steel case ammunition in semi auto (M1A)

General Geoff · January 13th, 2007, 12:40 PM

So now that I have my M1A, I'm looking to start stocking 7.62x51mm (.308) in my arsenal. The cheapest I can find at the moment is Wolf .308, at >$150 per 500rds. Pretty cheap, but this stuff has steel casings. Anyone else tried running through Wolf ammo with a semi auto .308? Just wondering if I can expect the kind of reliability I'd get out of brass ammo, or if it's likely to jam often, etc..

If so, I might to just spend a bit more (~$200 per 500rds) and get surplus brass cartridges. Thanks for any help on the subject. :)

rocky · January 13th, 2007, 12:48 PM

Should be reliable. I have run about 1000 rnds of wolf thru my AR(5.56MM). Accuracy might not be as good as some other ammo though.

General Geoff · January 13th, 2007, 01:22 PM

Thanks, rocky. I'll probably pick up 500rds of it at cabela's sometime next week and break my new rifle in. :)

Oh, and on a semi-related note, does anyone here with an M1A/M14 have experience with type 57 mags? I can pick them up for $15 a pop, just wondering if they're utter trash or if they're reliable enough for plinking. Thanks.

dr_cmg · January 13th, 2007, 03:15 PM

I don't like firing the Wolf steel case in anything that wasn't designed to fire it. That's just me. I fire it in my SKS and it works fine. For my Saiga .308 I picked up some NATO ammo from India and it was excellent. It was a little dirtier than Winchester White Box, but not as dirty as the Wolf steel case. At $75 for 250 rounds it was a lot cheaper than the WWB.

One other option you might want to look at is the Wolf Gold Ammunition. It has brass cases and boxer primers. I have used some of the 5.56/.223 and it is actually cleaner than WWB and from what I could tell more accurate. It is not as cheap as the regular Wolf, but it is not outrageous either. In November I bought 500 of the 5.56/.223 for $104. I haven't bought any of the .308 so I don't know what kind of price you can find on it.

SIXTO · January 13th, 2007, 03:29 PM

Theres another factor that people don't know or forget about with the steel cased ammo.
The lacquer they spray over the steel. If you are shooting a lot, and your chamber heats up, it will start melting the lacquer and in turn gumming up your chamber. Its not that big of a deal in the AK's are SKS's, they are not built so tightly. BUT start running it through a higher quality rifle, and you may see some problems.
If your going to shoot Wolf Steel case, I would suggest you buy a couple of spare extractors and learn how to replace them too.

One more issue with the steel ammo.... Some indoor ranges won't allow it on their range. In addition to the steel case, a lot of this ammo has a steel core projectile too. This damages some backstops, and also will cause sparks.... not really a good thing on a dirty indoor range.

General Geoff · January 13th, 2007, 03:42 PM

Wolf ammunition no longer has a lacquer coating, they now have a polymer coating on the cases. Supposedly more durable/heat resistant, so it should alleviate the gumming issue (which I know alot about from my Mosin Nagant).

Oh, and I've never been to an indoor range, but from what I hear most of them don't allow rifle cartridges at all, let alone steel core. I have plenty of outdoor ranges to choose from though, so I'll be fine.

dr_cmg · January 13th, 2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by General Geoff

Wolf ammunition no longer has a lacquer coating, they now have a polymer coating on the cases. Supposedly more durable/heat resistant, so it should alleviate the gumming issue (which I know alot about from my Mosin Nagant).

It is true that Wolf no longer produces steel cased ammo with a lacquer coating, but there is still tons of it out there that has the lacquer coating. So be careful when you buy and make sure that the coating is not lacquer. I just checked Cheaper Than Dirt and Sportsman's Guide and both listed some Wolf ammo with lacquer coating. As far as I can tell the boxes don't show what the coating is.

MattLarson · January 13th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Just my opinion, but I would not use Wolf to break in a new gun. You don't need to add potential problems to the equation in the event that the gun doesn't run well right out of the box.

Matt

dimmak · January 13th, 2007, 06:11 PM

Just my .02....

I would stick with top shelf ammo for such a top shelf rifle....
Perhaps you could begin reloading for it.....

General Geoff · January 13th, 2007, 11:33 PM

I'm currently in the process of searching for an ammo dealer that actually HAS bulk .308 in stock that's not Wolf. Slim pickin's at the moment.

January 13th, 2007, 12:40 PM	#1
General Geoff Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 354	steel case ammunition in semi auto (M1A) So now that I have my M1A, I'm looking to start stocking 7.62x51mm (.308) in my arsenal. The cheapest I can find at the moment is Wolf .308, at >$150 per 500rds. Pretty cheap, but this stuff has steel casings. Anyone else tried running through Wolf ammo with a semi auto .308? Just wondering if I can expect the kind of reliability I'd get out of brass ammo, or if it's likely to jam often, etc.. If so, I might to just spend a bit more (~$200 per 500rds) and get surplus brass cartridges. Thanks for any help on the subject. :) __________________ Discretion is the better part of valour; and a virtue beyond reproach. Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

January 13th, 2007, 12:48 PM	#2
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,767	Should be reliable. I have run about 1000 rnds of wolf thru my AR(5.56MM). Accuracy might not be as good as some other ammo though. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

January 13th, 2007, 01:22 PM	#3
General Geoff Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 354	Thanks, rocky. I'll probably pick up 500rds of it at cabela's sometime next week and break my new rifle in. :) Oh, and on a semi-related note, does anyone here with an M1A/M14 have experience with type 57 mags? I can pick them up for $15 a pop, just wondering if they're utter trash or if they're reliable enough for plinking. Thanks. __________________ Discretion is the better part of valour; and a virtue beyond reproach. Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

January 13th, 2007, 03:15 PM	#4
dr_cmg Lead Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,619	I don't like firing the Wolf steel case in anything that wasn't designed to fire it. That's just me. I fire it in my SKS and it works fine. For my Saiga .308 I picked up some NATO ammo from India and it was excellent. It was a little dirtier than Winchester White Box, but not as dirty as the Wolf steel case. At $75 for 250 rounds it was a lot cheaper than the WWB. One other option you might want to look at is the Wolf Gold Ammunition. It has brass cases and boxer primers. I have used some of the 5.56/.223 and it is actually cleaner than WWB and from what I could tell more accurate. It is not as cheap as the regular Wolf, but it is not outrageous either. In November I bought 500 of the 5.56/.223 for $104. I haven't bought any of the .308 so I don't know what kind of price you can find on it. __________________ George Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. Albert Einstein

January 13th, 2007, 03:29 PM	#5
SIXTO VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Here and There Posts: 10,087	Theres another factor that people don't know or forget about with the steel cased ammo. The lacquer they spray over the steel. If you are shooting a lot, and your chamber heats up, it will start melting the lacquer and in turn gumming up your chamber. Its not that big of a deal in the AK's are SKS's, they are not built so tightly. BUT start running it through a higher quality rifle, and you may see some problems. If your going to shoot Wolf Steel case, I would suggest you buy a couple of spare extractors and learn how to replace them too. One more issue with the steel ammo.... Some indoor ranges won't allow it on their range. In addition to the steel case, a lot of this ammo has a steel core projectile too. This damages some backstops, and also will cause sparks.... not really a good thing on a dirty indoor range. __________________ In a land of sheep, even a toothless wolf is king. Wake Up! The zombie invasion has begun years ago.

January 13th, 2007, 03:42 PM	#6
General Geoff Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 354	Wolf ammunition no longer has a lacquer coating, they now have a polymer coating on the cases. Supposedly more durable/heat resistant, so it should alleviate the gumming issue (which I know alot about from my Mosin Nagant). Oh, and I've never been to an indoor range, but from what I hear most of them don't allow rifle cartridges at all, let alone steel core. I have plenty of outdoor ranges to choose from though, so I'll be fine. __________________ Discretion is the better part of valour; and a virtue beyond reproach. Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

January 13th, 2007, 05:17 PM	#8
MattLarson Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,489	Just my opinion, but I would not use Wolf to break in a new gun. You don't need to add potential problems to the equation in the event that the gun doesn't run well right out of the box. Matt __________________ Hope is not a plan.

January 13th, 2007, 06:11 PM	#9
dimmak Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TN Posts: 1,754	Just my .02.... I would stick with top shelf ammo for such a top shelf rifle.... Perhaps you could begin reloading for it..... __________________ "Ray Nagin is a colossal disappointment" - NRA/ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox. "...be water, my friend."

January 13th, 2007, 11:33 PM	#10
General Geoff Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 354	I'm currently in the process of searching for an ammo dealer that actually HAS bulk .308 in stock that's not Wolf. Slim pickin's at the moment. __________________ Discretion is the better part of valour; and a virtue beyond reproach. Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode