Long time reader, first time poster. I've long carried Federal 148gr WC's in my J-frame BUG, as per the advice posted within this forum. However, after reading many of the posts here and researching gel tests conducted elsewhere, I decided to make the switch to a JHP load. I've never had a problem with the recoil of +P loads and can run roughly the same time and accuracy on close range drills with hotter .38 loads as with standard loads, so I figured I might as well make the switch. Seeing as how the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P "short barrel" loads are as rare and mythical as Flite Control #1 buckshot loads (for civilians anyhow), I went with the next best option, the 130gr +P Winchester Ranger T. The only reputable test I know of conducted with these loads displayed adequate terminal performance out of a short barrel:
http://mousegunaddict.blogspot.com/2...ial-p-130.html
However, I received a box of 50 (from a reputable dealer) to try out and upon close inspection noticed that every single load is unevenly seated in the casing. Some are seated so low that the crimp is not visible while others display ~1mm of visible crimp. This leads to different OALs between rounds. Not a single round was evenly seated either. Some of the worst rounds have none of the crimping visible on one side of the cartridge while ~1mm is visible on the other side, leading me to believe either the bullet is canted in its seating or the crimping is uneven. Pics below:
http://imgur.com/a/f339a
Are these safe to fire? If so, will this affect terminal performance in any meaningful fashion? Did this box fall off a truck, or is this not a big deal? I've never encountered this problem before, with any kind of ammunition. Model number is RA38B, box markings are: MPRA121Y, E129843, K6684.
Thanks for all of the hard work you ladies and gentlemen put into this site. It is much appreciated.