Posted on 03/23/2015 12:40:15 PM PDT by aomagrat
The Super Police was popular at a time when hollow point bullets were relatively undeveloped, and could not be counted on for consistent performance. The slow, long Super Police bullet would yaw on striking tissue, creating a larger wound channel.
Here's what it looks like.
If you have a full box, that would be of interest to collectors.
Mine don’t say Super Police on the box. They are brass cased and lead nose. The case has two crimps in it. I plan on taking a box to the next gun show and have a collector look at it. A 200 grain 38 Special is pretty strange.
The Brits also used a round like this called the .38-200, which was based on the .38 S&W round (predecessor to the .38 Special and not interchangable). But since the bullet was not jacketed, they had to modify it for use in war.
Interesting, please let us know what you find out.
The packaging appears to be in excellent conditions which implies that the ammo has been stored in reasonable conditions. Moisture, excessive heat and corrosive atmospheres are the main enemies of ammunition.
As other posters have noted, the visual condition of the cartridges offer the best clues to whether it is still safe to shoot.
I personally wouldn't hesitate to shoot the ammunition for recreational purposes. Ammunition used for serious purposes should be of current vintage.
Changes in atmospheric pressure will cause moisture to enter a cartridge that may lead to a dude or even a squib that may leave a bullet in the barrel. Not so much of a problem for rimfire cartridges. For storage, keep ammo in a sealed plastic bag that can expand and contract with pressure. Not a bad idea to seal the primers with a dab of fingernail polish. Some WWII stuff still had corrosive primers.
I have some Remington 22 ammo from 1949 that my father bought. I still shoot a half a dozen every now and then. It still shoots fine and it is still accurate. I expect to run out of it someday.
I don’t see any aluminum-cased cartridges—those would be “suspect”, the rest should shot fine.
Suspect of what? Our Air Force's 25mm and 30mm aircraft cannon ammunition has utilized aluminum shellcases for decades without hypothetical or actual problems.
Upon what do you base your unfounded fears? Please provide verifiable information.
I found that a Winchester 1873 was designed for the 38-40, but it was chambered in such a way as the shoulder would blow forward and split the case.
What an easy to force people not to reload, then have to buy new cartridges.
Ping.
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