KJS

Cabela's says it's made by S&B and reviews often mention the most compact boxes it comes in.

Is this simply standard S&B ammo put in a black box with a "Herter's" name upon it? The compact box comment certainly reminds me of S&B ammo that is notable for coming in the most compact boxes I've ever seen.

Just curious is there's any difference at all.

Larry the Liberal

Probably. I'm betting the same ammo goes in different boxes. Very doubtful that a separate production run for Cabela's would help keep the cost down.

The last case of Herter's .38 special I received was produced by Fiocchi ... and was identical in every way with the Fiocchi I had on hand.

KJS

I can certainly imagine Cabela's farming out their store brand to Fiocchi, just like they're doing with S&B. Both companies produce quality ammo at the lowest prices you'll find on factory brass-case ammo.

moakes58

I have shot both & currently have both in my ammo box. They are not the same. S&B seals there primers(red) to keep moisture out for long term storage.(they say). The 115gr bullets look the same & the cases also,except for the stamp. I too like the small packaging.
Both are made in S&B's factory in the Czech Republic. Both also function very well in all my guns & I have used the 9mm in 3 different guns & the .380 in 2. No problems.

moakes58

1 more note, Cabela's definitely has more than 1 manufacturer make Herter's. There aluminum cased blue total nylon jacketed ammo is made in the USA by CCI which I believe is owned by Federal. I had great success with this & wish I had got more when it was $9.79/50. I was just leary of it & only bought 4 boxes.
They also make some yellow box Russian stuff(steel cased, berdan primed) I had terrible luck with in pistol ammo. Many fail to fires is several guns.

intercooler

I took Herters as Fiocchi

KJS

Good to hear it's working so well for you, seeing how I'm now owner of 800 rounds. I've never tried it before, but the price was right and I felt like I had to jump on the best 9mm price I've seen in a long time.

Yeah, if I see red I can be virtually certain it's S&B without any need to check the headstamp. It's the only brand I've seen that applies a primer sealant, which is a bit surprising given that S&B is a low-cost leader & you'd think they'd skip that simply to cut costs. That and the fact that other ammo makers don't seem to feel any need for it. I don't really worry about moisture given that I plan to shoot rather than store ammo for decades. Plus I keep ammo within a living area of my home where AC keeps it dry & cool in summer & WI weather makes sure it's plenty dry inside in winter.

First time I saw that red stuff I had to ask what it was, being totally stumped having never seen sealant before.

KJS

I've seen the ads for their TNJ stuff made by CCI/Blazer, though have never tried it. I've had very good luck with Total Metal Jacket .38+P Blazer, which is the cleanest ammo I've ever found by far. That seems to work as well as any brass case I've used. I have no idea how it would work in autos, though it falls out of a revolver's cylinder just as easily as brass does.

The indoor range I use bans all the steel case Russian stuff, so I've never even had a chance to try it. Though given your description of FTFs it doesn't sound like I've missed out on anything, except low quality & frustration.

intercooler

WinClean is the cleanest I have seen but then again it is totally designed to be.

corvettezo6

Does anyone know where to get the specs on Herters brass ammo. I bought some 44 mag at Cabelas yesterday and want to know the ballistics of it.

moakes58

I would contact Cabelas. They have very good customer service.