Originally Posted by
SCCY Marshal
Not to drift the thread but I just managed to lay in a handful of Magtech 158 grain semi-jacketed hollowpoint (item code 357B) before magnum ammo disappeared. Finally got around to some shadetree testing. Line of gallon milk jugs, the first covered with four layers of hoodie. It was a junker previously used to practice firing my model 10 snub and LCR from the pocket.
Using my 4" S&W model 28 - from which this load has previously averaged a velocity of 1,240fps - the bullet penetrated six jugs, not denting the back of the sixth. I was briefly confused. The recovered bullet barely tried expanding and resembled a mildly flared wadcutter. At the hot velocity of this load, that should have seen it pass clear through all seven jugs. A friend had gotten to the array before me and mixed some up but I discovered a perfect ring of lead in jug number four or five. The exposed lead had fully expanded, tried to peel a couple jacket skives open, and ultimately shed off. The full expansion through that much of the bullet path makes the penetration more sensible.
Water to gel conversion being a crude conversion, I'd expect to see roughly 18" of penetration in a gel block.
Given the price and despite the old bullet design, I think Magtech has likely made a pefectly good medium game load that would be serviceable in a defensive revolver. I'd also like to revisit the test with an acquaintance's 6" model 27. Curious to see if it'd pick up enough velocity to finish tearing along the skives to expand the jacketed portion of bullet. No access to an 8 3/8" or carbine barrel.
It's but a sample of one in a crude medium but I've found no gel tests, clear or proper, of this load. What I saw was at least a reassurance that the factory load I have on hand is probably alright for now in the driving gun. It has proven reliable, hits to the sights with a regulation that is dead on or close to with most 158 grain 38 Special I've tried, has livable recoil, and muzzle flash is not as large a fireball as some.
If anyone else is looking at a box of Magtech 357B, it's probably worth buying in this lean market.