[suboptimal]

Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

I have a lovely 1974 Colt DS that I'm trying my best to learn to shoot properly. A recent trip to the range showed that my Colt DS prefers 125gr ammunition over the more common 158gr cartridges (I had read somewhere that older fixed-sight 38's were supposed to shoot to POA with 158's, but these go a bit high for me).

Anyway, after blasting my way through my supply of 125gr. FMJ practice ammo, I went online to search for some more. My Colt's not rated for +P ammo, so I stick to non+P for practice, and I'm accustomed to the available ammo selection being limited by this factor. Since I couldn't find any of my favorite Speer Lawman 125gr FMJs available, I looked around for what else was to be had. There was plenty of Fiocchi ammo to be found from several suppliers, and I've had good luck with Fiocchi 142gr FMJTC in .357mag for my 1894c, so I ordered-up a couple boxes of Fiocchi's model 38D SJSPs and a couple boxes of model 38F SJHPs from the nice folks at ammunitiontogo.

I got my delivery a few days ago, and just opened the boxes of cartridges to have a look. I've actually used the model 38D SJSPs in my 1894c before, so no surprises there. But when I opened my first box of model 38F, here's what I found:

I'm really new to shooting, but I’m pretty sure that the “SJ” in “SJHP” stands for “semi-jacketed, but these look fully-jacketed to me. The jacket is the same color as the brass case, so it’s not plain old copper (surely it’s not brass, too, right?).

Compare my photos to the product photo on ammunitiontogo’s website:
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/produ...llow-point/cName/38-special-hollow-point-ammo

The 2010 Fiocchi catalog (seen in the background of my photos) shows a truly semi-jacketed bullet for model 38F as well. I even checked the new 2011 Fiocchi catalog on the FiocchiUSA website, and it’s unchanged for model 38F.

I guess Fiocchi is free to change their products around any time they want, but you’d think they’d change the box labeling to match. Since this was meant to be practice ammo for me, I’m not actually unhappy – it probably still goes BANG, so I’ll keep it – but I’m wondering what’s going on at the Fiocchi plant in Missouri. Am I missing something?

 

[Charlie98]

Re: Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

Those look like a very close copy of Winchester's Silvertips. Some of their ammo has Hornady XTP's in it, maybe they sourced some of their HP's from Winchester, or this is a new design. The catalog clearly shows a half-jacketed HP design, but I'm sure the bullet they loaded is worthy.

 

[papajohn]

Re: Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

Well, they're not "semi-jacketed", the bullet looks like a hybrid of the W-W Silvertip and the Remington "Golden Sabre" ammo, with the bullet noses slightly less scored. The bullet jackets are apparently made with some alloy that uses brass, but like you said, they'll probably serve you fine.

I just got done loading some of the 230-grain Golden Sabre bullets in my 460 Rowland ammo, you can see the similarity to what you just bought.

 

[suboptimal]

Re: Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

Thanks, guys. I've never used or seen Silvertips or Golden Sabres -- just goes to show what a noob I am.

I noticed that the photo for the Fiocchi 38F SJHP on midwayusa.com shows something more similar to my Golden Sabre-like cartridges, but not quite identical:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=172227

 

[Charlie98]

Re: Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

You know... I wonder if the manufacturers aren't trying to get away from exposed lead in much the same way some bullets are plated or 'TMJ' (Total Metal Jacket) for use, in some cases, on lead-free ranges. A hollow-point is sort of a different deal, but if you look at most of the newer designed bullets, they don't have the exposed lead tip like they used to (like the older Federal HP's, etc...)

I have a box of PMC jacketed SP's for the .41, but they are almost a FMJ in design, only about .15" of 'soft point' is even exposed, and it's behind the rolled over jacket.

 

[Barenjager]

Re: Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

They look the same as many of the modern controlled expansion hollow points on the market today typified by the XTP, Golden Saber, Gold Dot, and SXT among others. By extending the jacket over the nose of the bullet more control of the expansion characteristics is possible.

Whether the intent is a rapidly mushrooming self defense round or a deeper penetrating bullet more suited to hunting, those attributes can be achieved by the composition, taper, and thickness of the jacket material along and the depth, number, and shape of the scoring used on the bullet nose. When matched with a lead alloy that allows the correct amount of deformation, modern bullet designs can be made to perform far more consistantly and over a wider range of velocities than ever before.

Roe

 

[suboptimal]

Re: Fiocchi 38 spl. "Not-So-Semi-" Jacketed Hollowpoints

Well, call them what you want (if not what they are), but I shot a box of them through my snubby today and they were great! Nice groups and on-target (within the limits of my rather poor ability).

I wasn't specifically looking for "semi-jacketed," just something to replace the 125gr standard pressure FMJs I had been using for practice but couldn't find. I think I'll be buying more of these Fiocchi 38F cartridges.