Super magnum

A super magnum or SuperMag is a longer version of a magnum handgun cartridge, they were proposed and tested by Elgin Gates in the 1970s. Gates tested super magnum cartridges in .357, .375, .44, .45, .50, and .60 caliber.

The 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.

In the 1980s Dan Wesson Arms began to produce revolvers chambored for the .357, .375, and .445 SuperMag cartridges.

Details and performance

.357 SuperMag

Based on the .357 Magnum cartridge, a revolver designed for the .357 SuperMag can also fire .357 Magnum, and .38 Special rounds.

.357 SuperMag
Dan Wesson eight-inch barrel
Bullet	Load	MV
RCBS #35-200FN	19.0 GRS. H4227	1468
RCBS #35-200FN	19.0 GRS. WW296	1489
Lyman #358627GC (210 gr)	19.0 GRS. H4227	1495
Lyman #358627GC (210 gr)	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

.375 SuperMag

.375 SuperMag
Dan Wesson eight-inch barrel
Bullet	Load	MV
Hornady 220 FMJ	23.0 GRS. H110	1267
	22.0 GRS. H4227	1258
	27.0 GRS. WW680	1364

.445 SuperMag

Based on the .44 Magnum cartridge, a revolver designed for the .444 SuperMag can also fire .44 Magnum, and .44 Special rounds.

.44 SuperMag
Bullet	Load	MV 10"	MV 8"	MV 6"
Sierra 300 JFP	31.0 GRS. H110	1395	1394	1295
Sierra 300 JFP	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
SSK #310.429	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

References

Taffin, John. The SuperMags SixGuns.com
Taffin, John. Taffin Tests: The .445 SuperMag SixGuns.com