What .223's will handle wolf ammo?

[Northslope Nimrod]

I want to buy a .223 or 7.62 or .308. Can't decide. However, I want something that will handle the cheap Russion ammo (wolf, etc). What semi-autos will eat wolf with no worries? (I wouldn't worry about AK's or SKS)

Also, what about handguns? Any Western handguns that you would feel ok in shooting wolf ammo? (I use it in my Mak with no worries)

 

[Rob62]

I have shot Wolf ammo through a large variety of AR type rifle platforms. Some that come to mind are Bushmaster, Oly Arms, and the now long defunct EA (Essential Arms out of Krots <sp> Springs, AR, IIRC).

There were some problems with the older Wolf ammo. Those cartridges used some type of a lacquer finish on the steel cases that would gum up a chamber and cause all kinds of problems. This has been fixed with a new type of finish on the steel cases.

The only problem I have with Wolf ammo is that is very dirty IMO. Lots of residue after a few hundred rounds through a gun.

Regards,
Rob

 

[Deer Hunter]

I've never heard many complaints about Wolf handgun ammo. In fact, it's almost all I shoot in my .45. However, it is a 625, so I don't have a problem using any .45 ammo in that gun.

You'll be fine using it in western handguns.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I have shot Wolf .223 thru my Bushmaster AR many times without any issues. In fact I had ZERO failures during the time I owned the gun, all was with Wolf ammo.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

My Colt AR-15 doesn't like the Wolf that I tried in it (55 grain JHP). Got a couple of short strokes, but I've heard that more recent ammo is a little hotter.

OTH, my Mini-14 eats the same ammo like candy.

The only Wolf handgun ammo I've tried is .45 ACP. It generally runs OK in my Springfield Loaded 1911A1.

Ruger P-series autos are rated to shoot any factory brass or steel cased ammo, per the owner's manual.

 

[freedom and guns]

The

good old Box O Truth showed that you can shoot Wolf in an AR-15 http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu18.htm

 

[g56]

I've put a couple of thousand rounds of Wolf through one of my AR's with no problems of any kind, I use it as my casual plinking ammo for my AR, no brass to pick up with the Wolf!

I hear of some people having problems with their AR's and Wolf ammo, most AR's handle it fine, but some do have feeding problems, it's not predictable, I have heard of a few guys that it works fine in one of their AR's and not in another.

The best way to find out is to buy a few boxes and try it in your AR, if it works, fine, if it doesn't, all it really means is you can't use the fairly inexpensive Wolf in that particular AR.

 

[leadcounsel]

My SKS shoots Wolf.

That said, I have stopped buying it because it won't feed reliably in my Beretta 92FS, my Keltec P3AT, or my Bushmaster AR15.

It's also been debated whether it damages extractors, and you cannot reload the steel cases (if that's important to you).

I think for a few bucks more other ammo is better.

 

[Hoppy590]

saigas dont seem to mind the wolf. though it sure as heck throws them a mile on eject

 

[grimjaw]

Both of my AKs eat Wolf .223 with no problem (SAR3 & SAM5).

jmm

 

[22/22mag]

My SKS + Saigas + AKs eat Wolf 7,62x39 just fine never a problem.

Some Bushmasters do ok with Wolf but not my Bushmasters they stall with Wolf .223 ammo .

My Saiga .308 likes Wolf ammo.

Wolf 7,62x39 ammo was $2.50 box of 20 now my dealer charges $5.00 box of 20 .Once it comes back on the market the price might drop?

 

[B Easy]

I personally shot about 1000 rounds of Wolf through an Oly AR without any problems.

FWIW, a friend of mine bought a new AR, fired 3000 or so rounds of Wolf through it. When he went to sell it, he had a smith inspect it and found extensive throat corrosion. YMMV, and this isn't personal experience, so I'm not going to vouch for it, but in my new AR setup, with Guatemalan 193 being so cheap, I think I'll stick with that.

BTW if you buy Guat milsurp, give the battle pack a shake and feel it up. If you don't feel distinct cardboard boxes, then the bugs got to it. Don't buy it. The rounds will be fine, but you'll have about half a pound of bug crap to dispose of. Not fun.

 

[Bwana John]

You aint shootin that steel cased $#!t in my AR, FAL, or M1-A!!!

However you can shoot all the Wolf you want in my AK and SKS.

 

[Samuel_Hoggson]

At any one time I use 3 uppers at shoots: 20" A2, 20" A1, 11.5" A1. Sometimes I also run a M4 14.5". All of mine are factory Colt. Not one of these has an issue with Wolf poly. I have encountered one upper (not mine) that didn't like it: this was a brand spankin' new LMG upper. I have an idea that after a thousand rounds of M193 or M855 it would do just fine.

I've also had the opportunity to watch other MGers use Wolf. For the most part they've encountered few problems. There are a few things worth keeping in mind: Wolf is underpowered, dirty, and likes milspec (ie., 5.56) chambers. What this means is that a new upper might not like it till broken in. It may not run for as many rounds sans cleaning as you are used to seeing with M193 and such. It does not do well with smallish (read as .223) chamber dimensions.

Sam

 

[lycanthrope]

After thousands of rounds, I've never had issue in my Oly's, Model 1, Clark Gator, White Oak......

No problem in any AR I've had.

 

[chopinbloc]

works great in my mini-14, AKs, SKSs and glocks. i'm not even gonna try it in my m1a. my kimber doesn't like it and the only time i've tried it in an ar was with a rifle that was already having problems. 7.62x39 was the only caliber that i bought from wolf regularly anyway and it hasn't been around much so i haven't bothered. lake city m855 isn't exactly dirt cheap but ammoman has had good prices on it and that's what i mainly shoot. there's still plenty of good quality inexpensive surplus out there so why even bother?

 

[lee n. field]

OTH, my Mini-14 eats the same ammo like candy.

works great in my mini-14,

I'm gonna balance that with a negative -- shooting Wolf broke an extractor in my Mini.

 

[wixedmords]

Another OLY owner here without an issue.

I believe Wolf or RedBear/BrownBear can be used in moderation. The major issue is the lacquer, but I too have heard about throat wear. The lacquer is something you can see on the ammo, and not all of it is lacquer coated.

Keep a boresnake around to run it through the barrel every few hundred rounds. You may also want to spray the chamber with some cleaner at the same time.