AR-15 Ammunition Recommendations
- Thread starter Rourke
- Start date
Been doing it for over 30 years with no problems. Both ways.
In fact I carried a Model 700 V in 223 as a LE counter sniper. I used M195 55 grn ball in it. That was in 1978, I still have that rilfe it still shoots great with either the 223 or 5.56. Shot a lot of com. 223 in M16s chamberd for the 5.56 in compitition, again with no problems.
I hear a lot about the so called problems but no one has ever showed me a case where a problem occured. And I've been looking a long time.
If you check with Brownells you'll find the match chamber reamers for either are the same side.
So dont worry about it.
wolf and extractors
look carefully at the rim edge on wolf or any other steel cased ammo. You will notice that the outer edge is beveled while brass cases generally are not. There was one german brand that I had that was but the brass was so soft that the extractor always ripped the rims right off. The brass also seemed to swell an awful lot. Look I know we all have our pet ammo, but I have had nothing but good performance out of wolf ammo. In the end it comes down to trust. I would prefer to rely on win q3131 55fmj w/ cannelure because the terminal performance is well known but anything striking a target in the operational range of the 556 is going to have a bad day. If you doubt that a center mass shot will do the job then learn to hit something more vital. Striking the pelvis or clavicle will stop just about any thing. The only rifle that gives any issue with wolf is my fn fs2000. but even withthat i just adjust the gas to low powered ammo and keep on trucking. also the steel in the bullet is mild steel. I dont know the exact brinell hardness but some references put it very similar to brass and bullet copper.just my bit. cw
look carefully at the rim edge on wolf or any other steel cased ammo. You will notice that the outer edge is beveled while brass cases generally are not. There was one german brand that I had that was but the brass was so soft that the extractor always ripped the rims right off. The brass also seemed to swell an awful lot. Look I know we all have our pet ammo, but I have had nothing but good performance out of wolf ammo. In the end it comes down to trust. I would prefer to rely on win q3131 55fmj w/ cannelure because the terminal performance is well known but anything striking a target in the operational range of the 556 is going to have a bad day. If you doubt that a center mass shot will do the job then learn to hit something more vital. Striking the pelvis or clavicle will stop just about any thing. The only rifle that gives any issue with wolf is my fn fs2000. but even withthat i just adjust the gas to low powered ammo and keep on trucking. also the steel in the bullet is mild steel. I dont know the exact brinell hardness but some references put it very similar to brass and bullet copper.just my bit. cw
Why not Wolf?
The complaints that I hear about the wolf ammo is that it's not good for the barrel of the gun over the long haul. If you don't mind replacing your barrel sooner than later then go ahead and use it. It will shorten the life of the barrel. Again... that is just what I'm told. I can not provide you with personal testimony since I've chosen not to shoot any of the wolf ammo in my rather expensive AR-15.
Roach
The complaints that I hear about the wolf ammo is that it's not good for the barrel of the gun over the long haul. If you don't mind replacing your barrel sooner than later then go ahead and use it. It will shorten the life of the barrel. Again... that is just what I'm told. I can not provide you with personal testimony since I've chosen not to shoot any of the wolf ammo in my rather expensive AR-15.
Roach
My Experience
First, a .223 Rem and 5.56x45 are the same thing. I reload my own rounds and they are identical, one is military terminology and the other is civilian. They both shoot a .224 diameter bullet at really high velocities. When you reload your own the variety of types of "bullets" you can load is endless. You can load bullets from 32 grains up to 89 grains and everywhere in between. My guns are 1:9 twist and don't like anything over 55 grains for some reason, even though the 1:9 should be able to go up to 75 grains without a problem.
I have tried the wolf steel .223 in my Aramalite AR180B and it did not like it. I had many of the steel cases get stuck in the chamber and had to either slam the gun down to get them out or use a cleaning rod and push them back. I have never had that problem with brass cases and therefore I won't use the wolf in that gun or my Bushmaster. However, my Ruger Mini-14 has no problem with the wolf steel cased ammo. The large number I purchased will be used through that gun and I have no problems at all. In fact, that ammo out of a Ranch Mini-14 shoots 2" groups at 100 yards all day. A lot of people say that that is unheard of for a Mini but it works for my application and uses that ammo reliably.
For my Bushmaster and Armalite, I reload my own and they are extremely accurate guns. When I use factory ammo, the pattern loosens up a little, but still is under 2 at 100.
First, a .223 Rem and 5.56x45 are the same thing. I reload my own rounds and they are identical, one is military terminology and the other is civilian. They both shoot a .224 diameter bullet at really high velocities. When you reload your own the variety of types of "bullets" you can load is endless. You can load bullets from 32 grains up to 89 grains and everywhere in between. My guns are 1:9 twist and don't like anything over 55 grains for some reason, even though the 1:9 should be able to go up to 75 grains without a problem.
I have tried the wolf steel .223 in my Aramalite AR180B and it did not like it. I had many of the steel cases get stuck in the chamber and had to either slam the gun down to get them out or use a cleaning rod and push them back. I have never had that problem with brass cases and therefore I won't use the wolf in that gun or my Bushmaster. However, my Ruger Mini-14 has no problem with the wolf steel cased ammo. The large number I purchased will be used through that gun and I have no problems at all. In fact, that ammo out of a Ranch Mini-14 shoots 2" groups at 100 yards all day. A lot of people say that that is unheard of for a Mini but it works for my application and uses that ammo reliably.
For my Bushmaster and Armalite, I reload my own and they are extremely accurate guns. When I use factory ammo, the pattern loosens up a little, but still is under 2 at 100.
Over on AR15Armory.Com there is a sticky warning against using Remington-UMC in ARs. It does not give the reason why but from other threads I have gathered that it doesn't properly work the action and may cause extraction/ejection problems. I've used a little of it myself and had no problems. I tend to buy Federal or PMC. The main objection to Wolf ammo is that it is dirty for reasons mentioned above.
I'll shoot Wolf Polymer coated ammo,but for the same price I can get Silver Bear,which is nickel plated steel cased.As far as the "steel cases damage your gun" theory,the steel in the casing is much softer than the steel in any part of your gun.I do not shoot 1000 rds a month,so I'm not going to worry about it.I'll be long dead and buried before my gun shows damage from steel cased ammo...Strictly my opinion,and worth every penny that was paid for it...
ar ammo
my position is this, go buy a box of each brand that you can afford. shoot and clean in between. Dont target shoot, but shoot as though your life depended on it. which ever one works the best, buy as much as you can afford. be sure to do a thorough break in before you do this test. and lube properly!!!! no wd 40
my position is this, go buy a box of each brand that you can afford. shoot and clean in between. Dont target shoot, but shoot as though your life depended on it. which ever one works the best, buy as much as you can afford. be sure to do a thorough break in before you do this test. and lube properly!!!! no wd 40