What about the magnum JSP loads?

[.455_Hunter]

Greetings,

How do people feel about the "standard" factory magnum loads of 158 gr. JSP in the .357, 210 gr. JSP in the .41, and 240 gr. JSP in the .44? No bonding or fancy stuff, just a copper jacket over a swaged lead core.

All of the talk about these cartridges usually involves premium JHP human defensive loads or super hot "bear stoppers". The JSPs do not have the rapid expansion characteristics of the JHPs, and don't have the super-deep penetration characteristics of the hard cast LFN.

It seems to me that someone who wants a load that is suitable for two- legged AND four-legged predators might be best served using a load that works "acceptably" in both regimes.

or

Am I completely off on this? Do the inherent characteristics of the JSP make it a liability for human defense (over penetration), and worthless for animal defense (under penetration)?


Interestingly, nobody ever seems to do any penetration tests with these slugs (water jugs, gelatin, wet paper, etc.). Are they truly the unloved red-headed stepchild of the bullet world ?

One final note-It also seems that these rounds cost less than their "fancy" siblings, making them an apperant good value.

Your thoughts please.

Hunter

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Go to www.brassfetcher.com as he has tested a lot of ammo in ballistic gelatin.

 

[Bezoar]

You seem to have the idea of the JSP very well.
"give a bullet designed to expand to 2-2.5X the caliber, while deliviring the most penetration possible."

In rifles its excellent for hunting bear, in a handgun like a 4"+ 44 magnum, d rather have a jsp then a jhp for deer. I like a big mushroomed bullet blowing through bone and soft tissue, and not a light weight JHP that vaporizes the instant it hits the fat layer under the deer skin.

 

[SeanSw]

I found it interesting that the new Federal .327 magnum debuted with a JSP factory load. I have no experience with hunting, or bullets in general, but I am interesting in seeing the test results for this ammunition.

 

[earplug]

I have a .357 loaded with some 158 grain JSP for front yard duty. It might work better then JHP if I have to punch through a automobile window or door.
Really I think a decent cast 158 SWC would work as well or better.