Wal-Mart 115gr FMJ "White Box" ammo

sheepherder · 10-01-2010, 01:07 PM

I was out cashing checks & picking up eyeglasses today and since I was going by Wally World decided to see if they had the "white box" 9mm ammo that everyone writes/recommends...

This is what I was shown/sold - Winchester 115gr FMJ 100-rd Value Pack...It's labeled "Target/Range" but no mention of how many grains of what powder...

Looks good; definitely not copper-washed (like a lot of .22 ammunition these days) but a proper copper jacket...Winchester marked cases; OAL of a random 10 cartridges measured 1.159" to 1.164"...

100rds for $23.97 USD (+ local sales tax)...I thought that a bit much at first, then did a double take as I realized that's just a few dollars more than what I sometimes pay for 50rds of Remington, Federal, or other brand name ammo...

Can't comment on how it shoots right now as the local police are using the range and time is limited...

Actually, I was expecting a plain white [unmarked] box as is sometimes seen at guns shows for questionable cartridges (that say only "9mm Luger" on the headstamp) so I was somewhat surprised that it is a Winchester-marked box and headstamped cases...

I'm not sure if they were originally 'stacked' in rows; these look like they were just dumped into the box...

I did have to show my NYS Pistol Permit for the sale...I'm not sure if this is just NYS or not...but since there are several 9mm "camp" carbines available, it's kind of odd...

Can't beat the price...

Ron Smith · 10-01-2010, 01:16 PM

Rich,

This is basically the same ammo sold to the military. The White Box was originally sold as military contract over-run, if I recall correctly.

Ron

sheepherder · 10-01-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

Rich,

This is basically the same ammo sold to the military. The White Box was originally sold as military contract over-run, if I recall correctly.

Ron

That makes sense, Ron. I've read where big cities ordering ammunition for their police forces typically order millions of rounds, and that's just for a yearly round of qualifications...It would make sense for Winchester to crank these out in the hundreds of millions for military + police...

But the military (and probably police too) boxes would have "lot numbers" on them for quality control purposes...I guess Wally World doesn't care too much about that...(or maybe these are the lot numbers that were pulled out of service for too many misfires)...

When I worked as an S4 clerk we would report misfires during qualifications so that "bad" lots could be identified and removed from service Corps-wide...I don't recall how many misfires per thousand, but it wasn't all that many...

EOD was supposed to destroy the "pulled" ammunition, but if Winchester still had thousands/millions of rounds sitting in their warehouses, they might release them for "Target/Range" use...To us...

Vlim · 10-01-2010, 02:41 PM

Shot quite a few of these rounds when a supply of them became available over here. Excellent stuff, the lugers love it.

spartacus38 · 10-01-2010, 03:14 PM

They are excellent to shoot.I have had good luck with them.

Bob

sheepherder · 10-01-2010, 03:28 PM

The NYPD's current authorized uniformed strength is 37,838 according to WikiPedia. Assume 50 rds to pre-qualify every year; plus another 50 rds to qualify - that's 3,783,800 rds per year, and that doesn't count practice shooting. The actual count would be much higher. For just New York City. Qualifying once a year.

That's 37,838 boxes of this ammo. With a storage space of 908,112 cu in...or 525.52 cu ft...that's a square of ammunition 8 feet long, 8 feet high, and 8 feet wide...

Winchester must have hundreds of huge warehouses storing the ammunition needed just for law enforcement...and for the military???...It's mind-boggling...

Ron Smith · 10-01-2010, 03:57 PM

I've fired hundreds of rounds of Winchester White Box. I don't recall a single mis-fire, and if functions very well in every gun I've used it in. It originally came out back in the '80s, I think.

I remember buying several boxes at a local shop for $5.95 a box. I also remember a local 'expert' who was looking over my shoulder, telling me that it was "Military Reject", and wasn't worth the price. It's the absolute best plinking ammo I've used. And is consistantly accurate for hard ball.

I know that it works great in a friends "Sten" gun too. We fired a case of 500 rds in a session without a mis-fire.

Ron

sheepherder · 10-01-2010, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

I know that it works great in a friends "Sten" gun too. We fired a case of 500 rds in a session without a mis-fire.

Ron

It's interesting you should mention Sten gun 9mm...Years back, I recall reading somewhere that Sten gun 9mm [military] was loaded hotter than, say, German military 9mm Parabellum ammunition...and that this was the problem with many Luger blown extractors...Sten gun cartridges in Lugers...

Urban myth??? Or fact???

BTW: I loaded a couple thousand rounds of 9mm Luger some years ago, when I had an MP-40...The first few dozen were loaded 5.0 grs Win 231 w/115 gr JMJ bullet...It was too weak...5.25 grs w/115 gr FMJ cycled perfectly...and with a 124 gr FMJFP, 5.0 grs Win 231 cycled perfectly...

Both these loads were too hot for a Luger...but in my S&W 659 w/5" bbl, they shoot very well...

Vlim · 10-01-2010, 06:31 PM

Fact

Ron Smith · 10-01-2010, 07:20 PM

His Sten worked fine with the White Box. I don't recall any problems with it. Possibly modified?

He also had a Lanchester that was very finicky about the type of ammo it was fed.

Ron

Curly1 · 10-01-2010, 07:29 PM

Yea I have used much white box with no problems and yes you have to show yer permit to buy handgun ammo in NYS except 22

tomaustin · 10-01-2010, 09:29 PM

i promise to use it wisely............

sheepherder · 10-01-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomaustin

if you don't like it, you can ship it, post paid, to me and i promise to use it wisely...

I don't like my ex-wife either...Where do you want her shipped?

sheepherder · 10-02-2010, 01:35 PM

Edit: My vernier was off...measurements changed...mea culpa...

tomaustin · 10-02-2010, 02:57 PM

...

sheepherder · 10-02-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomaustin

postino, i've seen the white box...what should i look for in your ex-wife??...

Here ya go...Trained nurse...She's conveniently available...She should have almost a full box of .357's...her 2nd husband decided that life wasn't worth it...

tomaustin · 10-02-2010, 04:25 PM

sheepherder · 10-02-2010, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomaustin

looks too much like jack nicholson...i'll pass...

...Acts like him, too...

Norme · 10-02-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

Here ya go...Trained nurse...She's conveniently available...She should have almost a full box of .357's...her 2nd husband decided that life wasn't worth it...

Hi Rich, That's a good one, it made my day. As the kids would say, LOL. Regards, Norm

suum cuique · 10-05-2010, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

Rich,

This is basically the same ammo sold to the military. The White Box was originally sold as military contract over-run, if I recall correctly.

Ron

Ron, I don't think that this is the exact same ammo as the military uses it, I've bought some WIN ammo a while ago (124 gr?), 9 mm NATO was printed on the box and the marking on the cartridge was different to the regular Win white box ammo w. the 115 gr bullet.

10-01-2010, 01:07 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Wal-Mart 115gr FMJ "White Box" ammo I was out cashing checks & picking up eyeglasses today and since I was going by Wally World decided to see if they had the "white box" 9mm ammo that everyone writes/recommends... This is what I was shown/sold - Winchester 115gr FMJ 100-rd Value Pack...It's labeled "Target/Range" but no mention of how many grains of what powder... Looks good; definitely *not* copper-washed (like a lot of .22 ammunition these days) but a proper copper jacket...Winchester marked cases; OAL of a random 10 cartridges measured 1.159" to 1.164"... 100rds for $23.97 USD (+ local sales tax)...I thought that a bit much at first, then did a double take as I realized that's just a few dollars more than what I sometimes pay for 50rds of Remington, Federal, or other brand name ammo... Can't comment on how it shoots right now as the local police are using the range and time is limited... Actually, I was expecting a plain white [unmarked] box as is sometimes seen at guns shows for questionable cartridges (that say only "9mm Luger" on the headstamp) so I was somewhat surprised that it is a Winchester-marked box and headstamped cases... I'm not sure if they were originally 'stacked' in rows; these look like they were just dumped into the box... I did have to show my NYS Pistol Permit for the sale...I'm not sure if this is just NYS or not...but since there are several 9mm "camp" carbines available, it's kind of odd... Can't beat the price... Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... Last edited by sheepherder; 10-02-2010 at 01:33 PM.

10-01-2010, 01:16 PM	#2
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Rich, This is basically the same ammo sold to the military. The White Box was originally sold as military contract over-run, if I recall correctly. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-01-2010, 03:28 PM	#6
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	The NYPD's current authorized uniformed strength is 37,838 according to WikiPedia. Assume 50 rds to pre-qualify every year; plus another 50 rds to qualify - that's 3,783,800 rds per year, and that doesn't count practice shooting. The actual count would be much higher. For just New York City. Qualifying once a year. That's 37,838 boxes of this ammo. With a storage space of 908,112 cu in...or 525.52 cu ft...that's a square of ammunition 8 feet long, 8 feet high, and 8 feet wide... Winchester must have hundreds of huge warehouses storing the ammunition needed just for law enforcement...and for the military???...It's mind-boggling... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter... Last edited by sheepherder; 10-01-2010 at 03:39 PM. Reason: go ahead...correct my math... :D

10-01-2010, 03:57 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I've fired hundreds of rounds of Winchester White Box. I don't recall a single mis-fire, and if functions very well in every gun I've used it in. It originally came out back in the '80s, I think. I remember buying several boxes at a local shop for $5.95 a box. I also remember a local 'expert' who was looking over my shoulder, telling me that it was "Military Reject", and wasn't worth the price. It's the absolute best plinking ammo I've used. And is consistantly accurate for hard ball. I know that it works great in a friends "Sten" gun too. We fired a case of 500 rds in a session without a mis-fire. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-01-2010, 07:20 PM	#10
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	His Sten worked fine with the White Box. I don't recall any problems with it. Possibly modified? He also had a Lanchester that was very finicky about the type of ammo it was fed. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-01-2010, 02:41 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	Shot quite a few of these rounds when a supply of them became available over here. Excellent stuff, the lugers love it.

10-01-2010, 03:14 PM	#5
spartacus38 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe,CA. Posts: 695 Thanks: 0 Thanked 70 Times in 56 Posts	They are excellent to shoot.I have had good luck with them. Bob

10-01-2010, 06:31 PM	#9
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	Fact

10-01-2010, 07:29 PM	#11
Curly1 User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,228 Thanks: 111 Thanked 702 Times in 364 Posts	Yea I have used much white box with no problems and yes you have to show yer permit to buy handgun ammo in NYS except 22 __________________ Laugh hard and often. Gary

10-01-2010, 09:29 PM	#12
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	if you don't like it, you can ship it, post paid, to me and i promise to use it wisely............

10-02-2010, 01:35 PM	#14
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Edit: My vernier was off...measurements changed...mea culpa... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-02-2010, 02:57 PM	#15
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	postino, i've seen the white box...what should i look for in your ex-wife?? ...

10-02-2010, 04:25 PM	#17
tomaustin Lifer X5 Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: texas Posts: 708 Thanks: 87 Thanked 522 Times in 201 Posts	looks too much like jack nicholson...i'll pass...