How do you know if an ammo manufacturer complies with SAAMI specs? Most of their websites don't cover this topic or am I just not finding it.

First, all major manufacturers voluntarily comply with SAAMI pressure limitations and will either be un-marked or the packaging will indicate that it is manufactured to SAAMI standards. If it says nothing it complies with standard pressure limits. Above this number up to the SAAMI +P standard for the cartridge the packaging, and often the cartridge headstamp will indicate it is +P.

Second, if their ammunition exceeds the +P standard the packaging will be marked +P+, meaning there is no SAAMI standard for the pressure level it is loaded to. Usually the packaging will indicate that it is not SAAMI compliant in addition to the +P+ marking, but that is what the +P+ means to begin with.

Otherwise there are SAAMI dimensional standards which assure that any commercially manufactures ammunition for a standard commercial cartridge will fit any production firearm designed and marked for that cartridge.

Basically there is nothing to be concerned about.

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

If you are buying factory ammunition from any of the major and reputable manufacturers, you have nothing to worry about.

Bubba's Reloads from a gun show? That might be a different story...

OK, so a hot corbon load that doesn't say +P(for calibers where there is no SAAMI spec for +P) or +P+ is SAAMI?

Yes, if it does not list +P or +P+, then it should be a standard pressure load. Corbon talks about SAAMI specs in their FAQ a little, nothing specifically to your question but enough to show you that they take pressure specs seriously.

CORBON - FAQ's

If you have any questions about a specific load and firearm combo I would give them a call.

Thanks Dragon88 that is all I needed to know. It makes you wonder how they get better velocities (sometimes a lot better) than the big three with the same bullet weights.

Carefully selected and blended powders, and good pressure testing equipment to make sure their loads won't blow up guns.

One way is, the specialty ammo companies will load their ammo right up to the SAAMI limits whereas most of the established manufacturers will load quite a bit lower than the limits. While it makes their lawyers happy it cheats the buyer of the full capability of their chosen caliber. (unless you want to pay the outrageous prices from CarBon and Buffalo Bore)

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

Thanks ArchAngelCD.

Also, some of the European ammo is loaded closer to the upper end of the SAAMI specs, which is probably coincidental since they have their own specs to follow.

FWIW - I've got a CZ 70 plagued by FTEs with American made .32acp, but runs almost flawlessly with European made 7.65 Browning.

__________________
Age + Treachery = JohnnieB

If they're a member of SAAMI, all the ammo they manufacture is SAAMI compliant. If they're a non-member, there are no guarantees.

SAAMI

__________________
Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)