Fiocchi .357 ammo?

[Mike Armstrong]

I went to the local gun store today and turned away because there was a LONG line for ammo. Again. Went to a chain and they had exactly ONE box of .357 (NO .38 Spl!). It was Fiocchi 142 gr. with a full-metal jacket bullet with a shape like some of the original 9mm Luger ammo: can't remember that that shape is called but it is conical--pointed with the sharp point flattened to form a very small meplat.

This isn't a big problem: I have better self-defense ammo saved and have fired Fiocchi ammo in many other guns. But I wondered if anybody has any experience with this particular load. I'm going to the range next week and will be shooting this pretty much up. Using a Ruger Security Six "Liberty" 2 3/4" stainless.

What should I expect in the way of flash and recoil?

 

[Rick Courtright]

It was Fiocchi 142 gr. with a full-metal jacket bullet with a shape like some of the original 9mm Luger ammo: can't remember that that shape is called but it is conical--pointed with the sharp point flattened to form a very small meplat.

Hi,

It's been a few years, Mike, but a buddy brought along some Fiocchi ammo on one of our desert trips that I THINK was the same stuff you got. I'd call the bullet a truncated cone design, but perhaps there's another name?

Anyway, it shot pretty much like most any other mid-range factory .357s w/ 158 gr bullets in his S&W Models 66 (4") and 686 (8 3/8".) Recoil was reasonable, w/ no unusual amount of flash. We didn't shoot any in either of my Rugers: 3" GP or 7 1/2" Bisley, but his M-66 and my GP are usually pretty similar in feel w/ a given round.

Rick C

 

[Mike Armstrong]

thanks, Rick! I had a senior moment on the truncated cone nomenclature! Generally I don't have great confidence in FMJ .38s and .357s due to some experience back in the '60s with Govt. issue 130 gr. FMJ .38s. But all I'm gonna do with this stuff is punch some paper and see how the new grips on my Security Six feel. The other Fiocchi ammo (mostly shotshells) has performed fine.

 

[stevemb]

I've seen it termed "combat ammo". The truncated cone with small meplat gets thru car bodies and glass real well ! I have some in 9mm.. stevemb

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Here is some TCSP (truncated cone soft point) ammo from PMC.