I have a SW 686P and I've been shooting a lot of the Fiocchi 357 magnum ammo in 142 grain out of it. I love the ammo and it always seems to be the cheapest 357 ammo around too. But is it really any good ? And what is with the odd ball grain ? Most 357 ammo seems to be 158 or 125 grain. I don't think I recall seeing any other brand ammo selling 142 grain.

I have no idea why its 142 grain as it does not seem available around here. I'd like to try some.
I think you are in a good position to tell us how good it is!! :-)

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I only got my first wheel gun a little over a year ago so I really don't have much to compare it with. I've shot some Federal Munitions reman 158 grain ammo as well and this 142 grain seems to have more kick to it. I find it from time to time online for about 36 cents a round.

I bought it for the same reason the OP did - It was cheap!

First, I bought one box, in case it was bad. It wasn't.

Bought a small stash of boxes and so far the stuff works fine. Groups are as good as I can shoot. No FTF and decent brass.

...just my experience with it. Enjoy your 686!

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Best Regards,
Mark

My experience with several Fiocchi handgun cartridges (not this one!) has convinced me that the Fiocchi stuff is loaded a bit warmer than most of the USA brands we buy. Almost like the difference between a standard pressure loading and a +P loading in the same caliber. I've never had an issue with Fiocchi in a revolver. They don't always feed well in some small semi autos for me. Who knows about the weight of the bullet, but that's not far from the 148 grain lead wadcutters in .38Special.

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So long ... Ken

Im going thru massive amounts of the perfecta 9mm due to my recent purchase of a CZ scorpion .. its all shot great so far

dont think Ive ever had a problem with any Ficocchi stuff

Agree! I never had any problem with Fiocchi ammunition, but I only shot around 200 rounds. If I'm not mistaken, don't they make some in the US now?

I like the stuff, it typically does low 1300's in 4" guns...not too bad.

Some here have claimed it's caused forcing excessive cone erosion.

It's practice ammo, pure and simple. It does seem hot, but .357 Armscor Precision ammo from the Philippines is even warmer.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I have a friend that has ran a bunch of that through her 5" 627 PC without any issues.

The 140 gr. bullet was always one of my favorites, and I loaded the 140 Sierra JHC over 18.5 gr. W296 for great accuracy from my 6" 686 or 3 1/2" Pre 27. The bullet is long enough that it fully fills the gap and does not cause flame cutting as some 125's can.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Like the O/P, I purchased my first Fiocchi .357 Magnum ammo based on price. Now I buy it, when I can, by choice. I've shot several thousand rounds of it, in 125Gr, 142Gr, and 158Gr.
It does feel much more like the .357 Magnum ammo I remember from the early 1970's. If I remember correctly the Fiocchi web site gives their 125Gr. soft point load a rating of almost 1,600 FPS.

Great range ammo. Never had an issue with it.

Never shot the 142 grain version, but the 158 grain JHP shot very well out of various model 27's I own, plus my old Rossi Model 92SRC carbine. I had bought 4 boxes back about 1/2 year ago because unprimed 357 brass was extremely hard to find and I needed to start replacing some old wore out brass. I would have no hesitation buying more Fiocchi ammo in the future if I were in the market for factory ammo.