Brown Good, silver bad

Shane · 04-21-2003, 04:59 AM

Had an interesting day at the range. Shot some LVE "Silver Bear" 92 grn. FMJs. Very unpredicable, accuracy was terrible. Then shot some "Brown Bear" 115 grn. HPs. Accuracy was good, almost as good as the Hornady XTPs.
Have been wondering for a while now what had happened to my accuracy. Have decided it was the SB ammo.
Regards,
Shane:target:

jarcp · 04-21-2003, 12:02 PM

I have to say I've never shot the 92g FMJs, but the 120g HPs are great! A little on the dirty side, but I've fired 500 rounds without cleaning and never had a malfunction (I owe that the the fine design od the Mak). The recoil is pretty stout, but not un-managable. The accuracy is fine for 25yds. I have no reason to shoot the Makarov any further than that.

Dennis · 04-21-2003, 05:41 PM

I have had pretty good luck with S&B I am suprised that you have not.
What was your experience?
Was the S&B you had not concistant?

jarcp · 04-22-2003, 06:02 AM

Dennis, I don't know if this might be his reason or not, but here is my thought after speaking to a few customers about it. The SB and BB are good ammunition at a good price. They are a bit dirtier than some, and certainly not as accurate as others. BUT!!! they are just as accurate as the Winchester (white Box) or Falderal’s American Eagle, but at 1/4 of the cost you'd expect. (obviously this crosses over several calibers, not just the 9.3x18). Personally I love it, for what I use it for, and that's range ammo. I don't carry it, and I wouldn't stake my life on it, but again if it was all I had in caliber, I wouldn't be too concerned about carrying it. The expansion test's I've done on the 120g reliably expand it out to at minimum .5, more like .55 or .6.

Shane · 04-22-2003, 08:02 AM

The "Brown Bear" and "Silver Bear" I was referring to are both made by LVE. Don't confuse the Silver Bear (SB) with Sellior & Belliot (my spelling may not be right), or S&B. I understand the S&B is fine ammo, not the fastest available but reliable and accurate.
Dennis, you're lucky you've had such good results with the 120 grn HPs. Many people had problems with that round caushing jams, including me. The 115 grns "Brown Bears" haven't given me any problems. I understand the 120 grn "Silver Bear" HPs have been downsized to 115 grns but haven't been able to shoot any as my dealer doesn't stock it.
I'd like to try some other brands like the very popular Barnaul. Guess I'll have to mail order some and resign myself to paying the shipping.

04-21-2003, 04:59 AM	#1
Shane Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 45	Brown Good, silver bad Had an interesting day at the range. Shot some LVE "Silver Bear" 92 grn. FMJs. Very unpredicable, accuracy was terrible. Then shot some "Brown Bear" 115 grn. HPs. Accuracy was good, almost as good as the Hornady XTPs. Have been wondering for a while now what had happened to my accuracy. Have decided it was the SB ammo. Regards, Shane:target:

04-21-2003, 12:02 PM	#2
jarcp Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 253	I have to say I've never shot the 92g FMJs, but the 120g HPs are great! A little on the dirty side, but I've fired 500 rounds without cleaning and never had a malfunction (I owe that the the fine design od the Mak). The recoil is pretty stout, but not un-managable. The accuracy is fine for 25yds. I have no reason to shoot the Makarov any further than that. __________________ Reed's Ammunition & Research 1209 SW 129th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73170 www.reedsammo.com info@reedsammo.com

04-21-2003, 05:41 PM	#3
Dennis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,877	I have had pretty good luck with S&B I am suprised that you have not. What was your experience? Was the S&B you had not concistant? __________________ Submitted with respect to all

04-22-2003, 06:02 AM	#4
jarcp Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 253	Dennis, I don't know if this might be his reason or not, but here is my thought after speaking to a few customers about it. The SB and BB are good ammunition at a good price. They are a bit dirtier than some, and certainly not as accurate as others. BUT!!! they are just as accurate as the Winchester (white Box) or Falderal’s American Eagle, but at 1/4 of the cost you'd expect. (obviously this crosses over several calibers, not just the 9.3x18). Personally I love it, for what I use it for, and that's range ammo. I don't carry it, and I wouldn't stake my life on it, but again if it was all I had in caliber, I wouldn't be too concerned about carrying it. The expansion test's I've done on the 120g reliably expand it out to at minimum .5, more like .55 or .6. __________________ Reed's Ammunition & Research 1209 SW 129th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73170 www.reedsammo.com info@reedsammo.com

04-22-2003, 08:02 AM	#5
Shane Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 45	Clarification The "Brown Bear" and "Silver Bear" I was referring to are both made by LVE. Don't confuse the Silver Bear (SB) with Sellior & Belliot (my spelling may not be right), or S&B. I understand the S&B is fine ammo, not the fastest available but reliable and accurate. Dennis, you're lucky you've had such good results with the 120 grn HPs. Many people had problems with that round caushing jams, including me. The 115 grns "Brown Bears" haven't given me any problems. I understand the 120 grn "Silver Bear" HPs have been downsized to 115 grns but haven't been able to shoot any as my dealer doesn't stock it. I'd like to try some other brands like the very popular Barnaul. Guess I'll have to mail order some and resign myself to paying the shipping.