Bargain Gunshow Ammo

[125JHP]

Quite often gun show sellers don't want you opening ammo boxes unless you buy it first. There are good reasons for this but also the buyer has to beware of the flip side possibilities. I recommend telling the dealer you will inspect the ammo either before or after the sale but that the deal isn't complete until you accept the contents of the boxes. If he doesn't agree then walk away as he probably has something to hide.
Also as a general rule, I don't buy reloads at a gun show unless I need the brass for my own use. Those I tear down for the components and toss the powder.

A few years ago I picked up quite a few 44 Mag at a good price. I tore most of it down and reloaded it myself, even though the guy told me the load, which would have been fine as long as he didn't make a mistake. There was also a box of what looked like factory Federal Hi Shok which I kept separate. I recently took a closer look at those to see if I could tell if they were really factory or reloads and in among them I found one that looked a little funny. Turns out, someone reloaded a fired bullet (it still had dirt in the cavity and the lands & grooves were clear as day) and stuck it in there to fill an empty hole.

I'm not sure what would have happened if I would have fired that round. Its another lesson in buyer beware I thought I'd pass along now that times are tough and ammo is getting very expensive.

 

[DanWales]

Ammo

Wow what a crummy way to make a couple bucks.

I have only been to one gun show here in Fla .... I didn't buy any ammo, there was plenty there for sale.

I can't get over the fact that someone is that bad off they could kill someone or maim someone for life.

I did see a lot of the ammo being sold I can only assume they knew the loaders.

This post here kinda shakes me I admit.

Dan

 

[125JHP]

I've been going to shows for many years and have bought my fair share of ammo, both new, surplus and reloads. This is the first time I have seen this kind of thing although I have seen some sloppy reloads and pulled a few apart that I was glad I did when I weighed the charges.

 

[Frank46]

I once bought a factory box of remington 444 marlin. One round had the primer upside down, two rounds had circles on the lead portion of the bullet. Showed it to the sales person he said no exchanges on ammo. got the manager and showed him. would you like a new box or refund?.
Evidently someone was also reloading for the 444 and I got his screw ups. I will not buy any ammo in plastic baggies regardless of whoever loaded it. One show there is this dealer with powder in quart mason jars. relabeled to show what it is. Won't buy that either. Too many people wanting to make a fast buck with crappy loading procedures, old and probably wrongly labeled powders. Seen too many "OPP"S" at the range and when asked where you got the ammo its just came with the rifle. Frank

 

[blujax01]

I suppose if I went to a gun show regularly and there was an ammo dealer there year after year, I might try his wares.

 

[Jamie]

The only time I've had problems with ammo is from 'gun show' ammo.

 

[mkk41]

Always wondered why ammo cartons were not 'factory sealed' somehow?

 

[pharmer]

I will not buy any ammo in plastic baggies regardless of whoever loaded it.

I learned that the hard way. I bought 100 rds of 55gr .223 for $15 in a baggie from a reputable seller who is still at the shows. Not a rd would chamber in my AR, mini 14 or bolt Mk X. Brass must not have been resized. I consider it a cheap lesson ( gave it to a reloading friend with caution not to attempt to shoot). Joe

 

[WNC Seabee]

Watched a guy bulge his barrel on a new HK .40 on Friday with gun show reloads. Had a squib and before I could stop him (I was RSO), he fired another round. I was impressed that HK didnt blow up!

 

[arjay]

I shoot my own reloads,when I need new brass I buy factory ammo.I would never buy ammo at a gunshow,there are too many guys trying to make a quick buck.

 

[flintsghost]

There was also a box of what looked like factory Federal Hi Shok which I kept separate. I recently took a closer look at those to see if I could tell if they were really factory or reloads and in among them I found one that looked a little funny.

When Federal first brought out the Hydrashok ammo, they also sold the bullets in boxes of 50 as a reloading component. I bought 10 boxes of the .357 variety of bullets on Ebay several years ago and loaded them myself into new WW brass with my own favorite load. I also bought a box of 45ACP bullets through Midway years ago just to try. I never used them and still have them sitting on my loading bench. The point is that just because they appear to be factory ammo, they may not be. You can't be too careful.

 

[TrueTexan]

Watched a guy bulge his barrel on a new HK .40 on Friday with gun show reloads. Had a squib and before I could stop him (I was RSO), he fired another round. I was impressed that HK didnt blow up!

Thank goodness the second round was as crappy as the first.

 

[desi2358]

I've seen enough guns damaged or jammed come to the counter of the shop I used to work at that the owner had used "gunshow reloads" in. Cases not sized jammed in the chamber, bullets stuck in forcing cones, in barrels and sadly a few guns wrecked totally. I won't shoot a reload I didn't make myself.

Not to say the factories don't screw up though, selling ammo at retail meant I found crushed case necks, reversed primers (& bullets) and various damaged rounds in boxes. Guns damaged by factory ammo though are pretty rare and in at least two cases I am aware of the ammo maker stepped up to the plate and replaced the damaged guns. Good luck on getting a "gunshow ammo guy" to do that for you.