Cheap Ammo Question

AGE · 04-10-2002, 11:33 AM

I've always been a reloader for the 1911. However, there is a lot of cheap 9mm ammo on the market. Does anybody know for sure if it is noncorrosive? In particular, Wolf (Russian) ammo is available in both hollowpoint and round nose. Both function well in my S&W and the round nose works well in my 1936 Luger. Is there any chance this stuff is corrosive?

AGE

Orv Reichert · 04-10-2002, 11:58 AM

It does not make any difference if you CLEAN YOUR GUNS after firing! I presume all ammo is corrosive, for that reason.

Orv Reichert

04-10-2002, 03:14 PM

I know a lot of guys down the range who shoot that stuff, you get what you pay for! Is it corrosive??? I don't know what type of primers the Russians use, aren't these the same guys who dipped blued all those nice captured P38's and Lugers?

My suggestion is to spend the extra buck or two and buy the better quality ammo or just get a set of reloading dies for 9mm.

Aaron · 04-10-2002, 04:10 PM

Not only is it absolutely NOT corrosive, it is the cleanest ammo I have ever used. After shooting my bores look so bright I often don't bother to clean them for weeks. Wolf ammo is also extremely reliable. Have just fired 1000 rounds full auto in an AK with not one hangup!

04-10-2002, 04:46 PM

I just don't like ammo in metal cases, don't shoot Blazer either! Plus if I shoot factory, I keep the brass to relaod.

Dwight Gruber · 04-10-2002, 05:22 PM

I always thought corrosive had to be cleaned with soap&water, that nitro cleaning solvent didn't clean out the corrosive matter.

Also, with Wolf ammo, if you are shooting at an indoor range make sure that they permit its use--some don't.

--Dwight

Lonnie Zimmerman · 04-10-2002, 05:30 PM

Dwight; do you shoot at Johnson Creek?

Lonnie

AGE · 04-10-2002, 06:00 PM

Hi Guys, I'm back,

Aaron, thanks for your answer. It seems like everyone else has some ax to grind. Historically, I have shot many hundreds of rounds several times a week. If I cleaned my guns each time, they would all be worn out from cleaning. My tight 1911's do require a little after 50 rounds, and maybe a brushing of the chamber. Otherwise I clean each one every few years, whether they need it or not. However, corrosive ammo common before the 1950's did require lots of cleaning like Dwight indicates with special bore cleaners, etc.

Guess I'll assume the Wolf stuff is noncorrosive.

AGE

Steve · 04-10-2002, 08:30 PM

I do not shoot at Johnson Creek but I do at The Place to Shoot and they do not allow Wolf ammo.

Dwight Gruber · 04-10-2002, 10:43 PM

Lonnie,

Nope, I shoot at a range called The Place To Shoot, in Portland, Oregon.

--Dwight

Dan44 · 04-11-2002, 12:58 AM

I stay away from Wolf 9mm. I tried it in my Luger and the casings would stick in the chamber. Now I just use S&B 9mm, that works great.

Thor · 04-11-2002, 01:25 AM

Dan, does the S&B load seem a little hotter than the standard loading from Winchester, Remington? Thanks! Thor

Dwight Gruber · 04-11-2002, 01:59 AM

I've never used Wolf, when I started shooting again it was at TPtS, so I just never bought any.

Federal American Eagle works well enough in my guns. My Lugers and my Radom choke on Speer (anything with a flat nose, or soft-nose, seem to be bad), all of them seem to like C&C Blazer pretty well. I found some Winchester full-jacket at a gun show, I need to pick up some more as this may be the best going.

I've been shooting some local commercial reloads recently (cheap), they don't seem to be terribly accurate and I find that reloads sometimes seem to be inadequately crimped and the bullets push back into the cases a little bit--guaranteed to jam. Also, for some odd reason, the -second- round in the magazine often stovepipes instead of chambering--regardless of the magazine or the gun! Its not going to remain a problem, as soon as I have shot these up I won't be buying anymore of -those-!

Thats pretty much it for the commonly available commercial ammunition here. Some more eotic brands (import) show up at gun shows, I guess I'm in for some experimentation.

Going back to some comments at the beginning of this discussion, I find that if I keep my Lugers (and Radom, too) clean, they operate much better. My P-38 seems to be pretty immune to feeding problems regardless of ammunition or cleanliness.

--Dwight

JAMES · 04-11-2002, 02:13 AM

It isn't corrosive, I have some old cases of it and they have no rust or corrosion on their insides. However, the laquer on the cases powders off and gets everywhere (I mean EVERYWHERE!) and is a pain to get it out of the nooks and crannies.

Jesse · 04-11-2002, 04:27 AM

I guess I have always been lucky, all of my Lugers will shoot any ammo with out no jams (ball,JHP,etc) and as far as wolf ammo goes I have never had any problem at all with it, I have shot over 15,000 rnd of 7.62x39mm through my SKS with no duds and good accuracy.

Jesse

04-11-2002, 08:39 AM

I believe that Wolf ammo is manufactured by the same plant that provides military rounds. It is not corrosive, (it's new manufacture, not old stock). Modern military spec ammo is usually pretty good.

I can get it around here for ~$5 a box and have shot it in UZI, MP5, Hi Power, CZ 75 and Tokarev with no problems, (so far). I've got to say I like it for plinking because it's cheap, accurate enough, and reasonably clean.

Why won't some ranges allow it ? Is it because they make no margin selling it or they can't re-claim the brass, (a jealously guarded privilege at my local range !) ?

Dwight Gruber · 04-11-2002, 10:13 AM

I asked at the range I frequent. They told me that Woldf ammo is extraordinarily smoky, and tends to obscure adjacent lanes.

--Dwight

Lonnie Zimmerman · 04-11-2002, 11:35 AM

Dwight and Steve; I belong to Johnson Creek Gun Club in Portland and you can shoot anything. It costs $100 a year for unlimited access and a keycard. You can take 2 non members for free. I am going in an hour or so to wring out a Luger and P-38.

Lonnie

AGE · 04-11-2002, 12:14 PM

Thanks everyone. I am glad to hear the Wolf ammo is noncorrosive. I've found my P08 unreliable with the 147 gr. hollowpoints which work perfectly in my S&W 3914. Will try the Wolf roundnose stuff when I get my grips back from Hugh.

AGE

04-11-2002, 06:33 PM

I have to say that the stuff I've shot, (all 9mm), doesn't seem any smokier than domestic. Now Baikal shotgun cartridges........

04-10-2002, 11:33 AM	#1
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cheap Ammo Question I've always been a reloader for the 1911. However, there is a lot of cheap 9mm ammo on the market. Does anybody know for sure if it is noncorrosive? In particular, Wolf (Russian) ammo is available in both hollowpoint and round nose. Both function well in my S&W and the round nose works well in my 1936 Luger. Is there any chance this stuff is corrosive? AGE

04-10-2002, 11:58 AM	#2
Orv Reichert RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SW Washington State Posts: 339 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ammo Question It does not make any difference if you CLEAN YOUR GUNS after firing! I presume all ammo is corrosive, for that reason. Orv Reichert

04-10-2002, 03:14 PM	#3
MarcC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Ammo Question I know a lot of guys down the range who shoot that stuff, you get what you pay for! Is it corrosive??? I don't know what type of primers the Russians use, aren't these the same guys who dipped blued all those nice captured P38's and Lugers? My suggestion is to spend the extra buck or two and buy the better quality ammo or just get a set of reloading dies for 9mm.

04-10-2002, 04:10 PM	#4
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Ammo Question Not only is it absolutely NOT corrosive, it is the cleanest ammo I have ever used. After shooting my bores look so bright I often don't bother to clean them for weeks. Wolf ammo is also extremely reliable. Have just fired 1000 rounds full auto in an AK with not one hangup!

04-10-2002, 04:46 PM	#5
MarcC Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Ammo Question I just don't like ammo in metal cases, don't shoot Blazer either! Plus if I shoot factory, I keep the brass to relaod.

04-10-2002, 05:22 PM	#6
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Re: Ammo Question I always thought corrosive had to be cleaned with soap&water, that nitro cleaning solvent didn't clean out the corrosive matter. Also, with Wolf ammo, if you are shooting at an indoor range make sure that they permit its use--some don't. --Dwight

04-10-2002, 05:30 PM	#7
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Ammo Question Dwight; do you shoot at Johnson Creek? Lonnie

04-10-2002, 06:00 PM	#8
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ammo Question Hi Guys, I'm back, Aaron, thanks for your answer. It seems like everyone else has some ax to grind. Historically, I have shot many hundreds of rounds several times a week. If I cleaned my guns each time, they would all be worn out from cleaning. My tight 1911's do require a little after 50 rounds, and maybe a brushing of the chamber. Otherwise I clean each one every few years, whether they need it or not. However, corrosive ammo common before the 1950's did require lots of cleaning like Dwight indicates with special bore cleaners, etc. Guess I'll assume the Wolf stuff is noncorrosive. AGE

04-10-2002, 08:30 PM	#9
Steve User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Indoor range I do not shoot at Johnson Creek but I do at The Place to Shoot and they do not allow Wolf ammo.

04-10-2002, 10:43 PM	#10
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Re: Ammo Question Lonnie, Nope, I shoot at a range called The Place To Shoot, in Portland, Oregon. --Dwight

04-11-2002, 12:58 AM	#11
Dan44 User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 78 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Ammo Question I stay away from Wolf 9mm. I tried it in my Luger and the casings would stick in the chamber. Now I just use S&B 9mm, that works great.

04-11-2002, 01:25 AM	#12
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	Re: Ammo Question Dan, does the S&B load seem a little hotter than the standard loading from Winchester, Remington? Thanks! Thor

04-11-2002, 01:59 AM	#13
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	9mm ammo--a mini-survey? I've never used Wolf, when I started shooting again it was at TPtS, so I just never bought any. Federal American Eagle works well enough in my guns. My Lugers and my Radom choke on Speer (anything with a flat nose, or soft-nose, seem to be bad), all of them seem to like C&C Blazer pretty well. I found some Winchester full-jacket at a gun show, I need to pick up some more as this may be the best going. I've been shooting some local commercial reloads recently (cheap), they don't seem to be terribly accurate and I find that reloads sometimes seem to be inadequately crimped and the bullets push back into the cases a little bit--guaranteed to jam. Also, for some odd reason, the -second- round in the magazine often stovepipes instead of chambering--regardless of the magazine or the gun! Its not going to remain a problem, as soon as I have shot these up I won't be buying anymore of -those-! Thats pretty much it for the commonly available commercial ammunition here. Some more eotic brands (import) show up at gun shows, I guess I'm in for some experimentation. Going back to some comments at the beginning of this discussion, I find that if I keep my Lugers (and Radom, too) clean, they operate much better. My P-38 seems to be pretty immune to feeding problems regardless of ammunition or cleanliness. --Dwight

04-11-2002, 02:13 AM	#14
JAMES User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lynn, Mass. Posts: 42 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cheap Ammo Question It isn't corrosive, I have some old cases of it and they have no rust or corrosion on their insides. However, the laquer on the cases powders off and gets everywhere (I mean EVERYWHERE!) and is a pain to get it out of the nooks and crannies.

04-11-2002, 04:27 AM	#15
Jesse User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SW VA Posts: 103 Thanks: 6 Thanked 8 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Ammo Question I guess I have always been lucky, all of my Lugers will shoot any ammo with out no jams (ball,JHP,etc) and as far as wolf ammo goes I have never had any problem at all with it, I have shot over 15,000 rnd of 7.62x39mm through my SKS with no duds and good accuracy. Jesse

04-11-2002, 08:39 AM	#16
stup Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cheap Ammo Question I believe that Wolf ammo is manufactured by the same plant that provides military rounds. It is not corrosive, (it's new manufacture, not old stock). Modern military spec ammo is usually pretty good. I can get it around here for ~$5 a box and have shot it in UZI, MP5, Hi Power, CZ 75 and Tokarev with no problems, (so far). I've got to say I like it for plinking because it's cheap, accurate enough, and reasonably clean. Why won't some ranges allow it ? Is it because they make no margin selling it or they can't re-claim the brass, (a jealously guarded privilege at my local range !) ?

04-11-2002, 10:13 AM	#17
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,281 Times in 423 Posts	Re: Cheap Ammo Question I asked at the range I frequent. They told me that Woldf ammo is extraordinarily smoky, and tends to obscure adjacent lanes. --Dwight

04-11-2002, 11:35 AM	#18
Lonnie Zimmerman User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 523 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Cheap Ammo Question Dwight and Steve; I belong to Johnson Creek Gun Club in Portland and you can shoot anything. It costs $100 a year for unlimited access and a keycard. You can take 2 non members for free. I am going in an hour or so to wring out a Luger and P-38. Lonnie

04-11-2002, 12:14 PM	#19
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ammo Question Thanks everyone. I am glad to hear the Wolf ammo is noncorrosive. I've found my P08 unreliable with the 147 gr. hollowpoints which work perfectly in my S&W 3914. Will try the Wolf roundnose stuff when I get my grips back from Hugh. AGE

04-11-2002, 06:33 PM	#20
stup Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cheap Ammo Question I have to say that the stuff I've shot, (all 9mm), doesn't seem any smokier than domestic. Now Baikal shotgun cartridges........