Gel test: .44 mag 240 gr SJHP & .357 mag 125 gr JHP

A

Andrew Wiggin

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.357 mag Underwood 125 gr Montana Gold JHP video link

357 mag Underwood* 125 gr Montana Gold JHP fired from 4" S&W Model 13 through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 588.7 fps, 3.1"

Impact velocity: 1,503 fps
Penetration: 16.2"
Retained weight: 105.2 gr
Max expansion: 0.573"
Min expansion: 0.445"


*This is an old load. Underwood now uses Speer Gold Dots.



.44 mag HSM 240 gr SJHP video link


.44 mag HSM 240 gr semi-jacketed hollow point fired from 7.5" Ruger Redhawk through four layers of denim into calibrated gelatin.

BB: 588.7 fps, 3.1"

Impact velocity: 1,114 fps
Penetration: 19.3"
Retained weight: 240.7 gr
Max expansion: 0.682"
Min expansion: 0.628"
 
How does the 44 retain more than it started with? denim? Regardless, either one of these would just plain ruin your day. 240 gr of 44 mag would buckle your knees pretty quickly.
 
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The weights advertised for bullets are nominal. Actual weights can vary, sometimes significantly. That's actually a pretty small variation.
 
Everything is relative. That load is only light for s .44 mag. Still decent performance. Good expansion, deep penetration, mild (for .44 mag) recoil adds up to a pretty useful load, I think.
 
The 44 Mag load would make a very good defensive load. Something many 44 Shooters would appreciate.

Not a bad hunting load either for deer and smaller hogs out to 50 yards or so.

tipoc
 
1500 from a 4" revolver is very warm for factory ammo. The 44 on the other hand seems very weak only making 1100 from a 7.5" barrel.
 
Yup ... the Buffalo Bore Heavy .44 Special I have shoot a 185 grain Gold Dot at 1150 fps. So it seems to me these are right into .44 magnum territory, which is the territory of the .44 magnum loads I use for CCW. Very manageable recoil in a S&W 329PD.
 
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