Independence .357 Magnum?

[justbob]

My search locally for 135 gr. Gold Dots has been to no avail. A few boxes of 125 gr. Golden Sabers, and an odd box of Federal and Winchester, but there is very little .357 magnum of any stripe to be had anywhere.

I did find a small stack of Independence 158 gr. JSP at one shop. I have never used this stuff before in any of my guns. I would be running it in my 686p 4" and maybe my Marlin 1894c just for kicks (no pun intended).

What's the verdict? Clean/dirty? Mild/stout? Accurate/not so much?

Thanks.

 

[justbob]

My search locally for 135 gr. Gold Dots has been to no avail. A few boxes of 125 gr. Golden Sabers, and an odd box of Federal and Winchester, but there is very little .357 magnum of any stripe to be had anywhere.

I did find a small stack of Independence 158 gr. JSP at one shop. I have never used this stuff before in any of my guns. I would be running it in my 686p 4" and maybe my Marlin 1894c just for kicks (no pun intended).

What's the verdict? Clean/dirty? Mild/stout? Accurate/not so much?

Thanks.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, I've shot a good bit of Independence .357 ammo. It's both clean and accurate in my guns. I haven't chronographed any of it, but it definitely feels like a magnum load.

It's relatively inexpensive, about equivalent to Winchester White Box, and is often what you get for "range ammo" at the indoor ranges around here. Cases are plain brass rather than nickel-plated.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[justbob]

Thanks, Ron H. That's just the information I am looking for.

It helps, and OOH-RAH!

 

[canoesota]

I have shot several boxes of Independance 357Mag SJSP. It is market by ATK, but manufactured by Magtech in Brazil. I feel it performes well and is a cleaner burning load than Magtech. Saying that, I still like USA ammo better, normally Shoot Winchester "White Box" or American Eagle.

 

[animalmother]

Decent ammo.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not bad ammo at all especially for the price. It feels like a Magnum round should too, unlike Blazer ammo. If you reload the brass is good for reloading too.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I have been very happy with it in my M28-2.

It is market by ATK, but manufactured by Magtech in Brazil.

My current production loads say "Made in the USA".

Maybe they have shifted production back here?

 

[justbob]

My two boxes read "Made in USA," too.

So I went and shot them up. It was 53 degrees F when I got out of the truck at the range, and a very blustery 29 degrees F just under an hour later when I left.

Impressions:

They are a punchy-good and surprisingly accurate round out of my 4" 686p. Noticibly more "oomph" than the 125 gr. Golden Saber and Federal Personal Defense ammo I brought along for comparison. Not at all uncontrolable or painful to shoot, PROVIDED I maintained a proper grip. I had forgotten just how much fun a .357 can be.

I also ran a few through my Marlin 1894c--just for kicks. Basically the same result as the wheelgun.

I give it a thumbs-up.

So, just who is making this ammo and where in the USA?

 

[canoesota]

Originally posted by .455_Hunter:
I have been very happy with it in my M28-2.

It is market by ATK, but manufactured by Magtech in Brazil.

My current production loads say "Made in the USA".

Maybe they have shifted production back here?

I sent an email to ATK Pressroom, here is the the email sent and received.Looks like.455_Hunter is correct! They have moved production to the USA for the last several years! Thank you Tim from ATK for the response!

Tim,

I know that ATK markets Independance Ammunition. The box just says Lewiston, ID. Many claim that it is made by MagTech in Brazil, and marketed in the USA by ATK. Some claim that newer boxes are made in the USA. Most online ammo distributors have it under the heading Federal Independance. I imagine that is because the account is setup with Federal. Very confusing, and Independance has no website or marketing on its own??? I would like to share this information with my fellow handgun shooters, who by the way like the Independance products, but are confused who they are.



Thank you,


Jeff



Jeff,



Thanks for the email and the interest in Independence. All metallic Independence ammunition is made by us (ATK) in either Lewiston, ID (Speer/CCI plant) or Anoka, MN (Federal Plant), and it has been this way for the last several years.



We appreciate the interest, and best of luck on the range.



Tim