I haven’t shot every silvertip in every caliber but, the ones I’ve shot and chronographed in 41 mag and 357 mag were not much over 1200 fps, did not expand or penetrate well when compared to other Bullets in the same class.
I have never tested the 357 Magnum Winchester Silvertips but the .41 Magnum was made mainly for a defensive load which is why the velocity is only in the low-to-mid 1200. Winchester wanted to load that would be more controllable. In the testing that I have done the bullet expands very well at that velocity and penetrates the exact same amount as other rounds and its class as in hollow points. CorBon has basically the same load running about 50 ft per second faster using the 170 grain Sierra Jacketed Hollow Cavity bullet.
GG....I understand what you are saying about Silvertips but my theory with a .38 Super is I want as close to 357 Magnum velocities as possible. Otherwise I might as well just carry my Glock 19 and get 50% more carrying capacity.
Bob
I used 4 layers of denim in front of water soaked news print and the Silvio in both 357 & 41 magnum were slow, lacked penetration and good expansion. I was not impressed. The B.B. 170 grain JHC at 1530 fps out of my 4” M-57 was dam right impressive. Recoil to me was very manageable in the M-57.
I bagged two medium sized hogs in the same day with factory .357 Silvertips back in the '80's and all 3 rounds fired did exactly what I would expect them to do. I doubt the current Silvertips are the same bullet I used in the '80's, I know Winchester has played with jacket thickness and the metallurgy of the core over the years to improve the Silvertip line...so that 1980's experience seems about worthless today.
When I lived in Arkansas I did take a "coyote of convenience" with my .38 Super while toting Silvertips. Riding in the back of the trailer picking up hay bails, he just ran right out in front of us and stood there... Pretty much leveled the Yote at just under 50 yards. Bullet wasn't recovered (which kinda surprised me a bit). So clearly it works, but as I said; there are much better loads. I love the Buffalo Bore 147gr JHP at around 1150fps.
