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FortTom
15 January 2014, 19:36
AIM surplus has Wolf Gold Ammo on sale at $6.99 per box.
I bough 20 boxes of this a little while back.

This ammo is really good ammo, I was pretty amazed, to tell the truth, as I bought it with a great deal of self doubt, but it proved to be as good as it's advertised.

Features:
Reloadable Brass
Boxer Primer (non-corrosive)
Sealed Primer
Copper Jacketed Lead 55gn.
Sealed at Cannelure

It burns very clean, as compared to a lot of other "factory" ammo.

Right now, I can tell you that it's accurate to 50 yards (which doesn't prove much), due to the fact that the outdoor range I belonged to went belly up, and I only have an in-door until the spring. I suspect accuracy will be fine except for target, or long range coyote/pest shooters. I'd like to try it out at 300 meters, which I think is suitable for utility grade rifles.

The ammo is made in Taiwan.

I bought 400 rounds, shot 100, and just ordered another larger quantity today. It's normally $6.99 per box, with a price break on a case.

Thought I'd pass it along, as I like it and think price wise it's the best deal going, no more bi-metal, steel case, stuff, just brass and FMJ 55gn bullets.

FT

mustangfreek
16 January 2014, 01:46
I have heard its some decent ammo, and aim is a good place, but their shipping prices for me just kill any kind of deal, as i just checked and a 1000 rounds was some thing like $69 bux in shipping..i have shipped tons of things and even that is high, especially under a company account..

But thanks for the heads up..[:D]....i have a bunch of bullets,brass,powder and primers waiting for me to turn into ammo..

FortTom
16 January 2014, 02:14
I have heard its some decent ammo, and aim is a good place, but their shipping prices for me just kill any kind of deal, as i just checked and a 1000 rounds was some thing like $69 bux in shipping..i have shipped tons of things and even that is high, especially under a company account..

But thanks for the heads up..[:D]....i have a bunch of bullets,brass,powder and primers waiting for me to turn into ammo..

Mustang, I almost freaked out = did a double take...but then what state are you in. My shipping for 1K is 18.95. But they are located about 50 miles north of me, I can even do free pick-up.

FT

browcs
16 January 2014, 17:44
Thank you for the heads up FT....much appreciated.

tappedandtagged
18 January 2014, 01:06
The only qualms I have with Russian ammo is the bi metal jacketed bullets. If these are truly all copper jackets, I say get 'em. I won't be buying any since I reload for around 0.25 a round if I buy in bulk and shop around.

Molon
28 March 2015, 13:11
Wolf Gold 55 grain FMJ



https://app.box.com/shared/static/7jirxh9zv1kyzunget5jzlg44ue3gkr1.jpg




When most shooters hear the phrase “Wolf ammunition,” what usually comes to mind is steel-cased rounds loaded with bi-metal jacketed bullets. Fortunately, the 55 grain FMJ “Wolf Gold” ammunition that is manufactured in Taiwan does not fit this description.

The Wolf Gold ammunition reviewed for this report uses brass cases with the annealing iris still visible and is loaded with typical copper jacketed/lead core bullets. The 55 grain projectile has a cannelure and there is a collet crimp at the case mouth. The case mouth is also sealed with asphalt sealant. The brass case has crimped and sealed boxer primers and the round is charged with ball powder.




https://app.box.com/shared/static/okxno5wuhs02rcsluwylnp7h8093wgyj.jpg




https://app.box.com/shared/static/ve5lm9pvar8cxmd8um7ovt858b3jx9iv.jpg




https://app.box.com/shared/static/6cnlau4zjuvp73c9o5b69vpknbipocyp.jpg






When most shooters hear the phrase “55 grain FMJ,” what usually comes to mind is M193 ammunition. The velocity specification for M193 as cited in MIL-C-9963F states:

The average velocity of the sample cartridges, conditioned at 72 degrees, plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit (F), shall be 3165 feet per second (ft/sec), plus or minus 40 ft/sec, at 75 feet from the muzzle of the weapon. The standard deviation of the velocities shall not exceed 40 ft/sec.


The specification is for a 20” barrel. Depending on multiple variables, this velocity specification equates to a muzzle velocity of approximately 3270 FPS, plus or minus 40 FPS. I chronographed the Wolf Gold 55 grain FMJ ammunition from a semi-automatic AR-15 with a chrome-lined, NATO chambered 20” Colt M16A2 barrel.




http://www.box.net/shared/static/h8daj1jhf1.jpg




Chronographing was conducted using an Oehler 35-P chronograph with “proof screen” technology. The Oehler 35P chronograph is actually two chronographs in one package that takes two separate chronograph readings for each shot and then has its onboard computer analyze the data to determine if there is any statistically significant difference between the two readings. If there is, the chronograph “flags” the shot to let you know that the data is invalid. There was no invalid data flagged during this testing.

The velocity stated below is the muzzle velocity as calculated from the instrumental velocity using Oehler’s Ballistic Explorer software program. The string of fire consisted of 10 rounds over the chronograph.




http://www.box.net/shared/static/52xzjapv7i.jpg




http://www.box.net/shared/static/q3lpmdumpm.jpg




Each round was single-loaded and cycled into the chamber from a magazine fitted with a single-load follower. The bolt locked-back after each shot allowing the chamber to cool in between each shot. This technique was used to mitigate the possible influence of “chamber-soak” on velocity data. Each new shot was fired in a consistent manner after hitting the bolt release. Atmospheric conditions were monitored and recorded using a Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker.

The muzzle velocity for the 10-shot string of the Wolf Gold 55 grain FMJ ammunition was 3213 FPS with a standard deviation of 25 FPS. For comparison, IMI M193 had a muzzle velocity of 3274 FPS when fired from the same barrel, with a standard deviation of 18 FPS.




http://www.box.net/shared/static/lku6pn9aym.jpg



Atmospheric conditions.

Temperature: 77 degrees F
Humidity: 40%
Barometric pressure: 30.12 inches of Hg
Elevation: 950 feet above sea level



The accuracy specification for M193 cited in MIL-C-9963F is as follows:

The average of the mean radii of all targets of the sample cartridges, fired at 200 yards, shall not exceed 2.0 inches.

These averages are from 10-shot groups fired from machine rested, bolt-actioned test barrels, such as the ones pictured below. All things being equal (which of course they seldom are) this specification equates to a mean radius of 1 inch at 100 yards for 10-shot groups.




http://www.box.net/shared/static/akn05ro96d.jpg




http://www.box.net/shared/static/vs86o5rcf9.jpg






I conducted an accuracy (technically, precision) evaluation of the Wolf Gold 55 grain FMJ ammunition following my usual protocol. This accuracy evaluation used statistically significant shot-group sizes and every single shot in a fired group was included in the measurements. There was absolutely no use of any Group Reduction Techniques (e.g. fliers, target movement, Butterfly Shots).

The shooting set-up will be described in detail below. As many of the significant variables as was practicable were controlled for. Also, a control group was fired from the test-rifle used in the evaluation using match-grade, hand-loaded ammunition; in order to demonstrate the capability of the barrel. Pictures of shot-groups are posted for documentation.

All shooting was conducted from a concrete bench-rest from a distance of 100 yards (confirmed with a laser rangefinder.) The barrel used in the evaluation was free-floated. The free-float handguards of the rifle rested in a Sinclair Windage Benchrest, while the stock of the rifle rested in a Protektor bunny-ear rear bag. Sighting was accomplished via a Leupold VARI-X III set at 25X magnification and adjusted to be parallax-free at 100 yards. A mirage shade was attached to the objective-bell of the scope. Wind conditions on the shooting range were continuously monitored using a Wind Probe. The set-up was very similar to that pictured below.




https://app.box.com/shared/static/2hex4netcnq7qqagacf8cy14hvdk36q8.jpg





The Wind Probe.

https://app.box.com/shared/static/lkg47ptc04.jpg




The test vehicle for this evaluation was one of my semi-automatic precision AR-15s with a 20” stainless-steel Lothar Walther barrel. The barrel has a 223 Wylde chamber with a 1:8” twist.

Prior to firing the Wolf Gold ammunition, I fired a 10-shot control group using match-grade hand-loads topped with the Sierra 55 grain BlitzKing. That group had an extreme spread of 0.78”.




https://app.box.com/shared/static/k0ozty7a9oje1zpni59eg9yc43s8z8c4.jpg




Next, three 10-shot groups of the Wolf Gold were fired in a row with the resulting extreme spreads:

2.13”
2.60”
2.44”

for a 10-shot group average extreme spread of 2.39”. The three 10-shot groups were over-layed on each other using RSI Shooting Lab to form a 30-shot composite group. The mean radius for the 30-shot composite group was 0.76”.




The smallest 10-shot group.

https://app.box.com/shared/static/bkgrs45juppky9ctdfhx4f0lhi0b39u8.jpg





The 30-shot composite group.

https://app.box.com/shared/static/muokg675ygjz5n0u9ugupp1k6jlzvep2.jpg




….

UWone77
29 March 2015, 00:27
Excellent Post Molon. I've followed you over the years on M4c. Thanks for posting and sharing your knowledge here. Usually I glance over reviews, but I actually read yours several times. Thanks again.

Aragorn
29 March 2015, 08:35
I might be switching the ammo I keep on hand after reading that...

six8
29 March 2015, 08:37
I might be switching the ammo I keep on hand after reading that...

How so?

VIPER 237
29 March 2015, 09:49
Excellent Post Molon. I've followed you over the years on M4c. Thanks for posting and sharing your knowledge here. Usually I glance over reviews, but I actually read yours several times. Thanks again.

Same here, it's nice to see Molon post his excellent reviews again.

Aragorn
29 March 2015, 10:33
How so?

Normally I try and keep m/xm193 on hand for the velocity, but that Wolf Gold doesn't give up much to it and is much cheaper. Gonna have to play with some.

Thompson
29 March 2015, 11:27
Great article Molon. Was interesting to read about a .223/5.56 round that wasn't about M193. I haven't done any sort of scientific testing on it, but I've run about 400 rds of Wolf Gold through my AR, and it's run flawlessly thus far (to include no cleanings yet to date).


I have heard its some decent ammo, and aim is a good place, but their shipping prices for me just kill any kind of deal, as i just checked and a 1000 rounds was some thing like $69 bux in shipping..i have shipped tons of things and even that is high, especially under a company account..
... a little late, but I figured I'd let you know. When I got my 1k of Wolf Gold, I got it over at The Armory (http://http://www.the-armory.com). I've found them to be the cheapest place selling Wolf Gold to include shipping (but that's also shipping location dependent).

They don't have any Wolf Gold in stock now (who does at this point anyways) but I was playing around with some numbers, I put 2 orders of 500 rds of Wolf Performance (includes an ammo can) in my cart, and set the zip code to where Rainier Arms was; shipping came down to just about $30, so you could probably expect around that price if you bought 1k Wolf Gold in an ammo can. It's probably not the greatest of prices, but it certainly beats $69. Just wanted to post this in case you were interested.

six8
29 March 2015, 11:37
Normally I try and keep m/xm193 on hand for the velocity, but that Wolf Gold doesn't give up much to it and is much cheaper. Gonna have to play with some.

Yeah, same here. I have plenty on hand and have probably shot 2k+ without issue


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Stone
29 March 2015, 15:49
OOS already,http://www.aimsurplus.com/product.aspx?item=AWG223FMJ55CASE&name=WOLF+GOLD+.223%2f5.56X45+55grn+FMJ+1%2c000rd+ Case&groupid=2135&fprdct=1

mustangfreek
30 March 2015, 00:14
Still want to try some of this stuff, never seen it locally..and now its sold out about everywhere online..

Most report its good ammo for the price, especially being brass cased, for the reloaders...

Former11B
30 March 2015, 06:51
For the record, the U.S. Army buys a lot of 62gr M855 ammo made in Taiwan with the headstamp "TAA". I've shot thousands of rounds of it and have probably ~500ct left. This is the same government arsenal that produces the Wolf Gold ammo.

Buy with confidence

Thompson
30 March 2015, 08:17
For the record, the U.S. Army buys a lot of 62gr M855 ammo made in Taiwan with the headstamp "TAA". I've shot thousands of rounds of it and have probably ~500ct left. This is the same government arsenal that produces the Wolf Gold ammo.

Buy with confidence
I was under the impression that M855 was made by X-treme Bullets. I was told that they make the bullets, which get bought by Federal --> LC --> Army. I could be wrong though, he didn't explicitly state M855; just a guess since that's a common round used by the Army.

Former11B
30 March 2015, 10:01
I was under the impression that M855 was made by X-treme Bullets. I was told that they make the bullets, which get bought by Federal --> LC --> Army. I could be wrong though, he didn't explicitly state M855; just a guess since that's a common round used by the Army.



Hmmmm....Xtreme makes a variety of plated pistol bullets and a small assortment of jacketed rifle (mainly 55gr) and I buy a lot of each from them. I don't think they have the capability to produce the amount of ammunition the military consumes. It is a billion rounds a year or so.

M855 is a generic term for a specific type of round made by Lake City and others. I've seen headstamps when in the Army on our 62gr green tip of: LC, TAA (Taiwan), PMJ (Pousang in Korea), TZZ (Israel) and one or two others. The Army contacts from all over because during Clinton (IIRC), I believe the U.S. was reduced to just one ammo supplier so we outsourced

Thompson
30 March 2015, 10:20
Hmmmm....Xtreme makes a variety of plated pistol bullets and a small assortment of jacketed rifle (mainly 55gr) and I buy a lot of each from them. I don't think they have the capability to produce the amount of ammunition the military consumes. It is a billion rounds a year or so.
I believe X-Treme Bullets does make the 62gr M855 bullet (I believe this (http://www.freedommunitions.com/category-s/1903.htm) is the same). I'm not saying you're wrong; all I know is that an employee from X-Treme told me that Federal buys something from them, which then gets sent off to LC.

Interesting - I was always under the impression that the Army's 855 was manufactured over at LC, solely.

Former11B
30 March 2015, 10:50
I'm trying to find a link between Xtreme bullets and Lake City using Google, but I'm not having any luck. My search strings might have a problem, but so far, nothing. I also would assume if they are selling 62 grain steel core bullets to Lake City, they would be available online for sales to the public instead of just 55gr FMJ. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I would be really surprised if they were selling stuff to Lake City

Thompson
30 March 2015, 11:46
I'm trying to find a link between Xtreme bullets and Lake City using Google, but I'm not having any luck. My search strings might have a problem, but so far, nothing. I also would assume if they are selling 62 grain steel core bullets to Lake City, they would be available online for sales to the public instead of just 55gr FMJ. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I would be really surprised if they were selling stuff to Lake City
Good point. Probably a stretch, but hypothetically if they make the 62gr round, maybe they're under some contractual agreement that they can't sell it in it's bullet-only form?

I don't know what X-Treme Bullet sells to LC or in what quantity, but that's what I was told.

BC98
30 March 2015, 18:54
Lake City is the sole US supplier for M855 and would be purchasing direct. Federal should not have anything to do with purchasing.

Naytwan
30 March 2015, 20:56
I've shot several thousand rounds of the wolf gold. Ive been using it for over 5 years now. I have probably 1500 rounds on hand right now. Wish I could find the 75 grain stuff. That was great cheap ammo. 5 years ago I could regularly get it for $7 a box. I can't seem to find it reliably anymore.

bandw1dth
25 November 2015, 10:33
@Naytwan check out the ammunitionstore dot com

Stone
25 November 2015, 12:00
http://www.targetsportsusa.com/wolf-gold-223-remington-ammo-55-grain-fmj-wg59-p-4316.aspx $5.99/box $299 shipped for a case of 1K

Slippers
25 November 2015, 14:22
Sgammo is 279 plus 16 shipping for 1000.

lthrnck49
13 December 2015, 16:01
Not to divert the thread, but I just started reading through this forum for ammo "knowledge" (I'm hooked), as I just built my first 300BLK, and also recently picked up a PWS MK114. Molon, thanks for the excellent reviews and to everyone else, thanks for posting where to find these great deals on ammo!

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

Naytwan
13 December 2015, 16:16
Sgammo went up $10 per case. Stupid terrorist.

Thompson
13 December 2015, 22:04
Sgammo went up $10 per case. Stupid terrorist.
Still not a bad price, all things considered. I wouldn't hesitate to jump on that price.

fledge
13 December 2015, 23:09
It has only recently come down to $279. It hovered at $299 for quite a while. I was waiting for $259. :)

UWone77
13 December 2015, 23:13
Speaking of this thread... what ever happened to Fort Tom?

DutyUse
14 December 2015, 02:35
Speaking of this thread... what ever happened to Fort Tom?

That's a good question. I have his contact info, I'll try and get a hold of him this week if I can

Thompson
14 December 2015, 07:39
It has only recently come down to $279. It hovered at $299 for quite a while. I was waiting for $259. :)
$259? Dang, how long ago was this? Cheapest I've seen it was $270's - and that was last Decemeber.


Speaking of this thread... what ever happened to Fort Tom?
Didn't the GAW kind of drive him away? I know he was kinda pissed about all the stuff that was going on with it.

fledge
14 December 2015, 07:49
It was $279 for a couple months at sgammo. But it had been dropping in $20 increments every four-six months or so, if I recall correctly. I've already got my reserve ammo, so it had to be a lower price to compel me to get more. $289 is still very good for anyone who needs to it.

gatordev
20 February 2016, 13:27
It seems like Wolf continues to creep up in price and I continue to get less and less impressed with it. I grabbed two cases of it a couple of months ago and one is almost gone. Looking forward to getting rid of the second one. Behold (MK12 @100, 6 shots fired):

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1638/25035921902_5c1c7fa623_c.jpg

I've had only slightly better results out of my MK18. My M4 Block 2 has been okay out to 200y, but it's not terribly consistent like it is with Federal.

Same gun, same day (MK12 @100y with IMI 77gr, 10 shots). First three shots (two at 2 o'clock and one at 3 o'clock) were before a one click adjustment to the left to get it zeroed, then 7 more rounds fired:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1685/25155003045_0a0d799b64_c.jpg

I get it's not supposed to be match ammo, but when I can't hit a full-sized IPSC target at 200 with a gun that has no problem hitting smaller targets with Federal M193 or XTAC, I think I'm done.

FortTom
20 February 2016, 15:43
Gator, I buy tons of the stuff. I also buy 500 rd boxes of green tip and Federal. I think it's kind of like reloading. You hone your load to a particular rifle. But with "store bought" ammo you might get 1 inch groups in one rifle and terrible groups in the next one. I get that with Wolf Gold, M193, and some Swedish stuff I have a lot of. If you can't get decent groups in all your rifles, or they all shoot M193 or XTAC well, then I'd ditch the Wolf Gold, but give it a try in some of your other rifles, other than the one that turned up those groups pictured above.

I can get good to very good groups out of three of mine with Wolf Gold. The other two, including my favorite "voodoo" rifle, spray them all over the place.

I haven't noticed any price increases, but I ordered my last case through Aim Surplus, which I can drive 50 miles to pick up, or pay about 13 bucks shipping. It's been about a month or so ago, so maybe it has creeped up here too, I'll have to check.

One last thing on the Wolf, It seems to burn a little cleaner, nothing drastic, but noticeable. The green tip wants to shoot some pretty lousy groups out of a couple of my rifles, but does fairly well in others.

FT

gatordev
20 February 2016, 17:00
If you can't get decent groups in all your rifles, or they all shoot M193 or XTAC well, then I'd ditch the Wolf Gold, but give it a try in some of your other rifles, other than the one that turned up those groups pictured above.

Done and done. I've run the Wolf through 3 rifles now, none with exciting results. Even PPU M193 has been more reliable (except in my Centruion 12.5", for whatever reason). Unfortunately, I think it will be discovered shortly for how great it is, but I'm high on IMI M193 now. If I can't get Federal M193, the IMI stuff has been very impressive for my rifles.

Obviously First World problems, across the board.

BoilerUp
20 February 2016, 17:35
It seems like Wolf continues to creep up in price and I continue to get less and less impressed with it. I grabbed two cases of it a couple of months ago and one is almost gone. Looking forward to getting rid of the second one. Behold (MK12 @100, 6 shots fired):

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1638/25035921902_5c1c7fa623_c.jpg

On some other websites, that would count as two 1.5MOA 3-shot groups and we'd be hearing about how great the ammo is.

Kidding aside, that looks like about 3.5-4MOA, which is only a little worse than I'd expect from any bulk 55gr ammo and is perfectly acceptable for most plinking purposes.

I did pick up some of the IMI SMK loads (69 and 77gr) to see how my 18" WOA barrel likes it.

gatordev
20 February 2016, 18:31
I did pick up some of the IMI SMK loads (69 and 77gr) to see how my 18" WOA barrel likes it.

I've run my batch of the IMI 77gr SMKs out to 600y and it was very consistent and held together all the way out. I'm a little concerned about temperature sensitivity, as my chrono was significantly over-estimating velocity compared to when I trued it out, but the two days had a 30 degree temp difference. Then again, it might have just been my chrono being weird.

I'm going to run the ammo next weekend at a Defoor class, so we'll see how it holds up. Based on two weeks ago, I've got high hopes.