Some observations on Winchester ammo

[Universal]

Yesterday I shot fifty rounds of Winchester USA brand (white box) 9mm 147 grain JHP, and fifty rounds of Winchester USA .38 special 125 grain +p JHP (they are actually only semi-jacketed).

I felt that the 9mm ammo shot well but there was a bit more felt recoil that other brands I have fired, even in 147 grain. Also, it felt like each round was loaded a little differently with regards to the felt recoil. I would use it but I certainly felt like it was lower quality than, say Speer Gold Dots, Remington Golden Sabers or Federal Hydra-Shok or Tactical. I realize that it is much cheaper ammo and it seems that there is a reason for that. I fired these rounds from a GLOCK 17.

The .38 stuff was something I will never use again, not even for practice. It would be very useful for defense if I wanted to set someone or something on fire and would double very well as a flare gun. The ball of fire coming out of the barrel was crazy. Also, it left, what looked like chunks of lead in the barrel of the gun. I fired these from a Smith & Wesson model 640.

I realize that this is probably not the most useful "review" but I learned something from it. I am sure that the Winchester USA brand will do the job but, in my opinion, there is a reason it is cheaper than the premium lines. I will continue to use the FMJ stuff for practice but I will continue loading my firearms with a higher quality selection of ammo for self defense purposes.

 

[RyanM]

Winchester white box has zero quality control. It's manufactured by machines, and stuffed into boxes without ever being looked at by human eyes. So consistency is pretty bad, and there are a lot more problems than other brands, like bullets seated crooked and primers put in backwards.

Reloading is a better bet if you want cheap ammo.

 

[Rob1035]

WWB is better quality than blazer brass in my experience. Its great practice ammo I think. The .38 +P is indeed 'bright'

If walmart keeps raising prices, I'll start buying bulk ammo from Lancer or Georgia Arms.

 

[Universal]

I feel kind of bad because I had actually started to tell people that the JHP stuff was a valid choice for a self defense round. I guess that is what I get for believing everything I read on the internet.

Like I said, I am sure it will do the job but I certain would not be my first choice.

 

[Rob1035]

I agree that there is better, but for the price, I guarantee its better than a sharp stick. I havent had any leading problems with it, however.

 

[MCgunner]

I had no problems with WW 115 ball at the range, shoots fine, no misfires or jams of any kind and acceptable accuracy for range plinking and practice. That's what the white box stuff is for. Buy better ammo for defense, whatever your choice of pills is.

I can't reload jacketed ammo much cheaper than I can buy the WW 115 ball. My Dillon and its 9mm die set sits idle. OTOH, I haven't shot a box of factory .38 special in years. I cast my own bullets for .38 so they're CHEAP to reload. Just a primer, a meer 2.7 grains of bullseye, and 148 grains of scrap lead.

 

[hotpig]

I guess since I am closer to the product I will put my .02 in.

The ammo is made on the big machines so the humans operating them can not catch everything. The powder is filled and checked by a probe and is measured by volume.

This speeds things up but I can see that there is room for problems. If somebody messed with a setting, or one batch of powder was different than another etc.

USA hollow point ammo actually performs in par with with big boys. There is constant threads and picture of jell, water jug and wet pack test on other gun forums.

I think comparing the USA hp ammo to Gold Dots, Golden Sabers or Federal's hi performance ammo is like saying my Ford Taurus is junk because it is not as roomy as the Crown Vic.

 

[mnblaster]

I run alot of it through several different .45s, it seems to be cleaner shooting than others. I have not had any issue arise from ammo problems with it yet. I can't tell an accuracy difference at 21 ft.

 

[Universal]

I really was not trying to be overly critical here. I did not call it junk or anything like that. I was simply pointing out that due to the apparent inconsistency, I am not sure if I trust it as my first choice for defensive ammo. I too have seen the various test results and write-ups and I am convinced it will do the job. I simply would feel more comfortable with something of a little higher quality that is all. I was really not trying to bash the stuff, just sharing my observations.

My other point was that I should not offer porduct advice with regard to something I have not evaluated personally.

 

[hotpig]

I understand where you are coming from. I know the USA line is more than adequate but I also prefer the premium ammo.It has its nitch in the market, but I need more than it offers.

I work as a Arson Investigator.Due to staffing I sometimes have to put the fire out before I can the cause and origin. Moisture and humidity are a big concern for me. I carry the Ranger ammo because it is sealed at both ends. My guns rust up around the bullet, but the ammo is fine.

 

[Yakko]

I've been shooting the White box through my 1911s and have had no problems.

On a side note, Bi-Mart is no longer carrying the Winchester USA white boxes. When I ask the answer I've gotten from two different employees is that Winchester has closed it's doors. I know the rifle manufacturer has but I don't think Olin, how manufactures the ammunition, has. None of the local gun shops the Winchester white box either.

 

[hotpig]

They are running behind on production. I still have not received my November order of the RA45TP yet. They did a production run but did not do it long enough to fill all of their orders.

 

[gudel]

I've never had any problems with WWB in multiple calibers in several HKs, Glocks, Berettas. Who cares about big fireball, it's a firearm, and it's in the range! Perhaps you would prefer giant puffs and smelly smokes from Wolf ammo instead.

 

[possum]

I realize that it is much cheaper ammo and it seems that there is a reason for that. I fired these rounds from a GLOCK 17.

There is your answer right there, it is cheaper because of the lowered standards. same reason the rds you mentioned are "better" because they are held to stricter standards and loaded differntly that is what causes them to be more expensive. I personally like winchester ammo alot. all makes of it in every caliber i have never had no complaints. the wwb jhp is a good way to practice for real world defense sittuations where you will be using that type of ammo. maybe not that companies version but where you can get a feel for it as compared to say regular 115gr ball ammo. The way i do it is, I test several different personal defense loads from many makers in each pistol, and from that i deciede which i am gonna carry in the pistol. and a cheaper way to practice with jhp is the winchester way, if i shot as many gold dots and sabers and such as i do wwb jhp i would be broke.

 

[Mortech]

I've had no problem with it , I've started to shoot alot of it now that WalMart has started to carry it in 357Sig .

 

[ugaarguy]

There is reason WWB/ "Q loads", Federal American Eagle, Speer Lawman, and the like are marketed as target (not match) and practice loads; There is a reason Federal Premuim Personal Defense, Speer Gold Dots, Winchester Ranger, and the like are marketed as ... well premium loads for personal defense. Hmm... Now why might the latter have tighter quality control and subsequently higher cost than the former?

 

[Kramer Krazy]

I never had any issues with the WWB, and have been shooting a LOT of it over the last year or two, especially 9mm, 45ACP, 38 Spl, and 380ACP. I'm attaching pictures of the only round I've ever had a problem with. This is a 9mm, 115 gr FMJ that looks like it got caught by a piece of their reloading equipment.

 

[Universal]

Again, the point I am trying to make is that this was ammo marked as personal defense and that I, personally, did not feel that the quality concerns I have warrants me replacing my current Speer defensive ammo with Winchester USA brand personally defense ammo. I have not ever had a problem with the FMJ ammo from Winchester that I usually shoot and I will continue to buy it. Of course I am fully aware that I can't expect the same level of quality control when spending half the money but I have seen the WWB Personal Defense ammo recommended on equal footing with the premium loads and I personally do not agree with that recommendation. Once again, I am not trying to complain about Winchester or make anyone who disagree with me feel bad, I was simply offering some observations, not a review, nor a critique.