Federal 38g "FBI" Load..Disapointed....

[BobsSmith]

Greetings Everyone...

I have been a "fan" of the Federal 38g "FBI" load ( 158 swchp ) for some time now, as it shoots so well in my 642 Airweight.

Just purchased a box from Ammo to Go, ( Great Service BTW ). Federal now packages this ammo in a rather plain white box, vs. the older silver "classic" boxes.

Not a real big deal, but I compared this round with my older rounds, and they have no crimp! Read a review, and the reviewer stated he could not fire more the 2 - 3 rounds out of his 642 without the bullets "walking" out due to no crimp.

I also purchased several boxes of American Eagle 158 lead round nose for practice. Even those rounds have a crimp! Why not the plus P 38g?

Very disapointed.

Bob

 

[chief38]

I would try the Buffalo Bore NON +P 158 grain LSWCHP in your gun - HEAVILY CRIMPED, standard pressure, 860 feet per second from a 2" gun. It actually packs more velocity and stopping power than the "Big Three" +P FBI loads do, without the excessive pressure which you don't want in an Airweight gun. POA = POI also.

Really good stuff!

Chief38

 

[Maximumbob54]

How was the bore with leading from them?

 

[BobsSmith]

Thanks Chief..

Will be ordering a couple boxes to try out. Looks outstanding! Like having your cake and eating it too!

Best

Bob

 

[mag318]

The Winchester version of this famous load is still my favorite, and I regularly carry it in my 3" model 66.

 

[chief38]

I did not notice any unusual or heavy leading, but remember, this is self defense ammo and it "ain't cheap" so I doubt that you would be firing too many rounds other than to test and familiarize yourself with anyway.

Only the perp would be concerned with a "leading problem".

Chief38

 

[badge 851]

I would try the Buffalo Bore NON +P 158 grain LSWCHP in your gun - HEAVILY CRIMPED, standard pressure, 860 feet per second from a 2" gun. It actually packs more velocity and stopping power than the "Big Three" +P FBI loads do, without the excessive pressure which you don't want in an Airweight gun. POA = POI also.

Really good stuff!

Chief38

That load is SUPERIOR AMMUNITION! I have used it as my carry load for the last three years or so. POI=POA in my 357 & 38 snub nose guns.

 

[Clay H.]

I purchased 100 rounds of the Federal 38G "FBI load" and have since fired most of it through a 642 and 442, with no problems whatsoever. No evidence of the bullets pulling forward was noticed. I checked after every third or fourth shot at first to make sure. Ammunition To Go is excellent to deal with. And this is the best price on a great round for your gat. I also like the Buffalo Bore standard pressure version of the FBI load, which can be purchased from Midway USA.

 

[hawgleg]

I would think if it was the true old "FBI" load they would need a crimp. Maybe a bad box of ammo or not real FBI loads.

 

[dscampbell]

I just switched from 110 grain hornady .38 Spl std pressure to the 158 grain LHP short barrel reduced flash and it is great.

 

[Clay H.]

ATK and others will make the ammo however an agency wants it. If a crimp isn't specified in the contract, you don't get a crimp. There are no current specs when it comes to what we call the FBI load, other than a lead hollowpoint weighing 158 grains and normally labeled a +P, at least by the big three. The FBI hasn't used it since the late 1980's, IIRC.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I did not notice any unusual or heavy leading, but remember, this is self defense ammo and it "ain't cheap" so I doubt that you would be firing too many rounds other than to test and familiarize yourself with anyway.

Only the perp would be concerned with a "leading problem".

Chief38

I only ask because I bought some and two cylinders had my bore leaded so bad it looked like a smooth bore. My new 637 has that rounded EDM rifling that looks like polygonal rifling at a glance and I assuemed that was the culprit. Not something I would want to run a whole box through though for sure.

 

[chief38]

I am not too familiar with the new polygonal rifling that is now used on the S&W's and has been on the Glocks for some time. I can tell you that Glock specifies that NO LEAD ammunition be fired through their barrels because it will severely lead them up. They sell after market barrels for Glocks for people who ant to shoot lead.

What exactly the purpose of the new type of barrels are is beyond me, but I suspect that it is less expensive to manufacturer.

Chief38

 

[photoman]

I know there are many loyal fans to this load, but honestly, there are much better modern loads out there for serious use.

The last lot of Remington "FBI" I bought was so out of spec it wouldn't even fit in some of my guns.

 

[Reloader]

Winchester is my #1 pick, too. With Remington 2nd.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought several boxes of that same Federal ammo from Ammo-to-go and have had no problems at all with it in my M442. No leading or bullet pull at all.

I would test it in your revolver before you take the word of someone on the internet who claims they had a problem. Look for yourself, I did and I see a crimp.

 

[GregG]

ATK and others will make the ammo however an agency wants it. If a crimp isn't specified in the contract, you don't get a crimp. There are no current specs when it comes to what we call the FBI load, other than a lead hollowpoint weighing 158 grains and normally labeled a +P, at least by the big three. The FBI hasn't used it since the late 1980's, IIRC.

Maybe the FBI doesn't spec a crimp on revolver rounds, but they should if they don't. I have had a revolver lock up due to bullet pull.

To the OP... good on you for inspecting your ammo and doubting something that doesn't seem right.

 

[Pigirondan]

In my 638, Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158 grain LSWCHP performs better than the Winchester or Remington +P "FBI" loads. YMMV

 

[imjin138]

I will have to try the Buffalo Bore it sounds pretty good.

 

[jimmyj]

Would it be feasable to run the cartridges though your dies and add a crimp?