What is more powerful 357 or 40 caliber?

Answer 1

In order, it would go .357 Magnum, .357 Sig, and then .40 S&W.

Actually, .357 magnum is almost always more powerful than .40. "Power" usually refers to muzzle energy. Muzzle energy of a .357 magnum ranges from 575 to almost 800 depending on the load, where .40 SW normally ranges from 425 to 525 at the most. .357 Sig ranges from a little over 500 to around 775, so it is comparable to the .40.

Size of the cartridge or size of the bullet in the cartridge does not necessarily correlate directly to power. In other words, just because one cartridge is a larger caliber than another, doesn't not mean it is more powerful than the smaller one. It depends on several factors, such as cartridge specification, and the length of the barrel of the gun it is fired from.

Answer 2

Overall, and based on the optimum load of the cartridge, out of the .357 Magnum, .357 Sig, and .40 S&W, it would go in this order:

• .357 Magnum
• .357 Sig
• .40 S&W