Ammo question

[Rockets]

How can you tell if the ammo I'm buying from an individual is indeed factory ammo and not reloads ? What should I look for ?

 

[murphydog]

A factory box, with the same headstamp, primers and bullet appearance would be reassuring. The cases should also look shiny, undinged and without powder residue or burns. A careful reloader could theoretically do all this, however.

 

[steamloco76]

Pistol/revolver ammo will usually show a distinct 'ring' just above the rim groove where the carbide sizing die can't reach. This shows more on bare brass than nickel plated cases.

Very carefully loaded rifle ammo is a bit harder to tell from factory, especially if loaded using one of the factory crimp dies to finish the load. Comparing against an identical cartridge that you know to be factory is the best way to check.

 

[Packard]

And all the cases in the box should be identical.

 

[David Sinko]

See if you can pull the bullet of one cartridge. You will be able to tell immediately if the brass case has been fired. Nobody will try to scam you by using new and expensive unfired brass.

Fired cartridge cases for semiauto pistol cartridges almost always have an ejector ding somewhere on or near the rim. There are usually some kinds of sizing marks on the brass. Seated primers are often a giveaway, especially if the ammo is loaded in quantity on a progressive press. The depths tend to be inconsistent with a slight crush fit. How the bullet is crimped is also important. The bullet will often be slightly canted in the case, with the base bulging slightly at one side of the case but not the other. Also, the factories often use excessive crimp but their crimp will not remove brass shavings from the case mouth.

If you know what to look for, you can almost always detect the handloads. The way I see it, somebody who is trying to scam you will not take the time and attention to detail required to assemble ammo that can pass for factory loaded.

Dave Sinko

 

[Rockets]

Great information. I saw some indentation marks on the primers which made me a little suspicious. Otherwise the brass is nice and shinny.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Great information. I saw some indentation marks on the primers which made me a little suspicious. Otherwise the brass is nice and shinny.

Indentation marks? Are you talking about a crimped primer like in military ammo? If so that is almost assuredly factory loaded ammo. I don't know of anyone who adds a crimp to primers other than factory military ammo

Also, reloaders rarely if ever use a sealer on their reloads. If you see red or green around the outside of the primer pocket it's probably factory ammo.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Maybe the OP is not talking about crimped primers. Indentations ON the primer are usually (always?) a dead giveaway of reloads, and generally not those of all that skilled an operator.

Caveat emptor, which I think is Latin for "The cave might be empty."

 

[Rockets]

Maybe the OP is not talking about crimped primers. Indentations ON the primer are usually (always?) a dead giveaway of reloads, and generally not those of all that skilled an operator.

Caveat emptor, which I think is Latin for "The cave might be empty."

Here are some pictures... The 38 special is the one in question... I posted it next to a factory loaded 9mm Speer

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Those primers look like reloads to me. You will often see dimples in the primers like that when primer brass. (sorry)

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Those primers look like reloads to me. You will often see dimples in the primers like that when primer brass. (sorry)

I agree with this.

 

[chief38]

A simple rule of thumb is to ONLY buy ammo from a reputable store or website seller. This way there are no ifs, and's or buts! NEVER buy gun show reloads! NEVER!!

I will not even buy components at a gun show. Yes, I am a bit paranoid.....
as I have gotten burned and will not let that happen again. I won't even shoot reloads from friends, this way there are never any hard feelings if something goes wrong.

Just MHO of course....

Chief38

 

[David Sinko]

Those are reloads. They were probably loaded on a progressive press. A few granules of powder found their way into the priming station and the primer is being seated against these granules, which causes the indentations. The tool operator either was not aware it was happening or didn't care. Occasionally this happens to my reloads and it is not dangerous in and of itself. The ammo should fire just fine.

Unknown reloads should always be viewed with suspicion. That said, I have seen shoddy factory loaded ammo just the same. I have seen factory loaded ammo with upside down primers, bullets seated upside down, bullets that can be turned easily with finger pressure, and of course there's the dreaded brass case manufactured without a flashhole which had cost at least one competitive shooter a world championship.

The best ammo is the stuff that you load yourself.

Dave Sinko

 

[GTbob]

I agree with all that has been said.

I have bought reloads at the gun show and they fired perfectly and I was happy. Of course I bought them from someone that is always at the gunshow and SO's Father has bought reloading components from for years. In other words a good reputation.

 

[Rockets]

Update...

Pulled a couple of boolits to check if the case had been fired before. They looked nice and shinny with no burned marks. Measured the powder load @ 6.2g and the boolit weight @ 134g according to my Hornady mechanical scale.

So there you have it. I guess the QC @ the factory failed this time.

 

[dirty gary]

Your pics look like rounds that have been run on an automated loader like an Ammo Load, they get scratches and dings in them. This does not mean they are not ok, I've loaded and shot thousands of rds. that were perfect like this.

 

[Rockets]

Your pics look like rounds that have been run on an automated loader like an Ammo Load, they get scratches and dings in them. This does not mean they are not ok, I've loaded and shot thousands of rds. that were perfect like this.

I just checked out Ammo Load on line... What a beast ! 3-5K per hour.... Amazing !

 

[chud333]

After seeing the pix i also agree it's reloads.

 

[Frank46]

If it comes in plastic baggies run do not walk away from it. Frank

 

[CTG_COLLECTOR]

Here are some pictures... The 38 special is the one in question... I posted it next to a factory loaded 9mm Speer

Without knowing exactly what the Federal 38Spl loading is that you have and without seeing a good clear picture of the overall profile of the ammo itself, I can't say whether your ammo is factory or reloads.

BUT, just because your picture shows the primers with small little "dents" on them, this in itself does not make them reloads. Being a shooter and a cartridge collector, I can say in no uncertain terms that I have seen many factory loaded handgun rounds with the same little dings on the primers, both on domestic and foreign made ammo.