9mm range ammo
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Papa_D
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I use Winchester White box mostly at the range. I'll shoot American Eagle if I can find it and have the extra $ to spend on it. Federal Champion and Champion Aluminum case are also used occasionally, all be it very rare.
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alexfitch225
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Win white box was the first rounds I ran through my sd9ve it works pretty well. Never shot the American Eagle nor federal champion. Last aluminum cased I ran was some blazer aluminum only for about 50 rounds, for that reason I almost hate buying ammo from big box stores.
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Targets Guy
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I use that as well. Brownells has it on sale right now. Just ordered four boxes.
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alexfitch225
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alexfitch225
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Man I'd hope not my gun would be talking so much ****.
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scoobysnacker
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Ok, makes a little sense. I don't think S&B emphasizes .380 that much; the Czechs use 9x19 currently in their military, and used to use 9x18 Makarov. CZ focuses a lot on 9mm, they go upwards to .40 S&W and .45 ACP, but they only had one model going at .380 (the CZ 83); and that was a commercial version of the CZ 82 in 9 Mak. My guess is that S&B is best when they produce rounds intended to function in CZ weapons, as those two companies are probably tied at the hip when it comes to arming the Czech police and military.
My pistol of choice is a CZ 75, although I shoot quite a few others. It loves the S&B I feed it.
I would guess that Fiocchi would make a better .380 rd, tied to the Beretta 84 etc series.
Again, when it comes to European ammo, I think a lot of them load more to milspec level, as that is likely the bulk of their domestic business (especially compared to US companies). Countries with a tradition of lower calibers for police likely also load those calibers well. The rounds might be ball or FMJ, but otherwise loaded at functional defensive levels (which is what they were intended to shoot).
The US brands, I think they make SD rds along the lines of what police use, they make ball for military, and they make downloaded rounds that are intended for paper (and SHOULD cycle ok, but are weaker than what the guns were designed around). I think the QA checks on those are a little looser than ammo intended for "work", and hence the complaints a lot of people have re WWB and Remington UMC.
When it comes to the lower price range, I get the sense that we can choose between a European rd that is basically milspec, or an American rd that is just for plinking.
For 9mm, I usually check out the "by the case" folks on the internet like SGAMMO and buy Federal 115 grn 9BP hollow points they general aren't much higher that WWB and they are good old school shooters. In a pinch, you can use it as self defense ammo.
I also buy 147grn standard pressure or sub-sonic Hollow points from Federal or Winchester. Again good old school shooters that can double in a pinch for self defense. It's not as easy as going to Wally World and getting WWB. Also the outdoor range I use has pretty much banned bi-metal jacketed bullets, which is almost all of the steel case. The NRA indoor range will let you shoot them, but not if they are steel core.
For me, bulk, old school, hollow points for everyday shooting works and works well.
Chris
I also buy 147grn standard pressure or sub-sonic Hollow points from Federal or Winchester. Again good old school shooters that can double in a pinch for self defense. It's not as easy as going to Wally World and getting WWB. Also the outdoor range I use has pretty much banned bi-metal jacketed bullets, which is almost all of the steel case. The NRA indoor range will let you shoot them, but not if they are steel core.
For me, bulk, old school, hollow points for everyday shooting works and works well.
Chris
scoobysnacker
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I think we can overthink this at times, most of the ammo I've used over the years has been ok. Frankly, I think the worst stuff I've shot was Remington UMC, followed by WWB. This was still ok, and it was about all I shot until ammo started vanishing at times. During the first shortage that I remember, I bought some PMC in 9mm from a LGS, I thought it was better than the WWB and UMC, but it cost more. Did Blazer aluminum then, too. Of the 4, the PMC was the hottest load, and that's when I started looking at other brands.
I've shot a bunch of different manufacturers, and they all seem to go bang, just with various levels of stoutness. That's why I pick up whatever is the best price.
I've shot a bunch of different manufacturers, and they all seem to go bang, just with various levels of stoutness. That's why I pick up whatever is the best price.
CarlosSD9VE
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Yesterday i finally stripped it to clean and lube. First time I've ever taken apart a firearm. It was dirty but in have no point of reference to know if it was just dirty or very dirty. But i took my time. Watched a few youtube videos to get an idea and i think it came out great.
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alexfitch225
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I have well over 1000 rounds through mine and she still shines like new on every piece. I'd like to say I'm a clean freak when it comes to my firearms, but I'm sure there are worse than me.
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alexfitch225
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I haven't seen federal American Eagle around here for a while.
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scoobysnacker
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Last time I saw American Eagle 9mm, the place that carried it was selling it for around $16-17 a box. It's good honest ammo, but that's a bit steep for FMJ, when I can get comparable for less.
My preference for S&B, PPU and Fiocchi comes from the fact that I don't think they make lower tier ammo for just paper shooting (like Blazer).
My preference for S&B, PPU and Fiocchi comes from the fact that I don't think they make lower tier ammo for just paper shooting (like Blazer).
Arik
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Just bought Geco 9 124gr for $209 delivered
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ricklee4570
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USA Winchester 100 round economy box from Walmart. Never a single problem
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alexfitch225
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I like fiocchi 9mm I feel like their price tends to be a bit inflated though. S&b on the other hand is good stuff, but for whatever reason my lgs has it priced like it's gods gift to the world or something. I'm talking $21 for a box of 50.
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scoobysnacker
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This is sort of related, and I just have to say ... WOW 
I have stated that one of the cheaper ammo I am trying out is Yavex 124 gr FMJ.
You can get it from Bud's Gun Shop for 18 cents a round, and it functions fine.
If you buy it by the case, Bud's simply puts a mailing label on the Yavex box. That's a big white cardboard box, with YAVEX 9x19 in big, block 3 inch lettering, with Luger FMJ in smaller, 1 inch gold print. Anyone and their brother who looks at that box knows exactly what is inside.
This is what it looks like
I'm having some fundation repair work done on my house, had a group of workers here (Hispanic laborers hired by my contractor). They came out today to do the job. Good, fast workers, no dillying around. I had to meet someone elsewhere, so I locked up my house and left. I came back and the work crew was finished and packing up.
Fedex must have came, the Yavex box was sitting next to my door...!
Not really sure what to think... thankful and grateful that nobody packed the box up after the Fedex truck left. Kinda concerned that these contractors now know I have a case of ammo, but in the part of the country I live in (and given my neighborhood), I expect every house has a firearm. Still, has me a little shaken.
What does the board think?
I have stated that one of the cheaper ammo I am trying out is Yavex 124 gr FMJ.
You can get it from Bud's Gun Shop for 18 cents a round, and it functions fine.
If you buy it by the case, Bud's simply puts a mailing label on the Yavex box. That's a big white cardboard box, with YAVEX 9x19 in big, block 3 inch lettering, with Luger FMJ in smaller, 1 inch gold print. Anyone and their brother who looks at that box knows exactly what is inside.
This is what it looks like
I'm having some fundation repair work done on my house, had a group of workers here (Hispanic laborers hired by my contractor). They came out today to do the job. Good, fast workers, no dillying around. I had to meet someone elsewhere, so I locked up my house and left. I came back and the work crew was finished and packing up.
Fedex must have came, the Yavex box was sitting next to my door...!
Not really sure what to think... thankful and grateful that nobody packed the box up after the Fedex truck left. Kinda concerned that these contractors now know I have a case of ammo, but in the part of the country I live in (and given my neighborhood), I expect every house has a firearm. Still, has me a little shaken.
What does the board think?
Arik
Member
I think it's bad that they just slap a label on a box that's so obviously ammo
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scoobysnacker
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Good price for that. Do you know if it's Swiss, German or Hungarian?
yeah, I'm going to contact them about that. it's not like it is a discount on the shipping, and when the box screams "I'm ammo!", I'd prefer it stuffed inside another, more discreet box.
Arik
Member
Description says Swiss made but I don't know if it's generic description or actual. Either way I've shot it before and it was good stuff
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scoobysnacker
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I've always heard Geco is excellent, and what I've used hasn't been otherwise. For Swiss-made in 124, that's a great deal.
I see the latest reviews seem to indicate it has magnetic properties. From what I've seen over the years, it goes back and forth with that; sometimes it is, sometimes not. That's not an issue where I shoot, but for a lot of folks, it can be, so please check your batch and let us know.
The brand has an excellent reputation, but that was based on the Swiss and German rounds. I've read that they have since also started listing Hungarian ammo too; I'm not a snob about that, more just curious if anyone notices any difference between the manufacture countries.
Of my preferred list (S&B, PPU, Fiocchi), I would have put Geco up there equal to the top, but I haven't seen it listed this low before. Great find!
I see the latest reviews seem to indicate it has magnetic properties. From what I've seen over the years, it goes back and forth with that; sometimes it is, sometimes not. That's not an issue where I shoot, but for a lot of folks, it can be, so please check your batch and let us know.
The brand has an excellent reputation, but that was based on the Swiss and German rounds. I've read that they have since also started listing Hungarian ammo too; I'm not a snob about that, more just curious if anyone notices any difference between the manufacture countries.
Of my preferred list (S&B, PPU, Fiocchi), I would have put Geco up there equal to the top, but I haven't seen it listed this low before. Great find!
Arik
Member
They also had S&B for the same price but it was 115gr. Not that it really matters to me but if given the choice and price being equal I go with the 124.
If I remember I'll check if its magnetic. Doesn't matter to me.
Geco is a multinational company
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alexfitch225
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Eh no need for weak ammo for a bs gun. When it comes down to the protecting myself I'll keep to my m&p 45 with some good jhps
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Arik
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It's RANGE ammo. Not self defense ammo. This is what you use if you want to go take a class, practice, plink or otherwise shoot your gun in a recreational none self defense manner. For that it works absolutely fine, along with just about every other fmj ammo
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scoobysnacker
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I have some 9x18 pistols too, and have shot everything available through them. All feed without a glitch.
Regarding Wolf and lacquer vs poly- visibly, the polycoated are matte gray, no real tint. The lacquer have a brownish tint.
These all shoot fine.
Wish I could find some more Jing An copperwashed, those were fun!
oldfart64
Member
I most usually use american eagle 147gr fpfmj as my range ammo. It has similar ballistics to what I use (federal LE hst 147gr) .
I ran into a decent sale at cabelas on american eagle syntec 115 gr. shot a hundred rounds. It is very accurate and at 10 yards I like to practice at very little difference in hold point. Anyway, it is big time clean, I mean nothing in the barrel and only a little carbon near the trigger bar on my carry pistol. I am going to use it for my range ammo most of the time now and reserve the fpfmj for touch ups when I feel the need. good luck and good shooting
I got a box of it at Walmart a few days ago. I was hoping for something cheap (like Perfecta or Federal aluminum) to test out and break-in my latest Armslist score (a M&P9L) , and the counter girl that's always realy helpful dug out a box of this new Winchester stuff.
It's made in the USA, steel-cased, non-corrosive, and brass jacketing, and comes in a fairly plain carboard box of 150 rounds, for around $28 +tax.
The only other budget 9mm they had was Tula, at around
$12+ a box, so I figured I'd give the steel-cased Winchester a shot.
I ran through about half of it, and it's fired fine, and seems consistent, but I couldn't shoot a decent group to save my life,
and suspected the new (to me) pistol was to blame. But today, I ran several types of brass cased stuff through it, and realized it had to be the Winchester ammo.
I've had much better accuracy with Perfecta and Federal aluminum, at about the same price.
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alexfitch225
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Is that winchester forged? I've been wondering about that stuff, I've always been apprehensive about buying it though.
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Check Sportsmanguide, I haven't ordered ammo from anyone else, in years (the free shipping codes they're always sending out make them among the cheapest around).
S&B,Fiocchi and Geco are usually among the most economical ammos they sell (though everything seems to be a little higher as of late).
Just a couple months ago a buddy and I split a case of 124gr S&B, for about $205, w/ free shipping.
