Author Topic: Sellier & Bellot ammo??? (Read 4135 times)

savageT · « **on:** December 09, 2002, 03:52:39 PM »

Big Bill,

Yes, I noticed when I went to Cheaper than Dirt's ammo section there was only one page of Sellier and Bellot ammo available....that's all the calibers combined. Doesn't look good BB!! As I stated earlier, all I could find was big bucks!!! Thanks for checking though.
savageT

rockbilly · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2002, 04:35:14 PM »

Big Bill, You may have me sing the praise of Sellier and Bellot ammo in the past. I would still buy it and use it for plinking, but no more for hunting. My son was shooting S&B in his swed, I think they were 139 gr soft points. Last year he shot a big mule deer, made a good heart/lung shot, the deer went down. About thirty minutes later as we approached the deer it got up and ran off. It went into a box canyon and we found it later that day, still very much alive. I put one of my home made .270 into it and killed it. Opening day this year he shot a whitetail, it ended just about the same way. I told him to get out some of my old reloads and try them. Ain't lost one since. I think the bullet loaded in the S&B is not expanding, its advertised as "hunting ammo" but I have my doubts. For hunting purposes we will not use it anymore.

savageT · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2002, 04:43:06 PM »

rockbilly,
Thanks for sharing your experience with the S&B ammo. I believe these are 140grain SPC soft point cutters. I've heard on the Parallax C&R Forum that this was a problem with their current hunting ammo. Perhaps that's why we aren't seeing them on the shelves???
savageT

Mikey · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2002, 05:23:54 AM »

Nutz Guys, this is not good to hear. I'm going to have to shoot all my S&B hunting stuff to see how it works. Dang, and I was hoping I didn't ahve to go into reloading all that stuff again. Well, let's see what happens. Thanks. Mikey.

savageT · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2002, 07:58:47 AM »

Hell, Big Bill,
As long as you're shootin them varmints, I'd jus as soon use full metal jackets and save the hide. I think an 8mm will take down a coyote, don't you? Then you can make Mama a nice fur coat for Christmas! Betcha hah?

savageT

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2002, 08:26:07 AM »

Hay Guys: Nice to see you are both kickin' and it's sure nice to hear ya'll again. Those stories of the S&B not expanding or doing the job bother me a bit, especially after I hyped that stuff all over the internet. The prices were right and the loads accurate but it is disappointing to hear about the hunting problems others have had with the S&B.

Big, I know how you feel about reloading and shooting and then redoing the whole shebang again - that's why I like the S&B so much. I've just rescoped my 6.5 and I think I'll use it for a few coyotes and see how it works. I'm thinking that rather than 'x' ing the bullet I would just take the nose off so it has a flat metplat. But the European guys use this stuff a lot and we don't hear of any ammo failures from them or the American gunwriters who join them on their hunts. I dunno, I think it's time to go shootin' again.

Maybe someone else out there has had the same experiences with the S&B ammo or maybe it has performed as expected for others. I think we need to hear more. This be Mikey.

BTW - big gun show in Albany at the end of January, just in case anyone wants to make the trek.

savageT · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2002, 02:41:56 PM »

"I got an answer from cheaperthandirt.,com it didn't sound good it said "SIR we won't be carrying Sellier & Bellot ammo anymore" this is not good news I hope it does turn into a plague?? I have enough on hand to last for a while. I didn't get an answer from Sellier & Bellot yet?"
BigBill

I have to find a good local guy for ammo and reloading stuff.

Big Bill,
There's more to this story than S&B or Cheaper than Dirt are willing to admit to! I wrote S&B some time ago regarding this issue and they never answered my e-mail.....Hope you have better luck! How 'bout that AIM ?
savageT

savageT · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2002, 05:45:54 AM »

well...Big Bill,

We're always at the bottom of the pile, suckin the fuzzy end of the lollypop if we can't make our own. What cha got against makin a few rounds when the weather is bad or yur-a-hurtin too much to go to the range kinda days?
Dig out that ole reloader stuff and give em a try again Bill. I wonder if Sellier & Bellot America has a dealer site we can access on the web site? Hey, and if you ever get out to fire those S&B soft points into some wet sand or wet newspaper let us know what they look like, OK? That goes for the other Bosnia ammo as well like IGMAN and PMC. If and when I get my M38 back shootin straight I'll be looking for a case of Swedes.

savageT

Siskiyou · « **Reply #8 on:** December 20, 2002, 07:35:43 AM »

I picked up a bunch of .303 Brit, S&B ammo that was loaded with Sierra bullets. Suspect that this 150 grain round would be very effective on deer. Also picked-up some S&B .270, 150 grain round nose for practice and brass. Accuracy was not up to the standards of my reloads. But would do in a jam. I believe the ammo came from a dealer out of Oregon. I will try and find their link. The key was the price was right.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2002, 07:53:02 AM »

Miwallcorp.com in Grass Valley, CA currently is listing S&B ammo. Cascade Ammuntion in OR. is my past source but just check website and did not find any listed.

Mikey · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2002, 08:42:29 AM »

Hay Guys - I have an address for Sellier and Bellot USA, at P.O. Box 5007 Kansas City, KS., 66119. The phone number at the time was (931) 371-4930, with a fax # of (931) 371-1823.

In our neck of the woods, Lew Horton in Westboro, MA was on the approved distributor list, as was Nationwide Sports in South hampton, PA and Ashland Shooting Supplies n Mansfield, Ohio.

If we can't get our stuff from Cheaper than dirt or someplace else willing to handle the sales and our shooting needs, why do we need them at all. I wonder what it would take to be able to order ammo directly from S&B USA??

Mikey.

rockbilly · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2002, 04:34:41 PM »

I,m still seeing lots of S&B at gun shows. I don't know where they are getting it from, but it seemed they had some good prices. I havn't had my reloading equipment set up at my house for quite a while (my son-in-law has been doing it for the family), but deer season will be over 2nd week-end of January 03, then I will start loading. I usually load a bunch when I get started, then pass my equipment on to one of the son-in-laws, or to my son. They load for me if I need anything, but I'm a little more critical than they, so I prefer my loads for hunting. If you have sons or sons-in-law that you can trust, this may work for you too.

1911crazy · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2002, 05:40:56 PM »

Quote from: S.Sumner

I have never had any problems with S&B ammo
doing its job! I've used 7mm Mau, 8mm Mau, 6.5x55
and .303 British, all with good results! I do know how it is to Mis-trust
ammo though! I swore a long time ago never to shoot
Winchester ammo at game again, and I havn't !!!

S.Sumner what happened with winchester ammo? Its the only stuff that my 338 shoots accurately the remington stuff was all over the place. It was even bad in my '06 years back. The S&B has been great for me too I'm happy I stocked up on it in 6.5 swede and 7mm mauser I should have enough till the next supply comes in but I may start reloading soon too. Its been very accurate for me I'm shooting under 2" groups in the swede with open sites not bad for me. I can't wait for christmas to be over so I can work on my 7mm project gun I tried to bend the misses arm to let me refinish the stock before she wrapped it but I lost the battle so i have to wait. I got all the parts the M1895 fits the swede stock perfectly. I just started a second project gun today an k98 8mm I took the barrel off the reciever and I'm not sure yet of what caliber yet in the new barrel. I'm looking at 8mm, 7mm, or 7.62x39 the 8mm and 7.62x39 is a better choice because of the cheaper ammo I'm starting to lean towards the 8mm to take full advantage of the 98 action. I paid $20 for the gun and the barrels i'm looking at are like $50+ship.(excellent condition) so its not bad for another beater/plinker gun but it will probably come out looking good too and I won't use it. I'll have to look for another one. I guess it never ends buy/fix/put it away. It keeps me out of trouble? Good to hear from you again. BigBill

Merry Christmas to all!!!!!!

Mike45 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2003, 09:31:08 AM »

Bought some S&B 7mm rounds from Natchez, Cabelas has them too, then ran across these posts about S&B bullets not expanding in Game.

For what its worth I offer the following, I had no deer to shoot, so took 4 milk gallon jugs filled them with water and placed them in front of a 4 inch block of paper to catch bullet.

S&B 173gr SPCE no.2932 bullet went through first two jugs, left metal jacket in third and lead core remained in four jug. Lead remaining in fourth jug was 80gr .45 cal mushroom shape all petals torn off.

Shot second round into one jug with same four inch dry paper behind. Bullets went through first jug hit paper about .45 caliber, penetrated two inches to three inches and jacket and core separated at end with lead core completely deformed weighing 60 grains. The rest of the lead was powder or lost.

When I save some newspaper I'll have to try a couple in soaked bundles.

savageT · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2003, 10:42:47 AM »

Hey Big Bill,
Could we twist your arm to do the same test with your 6.5x55 Sellier & Bellot ammo? If 4-jugs of water are enough for a 7x57mm, it should work with the Swede too. Let us know if and when you get some results!

Jose Grande · « **Reply #15 on:** January 29, 2003, 10:56:57 AM »

On 8mm turk ammo I resize 30-06 to 8mm trim excess lenght & load Rem. 180 gr. PSP CL on 46 gr. of 4895 IMR . Iuse Rem. commerical cases (30-06) & that is a accurate & decent power hunting load.
I use standard large rifle primers from Winchester.

sundown21 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2003, 08:40:20 PM »

the only place i have seen these shells latly is cabelas magazine. I have been shooting the seller and bellot 8mm soft points and had no problem with them but have not shot the 6.5 or the7mm and im not sure on the price of them good luck

1911crazy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2003, 02:48:09 AM »

Quote from: sundown21

the only place i have seen these shells latly is cabelas magazine. I have been shooting the seller and bellot 8mm soft points and had no problem with them but have not shot the 6.5 or the7mm and im not sure on the price of them good luck

I have a lot of S&B stuff I'm happy with it and its just that CTD doesn't carry S&B anymore and the places that S&B sent me to buy want $12 a box. So if I'm going to pay $12 a box I would go with PMC ammo same price I was using PMC 8MM softpoint already for "hunting" in my mauser/Hakim and its very accurate. But there have been some newer ammo suppliers coming into the market much cheaper and i think the price wars will begin with us shooters being the winners. I have shot russian wolf ammo (softpoint)in 7.62x54/$6 a box with great results in bolt actions/semi auto's, the russian barnaul 7.62x54 softpoint with the same results both seem to have good power. At the gun dealers site "AIM" they have Igman ammo made in Bosnia/Herzegovina and I have just recieved it in 8MM, I already have it in 7mm mauser and 308win. soon I will shoot some at the local range and will see how accurate it is. At Century they have a new ammo too its called "Hot-Shot" and its in most calibers for $6.87 a box(wholesale) I haven't ordered any yet to try. I have also noticed for the 30-06 guys(me too) there is russian barnaul 30-06 FMJ or SP available now too at SOG(southern ohio gun) for $5.95 a box. There is still Turkish 8MM FMJ which is "hot stuff" at $4.95/70rds great plinking stuff for sure. We sure do have some choices to make?? So choose wisely grasshoppers!!!!! BigBill

X-man · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2003, 06:02:30 PM »

I also had problems with S&B 6.5X55mm "hunting ammo". Was using Ljungman AG-42B on Caribou hunt last Fall. (wanted to try something different). My buddies and I ended up shooting up all the Winchester ammo I had brought along plinking (the AG-42 was a back-up, primary was Remingtong 700) and all I had left was a couple of boxes of S&B. It shot really, really well so I said what the heck. Had already filled my Black Bear license and we had our Moose, so decided to try for the Caribou using the Swede. Ended up coming across a nice stag about 150 yards out. Aimed for Lungs/Heart. Fired and saw a good hit, but animal didn't go down. Fired twice more and saw both good hits in vital zone. He fell down, then got up again and started running directly away from me. Aimed for back of his head and shot twice more. That finally put him down. When we dressed him out, found that all three "vital" hits had punched through ribs, lungs and out through more ribs. Both shots fired at back of Caribou's head, also hit and had penetrated completely. Looks to me like they didn't expand at all, but acted exactly like ball ammo. Was pretty accurate, but won't use again in hunting situation. X-man...

Robert · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2003, 07:07:16 PM »

co-dependency will get you nowhere, load your own, make your own leave wallmart behind......

X-man · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2003, 08:03:04 PM »

I agree with you Robert, but you gotta' get your empty brass from somewhere right??? At the time, I didn't load for 6.5X55mm Swede, because I didn't shoot it enough. Picking up the Ljungman, along with a couple of M96 more recently have seen me pick up some dies. RCBS, of course! As a rule, I load/cast for every calibre I shoot. .44 mag, .45 ACP, .38/.357 Mag, in pistol, .308, .30-06, .300 Win Mag, .303 British, .30-30, 8mm Mauser, 8X56R, 7.62X39mm, 7.62X54R and last 6.5X55mm Swede. (Also load 12 & 410 Ga shotgun). Took Black Bear and Moose last year using my .308 cast loads. That said, doesn't change the fact that I think non-reloaders should relegate S&B stuff to target range and not the field, unless they've tested ammo from same lot under as near to "real" field conditions they can, i.e., wet newspaper, ballistic gelatin to simulate flesh/blood and see what kind of expansion they get. Could've just been a bad lot that I had.

savageT · « **Reply #21 on:** July 31, 2003, 02:07:31 AM »

X-man,
Can you give exact description of the 6.5x55mm Sellier & Bellot ammo you were using? Was it the soft-point 140 grain?
http://www.sb-usa.com/rifle_pages/sba65x55_se.htm

1911crazy · « **Reply #22 on:** July 31, 2003, 01:42:02 PM »

Xman I tested all my reloads before hunting in wet sand and had some great results with using Speer bullets in my '06 and 444 the end results was devistating the 180gr magnum mag-tip bullets in my '06. The jacket would spread like shrapnel and the lead was a gray powder like dust after the jacket @25 yds. It looked awesome and proved it self right when we shot a bear one of my bullets hit the neck and spread like in the sand and cut all the arteries instant death talk about quick kills. But your right it pays off to test first. I want to start testing soon again but they closed the local range where I could test ballastics now its hard at the other ranges they shoot paper only. The gravel pits make the best places to test after rain the sand is wet and your good to go as long as the sand is clean.
BigBill

My 444 also proved the same in ballistics as my 06 the jacket seperated from the lead the same way.

X-man · « **Reply #23 on:** August 14, 2003, 12:30:16 PM »

Sorry for not replying sooner. Have been busy Salmon fishing.

I was using the 140gr soft point hunting ammo that you can see on the S&B web site. Haven't tested any other lots to see if this was some freak occurence or not. As I said, I think I'll stick with my own handloads, or quality ammo from a major North American manufacturer (or Norma).

1911crazy · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:16:29 AM »

Quote from: Mike45

Bought some S&B 7mm rounds from Natchez, Cabelas has them too, then ran across these posts about S&B bullets not expanding in Game.

For what its worth I offer the following, I had no deer to shoot, so took 4 milk gallon jugs filled them with water and placed them in front of a 4 inch block of paper to catch bullet.

S&B 173gr SPCE no.2932 bullet went through first two jugs, left metal jacket in third and lead core remained in four jug. Lead remaining in fourth jug was 80gr .45 cal mushroom shape all petals torn off.

Shot second round into one jug with same four inch dry paper behind. Bullets went through first jug hit paper about .45 caliber, penetrated two inches to three inches and jacket and core separated at end with lead core completely deformed weighing 60 grains. The rest of the lead was powder or lost.

When I save some newspaper I'll have to try a couple in soaked bundles.

Mike45 The lost lead/gray powder is the "shock n awe" of the bulet too besides the jacket which becomes shrapnel too. It sounds to me the bullets are doing their job. All the bullets I tested in the past the gray powder and the jacket shrapnel was present on everyone the expansion is right on. After my first test on my reloads we went blackbear hunting and the '06 did its job perfectly as tested so we can trust our test results for sure. BigBill