What's the Story on M1 Carbine Ammo Going To The Wolves?

[tmark]

The last two gunshows I attended have tons and tons of M1 carbine ammo (as well as .223 ammo) listed for $20 for a box of 20. The brand name on the box is WOLF made in Russia, steel cased and berdan primed.

Anyone fired such rounds? How good are they? Berdan primed means primers will be difficult to remove (compared to box pimers) and steel cases mean not reloadable.

One vendor said M1 carbine ammo has reached inflated prices to the point of rediculousness (my word).

Has demand surpassed supply of M1 carbine ammo?

Information

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[Tired Retired]

Tmark, you are correct in the lack of supply. Shortages have hit the .30 carbine ammo supply just like it has various other calibers of rifle and handgun ammo. Some areas have none or at extremely high prices (at or over $1 per round for FMJ). There is no single reason other than people are buying more than what is being made. (ok, blame horders, fear of a new AWB, more and more carbines sold by CMP, primers going to war supply, etc.)

Please note that the mere mention of Wolf ammo is going to probably start yet another arguement in the forum. Some people love it and swear by it. Others talk about broken sears, dirty weapons and gummed up chambers. My personal opinion aside, I would recommend that you do a search on the forum on Wolf ammo and make up your own mind.

As far as price, Wolf should run about $20 to $23 a box for 50 when it is available. If you are paying $20 for 20 rounds, you are paying panic prices. Slowing put the box down and back away from the table. If you speak softly and talk about the weather, the greedy vendor will not follow you to the parking lot.

Berdan primers and steel cases does mean that you can not safely reload those cases. If you are going to spend $1 per round, make sure that its for ammo with brass you can reload. I would actually recommend that you place an order for ammo at your favorite on-line retailer (CMP, ammo man, wideners, cabelas, etc) and just wait. Ammo is showing up but you have to wait to get decent prices. CMP is running about 5 to 6 months, but they have 500 rounds for $155.

Hope that is helpful,

Ed

[Curt]

Didn't we just finish a wolf argument on here a week ago?

[USSR]

The .30 Carbine ammo situation is only going to get worse. Only really one rifle chambered for it, and typically not used for hunting. My solution:



Don

[Dan Shapiro]

As long as the panic buying goes on, the higher the prices. The conundrum for ammo manufacturers is that they're going 24/7 producing ammo. Those night and morning shifts cost more money. Demand causes prices of raw materials to go up as well. So let's say that the makers finally are able to sate buyer demand. Now everyone is sitting on a mountain of ammo that they've hoarded. Now there's no demand for ammo. So what do the factories do now with all the excess capacity to produce what no one is buying. And for how long will that continue? Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.

[Dan Shapiro]

Oh, forgot to add. There are two ranges locally that have an absolute ban on Wolf ammo.

[goo]

the wolf is dead...
...
http://wolves.files.wordpress.com/20...pg?w=600&h=400

[INLAND44]

I'd rather not shoot Wolf in any US gun. I buy all I can get for my AKs, though! The thing about the ranges banning it is unfortunately true. This attitude is based on ignorance. It started when they thought steel-core ammo was destroying their iron target frames, but the steel-core ammo available in the US for the AK is not 'armor-piercing'. Then the manufacturers started making all the AK and other ammo for the US lead core. That was around 1992 or so. The steel casing couldn't possibly cause any problems, and it will eventually rust away. The bullet jackets also contain steel, but it's an alloy called 'tombac' and is not much harder than copper - but it will be attracted to a magnet.
So, there is no good reason for banning this ammo, even if it were 'steel core', which it is not. Print this off and take it to your range. Make them tell you why they have banned steel case ammo. I'd be interested in knowing.

[Dan Shapiro]

There's your answer. They 'test' brought in ammo with a magnet. To them 'steel core' and 'tombac' = you're not shooting that here.

[tmark]

Thanks, gents, for the education on Wolf ammo. If this topic was brought up once before, I missed it. Therefore, I encourage and value ANY TOPIC being repeated if it means another can benefit, educationally. Thank you to all who realize that many things are worth repeating and who have the willingness to do so.

Thomas

Thomas