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03-19-2024, 10:29 PM
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Zero Bullets?
I guess I'll find out about quality and consistency of Zero Bullets 357 158 grain JHP. I was running out of Winchester component bullets from a few years ago and couldn't find good prices on bulk JHPs. I use the Speer LSWCHP 158 grain for 38 special target loads, but prefer JHPs for magnum revolver and carbine loads.
These are 16 cents each shipped.
My last experience with Zero Bullets was in '84 when my agency bought loaded 357 125 grain ammo from them for qualification. Those were mostly good, with a few misfires from bad primers.
Guess I'll find out about their quality in a week or so.
Anyone have experience with these bullets?
Last edited by biku324; 03-19-2024 at 10:33 PM.
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03-19-2024, 11:02 PM
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I have many, many thousands of these down range. Seems to me that for many years, there were only two choices on the market for bulk, jacketed 158’s… and that was Zero and Montana Gold.
They are perfectly acceptable, I would never compare these to Nosler or Hornady XTP or Sierra Sport Master bullets, but I believe they are better than plated. I would basically consider them as “budget” jacketed.
One thing I will mention and you may or may not experience it yourself — but on the rare occasion where you make up a round that you later wish to pull down with a kinetic (hammer-type) bullet puller… you might find if you have a good solid crimp that you can tap-tap-tap the lead core right out of the jacket.
It’s comical, honestly. Did not inspire a massive wave of confidence… but they seem to shoot well.
I’ve never used them for any particular kind of target other than paper or steel, so I cannot report on any kind of “performance.” And I’ve used far more of the JSP than the JHP.
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03-19-2024, 11:08 PM
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Thank you, that is helpful...I've never tapped a core out of a bullet and would really have been surprised!
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03-19-2024, 11:13 PM
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I've used Zero bullets, in different calibers, for many years with good results, .357 included.
While they're not as exact as premium brand bullets they're more than satisfactory for all but the most critical needs.
I've never tested expansion of the 158gr JHPs myself but some on-line test show reasonable expansion however I just buy some premium bullets for SD needs.
If you buy some of their .44 240gr JSP bullets they're sized on the fat side, .4312", which I run thru a sizer & knock them down to .4302".
The 158gr JHPs have been fine at .3575"-.3580" for me, historically.
.
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03-19-2024, 11:15 PM
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Very good, thank you.
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03-20-2024, 04:32 PM
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Been buying their 9mm and 357 bullets (jacketed and swaged) for decades. Never a problem with any of them.
I'm shooting a batch of 158 JSPs right now. When they got all backed up during Covid I backordered a few thousand and asked the nice lady on the phone to just ship whichever was available first JHP or JSP. Even at carbine length velocities I'm getting good groups.
I'm sure you will be pleased.
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03-21-2024, 10:20 AM
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When the 147 gr 9 mm loads started coming out I picked up some of the 147 gr Zero bullets (only things available) to experiment. Worked OK, much to my surprise they actually expanded at the low velocities. Depending upon your needs/wants they should work OK. As others have noted, I don't think they're gonna take over the LE market or put Sierra or Hornady out of business.
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03-21-2024, 10:41 AM
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Very good - my plan is to use these for volume shooting.
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03-24-2024, 10:45 AM
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Zero bullets are great. I used the 230 45ACP when I was shooting USPSA years ago. Now I have great results with the 158/357 bullets, both soft point and hollow point. I load them for my Rossi at above max loads and they shoot wonderfully.
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03-24-2024, 11:07 AM
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Mine showed up yesterday. They look uniform, and 3 I picked out all weighed the same.
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