. WW296 | 1526 | |
| Speer 180 FMJ | 20.0 GRS. H4227 | 1371 |
| Hornady 180 FMJ | 20.0 GRS. H4227 | 1427 |
| Speer 200 FMJ | 19.0 GRS. H4227 | 1286 |
[edit] .375 SuperMag
Based on the .375 Magnum bullet, this custom round was meant to fit between the .357 and the .445, but is no longer produced.
| Bullet | Load | MV (ft/s) |
|---|---|---|
| Hornady 220 FMJ | 23.0 GRS. H110 | 1267 |
| 22.0 GRS. H4227 | 1258 | |
| 27.0 GRS. WW680 | 1364 |
[edit] .414 SuperMag
Based on the .41 Magnum cartridge.
[edit] .445 SuperMag
Based on the .44 Magnum cartridge, a revolver designed for the .445 SuperMag can also fire .44 Magnum, and .44 Special rounds.
| Bullet | Load | MV (ft/s) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10" | 8" | 6" | ||
| Sierra 300 JFP | 31.0 GRS. H110 | 1395 | 1394 | 1295 |
| 34.0 GRS. WW680 | 1284 | 1247 | 1191 | |
| NEI #295.429GC | 30.0 GRS. H110 | 1512 | 1502 | 1477 |
| 31.0 GRS. H110 | 1608 | 1572 | 1498 | |
| 34.0 GRS. WW680 | 1554 | 1496 | 1442 | |
| SSK #310.429 | 31.0 GRS. H110 | 1546 | 1494 | 1491 |
| 34.0 GRS. WW680 | 1572 | 1521 | 1500 | |
| Hornady 265 FN | 31.0 GRS. H110 | 1486 | 1459 | 1310 |
| Speer 240 FMJ | 33.0 GRS. H110 | 1516 | 1517 | 1387 |
| 31.0 GRS. H4227 | 1514 | 1493 | 1326 | |
| 38.0 GRS. WW680 | 1504 | 1432 | 1353 | |
| Sierra 220 FMJ | 34.0 GRS. H4227 | 1648 | 1635 | 1541 |
| 35.0 GRS. H4227 | 1759 | 1705 | 1561 | |
| 36.0 GRS. H4227 | 1793 | 1780 | 1640 | |
[edit] References
- Taffin, John. The SuperMags SixGuns.com
- Taffin, John. Taffin Tests: The .445 SuperMag SixGuns.com
- Taffin, John. Powerhouse Sixguns Of Dan Wesson Guns Magazine, August, 2000
- 445 Super Magnum ©1999–2005 ReloadBench.com
