How do I know if I'm shooting quality, SAAMI approved ammo?

Big-Blue · April 20, 2013, 12:07 AM

I've read on other posts that people solved FTF and FTE problems by only running quality ammo through their gun.

When I sent my gun back to the manufacturer for FTF and FTE problems. One of the questions asked by the Customer Service desk was, "Do I have these problems with SAAMI certified ammo?"

So, two questions:

When I'm standing in front of a shelf of commercial bullets, how do I know which are quality and which are not?
How do I know if ammo is SAAMI certified? I just checked a box of of Winchester Target, a box of Winchester SXZ, a box of Federal Range and Target, and a box of Atlanta Arms & Ammo. None of them say anything about SAAMI certification.

RickB · April 20, 2013, 09:13 AM

If the ammo is made by a "reputable" American manufacturer - Remington, Winchester, Federal, Black Hills, etc. - it should meet SAAMI specs. Handloads purchased at the gun show? Not necessarily.

Theohazard · April 20, 2013, 10:37 AM

Also try to stick to standard-pressure ammo. For example, there is no SAAMI spec for +P (higher pressure) .45 ACP and .40 S&W ammo. The is a SAAMI spec for +P 9mm ammo, but there is no spec for 9mm +P+ (even higher pressure) ammo.

Like RickB said: stick to standard, reputable American manufactured ammo and you'll be fine. And for range shooting, if you avoid any +P or +P+ ammo you'll be sure you're always practicing with ammo that's within SAAMI-specced pressure.

Wreck-n-Crew · April 20, 2013, 11:03 AM

http://www.saami.org/ for some interested reading

Mosin44az · April 22, 2013, 12:46 AM

Was that manufacturer Ruger, by any chance? It appears they mean it when they say run SAAMI ammo. Even my P95 wouldn't run Sellier & Bellot, and my SR40c wouldn't run Aguila or Magtech consistently, unlike every other gun I've owned....

As noted above, U.S. name brands should be SAAMI.

Big-Blue · April 22, 2013, 07:41 AM

Taurus.

April 20, 2013, 12:07 AM	#1
Big-Blue Member Join Date: January 10, 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 75	How do I know if I'm shooting quality, SAAMI approved ammo? I've read on other posts that people solved FTF and FTE problems by only running quality ammo through their gun. When I sent my gun back to the manufacturer for FTF and FTE problems. One of the questions asked by the Customer Service desk was, "Do I have these problems with SAAMI certified ammo?" So, two questions: When I'm standing in front of a shelf of commercial bullets, how do I know which are quality and which are not? How do I know if ammo is SAAMI certified? I just checked a box of of Winchester Target, a box of Winchester SXZ, a box of Federal Range and Target, and a box of Atlanta Arms & Ammo. None of them say anything about SAAMI certification.

April 20, 2013, 10:37 AM	#3
Theohazard Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Location: Western PA Posts: 3,829	Also try to stick to standard-pressure ammo. For example, there is no SAAMI spec for +P (higher pressure) .45 ACP and .40 S&W ammo. The is a SAAMI spec for +P 9mm ammo, but there is no spec for 9mm +P+ (even higher pressure) ammo. Like RickB said: stick to standard, reputable American manufactured ammo and you'll be fine. And for range shooting, if you avoid any +P or +P+ ammo you'll be sure you're always practicing with ammo that's within SAAMI-specced pressure. __________________ 0331: "Accuracy by volume."

April 20, 2013, 11:03 AM	#4
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	http://www.saami.org/ for some interested reading __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

April 22, 2013, 07:41 AM	#6
Big-Blue Member Join Date: January 10, 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 75	Re: How do I know if I'm shooting quality, SAAMI approved ammo? Taurus.

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April 20, 2013, 09:13 AM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,517	If the ammo is made by a "reputable" American manufacturer - Remington, Winchester, Federal, Black Hills, etc. - it should meet SAAMI specs. Handloads purchased at the gun show? Not necessarily.

April 22, 2013, 12:46 AM	#5
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,582	Was that manufacturer Ruger, by any chance? It appears they mean it when they say run SAAMI ammo. Even my P95 wouldn't run Sellier & Bellot, and my SR40c wouldn't run Aguila or Magtech consistently, unlike every other gun I've owned.... As noted above, U.S. name brands should be SAAMI.