Fiocchi and Magtech

[Puncha]

I have recently been for 2 pistol lessons and the instructor taught with a model 67 S&W .38 revolver and a M92FS Baretta.

Anyway, he uses 158Gr Fiocchi LRNs as revolver training ammo and 124gr Magtech FMJ 9mms as semi-auto pistol training ammo.

What are your opinions as to the consistency, accuracy and recoil potency of the above rounds vis-a-vis their cousins from federal, cci, winchester...etc?

I found the fiocchi to kick rather stoutly while the magtechs were ok.

 

[Shorts]

I used the Fiocchi in a snubby .38 and it was rather, well, beat the heck outta my hand. It is a stout load. I wasn't impressed with the accuracy when shooting them or that pistol.

I can't comment on the 9mm Magtec ammo, I just now started shooting 9 again and have shot Fed, PMC and WWB and all were pleasant 115grners.

 

[grimjaw]

I've used plenty of Fiocchi 9x18 Mak, but no 9x19 Luger. I've been satisified with it. I have plenty of .38 Special 158 grain FMJ, but haven't had the opportunity to use any of it yet. Got both because they were inexpensive, brass-cased ammo, in the weight and type that I wanted.

jmm

 

[Moonclip]

I generally like Fiocchi and Magtech ammo of most types but I do notice the 38spl is loaded more in line with what a USA +P load would be it seems.

 

[chaim]

I don't use Magtech much. I've only used Fiocchi in 9mm and it is among my favorites in lower priced practice fare. They do seem to be loaded a bit hotter than US made ammo and even most European ammo sold in the US.

 

[BioDemon]

I've used allot of Fiocchi HP in differant calibers and it's great. I've never used Magtech before so can't say there.

 

[jc2]

I like them both though my Magtech experience has been mostly with revolver (.357 Magnum) ammo, and my Fiocchi experience has been mostly with autoloader (.380, 9x19 and .45 ACP) ammo. Back in the days when I occassionally slipped a .380 in my pocket for carry, it was loaded with Fiocchi FMJ.

Magtech is usually a lot easier to get than Fiocchi.

 

[JohnKSa]

I've never shot magtech, but I've shot a LOT of Fiocchi in various caliber to good effect.

Great accuracy, good prices, and never a problem.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Fiocchi used to make some of the best .22 long rifle match ammunition I've ever shot.

 

[Moonclip]

I agree, some Fiocchi 22lr ammo I had was extremely accurate out of a S&W 63 of all things. Fiocchi seems to be variable though. I shot some Fiocchi 142gr truncated 357mag ammo yesterday and the recoil seemed much less than 125gr PMC or 158gr Federal hollowpoints.

I also stay away from Fiocchi "USA" handgun ammo, the repackaged Hungarian stuff. I do not really care for Hungarian MFS so that is why. Also you can tell the ammo is made cheaper with a brass jacket like some Win USA ammo and not a true copper jacket it seems. I always though the lavender colored Fiocchi 12ga ammo was neat to show up with at the trap range though!

 

[unspellable]

Fiocchi

I have chronographed the Fiocchi 7.65 mm Parabellum (30 Luger) and found it to produce a lower velocity than the Winchester load which in itself produces a lower velocity than the original DWM load. (Out of a six inch barrel the Winchester stuff fails to reach the velocity they claim from a 4.5 inch barrel.)

The Fiocchi 7.62 Nagent revolver ammo runs way below the full house load. You'd have to say it was a midrange load except that it's loaded with hard ball.

Fiocchi handgun ammo in general has a reputation for being loaded on the mild side.

 

[scubie02]

I've used both 9mm and 45 acp ammo from fiocchi and have always been satisfied. Just ordered some 38 sp from magtech and can report on that soon hopefully.

 

[bluto]

In my experience Fiocchi is accurate, reliable ammunition. It seems to be loaded a fair bit hotter than most other brands. Check out their velocity/energy listings for .38 spl, 9mm, .357 and .44 mag .

http://www.fiocchiusa.com/centerfire.htm

Mag Tech is also a very good, accurate, consistant lower priced ammo. I've used both extensively. The biggest difference is that Fiocchi seems to be cleaner than Mag Tech.

 

[psyopspec]

In 2000 Fiochhi rounds I had 1 squib load. Switched to Magtech after that, so far 4000 with no problems.

 

[unspellable]

Velocity numbers

You have to take the manufacturer's claimed velocity with a dose of salt.

Fiocchi claims 1190 fps for their 30 Luger hard ball and 1200 fps for their 30 Luger soft point. (They don't mention barrel length, but 4 or 4.5 inches would be the normal test barrel length for this caliber.) Neither round will actually make 1100 fps from a six inch barrel. I clocked them at 1070 from a six inch barrel, barely enough steam to reliably cycle the action. (The original DWM round did 1220 fps from a 4.5 inch pistol, not a test barrel.)

They probably load one caliber hotter than another. The 7.62 Nagent load is very wimpy, but a 9 mm load that wimpy would not be enough to cycle the action.

Bottom line is you have to run them over a chrono to really know what they are doing.

 

[Bacchus]

I've used them both in multiple handgun calibers. I prefer MagTech, as I've found it to be cleaner and the brass is great for reloading. But they are both OK.

 

[jondar]

My only experience with Fiocci was a .455 Webley Mk II round fired in a Webley British Bulldog. Not a pleasant experience. My right palm stung for half an hour. I had fired Dominion MKII military rounds previously in it without the discomfort the Fiocci produced. So I have to assume the pressure was greater in the Fiocci.

 

[DirtyBrad]

I've put a few hundred rounds of Fiocchi .45 through my USP. Might have felt a bit hotter, but that might just have been me reading twenty internet posts telling me it was going to.

Zero problems. Only reason I don't use it anymore is because I can get UMC much cheaper on-line.

 

[JohnKSa]

So I have to assume the pressure was greater in the Fiocci

Perhaps the pressure was greater--there's no way to tell from what you observed. Increased recoil is an indicator of greater momentum, not necessarily greater pressure.