[RANash]

I have heard that Silver Bear ammo is made in Russia but is different from Wolf in that it has a plated case rather than laquered like Wolf.

So, anyone here tried it yet?

More info, please! Thanks in advance!

[DMK]

but is different from Wolf in that it has a plated case rather than laquered Some of it is plated, some is laquered. It will say Nickel or Zinc plated on the box if it is. I have some laquered and some plated. Realistically I don't see much difference in reliability.

Personally, I prefer Barnual over Silver Bear and Silver Bear over Wolf.

[geekWithA.45]

I've run 4 or 5 hundred rounds through my AR. Not lacquered, and not a functional/reliability problem. Accuracy was on the low end of typical for cheapy ammo.

Edited to add:

Oh, yeah, I forgot: the muzzle flash is pretty inconsistent. Every 5th round or so results in a 5 foot tongue of flame.

[DeputyVaughn]

I've used about 500 rounds of .223 Silver Bear. It's Zinc plated. I like it. I use the 62gr stuff. No feed problems and accurate enough for target practice. Still have about 400 rounds on hand and have 200 more on the way from CTD.

Scott

[standingbear]

i use it in my bulgie makarov.its hot.its accurate.i prefer the barnaul to it as the recoil isnt as sharp.its nickle plated case.

[repsychler]

I've used Silver Bear in 9mm and 380acp, and liked them both. All of it was nickel plated.

My P89 likes heavier bullets, and the Silver Bear 145gr JHPs are the best deal I've found.

[kernal_panic]

had really bad luck with it in my dads ar-15. silver bear 55 grn .223. got to break out the cleaning rod several times. barnaul laqueer cased and brassed case ammo works fine in that gun.

[Snowdog]

I ran some Playdough tests on these a while back and found that they consistantly expanded in a manner similar to Hornady's XTP line.
The only complaint was the an inconsistant OAL, with several causing the magazine to bind. Another concern was the need for aftermarket springs, as this ammunition is far more stout than your typical 9x18.

I would like to see these bullets offered (cheap) to reloaders. The bullet itself has potential.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/p6e02b3c1fabb2fee0e6a7d200e89145b/fa7f3f52.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid89/pe23a727213fe50d48fb2c1bb81a76019/fa7f2feb.jpg

[Kevlarman]

Will they pass the magnet test? I'd like to get some in .30-06 but the range doesn't like steel core or steel jacketed rounds.

[Snowdog]

Typical of imported Russian ammunition, the bullet jacket will attract a magnet.
Sorry.

[Greybeard]

The 9 X 18 stuff has served well in my Russian Maks.

[P95Carry]

What about ''Brown Bear'' too?

I got a load of this in .380 fmj .. shoots extremely well outa my Thunder. The cases are similar color to bullet outer color ..... so whole round is sorta ''coppery''. Plated I assume... as against laquer.

Price is great and ballistics seem equally so ... at least so far anyways.

[M2 Carbine]

What Snowdog said!
Good pictures.

Plus,
The last 2 cases of SB I bought was 115 grain instead of 120 grain.

I load the 120 grain in the Makarovs for defence.

I changed all (9) of my Makarovs to 21 pound Wolf springs.
The surprising thing is my lightest target reloads will still function 100% in every gun with these heavy springs.

Barnaul is also excellent 95 gr JHP Russian ammo. I've shot about a case of it but I like the heavier SB bullet for defence.
Widener's has it on sale for $79 a case of 1000.