Sellier & Bellot Warning

[ezypikns]

I shot some 158 gr lead Sellier & Bellot .38 special the other night in my S&W Model 10. The crimp on the cartidges was so light that the recoil backed two of the bullets out so far that the cylinder jammed. Also, I don't know what kind of powder they use but it's filthy and it stinks. Next time I'll just take the trouble to load my own.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Sometimes I wonder about Sellier & Bellot.

Here is another S&B-ammo-craps-out-in-M10 anecdote. During a recent range session, I couldn't get their .38 Special wadcutters to ignite reliably in my (current production, excellent condition) Model 10. After three light strikes in two cylinders' worth of ammo, I set the box aside.

My revolver has had some action smoothing. However, it's never had a FTF with any other ammo, and I've used around a half-dozen different types of .38 Special.

 

[MountainPeak]

Sorry about your problem. I've put, "literally" 10s of thousands of S&B down range, without problems.

 

[ChuckB]

Never had a problem with S&B in 9mm, .38 WC's, or .45 acp. Obviously, YMMV.

Chuck

 

[George S.]

I like the S&B 158gr FMJ .357MAG. It's pretty stout for a factory load with close to 1400fps velocity and 700 ft-lbs of energy. Makes my 6" barreled GP-100 "bark" and provides a good-sized muzzle flash.

 

[ezypikns]

By the way......

I'm not an ammo snob. I shoot Wolf in my 9mm's and my Mak. Never had a problem and the price is always right. I haven't shot too much S&B before, but what I've shot seemed OK. Just thought the loose bullets were worth mentioning.

 

[JohnKSa]

I've had some QC issues with S&B in the past. Nothing dangerous--just irritating. I still use it a bit, but I buy other brands when the price differential isn't huge.

 

[MarineTech]

I've easily fired 15,000 rounds of S&B ammo over the last 6 years in .380, .38SPL, .357Mag, 9mm, .40S&W, .44Mag, .45ACP, 7.62X25, .223Win, .22 Hornet, .30 Carbine, and .308. I never had a bad round, and it was my standard plinking ammo until I moved back to Northern Maine last June. (Nobody up here carries it.). Yes, it can be a bit smelly and dirty, but I found that it was nowhere near as bad as Blazer, UMC, or Wolf ammo in those regards.

It could be that S&B had a batch of .38SPL come out with a weak crimp. Wouldn't be unusual. I think that every manufacturer has had bad batches over the years. Some of them were problems much more serious than weak crimps.

In regards to Plainsman's problems. S&B has notably hard primers. Any lightening of your hammer spring very well could cause light strikes and FTF, as it would with any ammo using hard primers.

 

[Snowdog]

Sellier & Bellot is some of the best "cheap" factory fodder out there.
I've had the pleasure of running copious amounts of S&B through my 9mm and .45acp handguns over the years and hold this manufacturer in high regards. I'd put them in the same bracket as Fiocchi and WWB (heck, some of WWB fodder is manufactured by S&B). I've started rolling my own lately but probably wouldn't pass on a box of S&B ammo or components if on sale.

As for their revolver loads, I'll claim ignorance and I'll certainly take you at your word. I'm sure every ammunition manufacturer at some time has put out a batch it wasn't proud of. Skip S&B when choosing .38 special plinking ammo next time and thanks for the heads up.

 

[HSMITH]

I don't use it simply becuase the brass sucks for reloading....

 

[1 old 0311]

I use the .32, .380, and 9mm without a problem They are ALL a little hot, but that is a good thing.

Kevin

 

[mndfusion]

I cant hit what i shoot at when using SB .32acp.