RA9SXT ammo

[flyandscuba]

Anyone tried Winchester Ranger SXT or Black Talon ammo thorough the R9?

Digging through a box of stuff in my garage this afternoon, I came across a 50-round box of standard pressure 147 gr. Winchester Black Talon/Ranger SXT ammo.

Just wondering if anyone had success in using this type of ammo before I run a magazine or two through to check function in my R9.

[Michigunner]

I shot 19 rounds of Ranger LEO 147 grains with no problems.

Bill

[riffraff]

I have heard from some who have heard from Rohrbaugh that the heavier bullets are not recomended for the R9.  It sort of makes sense as when I switch from 150gr bullets to 180gr bullets in my 30-06 I believe that the rifle kicks harder.  I have fired 147gr  loads in my R9 and I don't think I can tell a difference between them and 115gr loads but since I think it would be a good idea to keep the stresses as low as possible in the R9 I am going to stick with the lighter bullets from now on.  I'll bet those Winchesters you have got will function just fine.

Mike

[BigD]

I can easily attest to that. I bought only ONE box of 400 gr shells for my S&W 500 3.1" bbl. It was not fun to shoot. With 250-275 gr shells - it's a "hoot to shoot".
BigD

[flyandscuba]

Thanks for the input.  It would only be used as a carry load.  Doubtful if needed in a self defense situation I'll notice any difference in recoil in "fight or flight" mode.

Ha! Too Funny.... 400 gr out of the "snubbie" 500 -- you are a brave man!  I've got the 10.5 Hunter...can't imagine shooting the 3.5 inch model.  An interesting story about my 500.  It was one of the first units out of the Performance Center.

During the second range session -- to sight in a scope -- it developed a nasty habit of unlocking the cylinder during the recoil phase, rotating to the next live round and lighting it off!  Nothing like an unintended "double tap" of a 500!

I have a scar over my left eye (where the scope made contact with my shooting glasses) when it occurred.  Well, facial cuts bleed like a stuck pig....  Poor girl at the counter in the range office thought I had been shot in the head when I went to the rest room for paper towels.

Of course, I shot the gun a few more times -- just to make sure the phenomenon could be repeated...yep, it was a common occurrence with my particular pistol.

When questioned, the S&W service personnel acted like they had never heard of such a thing...but asked that I send in the pistol to be "checked out".  When I got it back, the hammer, hand, and cylinder lock  and lock spring had been replaced -- the new hammer was stainless, the previous one was not.  Later, I read of other instances with faulty 500s...

Well, I digress....but can say I've had a revolver go "automatic"!

[Seven]

Whoa...an 'auto 500'...yeah, that'd get some attention at the range...


7

[flyandscuba]

Based upon the results of the wetpack test -- the 147 gr SXT was a poor performer.  Of the standard pressure cartridges tested, the 115 gr Gold Dot produced the best combination of penetration and expansion.  Therefore, I've gone back to that cartridge for perferred carry in my R9S.