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

M1 Carbine
M1 Carbine

Updating An M1 Carbine

Many M1 carbine owners would never consider such modifications to a wartime gun with significant provenance, those who have run-of-the-mill arsenal-rebuilt or commercial examples, and who are willing to experiment, are likely to find that the M1 carbine can provide service comparable to modern PDW-type platforms.

Editor’s Choice: BamBeds For Toyota Tacoma Trucks

Designed by a mechanical engineer, BamBeds is a multi-purpose sleeping and gear storage system for '05-present Toyota Tacoma short- and long-bed pickup trucks that lends the popular platform even greater utility for the hunter or camper.

In Memoriam: John Linebaugh—1955-2023

John Linebaugh, inventor of the .500 and .475 Linebaugh cartridges and custom pistolsmith, died March 19 at his home in Clark, Wyo. The road that led him to a permanent place in gunmaking history was far from a typical one.

Review: Rock Island Armory TM22

In 2021, Rock Island Armory shook things up in the defensive-pistol world when it launched the aluminum-based STK100, and in 2022 the company continues its commitment to “Total Metal” firearm construction with the TM22 rimfire rifle.

The Armed Citizen® March 27, 2023

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

New For 2023: Marlin Model 336 Classic

The first Marlin 336 introduced under Ruger's ownership will be the "Classic," and the model remains true to the original design, albeit with a few subtle updates.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.