I was shopping for some more .357 magnum ammo for my Smith Wesson 686P. Most of the ammo I've been shooting has been 158 grain ammo from Freedom Munitions. But now I see the cheapest ammo around is this Fiocchi 142 Grain FMJTC ammo. Can anybody tell me anything about it? How does it shoot compared to the me common 158 grain ammo?
Difference between 142grain and 158 grain .357?
- Thread starter Phillies
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Comrad
Member
Here's a handy little chart.
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101
357 Magnum Ballistics Chart | Ballistics 101
Just their low cost target ammo............
if the price is right.
if the price is right.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I like Fiocchi ammo, it's always worked well for me.
With a 142gr bullet you may have to move the rear sight a click or two for the same POI as the 158gr bullet. Other than that you will see less difference between the 142gr and 158gr bullets than 125gr and 158gr bullets.
I'm not a fan of light bullets in the 38/357 although I do carry a 135gr bullet in the .38 Special because the ammo is very accurate in my revolver. In the .357 Magnum the lightest I shoot is a 145gr Silvertip but I would shoot that 142gr ammo too.
Hans Gruber
Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2014
- Messages
- 60
- Reaction score
- 33
The fiocchi 142 grain sounds a lot like an underload....designed to fulfill the specification of the caliber, but not intended to match top loads.
If you want REAL .357 Magnum power you must chronograph everything you shoot!
ironhead7544
Member
Not sure what this ammo was designed for. Odd weight. Some places have oddball restrictions on ammo. The bullet shape is not ideal for self defense. There are some other FMJ 38 Special loads from Europe so it could be a police or military load. Velocity from a 4 inch is reported at 1200 fps. Could be a good long range target load.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Q: Difference between 142grain and 158 grain .357?
A: 16 grains.
Did I win?
That was my first thought.
Not a whole lot.....
Not a whole lot if bullet weight is the only difference. Bullet style, material and powder charge make for a difference in shooting purpose (low/high velocity) and in cost. Shoot the cheap ones at the range, but practice enough with the heavier rounds so as to know how they feel. It's WAY too costly to shoot Speer Gold Dots for target practice.
Not a whole lot if bullet weight is the only difference. Bullet style, material and powder charge make for a difference in shooting purpose (low/high velocity) and in cost. Shoot the cheap ones at the range, but practice enough with the heavier rounds so as to know how they feel. It's WAY too costly to shoot Speer Gold Dots for target practice.
REM 3200
US Veteran
Q: Difference between 142grain and 158 grain .357?
A: 16 grains.
Did I win?
That was my first thought.
Well, I checked them out. Sure'nuff, the 158 grain DID weigh more than the 142 grain.
