HST and Ranger Bonded in White Boxes

[Rourke]

I have noticed quite a bit of Federal XM40HC (HST 180) and Winchester Q4369 (Ranger Bonded 180) in white boxes for sale. They are apparently LE overruns. The Federal round is brass cased, rather than the normal nickel casing on the HST. I think the Winchester is still nickel.

I have 4 questions:
1.) Is this "white box" ammo loaded with HST and Ranger bullets of equivalent quality and performance to the "fancy box"? Is there something defective about it?

2.) If this is LE spec ammo, why would they use brass cases, instead of the nickel? Wouldn't the nickel aid somewhat in reliable feeding? Are the cases and primers still waterproofed, hand inspected, etc.?

3.) I am primarily interested in the Federal product, but the Winchester is available locally. Does the "Z" in front of the Q4369 indicate anything problematic?

Any info on this ammo is appreciated, especially on the Federal product.

[Robb Jensen]

Some of that white box Winchester Ranger Bonded 180gr .40S&W is reclassified rounds due to quality issues (nickel cased with lots of red primer sealant). I'd use that for practice/training only.

[CDDM416]

I had the same question. Mainly about the federal.
I just ordered some P40HST1 (the fancy box) from Tactical Defence Solutions, for $27.50/50. They also carry XM40HC (White Box) for $29.00/50. I thought the fancy box was the good stuff..

[Robb Jensen]

Originally Posted by CDDM416

I had the same question. Mainly about the federal.
I just ordered some P40HST1 (the fancy box) from Tactical Defence Solutions, for $27.50/50. They also carry XM40HC (White Box) for $29.00/50. I thought the fancy box was the good stuff..

Lots of times to cut costs to agencies they use the generic box. Sometimes when ammo is pulled back of contract because it's crap it makes it to the white box and get a different part number.

My current carry load in .40 S&W is the white box Federal HST 180gr.

[CDDM416]

Does that mean they are the same, just differant box's?

Nevermind. I just reread what you wrote. I understand. THANKS.

[Skintop911]

Rejected, "reclassified", or possessing some other attribute that made it unsuitable for sale for it's intended uses. Training/practice use only.

[BWT]

I've got a question, what's the deal with HST?

I mean I'm noticing a trend here, with 75 .gr 5.56mm TAP, HST, Ranger T.

It's just not commercially available.

I mean, they're not exactly the AP Ammo for 5.7mm, or Black Talons (Which... I'm not even going to go there.)

So why are they so restricted by the vendors?

The T2 bullet in the 5.56mm can fragment at great ranges out of short barrels.

I've seen tests of .45 ACP HST 230 gr's expanding to nearly .95~'' consistently.

Will we ever see these rounds commercially available?

Or are we stuck with Hydra Shok's and .223 75 gr. TAP.

I mean, I realize you can find them, but my opinion of find them isn't luck out and buy them for $20-30 a box on Gun Broker.

You don't ebay auction each box of ammo essentially.

[NotDylan]

Online retailers like ammunitiontogo will carry HST and other "LEO only" ammo but in the current times, they're hard to get.