Wolf .380 ammo, any good?
I have a recently manufactured Walther PPK (not the PPK/S).
I see Wolf .380 ammo sold for $100 for 1,000 rounds. I reload for the .380 but at 10 cents a round that's hard to pass up.
Anyone have experience with the steel-cased Wolf .380 ammo?
A number of questions come to mind:
1. Will the steel cases cause undue wear on the feed ramp or in the chamber?
2. Will the varnish on the steel cases become a fouling that stubbornly resists removal?
3. Will the steel case seal well in the chamber? I've heard that Wolf steel-cased ammo is dirty because the steel cases doesn't sell as well as brass and allows the gases to flow back past it and into the breech. Any experience with this?
4. Is it fairly accurate? I mean, will it be sufficient for self-defense practice out to 25 yards?
5. Do the steel cases feed well? I don't mind an occasional jam since I'll only use it for practice and not defense.
6. Any other factors with steel-cased ammo I've forgotten to address.
Of course, I know these cases are not reloadable. That's precisely why I'm interested in buying them --- I'm weary of reloading!
"A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44!"
I see Wolf .380 ammo sold for $100 for 1,000 rounds. I reload for the .380 but at 10 cents a round that's hard to pass up.
Anyone have experience with the steel-cased Wolf .380 ammo?
A number of questions come to mind:
1. Will the steel cases cause undue wear on the feed ramp or in the chamber?
2. Will the varnish on the steel cases become a fouling that stubbornly resists removal?
3. Will the steel case seal well in the chamber? I've heard that Wolf steel-cased ammo is dirty because the steel cases doesn't sell as well as brass and allows the gases to flow back past it and into the breech. Any experience with this?
4. Is it fairly accurate? I mean, will it be sufficient for self-defense practice out to 25 yards?
5. Do the steel cases feed well? I don't mind an occasional jam since I'll only use it for practice and not defense.
6. Any other factors with steel-cased ammo I've forgotten to address.
Of course, I know these cases are not reloadable. That's precisely why I'm interested in buying them --- I'm weary of reloading!
"A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44!"
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I forgot to add:
Are the primers on Wolf .380 ammo especially hard, resisting ignition by the Walther's hammer blow?
A couple of years ago I bought a box of Swedish military .380 ammo made in 1943. The primers were very hard and I experienced a failure to ignite about once every 10 rounds.
A second blow from the hammer ignited the cartridge, however. This was not a hangfire or a total failure to ignite. There were no dud rounds with the Swedish stuff.
"A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44!"0 -
It isn't strong enough to reliably cycle the blow back actions I have tried it in. It takes a very strong 2 handed grip to get it to cycle. I'm 6-4 275. Very strong is very strong. My brotherinlaw couldn't get the gun to run more than 2 rounds no matter what he did(he's 165). I notice lacquer building up on the edge of the chamber. The copper wash came off the bullets on the feed ramp. Not very impressed with it. the gun runs fine with everything else I have tried. Glad I only bought a couple boxes.
My border collie is smarter than your honor student.0 -
There are some gun companies that, if you ask them, don't recommend Wolf ammo. Others will actually tell you not to use it. That doesn't mean it's all bad. I should also point out there are other brands, or versions of their stuff, that are just plain bad. You can, if you like try a box or two to see if it's usable.
Some 380s are finicky as to what they will or will not use especially as it relates to HPs. You might even have to work up something if you do decide to reload.
Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead0 -
Get some Sellier and Bellot from www.centerifiresystems.com
It's not too much more than the wolf, and you don't have all the "issues" that you might have with the lacquer, steel cases, red sealant etc. Sometimes 1-2 cents a round isn't worth it when you have to spend hours trying to get all that crap out of your gun. You might also look for some silver bear ammo. It's steel, but it's plated with zinc (looks like nickle to me, but somebody on another site said it was zinc)so you don't have lacquer buildup. AR15.com is a huge war zone over wolf ammo all the time, but everyone seems to be happy with the silver bear. I shot some in a buddies .380 a couple days ago and it functioned fine (and that was in a jennings to boot).0 -
I have not had any problems with the wolf 380 and have fired about 400 rounds through a Sig P230. It does leave some residue but if you clean it shortly after firing it comes off easily. 0 -
I don't own a .380, but I have shot Wolf successfuly though just about every other one of my auto-loaders with out any problems.My SKS, Mini 14, and ak47 don't miss a beat using Wolf. My 9mm Beretta 92 cycles great with them also. But, my S & W 9mm auto loader would start to jam on the second clip. Needless to say, I guess it depends on what brand of gun your shooting with. They are dirty. Shooting them at an indoor range will make your eyes burn and the smell is definitely bad. They are way less accurate than a good quality ammo. But, if you can get them to work in your guns and don't mind cleaning all of the crap out of them when your done, use them. When I go to the range I shoot anywhere between 200-300 rounds, so wolf ammo is the cheapest for what I'm doing. I wouldn't hunt with it or use it in competition though. Good Luck!
Bubba " There is no such thing as having too many guns!"0 -
I have a 380 AMT backup, Wolf will not work in it. But I have a problem trying to used HP's in it too...
Have used Wolf in my AR's, Very dirty. and the lacquer from the case will make problems. [8]
It will hurt you, More than it will hurt me..
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Thanks for all the help!0 -
I just bought a case of Agulia .380 for 115.00 from Cole Distributing I would stay with the brass cases for my handguns.
I have been using Wolf and Black Bear for a few years in my AK and never had a problem, but never in my handguns.
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun has!0 -
If you experience misfires with your Walther, check the tip of the firing pin. I had one chip off at the tip. UMC also fires awfully dirty in the Walther .380.
Americal Eagle is 6.66 + per 50 from "cheaper xx xxxx.com" plus shipping. I usually get a dozen boxes of different appo at a time and it works out to about 14? per round. Yesterday I fired 150 rounds of this through the Walther with no misfires but two jambs. Still breaking in the firearm, I hope.0 -
I have an AMT .380 backup and purchased some wolf ammo for it. It is absolutely the hottest ammo I have every fired in this gun. With a tight grip the checkered wood grips it will bite your hand to the point I could only fire it 2 to 3 times. I ran the rest thru a cobray M-12 and it functioned and cycled perfectly. 0
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