Ammunition advice please.

[Bavarianbrit]

The packaging should be unmolested to prove it is factory fodder that's the reason for the different labels over the flaps.

 

[Spear Chucker]

I have had Hornady bullets (as in bullets not loaded cartridges) of the same catalogue number that are different from ones bought earlier.

My concern with loaded cartridges that appear different is this. Is this genuine factory ammunition or is one of the different batches someone's homeloads that the RFD or vendor has acquired and has then been sold to you? Ammunition does get sold at auction and in some cases this can be a person's handloads. Once it leaves the auction house that direct provenance is lost. I know a number of RFDs who, for that reason, never buy ammunition at auction for resale as there is then no protection for them of the documented traceability of it having come from the official importer or actual manufacturer.

So my first advice would be contact the seller of each box OR THE PPU IMPORTER and have them clarify that matter.

Wow! Thank you. That was a bit different.

 

[Spear Chucker]

The packaging should be unmolested to prove it is factory fodder that's the reason for the different labels over the flaps.

yes, not sure this would be classified as "unmolested". Vac-packed, but no sign of film/tape over the ends, though not sure any of the PPU stuf I have ever had was like that, though always contained a small white slip with a batch code. I'll check. Thank you BB.

 

[timbrayford]

Probably time to start learning about hand loading. It won't get any easier to find.

I did over 10 years ago due to local supply issues. You won't save any money but is a very good way of spending a dark, wet winter evening and once you've got a bit of practice in you'll produce far more accurate ammunition at a MV & ME that suits you best. Not a lot wrong with factory ammo but it is a bit one size fits all and tailoring rounds to your own rifle does make a difference.

 

[Spear Chucker]

I did over 10 years ago due to local supply issues. You won't save any money but is a very good way of spending a dark, wet winter evening and once you've got a bit of practice in you'll produce far more accurate ammunition at a MV & ME that suits you best. Not a lot wrong with factory ammo but it is a bit one size fits all and tailoring rounds to your own rifle does make a difference.

I think this sounds like sense. With the lead ban it would be sensible to start trying a few different things. I might surprise myself. The money thing is not too important in my mind when you are taking an animal's life. I just want to know that I am maximising my chances of predictably accurate, single-shot lethality. I only use PPU as it was readily available from my local dealer and seemed to work very well for me. I love the stuff, but have no especial loyalty to it. I tend to find one thing that works reliably in as broad a spectrum as possible, and stick with it. That way I know that -within reason- the variables in a shot are generally down to the operator. I bought most of the kit just before lock-down, thinking I could have something to pass time while idling, but as I serve the farming industry, I never idled - so it is still all in its wrappings.

 

[Heym SR20]

I have seen this with RWS Ammo. With any ammo there will be between batches. Mostly its a non event, but over time manufacturers will have to change things as their own suppliers change. Mostly such changes don’t make much difference, but it really depends on your own view of difference - for some a 1cm change in point of impact is a non issue, for others its wailings and nashings of teeth.

However if you want consistency buy a batch of ammo all with the same batch / lott number and buy as much as you can afford / have space for on your ticket.

Provided its stored properly ammo doesn’t go off, but it is an investment.

 

[kenbro]

I have had Hornady bullets (as in bullets not loaded cartridges) of the same catalogue number that are different from ones bought earlier.

My concern with loaded cartridges that appear different is this. Is this genuine factory ammunition or is one of the different batches someone's homeloads that the RFD or vendor has acquired and has then been sold to you? Ammunition does get sold at auction and in some cases this can be a person's handloads. Once it leaves the auction house that direct provenance is lost. I know a number of RFDs who, for that reason, never buy ammunition at auction for resale as there is then no protection for them of the documented traceability of it having come from the official importer or actual manufacturer.

So my first advice would be contact the seller of each box OR THE PPU IMPORTER and have them clarify that matter.

I have a box of ammo that I believe came from auction and one round is unmistakably foreign.
Ken.

 

[kenbro]

I have a box of ammo that I believe came from auction and one round is unmistakably foreign.
Ken.

It’s 222 Mag and one round obviously made from 223 case.

 

[Smellydog]

It’s 222 Mag and one round obviously made from 223 case.

222, 222mag came before 223 mate.

 

[kenbro]

222, 222mag came before 223 mate.

I know, that’s why someone was able to replace a missing mag round by making one from a 223 case.
Blow one end of the candle out for a bit buddy.

 

[dryan]

I shoot a lot of ppu 90sp in my .243. You will get differences in batches as you may have in any brand of ammo. I order 400 at a time and insist that the rfd supplies with the same batch numbers. Never had any problems doing this and find the ammo very accurate and consistent, Remington on the other hand……

 

[kenbro]

222, 222mag came before 223 mate.

This deff. came before 233!
Ken.

 

[Smellydog]

This deff. came before 233!
Ken.

My dentist just gave me an appointment for two thirty next week....

 

[Craigsaun]

Killed many deer with ppu 150gr in my t3 308 , but my t3 223 hated them , now I use 222 and always use ppu brass can’t really fault them

 

[enfieldspares]

My dentist just gave me an appointment for two thirty next week....

Chinese is he, your dentist? Be all that steel shot did the damage I expect. Send his bill to Marford Mill!

 

[Foxyboy43]

Interesting thread - PPU is known as the Marmite round - some rifles love them - others not so much….
Personally they have worked in all my rifles and the brass is good for reloading. As per Enfieldspares’ post above if you are not sure of the provenance I would be wary of them.
All that said I have a part box of the excellent Sierra 125 gns Prohunters which are a noticeably different shape than usual - they still shoot fine…

 

[Ratel]

I use the PPU rifle line 50gr in my 22/250. Sub 1" groups at 125 yds everytime. Used to use their brass when loading .22 Hornet, much better than others. I have used it in .243 and 7x57 with no problems

 

[Spear Chucker]

Thank you all for your input and advice. the top pic is the current box with the longer projectile. The flyer was me pulling the shot. The lower pic was 100yds at the 1" black circle from the older batch. It looks as if I have learned a cheap-ish lesson and gained a load of decent quality unfired brass! Thank you all again. Much appreciated.

 

[.25-06]

I'm impressed you got the bolt closed only 7-80% fit in my rifle. If you limit the range to a group you are happy with they still kill deer.

 

[Spear Chucker]

I'm impressed you got the bolt closed only 7-80% fit in my rifle. If you limit the range to a group you are happy with they still kill deer.

Agreed, the new (longer rounds) fit well and group well. The older, shorter ones' gouping just worries me. It is a 3" variation. That was repeated twice. If I end up with a runner when using rounds I knew to be wonky, I couldn't forgive myself.