Cheap ammo to practice with?

[bravo18operator]

My Grandfather recently passed away and we went shootiing every weekend both Sat and Sun for 30 yrs and he would never let me buy the cheap Ammo like Brown bear or wolf . You know the ammo in the no full metaljacket ? I have recently been out with new friends from the Army and they are all using 223 and 5.56 and 7.62 and even 45 acp rounds in the non FMJ. Is there some reason it would be bad for my weapons to use that ammo. Grandpa only trusted the Winchester ammo. Maybe was just old school but there had to be a reason except that "thats just Crap". So if anyone has any insight please let me know. I would rather pay a few extra bucks if its tearing up my babies and I dont have alot of guns but I have nice guns. Just got a New ACR enhanced version and so did my buddy and he ram 1000 rounds of Wolf through his and he never blinked an eye. Thanks for any help. Also could he have just ment for actually using it for self defense so he didnt want it around. I can seperate my ammo and keep mags set aside for hime defense if thats the case.

[tombogan03884]

A lot of people have had problems with Wolf ammo in AR's. The steel cases don't obdurate the way brass does. I would not put that crap in my 1911 either.
AK's, SKS's, or revolvers shouldn't be a problem.

[Bill Stryker]

Why spend a lot of money on a better gun and then possibly ruin it with cheap Russian ammo?

If you have a cheap AK or SKS have at it -- but get the good stuff for the better guns.

I ran 1000 rounds of Wolf 9mm through my P226 with no real trouble, but then I started thinking about what I was doing. Steel cases in my steel chamber? Besides, the Wolf was dirtier than the Winchester white box from the Mart and the UMC bulk from Gander. I used Winchester in 2009 and came in 2d in my club pistol league. In 2010 I used the UMC and won the league. Just saying the better stuff works better for me and it is not that much more if you buy it in bulk as well.

[tombogan03884]

Why spend a lot of money on a better gun and then possibly ruin it with cheap Russian ammo?

If you have a cheap AK or SKS have at it -- but get the good stuff for the better guns.

I ran 1000 rounds of Wolf 9mm through my P226 with no real trouble, but then I started thinking about what I was doing. Steel cases in my steel chamber? Besides, the Wolf was dirtier than the Winchester white box from the Mart and the UMC bulk from Gander. I used Winchester in 2009 and came in 2d in my club pistol league. In 2010 I used the UMC and won the league. Just saying the better stuff works better for me and it is not that much more if you buy it in bulk as well.

Because you spent so much on the gun you can't afford to practice with anything more expensive.
Not arguing with your reasoning, just answering your question.

[Bill Stryker]

Tom,
If you can afford a Beretta, SIG or a Colt, you can afford the better ammo. Just saying.
If you want to shoot the cheep stuff, shoot a Hi Point.
I am not saying you should shoot the real expensive self defense ammo all the time. Save some bucks by buying the good bulk US Made ammo. Especially now that the prices are falling.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Not arguing with you Bill.
Just giving the reason that comes to mind.
Personally the only Wolf ammo I would consider is 7.62 X 39.

[MAUSERMAN]

I agree that cheap ammo can f-things up. But I have used Tula .223 in all three of my AR's without a hic up. Yes tha ammo is dirty and yes its not match grade but it keeps me on the range. Russian ammo isnt for everyone and I wouldnt use it for SD but for range time and plinking why not.

[fightingquaker13]

I have to say I'm kind of with bravo (the OP) here. All my life, I've used used elcheapo US made ammo to practice. UMC, PMC, WWB etc. I've turned my nose up at foriegn stiuff, but why? Its military issue. Are the giving their guys rounds that don't work? Classic Arms has a sale on surplus .556 from the UAE. Its about $.20 a round on stripper clips. Sounds like a hell of a deal. I'm tempted.
FQ13 I've been conservative in the past, but am wondering why. I use the good stuff for SD. But for the range? So what if it jams?

[tombogan03884]

FQ, those jams your not worrying about are damaging your chamber. Not much each time, but it is cumulative. Eventually you will start getting jams no matter what ammo you are using.
Brass is much softer than steel so if it gets jammed into the chamber at an angle it doesn't scratch it. Another thing is that the steel cased Russian shit is actually any dirtier burning than any other ammo.
The reason you think it is is because steel cases doesn't expand and seal the chamber properly the way brass does so gas and fouling blow back into the action. Sloppy East European tolerances allow for this, that's what gives AK's unstoppable reliability but only "good enough" accuracy. Close tolerance Western manufacturing gives much better accuracy, but does not like crap ammo.

[McNamara]

Not arguing with you Bill.
Just giving the reason that comes to mind.
Personally the only Wolf ammo I would consider is 7.62 X 39.

I have found the Golden Bear ammo shoots just as well through my 7.62 X 39.  It all may be dirty shooting, but don't you clean your weapon after a day at the range anyway? I have also shot the Tula ammo through my .45 and SKS.  No jams or any other issues.