[Scotticus]

Got a new Ruger 3" SP101 .357 and tried out a variety of ammo in it from WW130gr .38's up to Federal 180gr cast .357 (ouch).

First time trying Ultramax reloads (158 gr .38 spec). I thought I was shooting a black powder pistol. The smoke and fouling were horrendous! Is this commom with Ultramax or is it just my relatively short barrel length or something?

I was trying to get HSM reloads for plinking but the Sportsman's Warehouse sold out the day before. Next question: How are these HSM reloads before I buy a case of them? (The price is right at $6.79/box).

[PointOneSeven]

The ultramax rounds also make cool looking sparks at night like cheap chinese ammo. It's part of the experience :D.

[outofbattery]

I've had no problem with it in .357SIG.

[possum]

i have used a ton of the ultramax ammo in my xd service .40 and a little in my xd sc, i like it, i get it for a good price at dicks, and they are brass cased so i can use them to reload, they are pretty accurate for inexpensive ammo and lead rds at that. they are dirty, but not to much for my taste, i don't mind cleanning my guns, they get cleanned after each range trip anyway. but i have put over 600rds of the ultramax through my xd in one range trip and i have never had an issue.
the only time that the smoke really bothers me is when i am in an indoor range, it gets pretty thick, and sometimes if i am shooting for speed or shooting and moving towards the target at an outdoor range i can taste it a little, but other that is no issue for me, i don't let that slow me down! :)

[V-fib]

I use the .38 HSM 158gr. LSWC for practice and (eeek!:eek: ) use them as my carry ammo. They are slightly dirtier than the more expensive stuff but for the price I’ll clean a little more often. I’ve fed a little over 1,000 rounds through my 642 with never a FTF. :cool:

[Dr.Rob]

Ultramax makes some good stuff.. the cowboy loads were a little smokey in .44, but in .380 and .223 never had an issue.

WW 130 is some cruddy stuff (not in smoke and sparks but in residue), and I like to shoot red-dot reloads in my 357's. Those are pretty smokey.

[bpisler]

I've never tried ultramax but i've used
Milwall with good results in 9mmP.

[Dave Markowitz]

I've shot a fair amount of the Ultramax .38 reloads. They are smoky and the gun gets dirty, but the fouling is easily wiped off. I find that giving the inside of the frame an extra coat of oil before shooting helps. I haven't run into any problems with the Ultramax loads and they shoot accurately in my guns.

[never_summer]

i shot the remaining ultramax .45 i had, and it didnt seem that bad. Started to shoot some wincherster wadcutters at the end, and it was blowing some serious smoke and powder. Seems to be loaded a little hotter than some rounds though