Newbie ammo question

[nomadboi]

Okay, so I'm in the process of buying my first handgun, and am wondering if it's a bad idea to succumb to the temptation to buy really cheap ammo to practice with. Is the cheap bulk ammo (like from cheaper than dirt or something) likely to damage the gun, or is it just going to be less accurate and reliable (not as big an issue when it's just for the range).

Pending purchase is a Steyr M40.

Suggestions? Brands to look for or avoid? So far I've just been renting handguns from the local range, which meant I had to buy their ammo anyway, but I'm hoping I can get better deals by shopping on my own.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Ivy Mike]

You can use any ammo as long as it matches whats stamped on the gun.

The cheaper the ammo, the greater the chance of failures to fire, ejection problems, dirty firing, etc. You can practice with anything, but you should carry/defend with only the best quality stuff. Oh, don't use reloads you aren't sure of. I won't use any reloads except the ones my friend makes for me (I don't reload my own stuff)

I've run the cheapest stuff through my FN Forty-Nine without issue. I wouldn't always expect it to be like that though. Some rounds are just cheaper and may not go bang when you squeeze. Thats fine on a practice range, not fine when you are pointing it at a bad guy.

Brands I'd use for carry/defense would be:
Speer Gold Dots
Winchester Ranger Talons
Remington Golden Sabres
You can usually assume you'll be OK with any American factory-loaded ammo. I wouldn't bother with Glaser Safety Slugs.
I'll use anything to practice with except unknow reloads.

Oh, when you practice, make sure the practice rounds are the same (or very similar weight) as the rounds you'll carry with. If you can get pratice rounds from the same manufacturer as your carry rounds, you should do it. Chances are the primer, powder and case will be identical between the two.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

For 40 S&W, if you are not going to order online, cheapest easiest to find is Winchester Value Packs, I think they were $16 for $100 rounds last I checked. Before I did reloading, I used Winchester, or ordered Sellier & Bellot online (sometimes from cheaper than dirt during their sales). I also tried new brass case reloads from www.miwallammo.com when they were at the local show.

Bad/cheap ammo has the chance of plain not working or functioning correctly, causing jams, etc. Wolf is cheap, some guns like it, some guns hate it, some people hate it, some ranges don't allow it. Blazer Aluminum cases are cheap too, but normally work fine, but some ranges don't allow it either. And if you are thinking about reloading in the future, anything non-brass shouldn't really be an option. Blazer did just start making some brass cased stuff with pretty low prices too, but I haven't tried it.

Good luck, good shopping.

 

[MrMurphy]

Good "Cheap Ammo":

CCI Blazer aluminum case
Winchester White Box (value packs at Walmart)
Remington UMC if you find a good deal, this is what I use.

Sellier & Bellot.. milspec Czech made stuff. I've probably shot 8 or 9,000 rounds of S&B in about twelve different calibers and never had a problem except once ( some 158 grain .357 Magnums where they were sticky on extraction).


Personally I don't like the Steyr M40, but if it works for you, hey...

Steyr is coming out with a new series, you might want to wait for the "upgraded" model.

 

[nomadboi]

Thanks.

Thanks for the tips, guys.
Are there any restrictions on shipping ammo? Occurs to me I've never tried with real ammo, just blanks.

On the Steyr- didn't know they had a new one coming out, but the low price on these at the moment is one of the reasons I can get it. Doubt that'll continue on the new model.

I know a lot of people don't like the built-in lock and redundant safeties, but we've got a baby on the way (any day now!) and the safety features are one reason my generally anti-gun wife is willing to let me get it. I kinda like the grip angle, and the sights.... I imagine I'll get used to 'em, and if not, then I can switch them out later. I haven't met many people who didn't like the Steyr for reasons of its ability to do its job in a reliable way, so I figure that's good enough for me.

 

[stans]

There are two brands of cheap ammo I avoid, American Ammunition (AMERC) and Wolf. AMERC is just plain junk and Wolf is dirty and is unreliable in some guns. Cheap ammo such as Winchester USA, Federal American Eagle, Remington UMC, CCI Blazer, seem to be just fine. CCI Blazer recently switched from aluminum cases to brass and the brass is reloadable. For the non-reloader or the reloader who just doesn't have time to load up ammo, the "white box" stuff makes for great practice and in 9mm or 40 S&W, it can be hard to reload for much less than the "white box" ammo.

 

[Mulliga]

Wolf works fine for me. I shoot mostly 9mm and 7.62x39.

Ammo to definitely avoid is Olympic - really bad ammo.

If you can buy pistol ammo at a store, you can get it shipped to you. Some sellers require you to send in proof of ID, but most don't.

The Steyr is a good choice. Definitely a good value at the current prices.

 

[lee n. field]

Okay, so I'm in the process of buying my first handgun, and am wondering if it's a bad idea to succumb to the temptation to buy really cheap ammo to practice with. Is the cheap bulk ammo (like from cheaper than dirt or something) likely to damage the gun, or is it just going to be less accurate and reliable (not as big an issue when it's just for the range).

Depends. Cheap factory loaded brass cased ammo is OK (though American brand is not thought highly of). Steel case ammo I'd (personlly) avoid except for commie guns made for it. Aluminum cased CCI Blazer is OK.

Avoid reloads of uncertain origin.

Pending purchase is a Steyr M40.

.40? Wally World white box bulk pack. Save your brass.

Are there any restrictions on shipping ammo?

Sometimes. It tends to be a state law thing. I've heard of some (few, fortunatly) that refuse to ship to Ill-i-noise, for instance.