Whats so bad about wolf ammo (besides it always jamming after 1 shot out of my Armalite M15A2). Wondering if I should put it through my Colt or Bush.
I shoot Wolf pretty extensively out of all my 5.56 ARs. I have no objection to it other than the fact that it stinks like hell. Inerestingly, of the 5+ ammo types I’ve tried (XM193, Prvi, 55 grain Wolf, 62 grain Wolf, etc.) the 62 grain Wolf groups the closest to my 75 grain Black Hills zero ammo.
I have yet to see the downside to it.
The only downside I see is that you can’t reload the spent casings.
Shooting a few thousand rounds of Wolf ammo through my first AR caused a lot of failure to exract because it coated the chamber with that laquer. It took a lot of nail-polish remover, a couple of brass chembe brushes, and a drill to reduce the malfunction. Even then it never went away.
I am considering shooting the non-lacquered (IE: Silver Bear) stuff though.
They stopped using laquer in 04, the stuff since then is polymer coated. Nothing wrong with Silver Bear or Wolf for training ammo IMO. I don’t reload .223/5.56 so the steal cases don’t bother me.
I also shoot Wolf extensively. About 6000plus rounds through both Colts and no malfunctions. It’s economical and more accurate than XM193, Privi, PMC Bronze and Q3131 I compared a while back. PMC Bronze 55 grain came in first, followed by the Wolf HP’s. I got very good accuracy out of the 55 & 62 grain HP’s, shooting 1 1/2" 5 round groups at 100 yards on a regular basis. FYI, I shot 1 1/2" 5 round groups with Banaul 62 grain FMJ (lacquered variety) this weekend as well. I got a good price on several cases of Barnaul 62 grain a while back and never had a problem with it either. I have a few cases of Silver Bear too and it is also GTG.
I only clean my weapons every 1000 to 1500 rounds shooting all three and never had a problem with the lacquered stuff. Hoppes #9, WD-40 and Simple Green has always worked for me as cleaners.
I have shot a ton of Wolf through my rifle. I may not shoot at much as some of the guys on here. But since Oct of last year when I got my rifle in working order I have shot about 3000 rnds of wolf and had only one FTE (dirty chamber) with wolf. That was my fault cause I was lazy and hadn’t cleaned or lubed my rifle from the last two range trips. I for the most part shoot the black box 55gr, I dont particularly like the military classic soft point.
-DM-
I have no problems with Wolf in my Armalite in Nov I shot 1,100 rounds of it one day.
This is a big no-no on an aluminum weapon. I recall from when I used to be completely anal about detailin my WS6 all the admonitions about using it on my engine-block. It even says on the bottle that it is incompatable IIRC.
I see no reason not to use Wolf as range ammo. The price is right and if it gives you an occasional malf - all the better! You can practice your transitions or malfunction clearance!
Thanks but I only use it to clean the BCGs as a degreaser. FYI, the bottle doesn’t say that, only that it is all purpose, non toxic and biodegradable. Dangerous Goods Classification as non toxic. http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/07_msds_simple_green_pad.pdf I didn’t see a thing on corrosiveness to metal even when using their search on frequently asked questions. The site even recommends use for cleaning engines.
Cheers!
I bought 500 rounds of wolf Mil. classic 5.56 55grain and love it. No problems. I also have been using 230 grain 45ACP with no problems for years. I think wolf gets a bad wrap. Can’t beat it, best bang for the buck$$
I actually prefer the laquer to the newer “polymer” coating.
I’ve never had an issue with the laquer coming off in the chamber of my 6920, and it is much more protective than the newer “polymer” that the ammo sold under the Wolf brand is.
Hornaday is using Barnaul laquer cases for their new line of TAP practice loads.
Now ain’t that some sh%t?
I have had what appeared to be a bright orange rust on some of the polymer handgun rounds.
I’ve shot a few cases of Classic Mil FMJ and loved the stuff. I found it to be way more consistent and accurate than the higher priced XM193/Q3131, Privi M193. Yeah, I think as little as a year ago, it was looked way down upon, until the continuous increase in price for brass ammo started. It’s your money.
Has anyone ever determined if the steel cases expand and behave in a similar manner as brass?
You would think it would in order to function properly. Just using my Mark I calibrated eyeball, looking at a side by side comparison, I couldn’t see anything on the contrary. I’m sure there is a difference between the two being different metals. I’m not a metallurgist and don’t reload, but it’s just not enough to effect the cycling of the weapon. I think type of powder, primer, sealants used in the manufacture of the ammo, type of weapon and Mags will have more of an effect to proper/inproper cycling.
The lacquered cases DO NOT coat the chamber with lacquer. That’s a big, fat internet myth.
If anyone wants to test this; the next time you’re around a spent Wolf casing and some kind of blowtorch, try and make the ‘lacquer melt off’. It doesn’t.
Aside from the acrid smell, I’ve never found a problem with Wolf. Like Thekatar just said, if you find it makes your weapon malfunction, its training value just doubled.
The Wolf cases do expand but don’t seem to expand as much as brass. I reload the Wolf steel cases on occasion when I don’t have any prepped brass since the steel cases do not require trimming. The length stays the same when fired. Haven’t reloaded any twice fired but once fired cuts out half the work.
I also prefer laquer coated casings as they dont rust. Low humidity here in Colorado, never had a spec of rust on any of my gun stuff except Wolf polycoat ammo in 3 different calibers. If you plan to store it for more than 2 years be sure to take some extra steps to prevent rust. They tend to show signs around 2.5-3 years from my experience around 40% humidity average.
Just an observation but I was at Jensen Arms about a year ago. Someone had an Olympic AR in for repair. Cause was wolf ammo carbon build up in the gas tube. Think the guy said he had 30,000+rds of Wolf through it. Guy at Jensen said he has had a few like this in for repair.
What’s wrong with it? I can’t find any, that’s my problem with it. I’m out and need more.