Federal/Winchester Plinking Ammo?

S

Skorzeny

New member
In .223 Rem (55 grain FMJ) and 7.62x39, are Federal American Eage and Winchester "white box" pretty clean, decent plinking ammo?

I noted that they are still much more expensive than Wolf or PMP in the same calibers. Are they worth the extra dollars (clean, better QC, etc.) or are Wolf and PMP simply better bargains because of favorable exchange ratios (and lower labor costs in Russia and S. Africa)?

I am planning to use the ammo for a Mini-14 and an AK clone.

Skorzeny

------------------
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
From what I've read at AR15.com, Winchester has had a lot of problems with their .223 (and other calibers), and have been less than forthcoming about it to their customers. I'm not sure if the USA "white box" line is also problematic, but IIRC, it's just their regular production ammo with a few less polishing steps.

The Wolf ammo uses laquer coated brass. When the straight-walled .223 chambers get hot, the case tends to glue itself in there, causing extraction/ejection problems. The Wolf 7.62x39 apparently has much fewer problems, due to the tapered shape of the case. Some people have had good experiences with Wolf .223, but then some haven't. I got Wolf for my AK, but played it safe and spent more for S&B in the AR.

By all accounts the Fed. AE is great plinking ammo, and money well spent for peace of mind.

Check out the ammunition forum on the AR board, there's lots of info there.



[This message has been edited by boing (edited September 29, 2000).]
 
Hmmm.

That seems to be consensus on Wolf ammo (that it is okay for 7.62x39, but not for others). Still, I think that the ammo may prove to be less problematic in a Mini-14 (with its generous tolerances) than an AR-15.

Have you tried the PMP (milsurp) in .223/5.56x45 and 7.62x39? Apparently, it is brass-cased, yet is about the same price as Wolf.

Thanks for your response.

Skorzeny

------------------
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
My comments are for .223.
Typically Wolf is not brass, but lacquer coated steel cases. The PMP is ok for plinking and is brass. I have shot the PMP and it wasn't the most accurate, but, it was reliable. Anyway, it probably won't matter out of a mini14. Not slamming your gun at all. I have one myself. As for the Wolf ammo I wouldn't shoot it through my guns if it was given to me.

As for the Winchester white box, check the manufacturing dates. If it is Q3131 and made in 1999 I would stay away from it due to some quality control issues that rose. I would probably attribute that to the Y2K scare and massive demand that was present last year.

That said, the Winchester Q3131A was made by IMI - Israeli Military Industries for Winchester and that is known good ammo.

I don't think you should have problems with current Winchester production ammo at all.

[This message has been edited by slickpuppy (edited September 29, 2000).]
 
I've shot about 700 rounds of Federal AE through my AR-15 without a hiccup. Same results with Remington UMC in the yellow box, although I've only shot about 100 rds of that so far. I've had very good results with the UMC in handguns, and it's generally pretty cheap. UMC at WallyMart is under $5 for a box of 20 rds .223, under $7 for a box of 50 rds 9mm Luger. You can get better prices by the case at guns shows. Same with AE: I bought a case of 500 rds of Federal .233 for $87.50 recently. I've put about 300 rds of Wolf through my AK without a glitch. I'm guessing Russian ammo is soul food for the AK, and that it would get indigestion if you fed it haute cuisine.
 
I have been using only Fed American Eagle in my ARs for plinking and range fun. The good stuff is Black Hills.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top