Posted: 6/25/2025 10:16:32 AM EDT
| Is it generally a descent loading? The 115gr, local shop has it on sale for $9.99@50 and I thought about snatching some up, not 100% sure if I have shot any of this and I just want to be sure it’s at least descent. Thanks guys |
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When it first came out decades ago, the “ Winchester white box” ammo was a sort of standard in reliable low cost 9mm range blasting ammo. Over the last 10 years or so quality of all bulk blasting economy ammo has taken a dive, and Winchester a deep dive. Lots of complaints of poor quality control in Winchester abound. Ten bucks a box is pretty good though, and if you accept it isn’t going to have the quality the $15/ box stuff has, it is a reasonable purchase. |
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I bought a case of it to prove out a new pistol. Multiple fail to fully chamber. So pissed. Then I figured out SA is just learning how to ceracoat. The paint was gumming up the rails on a DS1911, combined with lube, it was glue. Buffed off the rails and the rest went dutifully bang. I did badmouth WWB for a bit, till I figured it out. It got just ok groups, my handloads smoke it in that department. |
If life was easy nobody would quit.
| I guess my biggest worry was whether it was going to be silly underpowered or the bullets not seated properly, stuff that’s hard to overlook even for budget priced ammo, I shot quite a bit of it years ago but not recently, didn’t know if things changed drastically. |
| I shot the WWB a lot back in the day, 9MM, 40, 45 38 Special, then I kind of strayed away from it when it when it seemed like it kind of went up in price compared to the Federal and Blazer Brass, now it seems like it’s more reasonable and I just wanted to be sure they didn’t drastically change the recipe to make it more affordable again. |
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In my 9MM carbines it blacks up the whole right side of the upper and lower receivers. An extended session results in black hand/fingers on my right hand. It all goes bang. It's not as accurate as Federal 115 grain FMJ. In my CZ pistols the Federal is more accurate. In my M&P pistols the Winchester is good accuracy wise. I'd stopped buying it a few years ago but now that I'm back to shooting M&Ps again I'm buying the Winchester (115 FMJ and 124 FMJ NATO). In my M&Ps the NATO marked ammo is more accurate than the standard 115 grain FMJ. |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
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Originally Posted By Smallmouth: Is it generally a descent loading? The 115gr, local shop has it on sale for $9.99@50 and I thought about snatching some up, not 100% sure if I have shot any of this and I just want to be sure it’s at least descent. Thanks guys It isn't just Winchester. I've had QC issues with EVERY manufacturer at one time or another. Mostly, it's pretty infrequent. Like point oh-oh-oh-oh something out of a hundred. I remember having more issues with Winchester QC twenty years ago than any other. Back then CCI/Speer was my go-to, especially for service/carry ammunition. CCI had also impressed me with their attention to QC, far above what the other manufacturers do. I used to do business with a commercial reloader who's QC was far above ANY of the big boy manufacturers. But that was then, this is now. While I still carry Gold Dot and trust it implicitly, I've seen problems with their current Blazer line. Bullet shedding their "jackets" is the current bitch. "Fragging" the target is common. Even says on the box not to use in ported firearms. Also seeing incidences where Blazer has started a fire on paper targets. Didn't believe it until I saw it for myself. Saw that just yesterday. We use polymer backers on Action Target turners. Standard paper targets, about four sheets into the day's training. No idea how a 9mm round starts a paper target on fire like that without accelerants, LOL. Funniest damn thing...Supposedly, their Lawman line uses different bullets. Mhhmmm.....sure. (I think our warehouse still has about 1mil of the Blazer left, but we got a super deal on it ROTFL!!!!!) In the greater scheme of things though, speaking specifically about ammunition TODAY, Winchester is hardly alone. For 9.99 I'd buy it stacked/deep. |
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Originally Posted By Kobolowsky_Tires: I've seen problems with their current Blazer line. Bullet shedding their "jackets" is the current bitch. "Fragging" the target is common. Even says on the box not to use in ported firearms. I've seen this with Federal Champion 9mm as well. They are plated bullets, apparently, and the box says to not use in ported firearms. I've also seen the occasional split case, as in cracked from the front of the case 1/2 way or more. Maybe once a magazine worth, but it's not good. Never seen that with Federal American Eagle, nor any Winchester ammo. Guess they cheaped out and made the cases a little thinner to save money? |
| I have shot a lot of it over the last 25 years . In excess of 30,000 rounds. I have opened some recently that had bulged cases that struggled to chamber. I sent a pic and lot # to Winchester and they would not warranty it without a receipt. Not handy. I bought a case gauge to check 9mm to see how big a problem it is. It is dirty but has always been reliable. I have about 10 rounds so far that will not chamber in a well used Glock 17 |
RIP Jeff Reed. Tennessee Squire, Ga. Carry member, NRA,Non-puking 72 ounce drinker 2 of 6 Norcal call sign, Forgotten.
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I've had good luck with recent batches of the white box 115 grain target & practice. Some of the best accuracy I've seen from cheap 115 grain ammo. I have not seen any bulged or mangled cases in the last couple years, but have seen them in the past with win ammo, including some pricey .44 mag ammo. 
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