.357 Magnum 158gr Federal Hydra-Shok (from a Derringer)

[Brass Fetcher]

Many thanks to J.K. for funding this test in full.

Cartridge : Federal 158gr Hydra-Shok

Firearm : Bond Arms .357 Magnum Derringer with 3.0" barrel length

Block calibration : 8.4cm @ 590 ft/sec (Within ideal block tolerances)

All shots fired from 10' distance from muzzle to the front face of the gelatin block.

Shot 1 - Bare gelatin shot. Impacted at 1017 ft/sec, penetrated 16.0" of gelatin and was recovered in a polyester bullet arresting box. Bullet recovered at 0.372" average diameter and 115.3gr weight.

Shot 2 - Overpenetration test. Bullet impacted at 1002 ft/sec, penetrated 8.0" of ballistic gelatin, both sides of an interior wall, 5.0" of ballistic gelatin and was recovered in a polyester bullet arresting box. Bullet recovered at 0.394" average diameter and 114.9gr weight.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Hmph. So, jacket separates, then the core doesn't expand. Seriously overpenetrative too.

Looks like a loser for street carry, at least in a 3" or smaller barrel.

 

[Steve C]

You can't expect much performance from ammo out of a derringer. Too much velocity is lost and that prevents proper expansion. That 3" barrel probably includes the chamber so what you really have is a 1.7" actual rifled portion of the barrel. While you might as well use a solid lead SWC its not like the round is impotent of ineffective. Solid non-expanding bullets have been ending fights and killing people for years.

 

[Jim March]

Actually, this gun may put more heat on the round than a 2" barrel revolver - there's no cylinder gap loss!

I think this is just another Federal wimp-out load. Not ALL Federals wimp out, but enough do that I would never carry 'em.

In this case it's all bad news: if the round isn't going fast enough to expand, there is NO WAY it should shed it's jacket. That's flat-out unacceptable, as Plainsman already pointed out.