Ammunition

[zeplin]

How can you tell if center fire ammo is copper washed/plated. Does it state on the box? or are there certain brands to stay away from?

[Blackdog F4i]

Most "copper" .22 ammo is "copper washed".

As for other centerfire ammo, you could try scraping the jacket with a knife. Copper jackets are fairly thick. Copper "washed" is very thin. Copper "plated" is a little thicker.

Basically, buy quality ammo so you know what you are getting. When in doubt contact the manufacturer and provide the Lot #. They should be able to tell you what it is.

Don't fire copper washed in a Glock.

[reils49]

Anyone ever shot the Federal NYCLAD (nylon coated) ammo?

[fyrdog]

It's great stuff if you can find it, all the performance of the "FBI" load and none of the lead fowling to clean up. I think the last place I bought any was ammoman.com

[zeplin]

Most "copper" .22 ammo is "copper washed".

As for other centerfire ammo, you could try scraping the jacket with a knife. Copper jackets are fairly thick. Copper "washed" is very thin. Copper "plated" is a little thicker.

Basically, buy quality ammo so you know what you are getting. When in doubt contact the manufacturer and provide the Lot #. They should be able to tell you what it is.

Don't fire copper washed in a Glock.

I knew I forgot something, like specify center fire. I do like copper wash in 22.

Read somewhere that copper wash was a no no for center fire and wanted to stay away from it. There's a gunshow this weekend and you never know what your getting sometimes and I just want to make certain I wasn't getting any copper wash or plated 9mm.

[Blackdog F4i]

Copper washed will shoot just fine in any pistol that will shoot lead.

[reils49]

Fyrdog, whats the pricetag look like on those NYCLAD rounds?

[fyrdog]

To the best of my knowledge they haven't been made for several years, so if you can find any the price will most likely be up there :(. I also checked out the ammoman today and they no longer list that ammo. On the plus side you should get the same performance out of regular 158gr +P SWCHP, for a whole lot less money. Then just invest in a good lead solvent and clean your revolver thoroughly. If your revolver is equipped with adjustable sights, you may also want to consider the Speer Gold Dot 38 Special +P 135 Grain JHP round that is designed for short-barreled revolvers. I personally stick with the 158-grain stuff because my snubby and 3" model 10 are both equipped with fixed sights that were designed for that load. The lighter stuff seems to always impact low on the target.

[reils49]

Im shooting 110 gr. FEDERAL PREMIUM Personal Defense JHP, for my little Taurus .38 Special...... come to think of it, I use the same type of ammo for my 9mm & 45. I use 180 gr. Winchester Supreme JHP for my .40

[fyrdog]

Im shooting 110 gr. FEDERAL PREMIUM Personal Defense JHP, for my little Taurus .38 Special......

My main concern when I chose what ammo to use for my S&W 640 was that all of the standard test procedures are performed with much longer barrels. Speer claims that there new revolver loading was designed to reliably perform out of a 2" or 1 7/8" barrel. Most every thing else out there that's jacketed is designed and tested for full size service revolvers. I stick with the +P 158gr
LSWCHP, it's also called the FBI or Chicago load. It's a proven performer with decades of street use. The lack of jacket just means that there is one less thing to interfere with the bullet expanding, and the anecdotal evidence collected by Marshall and Sandow seems to indicate that this round is about as good as it's gona get for the ol'38.

[reils49]

I didnt even know they made 1 7/8 inch barrels!!!

[fyrdog]

I didn't even know they made 1 7/8 inch barrels!!!

Yes.... yes they do. But then they also make them in 2 1/8"!!! :p
S&W model 36- 1 7/8"
Taurus model 85 - 2"
S&W model 640- 2 1/8"

S&W also offers some of their J-frame revolvers in 3" and 5" as well. The main advantage with the 3" barrel is that it gives you enough room for a full-length plunger to aid in extracting spent rounds. I'm not exactly sure of the reason behind the 5" barrel, I guess some people just have small hands :eek:. Oh no say it isn't so, because if it was that would mean that Gatson wasn't perfect :rolleyes:.

Stay safe Marine, and try and avoid needing the services of any of 7051's (my old MOS), because well that just means you've had a really bad day.

**Editors note: 7051 = The funny looking guy's in those silver suits who like to sit out on the air field all day long**

[zeplin]

Copper washed will shoot just fine in any pistol that will shoot lead.

I kinda figured that. :D So how about some pro's and con's on washed, plated, FMJ. Why would I want to choose one over the other regardless of price.

[reils49]

7051, my recruiter was crash crew. Yeah, I dont need any of those bad days.