Wiley Clapp: Stick With SAAMI

by
posted on May 30, 2017
saami.jpg

Even for handloaders, the cost of shooting is going up and that has been true as long as I can remember. I am at a loss to explain why this is—and to a greater degree than the cost of living as a whole, but then I had my long-ago problems with Economics 101 in college. More to the point of this piece, the shooter who wants to shoot a lot (of which there are many) is always on the scout for bargains in ammo (of which there are few). Ammo that is potentially destructive to your quality weapons or possibly dangerous to shooters or bystanders is no bargain at all.

I would be careful with the stuff that comes in dilapidated packaging with unreadable labels on the bargain table of your local hardware store. This is not to say that bargains in imported ammunition do not exist. I have fired low-cost ammo from Italy, Brazil, Mexico and Russia. I also believe that you're better off with ammo manufactured by firms that are members of SAAMI (Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute). This is an organization founded—and supported—by leading members of the ammunition industry.

The idea was to develop and standardize cartridge dimensions and their pressure levels by empirical testing. The data thus produced was for the use of all. But SAAMI is not and never was a regulatory agency that had any sort of enforcement powers. Lots of people would like to load to higher velocities than the Institute deems prudent. SAAMI cannot stop them from doing this, nor can they deter anyone from advertising that their products are loaded to SAAMI specifications. The last thing we need is another agency that exists to regulate an industry and ends up restricting it. SAAMI was the first to use the term “+P” in connection with specifications for a small number of handgun cartridges. The specifications were carefully developed, specific and not subject to commercial interpretation by guys who will do anything to sell their hot ammo. You will be OK in your ammo shopping if you stay cautious, conservative and use commonsense.

Latest

heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees
heavy machine gun crew with DShK on tripod pointing in air above trees

Red Fifty: The Soviet 12.7 mm DShK Heavy Machine Gun

While the Browning .50-cal. M2 machine gun has been unequaled for more than a century, John Moses Browning’s genius design has had one significant 12.7 mm competitor: the Soviet DShK.

Support The NRA Youth Education Summit (YES) On Giving Tuesday

With more than 1,200 students having graduated from the program and over $700,000 in scholarships awarded since 1996, NRA's YES is an immersive leadership program for high school students eager to learn about the foundations of our nation, the importance of civic engagement and the role of the Second Amendment.

Rifleman Review: Remington 360 Buckhammer

Remington Ammunition's 360 Buckhammer is a straight-wall hunting cartridge that's designed to give deer hunters an ideal round for their Midwestern hunt.

New For 2025: EAA Girsan Witness2311 Brat, Match and MatchX

European American Armory Corp. (EAA) introduced an affordable variation of the double-stack 1911 design with their Girsan Witness2311 in 2023, continually adding additional chamberings and slide length options. New for 2025, the company is adding three new versions of the Witness2311 with the Match, MatchX and Brat models.

Review: Citadel Trakr

At less than 4 lbs., this repeating rifle is easy on the back while also being extraordinarily easy on the budget.

Freedom Munitions To Move Ammo Component Production To Idaho

Freedom Munitions has announced it will be consolidating its projectile component production from X-Treme Bullets out of Nevada into its Lewiston, Idaho, facilities.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.