Opinions on Fiocchi .357 Mag FMJ Truncated Cone

[KJS]

I shot 3 boxes of this today. I love how little soot it produces, with cases coming out so clean they look like brass that was never fired (unlike the brass from WWB or Remington or Independence that looks like they were roasted over an open fire).

This would be their 142 gr bullet. The only complaint I can come up with is that it rips a hole through paper targets rather than producing a real pretty hole that almost looks like it was made with a hole punch from an office supply store.

Anybody have any ideas on why they make this with that truncated cone shape that I haven't seen used by any other ammo makers? (I'm a novice, so it's quite possible are other brands out there with that shape that I've simply never yet seen.)

If you had to choose between these two ammo options at the same price which would you select for shooting at paper targets on an indoor range:

-Fiocchi .357 Mag 142gr FMJTC

OR

-Sellier & Bellot 158gr FMJ

Any ideas on better & cheaper ammo for target practice would be appreciated as well, though these seem as cheap as it gets at this time.

 

[TwoNiner]

Its good to hear this review considering I just ordered a case of fiocci 142gr rounds online.

My guess is that the tip is more aerodynamic? Really though, this ammo is so cheap I'm using it for target shooting. Guess I'll just have to shoot watermelons instead of paper

 

[KJS]

I know the popularity of blowing up watermelons, the most explosive fruit it seems, but wouldn't a relatively pointy FMJ fail to make them explode as well as a hollow point? Or do watermelons blow up so easily that anything will get the job done?

While these bullets aren't as blunt as a sledge hammer like a lot of handgun ammo, they're still flat enough that the cartridge can still easily be stood on its "point".

 

[NoirFan]

Hello,

I was interested by the high velocity claimed by the manufacturer and bought a box of these to try. After shooting I thought, "huh, these don't recoil much for a 142 grain bullet going 1450 fps". It turns out they are not even close (http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/2007/03/on-various-firearms-discussion-forums-i.html) only about 1100 fps.

On the positive side, as you said they are very clean and shoot very accurately from my S&W 19, perhaps the most accurate factory .357 magnum ammo I have tried. I really like the truncated point and I wish other companies would make it; the tapered bullet nose makes speedloader drills very smooth and easy. All in all it is good ammo, but not very powerful.

 

[Snowdog]

only about 1100 fps

From a 2.5" barrel it appears from the text. It goes on to say the velocity was 1313 FPS from a 6.5" Blackhawk.
Perhaps from a 8" barrel the velocity might inch closer to the advertised velocity... though I agree, 1450 FPS is a bit steep.

I like the truncated profile as well, though I can't exactly say why I do... because it's different, I suppose. It would be a barrel of fun if they did actually provide 1450 FPS from a 4" barrel. Yes, that would be something indeed.

 

[22-rimfire]

The first truncated cone ammo I noticed was made by PMC years ago. You will also notice that I believe the Remington viper 22 or similar is a truncated cone design. Could be wrong on the actual ammo name, but it is one of Remington's. My guess is that it is a cheaper bullet to manufacture in centerfire.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I shot some in a K-frame S&W a few years ago. It had a pretty good kick and roar and, unfortunately, sticky case extraction. (Fiocchi ammo in general tends to be loaded a bit "warm.") The JTC, as it is called, is fine for practice/recreational shooting, but IMO would make a poor self defense load, unless you have two or more attackers and can get them to stand one behind the other.

 

[RedAlert]

For the OP, if you want neat tidy holes in your paper targets, then you need target loads. Get a load with "semi-wadcutter" or "wadcutter" as these are designed to punch the smooth edged hole you are referring to.

If your aim is to shoot targets to improve your shooting, then the truncated cone rounds will do just fine and more accurately represent the accuracy of your "carry" rounds.

 

[TwoNiner]

I know the popularity of blowing up watermelons, the most explosive fruit it seems, but wouldn't a relatively pointy FMJ fail to make them explode as well as a hollow point? Or do watermelons blow up so easily that anything will get the job done?

Tell you what, next time I go shooting I will bring a Watermelon for some empirical research. If it doesn't blow up in the first few rounds then I'll eat the whole thing for lunch and report back...

 

[Dave85]

I've used both the Fiocci and the Sellier & Bellot, and like them both. As a matter of fact, I have a box of the S&B in the safe right now. Both seem to shoot right and leave little soot. I have not done a side by side comparison, though, so one may indeed hold an advantage. If there is such an advantage to one over the other, though, I would guess it would be slight.

I like the truncated cone as it approximates the profile of a JHP, which does make reloads via speedloader work nicely. Maybe the shape is the result of a simplified and more economical version of the same manufacturing process by which they make their JHPs? Maybe somebody who knows more about bullet-making can answer that.

 

[e64gto]

Just gotthe Fiocchis.

I must say the Fiocchis shoot very nice. But I have to warn everyone I just got a box of the American Eagle 158gr. Soft points and I could not believe the problems they caused. First they jammed my gun up(found out later the primers were falling out of them and hanging up[ on the firing pin after being struck). Second, out of a full box(50) about 15 didnt fire when struck which meant I hoit to unload "HOT" ammo by hand. Finally, the gun shop figured out that the casing was expanding entirely too much in all the wrong places, which wouldnt let the cartridges discharge from the tumbler. Again, in my personnal opinion i would stay away from these rounds.

 

[Gordon]

I used to carry them in a woods bumming gun, just incase the bear was wearing kevlar.

 

[amd6547]

I have been shooting American Eagle 158gn SP's in my 3" SP101 with good accuracy and zero problems...I liked the first box I got so much, that i went back and bought two more.

 

[roaddog28]

I shot 3 boxes of this today. I love how little soot it produces, with cases coming out so clean they look like brass that was never fired (unlike the brass from WWB or Remington or Independence that looks like they were roasted over an open fire).

This would be their 142 gr bullet. The only complaint I can come up with is that it rips a hole through paper targets rather than producing a real pretty hole that almost looks like it was made with a hole punch from an office supply store.

Anybody have any ideas on why they make this with that truncated cone shape that I haven't seen used by any other ammo makers? (I'm a novice, so it's quite possible are other brands out there with that shape that I've simply never yet seen.)

If you had to choose between these two ammo options at the same price which would you select for shooting at paper targets on an indoor range:

-Fiocchi .357 Mag 142gr FMJTC

OR

-Sellier & Bellot 158gr FMJ

Any ideas on better & cheaper ammo for target practice would be appreciated as well, though these seem as cheap as it gets at this time.

I have nothing but good things to say. I went through three boxes in my 686-3 4 inch, GP100 and a few in my Ruger Police Service Six. I love them. Accurately is good and of course the build-up is almost non existence. I just bought two more boxes.

I like them,
roaddog28

 

[sw282]

Shot a box of them today at the range. Cleanest fired cases I have ever seen. Very accurate with moderate recoil. Have no idea what MV is. I have noticed that Fiocchi tends to be a bit hotter in other calibers. Looking forward to shooting more of it.

Truncated cone bullets were developed by US AIR FORCE to improve stopping power of the new 9MM cartridge. I think they worked with HORNADY on the design