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Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: twyacht on March 10, 2008, 07:56:21 PM

Title: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: twyacht on March 10, 2008, 07:56:21 PM: Purchased a new Sig 556 for and finally had a chance to load up and shoot it. Bought some Wolf "Performance Ammunition", 55GR. FMJ Steel Case , Non-Corrosive Boxer Primed, Russian made ammo because it was "cheaper". BIG MISTAKE!

It would not load the next round after chambering the first one. Examining the shells in the mag, the bolt nicked the rim and scratched the case, but failed to extract from the magazine and chamber.

The Sig had to be "racked" everytime. Its like a brand new Corvette with bald tires!

Got disgusted after several attempts with different mags. Than loaded one with Remington Express 223 55GR. PSP.
Worked like a champ, lit up like it should and never missed a beat!

Trying to save a couple of bucks on ammo doesn't pay-off. Than I hear the gray coating on the Wolf ammo case is causing problems for others I know with Bushmasters and other similiar AR style rifles.

Bottom Line: Rifle over a thousand dollars doesn't deserve cheap ammo!
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: 2HOW on March 10, 2008, 08:42:32 PM: I call BS on this, Ive heard alot of problems with the Sig rifle, I shoot wolf in everything I have never a problem . I would look at the rifle first.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: twyacht on March 10, 2008, 08:50:02 PM: I have also read the praises and criticisms of the Sig 556, and would have come to your conclusion as well, right up until I reloaded with the Remington ammo, and the problem went away. Granted this is a new rifle and may "loosen up" after more rounds. I have also read, researched and heard about the criticisms of ammo from Chile, Russia, Israel, Turkey, etc.. and just wonder if the ever so slight differences in manufacturing may play a role in a brand new rifle. BS or not, I'm just sharing my experience.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 11, 2008, 02:24:55 AM: I've seldom heard anything good about Wolf, A freind of mine had the exact same problem with an Olympic AR, every other brand including assorted surplus worked fine, Wolf was jam after jam.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: jnevis on March 11, 2008, 07:42:35 AM: My Rock River AR didn't have a problem with the 200 or so Wolf and Golden Bear Russian ammo I put through it right after I picked it up. It was a little dirtier than after the Federal I picked up later on but not to the point of worrying about it. The groupings were OK but part of that was the front sight was loose. For cheap pracice ammo I'd buy it again. Pistol ammo is a different story. My G23 didin't like the Wolf 40. It didn't jam but the group was crap.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: DonWorsham on March 11, 2008, 08:07:25 AM: I've not had any problems with Wolf .223 55gr and 62gr. Accurate enough to hit a man-sized target at 300 meters in competition.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Bidah on March 11, 2008, 01:38:43 PM: I have fired thousands of rounds of Wolf Polymer, no problem

Wolf tends to be under powered, and from what you describe, it was not enough to push the bolt back far enough to catch the next round. Did the bolt lock back after the last round was fired?

-Bidah
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Bill Stryker on March 11, 2008, 02:10:14 PM: I shot a full case of Wolf 9mm through my P226 w/o issues. But then I cleaned it after every range session of 50 to 100 rounds. I do not think there was any significant advantage to it as I buy 9mm by the case when it is on sale at WalMart, Gander Mt, Bass Pro or a local chain, Dunhams, here in Michigan.

Then later the range / club where I shoot indoors banned all Wolf ammo. Seems there were too many problems there with it. This is a range that it is OK to shoot full auto and .50 BMG! But they are serious about not shooting Wolf there. They have instituted a hefty fine and posted that it is banned very prominently. Oh, BTW they used to sell Wolf there as well. Not anymore.

I did hear alot about it being dirty ammo when I shot it from others there. I think it has a steel core that some don't like. And I know some AR owners manuals say not to shoot it.

Bottom line: I do not buy Wolf anymore and don't miss it. I use mostly Winchester white box and Remington UMC for practice. I also have found some CCI Brass Blazers from time to time at Walmart.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: 2HOW on March 11, 2008, 03:01:51 PM: There is an old wives tale about the older wolf with the lacquered case would gum up the chamber when it got hot, this is not true. I shoot wolf in My Bushmaster and AK along with my 1911 and my .40 been shooting it for years with no problems. Don't think I would want a gun you couldn't run cheap ammo in, I want to be able to shoot anything I can get. Sure I would like to shoot the best ammo made but its not practical and too expensive. Good luck with that Sig, maybe it just needs breaking in, but others have had feeding problems too.,
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: LMIB on March 11, 2008, 07:05:10 PM: I've never had a problem with Wolf in my Mini 14 and Mini 30.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: twyacht on March 11, 2008, 08:59:03 PM: Thank you for all the insight, I too am somewhat disappointed that an "Assault Rifle" would not shoot just about anything placed in the magazine. If the tolerances are too tight, it might be something worked out over time. However, after viewing the review at this website about the Sig 556, I guarantee they were not shooting Wolf ammo.

After investing ALOT of money in this rifle, I expect it to fire as designed. If the Remington ammo works fine and the Wolf does not, I'll drop Sig a line right away.

Accuracy was not the issue, I had NO misfires. Just the feeding of the next round.

And the post of underpowered rounds may be valid, as the bolt did not lock open on the last round. But did with the Rem. rounds.

Thank you for the replies.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Michael Bane on March 11, 2008, 09:56:47 PM: Flip a coin. One of my Stags runs 100% on Wolf 55-gr and will honest to goodness deliver 1 MOA @ 100 yards if I wake up and pay attention. My superb JP Enterprises match gun is not crazy about Wolf and tends to punishes me if I try to use it. My old Double Star carbine won't run on Wolf 55-gr at all. Won't run on that old South African ball we all bought by the case years ago either...I tend to agree with the underpowered theory in both cases.

Michael B
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Pathfinder on March 12, 2008, 06:29:22 AM: I ran 3-4 mags through my Sig when I got it, all Wolf, saving the better stuff for later. Never had a problem, and I was actually ore worried about the mags, cuz I was testing the plastic mag that came with the rifle, 2 poly Magpuls, and one of the metal mage. They all ran flawlessly with this rifle too. Can't vouch for the accuracy at this point, it was about 20 out, north wind at about 20 (at our backs), had trouble keeping the paper targets up. Oh yeah, and it was snowing.

Typical ND weather.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: WymoreWrangler on March 12, 2008, 06:34:31 AM: I run Wolf through my Saiga without problems, only problem is the stuff isn't in the gunshops at this time...
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Lucas on March 12, 2008, 10:59:50 PM: I agreee with what has been said so far, However, we just had a strange thing with the wolf black box 7.62. We bought four boxes, and about five out of every box were what appeared to be loaded extreamly (dangerously) hot!!! We have ran several brands through the same rifle with no like results. The differance in sound was absolutly insane, and the flash Holy Hell. I kid you not, the flash was about the size of a baseball with every other round with the "hot" rounds from wolf the flash was the size of two medicine balls. Until someone tells me otherwise I will assume that these rounds were loaded hot.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 13, 2008, 01:04:12 AM: Quote from: Lucas on March 12, 2008, 10:59:50 PM
I agreee with what has been said so far, However, we just had a strange thing with the wolf black box 7.62. We bought four boxes, and about five out of every box were what appeared to be loaded extreamly (dangerously) hot!!! We have ran several brands through the same rifle with no like results. The differance in sound was absolutly insane, and the flash Holy Hell. I kid you not, the flash was about the size of a baseball with every other round with the "hot" rounds from wolf the flash was the size of two medicine balls. Until someone tells me otherwise I will assume that these rounds were loaded hot.

Which 7.62 calibre, what kind of rifle ?
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: kilopaparomeo on March 13, 2008, 11:08:43 AM: I've never had problems with Wolf in any of my handguns or rifles.

That said, would you go out and buy a new ZR-1 Corvette and then find the cheapest, nastiest gasoline you could find to put in it? Why do people spend a fortune on guns and then go cheap on ammo??
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: pioneer on March 13, 2008, 03:29:49 PM: I've never fired Wolf ammo, and likely never will. I've heard about too many problems with it. I find that you get what you pay for and if you want reliable, quality ammo, buy factory fresh ammo from American manufacturers. I won't outsource my ammo business to Russia, or B.F.E. Yeah, I pay more for it, but don't see much sense in using cheap ammo in an expensive firearm.

That's my opinion based on my experience. Your mileage may differ.

Russian ammo in an AMERICAN rifle? I DON'T THINK SO, DOG BREATH! NOW DROP AND GIVE ME 20!
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/Gunny/R__Lee_Ermey_i_Full__20650f.jpg)
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Lucas on March 13, 2008, 06:26:10 PM: Generic AK ROMARM ???
7.62X39 124G Black box wolf
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: twyacht on March 13, 2008, 07:36:40 PM: Thank you Pioneer. I'm winded after my 20. I knew there would be different results from different posts and I guess the bottom line is manufacturing consistency.

The standards of Black Hills, Rem. etc,... do account for something.

If my life depended on it, Red Dawn type scenario, it wouldn't be Wolf. BUT, all those who enjoy it and have no trouble, I think thats great, enjoy, and good shooting!

Thanks you for all the posts.

Tom W.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 14, 2008, 01:28:05 AM: Quote from: kilopaparomeo on March 13, 2008, 11:08:43 AM
I've never had problems with Wolf in any of my handguns or rifles.

That said, would you go out and buy a new ZR-1 Corvette and then find the cheapest, nastiest gasoline you could find to put in it? Why do people spend a fortune on guns and then go cheap on ammo??

Cuz we spent all our money on the gun ;D
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: AppleSeed on March 15, 2008, 07:35:37 PM: Hey twyacht, the Sig is a great gun,(got one myself), had very similar problems with the Wolf. I also could see the marks on the rear of the casing. I think it is a combination of low power/new gun - polymer coating. Good luck with better ammo. One good thing - more time to aim!
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: 2HOW on March 15, 2008, 08:00:26 PM: I truly hope you get that SIG running good. I meant no voodoo on you . God bless man . I just have a different look at it. All my best JAN
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: AR 15 Rep on March 16, 2008, 09:16:42 PM: Wolf ammo has had its praises and nightmares, I wouldn't use it based on the many nightmare reports. A while ago there were reports the casing would leave a residue and gum up in a hot rifle. Problems like that...I don't need, I don't need a guessing game on whether the rifle will run or not.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: Lucas on March 19, 2008, 12:34:11 AM: Amen!!!
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: 2HOW on March 19, 2008, 08:40:59 PM: Quote from: AR 15 Rep on March 16, 2008, 09:16:42 PM
Wolf ammo has had its praises and nightmares, I wouldn't use it based on the many nightmare reports. A while ago there were reports the casing would leave a residue and gum up in a hot rifle. Problems like that...I don't need, I don't need a guessing game on whether the rifle will run or not.
guess you didn't see my post, this is BS it never happened, the lacquer never melted into the chamber. look it up.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: AR 15 Rep on March 22, 2008, 11:37:10 AM: If it never happened then why were so many complaining about it. Also remember why the U.S. Military still uses a brass casing rather than a steel casing as used in the wolf ammo. also keep in mind that the wolf ammo is coated to prevent corrosion, could that coating become a problem??
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: tombogan03884 on March 22, 2008, 11:56:09 AM: Quote from: AR 15 Rep on March 22, 2008, 11:37:10 AM
If it never happened then why were so many complaining about it. Also remember why the U.S. Military still uses a brass casing rather than a steel casing as used in the wolf ammo. also keep in mind that the wolf ammo is coated to prevent corrosion, could that coating become a problem??

Why do they use Brass, I assumed it had to do with manufacturing but never really gave it much thought.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: AR 15 Rep on March 22, 2008, 01:15:04 PM: Here is the info from WIKIPEDIA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casing_(ammunition)

One of the other advantages is that brass is pliable enough to not wear on the steel of the barrel. IE you can tap on steel with a brass hammer and the hammer will show the wear and become malformed. But if you use a steel hammer on steel they both show wear and will become malformed.
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: 2HOW on March 22, 2008, 01:42:22 PM: Read this article and it will explain about what is happening in chambers and to Brass ans steel case rounds. http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu18.htm
Title: Re: Didn't Get the Memo on Wolf Ammo!
Post by: ellis4538 on March 22, 2008, 01:46:51 PM: US did use steel case .45 during the 2nd ww (maybe other cals.) only because brass was in short supply. Granted brass is a better material for ammo and probably easier to form but I shot some ww2 vintage steel case .45 and had no problem at all. I have also shot Wolf .45 with no problem (non match barrel)