.357 Silvertips have changed.

[RobertJ.]

A couple of years ago I bought a 3" 65-3 that came with 400 rounds of assorted ammo. Included was a full box of Winchester Silvertips, nickel case. In my initial testing, I found out that they shoot exactly to the point of aim at 10 yards, so I practice with other ammo, but have saved half the box, enough for the gun and a couple of speed loaders.

 

[shocker]

I have a box of Golden Sabres I bought on clearance pre panics. How does that compare with Silvertips?

 

[petepeterson]

I saw that same thing, and was a little surprised. Not that it matters, but that was what made the thing look so cool.

That's my "going to town" round in a 19 or 3" 60.

I have about 50 left. Probably enough to get to the finish line...

 

[reccpd101]

Nickel silvertips were a great round. Carried the 145 ones as a uniformed lieutenant back in the day. Yes, I'm old. Unfortunately no longer have any of the rounds or the Model 19 I used them in.

 

[10mm_Shooter]

being a 10mm fan, back in the 90's 10mm Silvertips were 175gr like 1260 fps and 650 ft/lbs... nice and warm for factory ammo, shot tons of them, as you guys know the jacket is actually aluminum. And yes they started as Ni cases and now use brass cases, for a time you could even by 175gr STHP just the bullets for reloading, man I wish I had bought some back in the day.. Someone mentioned Black Talons at least for the 10mm the Talon loading was 200gr hp at only 850 fps, ...selling point for it was not energy on target but expansion of HP and sharp edges, if memory serves the 10mm Talon expanded to .620 I believe, similar to expansion on the 175 gr STHP but less energy. My carry load is now the old Federal Hydra Shocks in 10mm. not as fast as the old Silvertips but have a good track record.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have a box of .38 Special +P 125-Silver Tips dating from the late 1980s. Unplated brass cases.

The .357 145-Silver Tips had an excellent reputation, back in those days. W-W law enforcement sales were very competitively priced; as a small town chief one of my functions was purchasing and watching the purse strings!

Shortly before my retirement in 1995 I saw a LE sale flyer for Black Talons, which had been the subject of several highly critical "investigative news" articles and withdrawn from the civilian market, LE sales only. They were dumping Black Talons in .45ACP, .357, and 9mm, 500-rounds to the case, all of them right at $100 per case delivered to the PD for agency or individual officer purchases. I stocked up, a total of 5 cases in the 3 calibers, figured that would carry me through for a long time.

When I was actively employed I usually shot up my carry ammo at range qualifications and replaced with fresh ammo. After retirement I found little need to shoot the "good stuff", just kept reloading for my range and practice needs.

Along about 2010 I was perusing GB and saw Black Talons selling for $150 to $200 per box (50-rounds, so $3 to $4 per round). I kept a couple of boxes of each caliber, then shamelessly cashed in on my little horde! Offered them up one box at a time with a teaser in the auction ad suggesting that I might be able to provide more if the bidding was right. I was not disappointed! I think my $500 investment resulted in about $7000 return in a few weeks.

Also had a couple of boxes of the good old W-W 158-Armor Piercing stuff. Bidding went absolutely goofy on those!

Stay tuned for more confessions of a price gouger!

 

[Racer X]

They transitioned the Black Talons into the Ranger T line, without the black. Same projectile, different color, not so scary.

 

[b.guggenmos]

Hmmm. I bought some a few years ago when they became available. I will have to open the boxes and check for brass or nickel.