.223 wolf ammo
- Thread starter hfdcowboy
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Darthbauer
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- Joined
- Apr 1, 2007
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- 677
Your going to get alot of people going either way on this one. Some people's AR's wont feed it and some dont have any problems at all. Your best bet is to just buy some and try it and see if you and your AR like it cause thats all that really matters.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
While it was several years ago and with the older lacquer-coated version, I thought it was great - until a case stuck in the chamber of the Ruger Mini-14 I was shooting it in. The extractor did its job - breaking the rim off the case - but the case was stuck pretty tight. I used penetrating oil and a steel cleaning rod through the muzzle to tap the case out, then used a .45 brush on a flexible rod to scrub the chamber. I don't recall how many rounds I had put through it without specifically brushing the chamber, but it was somewhere around 100, definitely not more than 200. For reasons unrelated to the malfunction I sold the rifle (which functioned perfectly with brass ammo after the cleaning), so I never tested any more.
The newer production, I understand, has a polymer coating that is not supposed to gunk up chambers.
The newer production, I understand, has a polymer coating that is not supposed to gunk up chambers.
DoubleTapDrew
Member
Mine likes it and I'm a cheapskate so that's mainly what it gets fed.
Some people hate it with a vengence, saying it will destroy your gun and all your children will be born with webbed toes, while others love it and the fact it costs about half of what brass cased imitation M193/855 from 3rd world countries costs these days.
Get a couple boxes and make sure your gun digests it ok then start buying by the case. I wouldn't use it for SHTF or HD since it tends to have thick jackets and won't fragment like quality ammo, but for making noise and punching paper it's fine.
Some people hate it with a vengence, saying it will destroy your gun and all your children will be born with webbed toes, while others love it and the fact it costs about half of what brass cased imitation M193/855 from 3rd world countries costs these days.
Get a couple boxes and make sure your gun digests it ok then start buying by the case. I wouldn't use it for SHTF or HD since it tends to have thick jackets and won't fragment like quality ammo, but for making noise and punching paper it's fine.
Gatordad699
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- Joined
- Aug 16, 2006
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- 29
I have put about 6000 rounds through a Colt HBAR and about 2000 rounds through a JP Enterprise rifle. I have never had any type of problems.
S4Lee
Member
I've been reading Sweeney's AR book, and just got the chapter on Ammo. So, far, he hasn't had anything bad to say about Wolf, other than it isn't the most accurate ammo. Sounds good to me. I picked up a case that I'm hoping to put a dent in this weekend.
Last time I checked, 1k of Wolf was something like $50 cheaper than 1k of your average brass cased American.
Thats means for every 10k of ammo you put through 1 gun, you save $500. If you take good care of your gun, I would wager it will last beyond the 20k mark, where you save $1000. You can pretty well buy a second AR with the savings, and have 2 guns then.
All that said, Wolf is utterly terrible. Let me dispose of it properly for you.
Thats means for every 10k of ammo you put through 1 gun, you save $500. If you take good care of your gun, I would wager it will last beyond the 20k mark, where you save $1000. You can pretty well buy a second AR with the savings, and have 2 guns then.
All that said, Wolf is utterly terrible. Let me dispose of it properly for you.
Steve in PA
Member
I ran some Wolf MC through my Bushmaster Patrolman's rifle a few weeks ago during work. Target was about 75 paces, shot while leaning across the roof of my cruiser. Rifle and ammo functioned just fine.
Closer pic of the target. Low flyers were called by me.
Just the other day I ran 30-rounds of brass cased ammo through the rifle to warm things up. I then shot 30-rounds of Wolf...and then another 30-rounds of brass. No problems or issues.
Wolf shoots great out of my rifle.
Closer pic of the target. Low flyers were called by me.
Just the other day I ran 30-rounds of brass cased ammo through the rifle to warm things up. I then shot 30-rounds of Wolf...and then another 30-rounds of brass. No problems or issues.
Wolf shoots great out of my rifle.
W.E.G.
Member
Many AR15-type rifles will not tolerate it. Folks with chrome-lined chambers seem to generally fare better with it, but chrome is by no means a guarantee of compatibility.
I have two such rifles, and neither has a chrome chamber. Both rifles have no problems at all with brass-cased ammo. This is how steel-case Wolf (both varieties polymer and lacquer) performs in those rifles.
I have two such rifles, and neither has a chrome chamber. Both rifles have no problems at all with brass-cased ammo. This is how steel-case Wolf (both varieties polymer and lacquer) performs in those rifles.
RevolverMan567
Member
i also had a bushy xm15-e2s and fed it just under 500 rounds of non lacquer coated wolf in about a day and a half. never failed in any way on a side note the only failure i have has ths far was with black hills 52 gr bthp. money doesn't equal quality these day unfortunately it is a crap shoot no matter who makes it, shoot it till it doesn;t work, practice clearing it and shoot it some more, thats all you can do. buy the wolf if it is on sale, if it isnt buy what is. simple as that.
It works fine in both of my Bushmasters.
It is dirty. The black box is downloaded. You may want to try a box or 2 to make sure it will work before you order a case. OR maybe try a different steel case ammo like the various Bear lines, Monarch from Academy or the Military Classic from Wolf.
It is dirty. The black box is downloaded. You may want to try a box or 2 to make sure it will work before you order a case. OR maybe try a different steel case ammo like the various Bear lines, Monarch from Academy or the Military Classic from Wolf.
RustyHammer
Member
I've put a few hundred rounds through my AR's over the past couple of years without any problems what-so-ever.
Rifleman 173
Member
I've probably shot over 5K of Wolf in 4 different ARs/M-4 variant rifles/carbines. I've only had two bad rounds and one of those was my fault a FTF (Failure to feed). It's real dirty ammo but it works for what I need it to do. I've also shot 1K of South African ammo through my ARs too without any hitches. I have two Bushmasters and they'll eat Wolf like it was popcorn. Clean your rifles ASAP after shooting with Wolf to make sure that your barrels don't pit or anything and you should be alright. Also lube your bolt real good before shooting the ammo and you might need to do it while shooting for the first 1,000 rounds if your Bushmaster is new. Once the rifle is broke in right, you'll be golden.
I like the Barnaul Silver Bear stuff better than Wolf.
We have a distributer here in Illinois, Glenn Zanders Inc., and they carry the Barnaul.
It is about the same price as Wolf and a bit more accurate and consistent.
I haven't had any chamber sticking issues with this brand of steel case ammo either.
We have a distributer here in Illinois, Glenn Zanders Inc., and they carry the Barnaul.
It is about the same price as Wolf and a bit more accurate and consistent.
I haven't had any chamber sticking issues with this brand of steel case ammo either.
Don't Tread On Me
Member
In my 20" USGI profile, 4150, chrome lined, 5.56 chamber, 1/7 twist barrel made by BCM - I finally got a stuck case with Wolf.
Wolf polymer. Approx 650-700 rounds no cleaning. Now, I've gone much longer and had reliability, but I would give the chamber a light brushing when I'd clean the bore. That reflects more on the bolt/carrier just needing lube to keep on running.
Anyway, one got stuck. Rim was like WEG's pictures, partially ripped.
Chamber was nasty. Completely filthy. No chrome was visible at all. Carbon fouling, grime and a heavy layer of burnt case coatings (polymer from Wolf) on it. Chamber literally had a texture to it. Very nasty.
Used Hoppes #9, a short pistol rod and a 9mm pistol brush and scrubbed the hell out of the chamber, going around in a circle like a clock. After a good 5 full minutes, there was a nasty thick "soup" of sludge in the barrel extension. Blasted it out with brake cleaner. Like brand new again. Chrome bright shiny and slick. Looks like the day I bought it.
I do not believe this reflects poorly on the reliability of the AR. About 700 rounds of Wolf (over a few shooting sessions) with ZERO chamber cleaning could be considered abuse.
Even minor maintenance every 300 would have easily prevented this with Wolf.
Filth in the chamber and in the bolt/carrier is significantly less with brass cased USGI surlus ammo such as XM193 and M855. I've had zero problems with those. Then again, this is my first problem with Wolf ever. You get what you pay for.
Wolf polymer. Approx 650-700 rounds no cleaning. Now, I've gone much longer and had reliability, but I would give the chamber a light brushing when I'd clean the bore. That reflects more on the bolt/carrier just needing lube to keep on running.
Anyway, one got stuck. Rim was like WEG's pictures, partially ripped.
Chamber was nasty. Completely filthy. No chrome was visible at all. Carbon fouling, grime and a heavy layer of burnt case coatings (polymer from Wolf) on it. Chamber literally had a texture to it. Very nasty.
Used Hoppes #9, a short pistol rod and a 9mm pistol brush and scrubbed the hell out of the chamber, going around in a circle like a clock. After a good 5 full minutes, there was a nasty thick "soup" of sludge in the barrel extension. Blasted it out with brake cleaner. Like brand new again. Chrome bright shiny and slick. Looks like the day I bought it.
I do not believe this reflects poorly on the reliability of the AR. About 700 rounds of Wolf (over a few shooting sessions) with ZERO chamber cleaning could be considered abuse.
Even minor maintenance every 300 would have easily prevented this with Wolf.
Filth in the chamber and in the bolt/carrier is significantly less with brass cased USGI surlus ammo such as XM193 and M855. I've had zero problems with those. Then again, this is my first problem with Wolf ever. You get what you pay for.
rangerruck
Member
I was at the range this weekend , doing some comparison work on my favorite round, the 17mach2. A couple of guys next to me had a couple of m4gery's, and going through some zeroing with their different sights; Buis, acog, eotech, etc.,
when one dude stopped, took another mag on a reload before empty, and tried a fast reload with a lula reloader. By the time he put 25 rounds into it, the chamber had cooled a bit, with it's last round still in there.
And that is where his range day ended with that m4, locked up tighter than a drum, do to the lacquer around the cartridge.
when one dude stopped, took another mag on a reload before empty, and tried a fast reload with a lula reloader. By the time he put 25 rounds into it, the chamber had cooled a bit, with it's last round still in there.
And that is where his range day ended with that m4, locked up tighter than a drum, do to the lacquer around the cartridge.
rangerruck
Member
Now then, their brass stuff apparently is fine, but I just wouldn't do the steel stuff through a ar...
mgregg85
Member
Its fun to shoot in my mini-14.
SnakeEater
Member
I've never understood why people would feed their rifles that garbage. It's terrible. If you can't afford decent ammo, get a 2nd job.
Steve in PA
Member
I read a funny quip on another forum;
If your AR won't handle Wolf ammo....put a skirt on it and stand it in the corner.
I can afford "decent" ammo........but I can also afford to shoot twice as much Wolf.
If your AR won't handle Wolf ammo....put a skirt on it and stand it in the corner.
I can afford "decent" ammo........but I can also afford to shoot twice as much Wolf.
gunman42782
Member
I have never had a problem with it.
TimboKhan
Member
In accordance with the roughly 15 million threads addressing this issue, let me sum up the general thoughts on this topic.
1. Wolf ammo breaks extractors.
2. No, it doesn't.
3. Wolf leaves a gunky mess of goo in my chamber
4. No, it doesn't
5. My instructor frequently mentions that anyone who uses wolf to train with will register a /fail due to it's crappiness.
6. Wolf ammo voids DPMS warranties (which, oddly, is true. I emailed them myself on that one)
7. Wolf is inaccurate and fails to ignite
8. Wold is accurate enough and works fine.
9. I didn't spend $1000.00 dollars on a rifle/pistol/revolver to use crappy ammo
10. Wolf stinks, literally.
And thats pretty much that. The truth? Probably somewhere in the middle. I think it is safe to say that no one would argue that Wolf is the best ammo ever made, but I think that most objective people will also say it works (with the caveats that it does sort of stink and it really is dirtier). Personally, I have shot a ton of Wolf, out of everything from my two Bushmasters on down to my pistols, and I have been generally happy with it, though I did get a bum box of 9mm once. The .45 ammo was totally reliable and accurate enough that it was my main ammo for a long, long time, given that I was strictly following the "carry what you practice with" credo. I have since opted to practice with Wolf and CCI, and carry Hydra-Shoks. To date the world hasn't come to an end, and I have yet to break an extractor on any of my guns.
By the way, as far as the training thing goes, writers David Fortier and Patrick Sweeney both recently wrote articles about how they went to a training class together and both used Wolf exclusively. No problems.
1. Wolf ammo breaks extractors.
2. No, it doesn't.
3. Wolf leaves a gunky mess of goo in my chamber
4. No, it doesn't
5. My instructor frequently mentions that anyone who uses wolf to train with will register a /fail due to it's crappiness.
6. Wolf ammo voids DPMS warranties (which, oddly, is true. I emailed them myself on that one)
7. Wolf is inaccurate and fails to ignite
8. Wold is accurate enough and works fine.
9. I didn't spend $1000.00 dollars on a rifle/pistol/revolver to use crappy ammo
10. Wolf stinks, literally.
And thats pretty much that. The truth? Probably somewhere in the middle. I think it is safe to say that no one would argue that Wolf is the best ammo ever made, but I think that most objective people will also say it works (with the caveats that it does sort of stink and it really is dirtier). Personally, I have shot a ton of Wolf, out of everything from my two Bushmasters on down to my pistols, and I have been generally happy with it, though I did get a bum box of 9mm once. The .45 ammo was totally reliable and accurate enough that it was my main ammo for a long, long time, given that I was strictly following the "carry what you practice with" credo. I have since opted to practice with Wolf and CCI, and carry Hydra-Shoks. To date the world hasn't come to an end, and I have yet to break an extractor on any of my guns.
By the way, as far as the training thing goes, writers David Fortier and Patrick Sweeney both recently wrote articles about how they went to a training class together and both used Wolf exclusively. No problems.
rangerruck
Member
but I bet they used wolf Brass line....
In about 800 rounds of wolf through a mod 1 sales/DPMS kit rifle, I had 2 stuck cases with the rim torn away, all polymer cased and both early on in this 800 rounds. Runs filthy, minute-of-man accurate, requires you to keep your maintenance schedule slightly more frequent than "Once a lifetime" to wipe the primer sealant off the bolt and the crap out of the chamber, smells like being windexed in the face.
If you think you can deal with that for the price charged, it's good ammo. If not, then I agree entirely that it's crap, and you should immediately send it to me so that I may continue treating my mutt of an AR15 like an AK.
If you think you can deal with that for the price charged, it's good ammo. If not, then I agree entirely that it's crap, and you should immediately send it to me so that I may continue treating my mutt of an AR15 like an AK.
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