.44 mag gel test: Sig Sauer 240 gr V Crown JHP

[chopinbloc]

Revolver: 4.25" S&W Model 69
Impact velocity: 1,311 fps
Penetration: ~16"
Retained weight: 206.4 gr
Max expansion: 0.711"
Min expansion: 0.624"

 

[Walkalong]

Impressive.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Good looking results.

 

[Panzerschwein]

This is a hunting round, correct? .44 magnum is only for hunting, and is meant only for hunting. I'd much rather see a modern .44 special (which is designed for self defense against humans) than a hunting gel test.

 

[illinoisburt]

Sig's website lists is as self defense ammo. If you carried a bulldog or something similar this would probably be a better choice than soft point or hollow point hunting ammo since penetration appears limited. I don't think I would load these up in my revolver to head for the woods. (Please don't start a bear debate)

 

[Snowdog]

I love gel tests. Thanks for this.

I recently fell back in love with revolvers after purchasing an SP101 with 3" barrel. I'm in the market for both a 686 plus with a 4" barrel and a 629 with the same. I find this video useful.

 

[Flechette]

This is a hunting round, correct? .44 magnum is only for hunting, and is meant only for hunting. I'd much rather see a modern .44 special (which is designed for self defense against humans) than a hunting gel test.

Any reason why not to use it for self-defense? Yes, I know there are better cartridges, but the 9mm v. .45 debate has gone on over a century and neither has been abandoned.

I'd think that .44 mag would take down an assailant pretty reliably.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Any reason why not to use it for self-defense? Yes, I know there are better cartridges, but the 9mm v. .45 debate has gone on over a century and neither has been abandoned.

I'd think that .44 mag would take down an assailant pretty reliably.

Let's not do the derailings and open up that whole can of worms. People will mull for and against a .44 magnum for SD work, but at the end of the day most experts consider it a hunting round and sporting round, not for self-defense and their are many reasons for this.

 

[Pelo801]

The performance was good. Ive been looking hard at the Sig V crown in 44 spcl. Especially at Sig's price point. But I can't help but wonder how their bullet will perform at the lower velocity.

 

[Haxby]

Looks perfect to me, for anything I might want to use a handgun for. Same goes the Fiocchi 200 grain XTP.
After all, who doesn't like a 44 Magnum?

 

[Ed Ames]

.44 magnum is only for hunting, and is meant only for hunting.

I don't know where you got that idea, but it isn't based in reality. For example my father bought a s&w m29 in '61 or so and fired it many thousands of times (likely over 10k rds) over the many years he had it, and never once hunted with it.

Some .44 mag AMMO is for hunting, but then again so is some .357 mag ammo. The existence of hunting ammo doesn't somehow lock the gun into "hunting only" mode.