Wrong Ammo

Going through my my ammo stash I came across some 38 spl that I bought some years ago. I don't remember exactly when or where I got them but I think it was in the obama years. There were only two boxes of 38 spl on the shelf. One box Winchester 38 Spl, 130 gr. FMJ Target, 100 count. And, one box Winchester 38 Spl. 130 gr. FMJ Target 50 count. I opened the 50 count box and found they were not 130 gr. FMJ Target like the box said. They are 38,spl +P. The 100 count box is correct. Anyone come across anything like that before?
In the photo the +P was put on the box by me.

 

The "+P" isn't from the factory. I'd check the headstamps. I wonder if you have reloads.

 

I got a case of Quarts of Valvaline Oil years ago, when they were packed in the old paper wrapped can with the metal top and bottom. Opened up the first one and found I had a can of Nestles Instant Hot Chocolate. Checking the rest all 12 cans were hot chocolate. Turns out that the can supplier mixed up a shipment and they got on the assembly line at Nestle in Fulton, New York with out being caught. Went through Auto Fill , auto pack and ended up beliving delivered to a convenience store that sold food and auto supplies.

Might have been some +P brass that go into that run undetected. Would be interesting to see if they were +P Pressures or not,

Bob

 

I didn't see that, only that they were "+P" rounds. With uncertain origins, I'd still check the headstamps. If he didn't put them in there, someone else did, even if the OP added the "+P" designation.

 

I would shoot them through a gun rated for 357 just to see what I actually had. If it thumps then it’s the heavier loads. If it’s normal recoil then it’s just JHP ammo.

 

It's easy to slide a plastic tray of bullets out of one box and into another... .

 

During the Obama panics I remember ammo manufacturers using +P brass instead of "regular" brass, however that bullet is also not a FMJ, so it's kind of hard to guess what might have happened. Could have happened anywhere in the supply chain.

The 50 count box has tabs that have been forced opened... Did it come like that?

 

I put the + P on the box so I would know what I was picking up. All the rounds in that box are +P and had never been open( at least not since I got them from the store). I remember buying them but not what store. It was not a gun shop. Maybe walmart but not sure.

 

The box did not appear to have been opened before. I keep my ammo in a locked metal cabinet and not likely to have been opened by anyone else.

 

It's probably 125 grain, not 130 like it's competitor Remington 38+P 125gr SJHP.

 

Looks like a lead tip so is that a hollowpoint on left by chance.

 

Yes, on left is the 38 spl +P and it is hollow point.

 

That's exactly why I never load anything in a case other than what the head stamp says. You never now who is going to end up with your loads or if you can remember.

 

Take up reloading and you will not have to deal with such nonsense.

 

What you have is +P half jacket soft nose hollow points, most likely 125 grain. These are clearly for self defense and can be fired in any 38/357 gun rated for +P ammo. Your gun will not blow up but you might feel a slight increase in recoil and flash.



What gun are you planning on using these in?

I have a couple thousand in a box ready to reload from the early 90's!

Smiles,

 

Sure, but I'm pretty sure it was always my fault.

Todd.

 

Unless you start out like I did on such an extremely tight budget that commercial boxes weren't an option.

I still have factory boxes around here that're overwritten so much as to look like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Multiple colors, symbols and mystical shapes.

Todd.

 

Every cartridge I've ever loaded gets color coded ,dated and logged in a loose leaf binder for future reference. I'm sure a system could be worked out for store bought ammo. IMO it's very important to know what ammo you or someone else is loading into a firearm.

 

I bought some shotgun ammo at an auction. It was supposed to be new ammo, but turned out to be reloads. But, they looked nearly perfect, so shot them anyway.

 

I have found a handful of 40S&W in 9mm boxes. Coincidence or not, also Winchester branded. Thankfully I own both so I just slipped the wrong ammo into a correctly labeled box.

 

I bought a 100 round value pack of Remington 9mm. I got 50 rounds of 9mm and 50 rounds of.380. I had a 380 then, so it worked out to my advantage

 

Well then.... I guess that goes right into the *asked & answered* file then, doesn't it.

Todd.