[Warp]

So, is the lead at the tip of the Ranger load (RA556B) supposed to be like this? I've had a lot of bad experiences with terrible QC, and inconsistency, with Ranger pistol ammo, but my understanding was the centerfire rifle ammo from Winchester/Ranger line was still good to go. I don't like how this is inconsistent and some appear lumpy/over flowing. There is a Gold Dot (24455) for comparison. Every single Gold Dot bullet looks exactly the same, and just like the one pictured.

I would think that they are all supposed to look like the one on the far left (or at least that every bullet would look the same). Those others...not exactly confidence inspiring.

I can't help but feel like sticking with the Gold Dots. Speer has never done me wrong, and who doesn't like Gold Dots?

[cowboy1964]

Yuck. JSPs are already known for building up lead on the feed ramp and causing problems. Those Rangers look like they would make the problem much, much, worse, and much more quickly.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

Yuck. JSPs are already known for building up lead on the feed ramp and causing problems. Those Rangers look like they would make the problem much, much, worse, and much more quickly.

From what I have seen the lead doesn't build up for at least 200-300 rounds. I cannot even afford that many rounds of this, let alone that many for firing in on setting/without cleaning.

I have also seen that, supposedly, the more 'premium' loads don't lead the feed ramps as bad as some of the others.

Nonetheless, when I test these at the range this weekend I'll be inspecting the feed ramps closely.

[SCmasterblaster]

From soft-point bullets? This is the first time I have heard about this situation.

[GlockPride]

The two cases on the left don't even look the same height (shorter) as the ones on the right!

Good luck with that!

I Do HAVE Good Luck with the .40 ammo, though!

[SCmasterblaster]

Originally Posted by GlockPride

The two cases on the left don't even look the same height (shorter) as the ones on the right!

Good luck with that!

I Do HAVE Good Luck with the .40 ammo, though!

My next handgun is a G22

[Warp]

Originally Posted by GlockPride

The two cases on the left don't even look the same height (shorter) as the ones on the right!

The two cases on the left are farther from the camera than the two cases on the right. Obvious optical illusion.

Look at the line on the box, and where the cartridge rims line up.

[SCmasterblaster]

And just what caliber are these rounds?

[GlockPride]

double tap

[GlockPride]

Originally Posted by Warp

The two cases on the left are farther from the camera than the two cases on the right. Obvious optical illusion.

Look at the line on the box, and where the cartridge rims line up.

Warp, brother,I respect you, but it looks like a bigger difference than just the angle. I could be wrong though.
It IS hard to tell with just a single photo.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by GlockPride

Warp, brother,I respect you, but it looks like a bigger difference than just the angle. I could be wrong though.
It IS hard to tell with just a single photo.

I'm anal enough I'll open the box back up and do a lineup later, and mic anything that is suspicous.

[SCmasterblaster]

These are 5.56mm cartridges.

[cowboy1964]

I also like the shape of the Gold Dot better. Just seems like a better feeding shape, if anything.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by GlockPride

Warp, brother,I respect you, but it looks like a bigger difference than just the angle. I could be wrong though.
It IS hard to tell with just a single photo.

Originally Posted by Warp

I'm anal enough I'll open the box back up and do a lineup later, and mic anything that is suspicous.

Same box.

[GlockPride]

I guess it would help if I actually paid enough attention to know that you were the original poster. Wow! Can't believe I let that slip.

Send 'em over and I'll shoot them at the yotes.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by GlockPride

I guess it would help if I actually paid enough attention to know that you were the original poster. Wow! Can't believe I let that slip.

Send 'em over and I'll shoot them at the yotes.

The rounds (bullet tip) may not look at neat and pretty, but I a told by somebody in another forum that that is just how they look and is normal.

The terminal performance of this round is exactly what I am looking for. Some function and POI testing this weekend and they'll get loaded up for HD/SD/SHTF

Originally Posted by cowboy1964

I also like the shape of the Gold Dot better. Just seems like a better feeding shape, if anything.

Agree.

Gold Dots always look beautifully crafted. I really, really like Gold Dots in every caliber I have acquired them for. 5.56, 9x19, .38spl +P and .45 ACP so far.

I've also had Ranger in all of those calibers.

[PettyOfficer]

It's official: next time I'm shopping for ammo, I'm not buying anymore Winchester HPs of any model. I'll still buy wwb for range.

That last photo has them all lined up but some bullets look to be set in deeper than others. As well, some copper jackets are larger than others too.

I've only heard of problems, I haven't had any yet, except for some crud in my RA45TP primers, but this lack of quality is apparent.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by PettyOfficer

It's official: next time I'm shopping for ammo, I'm not buying anymore Winchester HPs of any model. I'll still buy wwb for range.

That last photo has them all lined up but some bullets look to be set in deeper than others. As well, some copper jackets are larger than others too.

I've only heard of problems, I haven't had any yet, except for some crud in my RA45TP primers, but this lack of quality is apparent.

My understanding is that the pistol ammo is what has gone down the crapper lately, but the centerfire rifle ammo is still up to snuff (the pistol ammo is where they moved manufacturing location and changed labor, but not rifle)

I am told by a poster on M4C (hoping to get other replies eventually) that it is normal and that's how they look, and I've seen enough different tests of the terminal performance that if that is how they normally look, I'm sticking with them, as the results are always excellent.

[hotpig]

Center fire rifle is still made here with skilled labor. Pistol ammo mostly is made by unskilled but some is still made here.

The bullets themselves may or may not be made here. The machinist here at the old plant are very busy because the unskilled labor at the new plant seem to be excelling at breaking things.

Some of the guys here think that it will still be a few years before all of center fire moves south. I think that there is a learning curve for the new guys. It will not last forever. If enough of the Union employees follow their jobs even for half pay and much less benefits it will help get the new plant running up to full production faster.

[Warp]

Well, I got some more feedback on the other board...it seems mine do look like ****.

Somebody even posted factory seconds of that bullet and they look 100x nicer than what I got.

****

[hotpig]

Originally Posted by Warp

Well, I got some more feedback on the other board...it seems mine do look like ****.

Somebody even posted factory seconds of that bullet and they look 100x nicer than what I got.

****

It is my duty ammo also. I would guess the bad guy will not see how pretty or ugly the bullet is coming at them.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by hotpig

It is my duty ammo also. I would guess the bad guy will not see how pretty or ugly the bullet is coming at them.

I value your opinion, given your position and your experience with ammo.

Would you be comfortable and confident with the rounds I posted?

I contacted the seller of the ammo (tried you first, but you were out of stock, remember? ) and got the below reply. If you agree with him, I think I'll stick with it.


"If you are not happy with the ammo you can send it back for a refund for the cost of product returned. I'd be happy to buy it back. This looks pretty normal got this specific product, the bonded bullets come out a little funky looking and if you are not well experienced with the product it can be a surprise. Because the jacket is melted to the core in the bonding process and you get some lead splatter and slightly non-uniform projectiles, some look worse than others, this sort of bonding process improves weight retention and penetration but the ammo does not look as nice. This is not match ammo, it is for shooting bad guys multiple times at close range and hitting them as hard as possible, its not made for long range applications. Using gold-dot as a comparison is not really a fair comparison because they bond there bullets in a totally different process so it looks a little cleaner, but does not offer the same performance level as the RA556B or XM556FBIT3 (which looks even worse). All that said it looks normal for this product but if your not happy that's certainly an issue and I'll buy it back"

[hotpig]

I could care less what it looks like, its utilitarian. Function is more important.

The worst of the worst that I have seen looks ten times better than some of the Eastern Block SP ammo that I have been shooting for years.

[Warp]

Originally Posted by hotpig

I could care less what it looks like, its utilitarian. Function is more important.

The worst of the worst that I have seen looks ten times better than some of the Eastern Block SP ammo that I have been shooting for years.

As long as they are supposed to look like that and will perform as the rest of the RA556B/Q3313 out there, I'm more than happy with it.

But I can't test the terminal performance myself. I don't have anywhere to set stuff up, shoot, recover bullets, etc. :(

[SCmasterblaster]

Originally Posted by hotpig

I could care less what it looks like, its utilitarian. Function is more important.

The worst of the worst that I have seen looks ten times better than some of the Eastern Block SP ammo that I have been shooting for years.

Like Czech-made 5.56mm SPs?