Gelatin tests: .44 mag 240 gr JSP & .38/.357 snake shot from carbine

A

Andrew Wiggin

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.44 mag Winchester 240 gr JSP video link



.44 mag Winchester 240 gr JSP, part #Q4240 fired from 6.4" barrel Herter's Single .44 made in "Western Germany" into calibrated gelatin. Denim was intentionally omitted because this is a JSP designed for hunting or large animal defense and bears don't wear jean jackets.

BB: 597.8 fps, 3.2"

Impact velocity: 1,428 fps
Penetration: 29.8"
Retained weight: 229.3 gr
Max expansion: 0.480"
Min expansion: 0.473"

Two additional velocity figures:
1,454 fps
1,443 fps

I actually fired a total of five shots but the sun was getting low and my chronograph produced errors on the last two shots.



.38/.357 snake shot video link


(Yes, this is a handgun forum but it's handgun ammunition and it performs about the same from a carbine and a revolver. Mods, if you think it's misplaced, by all means edit/lock/etc. or PM me and I'll remove this section of the data.)

.38/.357 CCI shot shell fired from 16" Rossi M92 into calibrated gelatin. Denim omitted because snakes don't dress like Jay Leno.

BB: 597.8 fps, 3.2"

Impact velocity: 1,019 fps
Maximum penetration: 4.0"
Minimum penetration: 2.1"

The shot cup was recovered at 2.2" and you can see it in the first cross section photo. The total recovered weight, including shot cup and fragments of the capsule was 90.6 gr. Just as it does from a revolver, the shot pattern opened up VERY quickly. This shot was fired from less than 10 feet and the pattern covered the entire block.
 
I thought the 357 in question was a Carbine, not a pistol? If a pistol is needed, one could find a T/C or one of the new DA Smith or Taurus 45Colt/.410's.
 
That's a good point. I was thinking of the .357 as a revolver. Snake shot performance looks about the same from a revolver as from a carbine, despite the extra velocity.

I think a .357 (or .44) carbine would be more practical and versatile than a .410 shotgun and a .357 (or .44) would be likewise more practical and versatile than a .410 bore revolver. A .410 shotgun can be a very handy and capable tool in experienced hands but it's much more limited. .410 bore revolvers are just a joke.
 
Never shot a .410 pistol but I have always thought a short barrel imparted less spin on a revolver shot shell. Years ago I had a little Colt Cobra that accounted for a few copperheads.;)
 
I never have, either. Probably lots of fun and there's nothing wrong with a gun that's just fun to shoot. From a practical standpoint, it seems that a .410 revolver would be much less useful for defense than a proper rifle, shotgun, or handgun.
 
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