Mini 14 Wolf ammo issues?

Status
Not open for further replies.
armoredman

armoredman

Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2003
Messages
19,171
Location
proud to be in AZ
Just curious how many folks have used Wolf brand .223 ammo in thier Mini 14 rifles, and have had any malfunction issues, attributable to the ammo alone? And, if so, what inexpensive available .223 factory ammunition do you plink/SD with?
Thank you for your time.
 
For what's it's worth. I Over heard a smith telling a guy to NOT use Wolf's steel cased ammo in a quality firearm. He did elaborate on it but stated " you wouldn't believe the problems this ammo is causing". I am not a smith and have used steel cased ammo in SKS's and AK's with OK results but never did in my Mini or other guns. Guys will probably come along and say "I did and nuttin happened to me", but in my guns I wouldn't, Your guns though.
I shoot reloads but if buying would get brass cased ammo for my rifles.
 
I am not a smith and have used steel cased ammo in SKS's and AK's with OK results but never did in my Mini or other guns.

Those guns were made for steel case ammo. The surplus 5.45 I have is steel cased.
 
It's really how MUCH wolf or other steel case you're feeding the mini. It's made from cast steel and, over time, the steel case may cause premature wear and tear on the working surfaces involved in feeding and extraction (bolt face, extractor, chamber, etc). I don't burn steel cased ammo in my mini--but in truth I am not shooting 5.56 AT ALL these days as it's just to pricey.

USA from winchester has worked well. I would bet that the slightly lower-pressure ss 109 ammo from Radway Green arsenal would work well for the mini, too. People have passed this stuff over becasue it is loaded to about 300 fps lower than standard. Beware pushing VERY 'hot' mil-surp ammo throu the mini's --especially the older ones as a regular diet. I had an unusual malfunction after a round of some rapid fire with some 'hot' NATO ammo--the extractor plunger popped out or correct alignment.
 
I've shot it in both mini-14 and m16's on full auto and didn't have any problems. But it was only a few mags so maybe I was just lucky.

Of course they were the wolf is cra comments when the boxes came out.
 
Back in 2001, shortly after I bought my mini, I ran a couple boxes of Wolf .223 through it in a single range session. I had the lacquered Wolf stuck case problem, and broke the extractor on the stuck case.
 
Neo-Luddite, it's not cast steel. Hint, if case was cast it would explode upon firing. The case is formed from the steel same as brass and is very soft. The extractors are not breaking due to the case being made of steel, they're breaking because the lacquer coated cases are sticking in the chambers! The gray Wolf cases aren't sticking like the green cases are.

If your brass cases were superglued in the chamber on each shot as the lacquered steel cases are, you'd be breaking extractors just the same.
 
I've been buying, and shooting Wolf .223 for years. I've put thousands of rounds of it through my Mini-14 and my ARs. It's dirty. I have to clean my guns well. Other than that, I've had no trouble. FYI, I also shoot Wolf 7.62 in my Mini-30. Again, no problems.
 
I have run over a thousand rounds of Wolf 7.62x39 123gr HP (black box) ammo Thru my Mini-30. I have never used lacquered ammo. The only issue I have ever had was with one case of Wolf ammo. I had troubles with the primers not firing. (about 2 rounds in 20) A $6 HD replacement spring solved the problem. Never had issues outside this case of ammo. It also misfired in my AK, but not nearly as often.
 
I have run over 12,000 rounds through a group of AR's with no problems what so ever. The older laquered ammo was a problem but the newer ammo with the polymer coating around the base runs great. The coating keeps the steel case from causing excessive extractor wear. Great practice ammo. It is not that accurate and is slightly less powerful than regular ammo but for the price it was great. These guns get dang hot and we have had 0 ammo related problems.
 
steel cased ammo

i have used steel cased ammo in my ar when i take people shooting. keep the expensive stuff for me:cool:

but, my ar has been chromed lined. i think the only way it would cause a problem is if the steel cased ammo had a bigger diameter or longer neck than your chamber. when the bolt slams shut, its slamming that steel case into your chamber. when it heats up, the rifle barrel steel gets plyable(more then when cold) i could see this giving feeding, extraction, and accuracy problems. if its your favorite gun, i wouldnt use it, but its up to you with what you want to feed it. just my 2 cents. brian
 
RUSSIAN AMMO IS FOR RUSSIAN GUNS.
Click to expand...

Simply not true.

I've probably fired at least 12,000 rounds of Wolf ammo, all through American firearms. Zero problems. Maybe 4 or 5 failures to extract, in a very hot (lots of previous firing) chamber, out of all those rounds.
 
A couple questions to those who may know:
Does the Mini have a .223 chamber?
Is the wolf 5.56 or .223 rem?
If the answers are yes, and 5.56, that may cause some reliability issues. I don't think the Mini 14 has been known to have a tight chamber anyway though so it may be a moot point.
 
Quote:
RUSSIAN AMMO IS FOR RUSSIAN GUNS.
Simply not true.

I've probably fired at least 12,000 rounds of Wolf ammo, all through American firearms. Zero problems. Maybe 4 or 5 failures to extract, in a very hot (lots of previous firing) chamber, out of all those rounds.
Click to expand...

I can agree with that, but if it were me, I'd just stick to the American stuff.

It just seems... right.
 
i've fed my mini and my ar wolf for a while and never had a problem. and the only thing i use wolf for is emptying a mag as fast as possible so the heat has never affected mine. winchester white box is good for plinking (and cheap).
 
MOST weapon distributors will say not to use Wolf's or any manufacturers steal case ammo in their firearms. From what i can tell every weapon maker says their firearms should use brass casings. This is probably just a legal liability or warranty clause.... I have never heard any problems with steel cases. My problem is usually the corrosive portion that is generally associated with steel casings as it worries me to use that type of ammo in my guns. :D
 
I've used Wolf in the past. No functional problems, but I don't recommend it, as it is just dirtier than all get-out, and the rifle is a PITA to clean, given the open gas system.
 
It is chambered for .223 (5.56mm) U.S. military and commercial cartridges.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/43.pdf
Click to expand...
The RUGER® MINI-14® RIFLES are chambered for the .223 Remington (5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S. military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/23.pdf
Click to expand...
The RUGER® MINI-14® RANCH RIFLES are chambered for the .223 Remington (5.56mm) cartridge. The Mini-14 Ranch Rifle is designed to use either standardized U.S. military, or factory loaded sporting .223 (5.56mm) cartridges manufactured in accordance with U.S. industry practice.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/55.pdf
Click to expand...
 
ASKNIGHT--just to clarify

"It's made from cast steel...."---meaning the receiver and parts on the Ruger--not the case. Your point on the lacquer is one I forgot about--I have heard that as well.

The bottom line is, for me, the mini's just aren't made to be smacked around like commie hardware.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

stchman
  • Locked
Wolf .223 in Mini-14
Replies
12
Views
946
Ignition Override
I
K
  • Locked
Ammo: PMC vs Wolf
Replies
20
Views
2K
Boba Fett
B
R
  • Locked
Would You Shoot WOLF Or SILVER BEAR Ammo In An AR 15 Or Mini 14?
2 3
Replies
53
Views
5K
FMJMIKE
F
C
  • Locked
Can a Mini-14 safely eat 5.56mm?
Replies
5
Views
1K
diesel83
D
BP Hunter
  • Locked
Mini 14 won't cycle...
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
[email protected]
B
Back
Top