robbt
Member
hi guys , when did S&W market there own ammo ??
I have a couple of blue S&W ammo boxes , how can you tell there age ???
robbt
I have a couple of blue S&W ammo boxes , how can you tell there age ???
robbt
when did S&W market there own ammo
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I think that's right, first remember seeing the S&W label on ammo in the mid 70's. I believe they aquired the Alcan company (an ammo componet maker) and progressed to selling ammo under their own name. Some of it was made by Fiocchi and Aquila for them as well if I remember right.
IAhunter
Member
Interesting post, I have a box of S&W 357/125grain JHPs that I bought at a gun show years ago. I just noticed them in an ammo can with some other 357 ammo that I forgot I had. Maybe a good future photo op with my K and L frames.
CTG_COLLECTOR
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S&W and Fiocchi started the ammo brand in 1970 and the ammo was sold up to at least 1981, which is the latest dated price sheet that I have.
Their line of ammo covered loaded and empty shotgun shells, centerfire rifle and handgun ammo and .22 rimfire. S&W also produced specialized tear gas shells for LE use (12GA tear gas being the most common).
S&W was also responsible for introducing the nylon coated Nyclad bullets.
With respect to their handgun line of ammo, there were at least 5 different case manufacturers: Olin, Federal & Amron from the U.S. and C.I.L. & I.V.I. of Canada. Rifle cases were provided by I.V.I.
The .22 rimfire (Short & LR) was made by Aguila of Mexico.
Their line of ammo covered loaded and empty shotgun shells, centerfire rifle and handgun ammo and .22 rimfire. S&W also produced specialized tear gas shells for LE use (12GA tear gas being the most common).
S&W was also responsible for introducing the nylon coated Nyclad bullets.
With respect to their handgun line of ammo, there were at least 5 different case manufacturers: Olin, Federal & Amron from the U.S. and C.I.L. & I.V.I. of Canada. Rifle cases were provided by I.V.I.
The .22 rimfire (Short & LR) was made by Aguila of Mexico.
Wayne Dobbs
Member
Those 70s to 80s dates are what I recall too. I also recall that the ammo was not very good (to be very nice about it). The brass was hard and not very reloadable and lots of the ammo was overloaded (a common Fiocchi malady).
peterd
Member
S&W Ammo
I remember the Nyclads in the mid 70's - shot quite a few with no problems - the big concerns about inside ranges and lead dust were starting then - it was supposed to be the soultion.
I remember the Nyclads in the mid 70's - shot quite a few with no problems - the big concerns about inside ranges and lead dust were starting then - it was supposed to be the soultion.
safearm
US Veteran
Some of the early Nyclad ammo had the reputation of being able to be shot without leaving an impression of the lands and grooves on the bullet. They were quickly labeled as a "hitman's" bullet. I don't know if this was factual or urban legend, but S&W allegedly changed the composition, and later sold the reights to Federal.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
I had some S&W ammo in the blue box that I bought in the 1970s. Can't remember now what caliber, but it all went bang.
dickttx
Member
I put my guns and reloading stuff away for a few years about 1972. I recall having a box of 38's from S & W. Also had a box from Sako. Still have several of the Sako cases.
Maddog 521
Member
I just loaded up so 45acp and used S&W--Alcon primers. I don't remember how long I"ve had them so I loaded up 1K. So far everyone has fired just fine. These must be from the same time period don't you think?
Soon2bLEO
Member
S&W 44mag
Just picked up some 44mag 240gr JHP. Purchased from the original purchaser of the ammo, along with some S&W Lead Flat Point 38spl and 357mag
Box reads: S&W Ammunition Company
Rock Creek OH 44084
Haven't shot any yet.
Just picked up some 44mag 240gr JHP. Purchased from the original purchaser of the ammo, along with some S&W Lead Flat Point 38spl and 357mag
Box reads: S&W Ammunition Company
Rock Creek OH 44084
Haven't shot any yet.
I've never had any of the S&W branded pistol ammo but had some rifle ammo back in the late 70s. My buddy (forum member Nimrod44) and I bought a bunch of it in .243 Win. and .270 Win. Had one abysmal failure with the .243 stuff. It was 100 gr. but apparently very thin jacketed. One morning while we were hunting together we were set up about 250 yards apart in a deep hollow. A nice 8-pt. came by him and he shot him, deer fell. Deer got back up, Doug shoots him again. Repeat. Repeat. Wound up shooting that buck 11 times before he went down for good. Just before the last time Doug shot him, I could see the buck coming down the hollow toward me. I had the .270 on him when he finally dropped for good.
We discontinued using it for hunting after that and just shot it up at the range. I never shot anything with the .270s except a groundhog - it worked pretty well on him.
We discontinued using it for hunting after that and just shot it up at the range. I never shot anything with the .270s except a groundhog - it worked pretty well on him.
Green Frog
Member
Where can I find a list of the pistol calibers offered by S&W in their ammo making days? I am wondering whether they ever made .32 S&W Long(?) I'd love to have a box of same to go with my little I- and J-frames. 
Froggie
Froggie
AZretired
Member
Around 79-80 my department issued S&W 125 gr. JHPs. It shot okay, accuarte enough but didn't expand worth a damn. We went back to using Federal ammo.
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Green Frog
Member
Does anyone know of a listing of S&W ammo? Do any of the old S&W catalogs of the day show what calibers were available and when? I'd really like a few rounds to go with my revolvers, and if I can't find full boxes, a few assorted empty boxes in various calibers might be cool!
Froggie
Froggie
stiab
US Veteran
My handgun ammo brochures show .380, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .45 acp, and .44 Magnum. I also have a box of .22 short, and used to shoot some of their shotshells dove hunting in the 1970's.
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Green Frog
Member
Thanks, Stiab. I guess I won't have to go looking for .32 S&W Long, then. Oh well! 
Froggie
Froggie
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