"Orange Box" Ammo

[theGinsue]

A co-worker of mine just picked up some "orange box" ammo last week @ Specialty Sports here in ColoSpr.

I recall that there was discussion recently regarding "orange box" ammo but for the life of me I can't find the threads. What I seem to recall is that it was unfavorable opinions on this stuff.

Can anyone with knowledge of or experience with this ammo post the info here?

Many thanks!

[GreenScoutII]

Ginsue, I have shot 500 rounds of this stuff in .223 Rem with no problems at all. It retails for $20.99 per 50 at Big R in Pueblo. Its pretty economical and better than Wolf IMHO.

The thread the other day was worrisome, so I asked my dad about it. He thinks the HSM is pretty decent ammo for plinking/practise. You know my dad, so I'm sure you'll understand why I don't have any problem shooting the stuff.

I think it is a good value for the money.

[xjtwo]

I've shot this stuff as well in both 223 & 9mm and didn't have any problems what so ever.

[Irving]

I've only shot it in .40 and I shot one 50 round box without any problems. This was just on Saturday morning. That thread was concerning rifle rounds though.

Oh yeah, and as GreenScout said, it is called HSM.

[theGinsue]

Thanks for the input everyone.

This co-worker picked up a Hi-Point .45ACP just before Christmas and went out shooting this weekend. The only target ammo (non-personal defense rounds) he could find was the HSM and said that he had issues with about every 8 rounds not ejecting/feeding properly.

I have a feeling that he didn't strip the gun and give it a good pre-first shoot cleaning and this is the cause of his problems, but I wanted to cover all of the bases.

I'll inquire a bit more from him and check out his gun. This guy has given me a lot of valuable stuff lately and I wanna do right by him.

Once again, thanks you all!!!

[GreenScoutII]

Thanks for the input everyone.

This co-worker picked up a Hi-Point .45ACP just before Christmas and went out shooting this weekend. The only target ammo (non-personal defense rounds) he could find was the HSM and said that he had issues with about every 8 rounds not ejecting/feeding properly.


No offense to your friend, but do you think the pistol it's self might be the problem? The way I understand it, Hi-Point isn't exactly known for reliability... Not raggin' on you or your friend, just wondering if it may be the gun in this case.

[SA Friday]

HSM is a reloading manufacturer. It basically once shot brass reloaded. It will function in most guns, but it can be a hit or miss if it functions in some guns. Hi-Points are also hit or miss for functioning. There could be lots of reasons for it not cycling.

[newracer]

I have shot some in .204 Ruger and it was fine.

[Colorado Osprey]

I have shot 7-10,000 rounds of HSM ammo over the years. None was orange-boxed. It was bought bulk direct from HSM.
I have shot 9mm, 40s&w, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 45ACP, 223, 308 and 300 Win Mag

I have had none...ZERO... problems with their ammo. All failure have always been weapon related.

You can purchase new or re-man ammo from them. For the most part mine has all been re-man.

Is it possible they have had some bad ammo slip through. Sure, same as any large company.

[275RLTW]

One of our instructors was a lead instructor at the WY Law Enforcement academy. During his time there, he has seen the damage, to both firearms and people, that HSM's faulty ammo has caused. It is now banned from ANY law enforcement use, training or otherwise. This problem may have been corrected by now, but do you still think of the dozens of people that died because of firestone tires when you go to get new ones? Of course, why risk it? I personally don't want to shoot if there is a possibility of damaging my equipment or myself. PERIOD.

[Irving]

This problem may have been corrected by now, but do you still think of the dozens of people that died because of firestone tires when you go to get new ones? Of course, why risk it?

No actually, not at all. Do you have any concrete evidence that the ammo was at fault? Well, I don't expect you personally to have that info, but do you know if it has been put up any where?

EDIT: I'm not disputing that some stuff blew up, but there are a lot of companies that had rough periods in their history. Odwalla, Jack-in-the-box, the U.S.S.R., Second Chance Vests, Gemtech, California, etc.

[GreenScoutII]

EDIT: I'm not disputing that some stuff blew up, but there are a lot of companies that had rough periods in their history. Odwalla, Jack-in-the-box, the U.S.S.R., Second Chance Vests, Gemtech, California, etc.

[ROFL2][ROFL2]

You never fail to crack me up Stu....

[275RLTW]

I will look up that data for you. HSM spent a lot of $$ to rebuild their reputation, including having negative info about them removed from the internet.

>I'm not disputing that some stuff blew up, but there are a lot of companies that had rough periods in their history. Odwalla, Jack-in-the-box, the U.S.S.R., Second Chance Vests, Gemtech, California, etc.>

-Still don't drink Odwalla, eat at Jack in the Box, use second chance vests (Paraclete only!) nor visit California.

[Irving]

-Still don't drink Odwalla, eat at Jack in the Box, use second chance vests (Paraclete only!) nor visit California.


Well that's because you are an American (except the Second Chance vest part)!

[jgang]

HSM's 50g Calhoon Double Hollowpoint in .223 is the second most accurate factory ammunition I've run through my CZ527. .57" 100 yard 5-shot group. Vaporizes prairie dogs and seems to be very consistent. The brass was new mfg HSM-stamped as well.

[theGinsue]

I knew that the Hi-Point thing had a strong potential for being a contributing factor if not the whole cause of the problem.

Along the lines of what ColoCCW said about HSM, I recall a thread here about someone using Magtech ammo that blew their gun apart. MagTech confirmed that the ammo is loaded +P, even though the box isn't labeled as such. Since that time I won't touch MagTech ammo.