That is the question. I finally have a day off tomorrow, and I'm going with my buddy to my favorite gun store to get a brand new SA58. He has a case of wolf .308 which we were thinking about to blowing off with my soon to be pride and joy, but we have all heard people say a lot of bad things about wolf ammo in non russian guns. I want to be sure its safe before I run crap ammo through a 1500 dollar rifle. Especially with DSA's warning, I thought I better run the idea past you guys and gals. How it worked in your delicate AR isn't a concern of mine, rather I would please like to hear real stories of how Wolf ammo and perhaps other steel cased bullets perform in Fals.
Buying Fal tomorrow, to wolf or not to wolf?
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trickyasafox
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my buddy uses 308 wolf in a cetme. hasnt given him any probs in the 150-200 rounds i've seen.
MTMilitiaman
Member
I know what you're saying, but technically, it is a bimetal jacket--so yes, it is a steel cased bullet as well. Or at least it is if their 7.62x51 is anything like their 7.62x39.
BoySetsTheFire
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Russian steel cased ammo is made for the SKS or AK, which were designed for steel case. This means the steel receiver is hardened to where the mild steel case will not wear it down prematurely.
But some SA58s come with lightweight aluminum receivers. I do not think aluminum would hold up well against a steel casing.
I definitely would not run steel against aluminum, especially in a $1500 gun. However, they do offer $100 upgrades to a steel receiver for that rifle. But I still would not run steel case in a $1500 rifle. Best to check with the manufacturer and a few gunsmiths.
But some SA58s come with lightweight aluminum receivers. I do not think aluminum would hold up well against a steel casing.
I definitely would not run steel against aluminum, especially in a $1500 gun. However, they do offer $100 upgrades to a steel receiver for that rifle. But I still would not run steel case in a $1500 rifle. Best to check with the manufacturer and a few gunsmiths.
mmike87
Member
I believe that the DSA FAL rifles only have alloy lowers - I believe that all recent DSA rifles ALL have fully heat treated steel upper receivers.
That said, I don't shoot Wolf simply because I get South African surplus by the thousands for a good price. My FAL shoots SA suplus very well.
Does DSA frown on steel cased ammo simply because it's steel, or because it all tends to be cheap ammo? Who knows.
However, I'd be hard pressed to see a DSA FAL "breaking" because of Wolf ammo. Indian suplus, sure. But Wolf usually has much better quality control than Indian and Pakistani surplus ammo.
Mine has a hard-chromed chamber, too (I think they all do?) - which should make it pretty tough.
That said, I don't shoot Wolf simply because I get South African surplus by the thousands for a good price. My FAL shoots SA suplus very well.
Does DSA frown on steel cased ammo simply because it's steel, or because it all tends to be cheap ammo? Who knows.
However, I'd be hard pressed to see a DSA FAL "breaking" because of Wolf ammo. Indian suplus, sure. But Wolf usually has much better quality control than Indian and Pakistani surplus ammo.
Mine has a hard-chromed chamber, too (I think they all do?) - which should make it pretty tough.
iamkris
Member
Incorrect info. Only Williams made aluminum uppers for FALs. Those are crap and shouldn't be used. Even so, a steel cartridge would never touch the aluminum...the case goes into the chamber.
Yes, DSA has a lightweight aluminum lower as an option...but that has no effect on a steel cartridge.
That said, why shoot dirty Wolf when you can get 7.62x51 surplus at still reasonable prices? http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/South_African_147grn_FMJ_.308_140rd_Battlepack.html
10-Ring
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If in doubt - don't do it! 
Better safe than sorry.
Better safe than sorry.1 old 0311
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Don't risk it. Wolf has trashed lots of weapons, that were not designed for it. I use it in a SKS, and AK but that is all.
redneckrepairs
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Personaly i wont shoot Wolf ammo thro any of my guns , IMHO the guys who failed at being rocket scientests for north korea and got thier little butts fired are now in charge of quality control for wolf
Trouble with steel cased ammo is the lacquer tarnishes the chamber. Often this causes a case to lacquer-glue it's self into the chamber. :banghead:
The problem can be just as bad with fluted chambers. But, that's what chamber brushes are made for. Having said that, I only use Wolf if it's 7.62x39.
The problem can be just as bad with fluted chambers. But, that's what chamber brushes are made for.
Having said that, I only use Wolf if it's 7.62x39.
Chuck R.
Member
1911JMB
I wasn’t aware that DSA SA58s had fluted chambers, or any FAL for that matter. My SA58 Para has a standard non-fluted chamber.
IF in doubt, why chance it, especially with a brand new rifle. Buy some surplus, or standard .308 Win and try it out with that.
Chuck
I wasn’t aware that DSA SA58s had fluted chambers, or any FAL for that matter. My SA58 Para has a standard non-fluted chamber.
IF in doubt, why chance it, especially with a brand new rifle. Buy some surplus, or standard .308 Win and try it out with that.
Chuck
Eightball
Member
If it's polymer coated, don't--unless your gun is russian. Yours isn't.
If it's steel, go for it. But, be wary, it's not exactly the most accurate ammo ever, so don't expect a lot from it---other than the "fun factor". Get some surplus-- www.ammunitionstore.com is my favorite supplier, and I've gotten several thousand rounds through them without a hiccup (other than waiting forever on 7.62x39, but that's to be expected, and isn't their fault).
If it's steel, go for it. But, be wary, it's not exactly the most accurate ammo ever, so don't expect a lot from it---other than the "fun factor". Get some surplus-- www.ammunitionstore.com is my favorite supplier, and I've gotten several thousand rounds through them without a hiccup (other than waiting forever on 7.62x39, but that's to be expected, and isn't their fault).
wayne in boca
Member
Far as I know,only Hk's and Cetmes and the like (roller locked actions) have a fluted chamber.All DSA's have a forged steel receiver.) I run Wolf .223 and 7.62 X 39 through a lot of my rifles and never had a problem.Haven't used their .308 yet because the South African is great stuff,and I still have some Portugese NATO as well.Don't believe anything you hear about the laquer melting on Wolf steel cases.You cant get it to melt with a blowtorch.Let us know if it works out,I'll try some in my DSA STG58 if yours does digest it OK.
iamkris
Member
Ummm...are you sure about that? DSA (or any FALs for that matter) do not have fluted chambers as far as I know.
Are you sure it isn't a fluted barrel? That's a pretty big difference from a chamber (they're on the OUTSIDE).
If it is a fluted chamber, are you sure you're not buying a HK91?
Either way, may want to reread the brochure.
Ditchtiger
Member
indian ammo in a FAL
you could use indian ammo,it's cheap and not made with steel cases. OK, just kidding!
you could use indian ammo,it's cheap and not made with steel cases. OK, just kidding!
gunlover_06
Member
you will find that everyone has an oppinion about wolf ammo yes it is dirty but it shoots great out of my DAEWOO DR 200 in 223remington although the daewoo has the best of both worlds it is designed after the ak47 and ar15 absolutely wonderful to shoot have tried other ammo through it and none of it shot as well as the wolf. i would ask the dealer you r buying the gun from and get his thoughts on using it <just my .02 worth..
possum
Member
just do it man!
iamkris
Member
If I just bought a new $1500 rifle, I'd expect the "guy on the phone" to spend some time. Sounds like you need a new gun shop
iamkris
Member
Closing time, smosing time. You just bought a $1500 rifle.
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