Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Winchester USA white box ammo problem!

I got a new marlin 1894, .44 mag, and my son got a new NEF handi rifle 44mag, to use in our Indiana firearms deer season, this year. I purchased 2-3 different kinds of ammo to try in them. No time to work up handloads this year.

I took the 1894 out and fired 10 rds. of the white box stuff, through it, and 4 cases split . I put it away and finished with the new LE ammo, which was very accurate, and performed flawlessly.

Later, we took the boys rifle out, put 17 rds. of the white box stuff through it, and had 5 split cases

I know I shouldn't have shot any more of it after I split 2, but thank goodness We didn't hurt the guns. BTW the LE worked great in his handi.

So whats up with USA ammo? I've used winchester ammo for over 35 yrs., in all kinds of different guns, and this was a first.

I fired an email off to winchester, and hope to get a response next week. I absolutely refuse to shoot those last 23 rds.

Anybody else have problems with this stuff? Even the cases that weren't split were very dirty and sooty.

maddog

I have had several problems with Winchester ammo. I have lost faith in their product and won't be using Winchester ammo again.

I'd be calling them up as well. Sorry to hear this.

I had a bad batch of 45 ACP ammo a couple years ago. Some souned like a 38 wadcutter, the next sounded and felt like a 44 mag. I quit useing the white box ammo after that.

Good Lord!!!!

What did Winchester say about this issue when you reported it to them?

Kaiser Norton

I'd sure like to hear Winchester's response!

I had great luck in the past with 223, 45gr hollowpoints in my AR's. That ammo vanished for the last year and a half or so. I finally found it in stores again, so bought a box. Wondering if they changed the formula, because my gun now hates it. I was only getting 2" groups at 100, and used to get .75". At least I only bought one box.

I noticed that some of the white box has crimps and some does not. What are you shooting?

Between a buddy of mine and I, we have conservatively sent 10K rounds of assorted WW white box ammo downrange. My buddy got one case of the 55 grain 223/5.56 that was 200fps slower than normal (weaker than Federal American Eagle Ball) and caused function problems in any AR with a mid-length or longer gas system. All of the 9mm and .45 has been fine with the exception of one round of 9mm that seemed a tad light causing a FTF in of all things, a Glock. On balance it has been good practice ammo. WW replaced the remainder of my friends case.......

Thanks for the warning. I and others used that stuff and got consistant 5/8" groups. Went to buy some more and it had all gone.

Well, got a letter from winchester. I sent them the box, including split cases. The gal said it was older ammo, which I suspected, although I bought it as new from the dealer about a month ago. When they finally tell me something I'll report. I suspect I won't hear anything for a coupla weeks.

maddog

Interesting. I've had decades old ammo split cases but never anything even close to new.

Tho a hardcore handloader, I've been buying white box 40S&W and 9mm all year. Mostly for the brass, because it's cheaper than buying the components and loading it yourself. Check the Midway catalog then Walmarts shelf price if you doubt that statement. Anyhoo, it's the most factory ammo I've bought in years and the only brass I've lost thusfar has been into the grass. I will keep my eyes open. Thanx

O