Russian .223 and 7.62x39 at CTD for $3.59/20 + ship

[CowboyT]

CheaperThanDirt has Russian .223 and 7.62x39 lacquer-cased steel ammo for $3.59/20. Manufacturer is Tula.

.223 Rem Boxer/steel:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM2907-1.html

7.62x39 Berdan/steel:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM6407-1.html

For 50 boxes of each of each (1,000 rounds each, 2,000 rounds total), the shipping is $40 to VA. For 1,000 rounds, it's just under $25.

[allingeneral]

I saw that in my email today as well. Put 500 rounds of .223 in my cart, then checked shipping on 1,000 rounds...then left the site. Maybe I'll go back and pick some up. Anyone have any feedback on this stuff?

[gunderwood]

I saw that in my email today as well. Put 500 rounds of .223 in my cart, then checked shipping on 1,000 rounds...then left the site. Maybe I'll go back and pick some up. Anyone have any feedback on this stuff?

Basically it is almost identical to wolf. All of the Russian plants create similar ammo. This is boxer primed, but it doesn't matter because of the steel case. Also, the bullets are copper over steel. Not an issue unless you are shooting at some indoor ranges or at steel targets.

[Taggure]

My SKS shoots that ammo like a fine wishkey "Very Smooth" but then again that was what it was designed for. Now on the other hand try putting the Remmington or the WWB through it and yes it shoots ok but not as good as Wolf, Bear, or any of the other Russian made ammo. I get the US in thoughts of reloading the brass as you cannot reload this Russian ammo.

[chfaunce]

Soooo, I've been overspending on Winchester white box stuff then? I don't reload; I'd wondered about how the Wolf stuff performed, but haven't yet bought any. The price point is very attractive, though. It's pretty reliable stuff then? (I would be using it with my SKS)

[Mk3StenMan]

shoot the steel case in Russian/European weapons (the weapons were made there, why not shoot the ammo made there?...less expensive, too!) and the brass case in US-made weapons, not only only for the brass factor (you can reload it, but it's softer on the bolt/firing mechanism when it fires) I've heard more controversy on using brass in the M4 "black rifles" and not to use steel case, so I don't know what the real deal is. I prefer brass in US made weapons and steel in Russian/Eurpopean weapons, regardless of the reload situation.

Mk3StenMan /

[Diomed]

Soooo, I've been overspending on Winchester white box stuff then? I don't reload; I'd wondered about how the Wolf stuff performed, but haven't yet bought any. The price point is very attractive, though. It's pretty reliable stuff then? (I would be using it with my SKS)

Good lord yes, if you've been putting Winchester through a SKS. WWB is brass cased, is it not? I seem to recall that it's made in eastern Europe. Anyway, plain old steel cased Wolf, Tula, etc. are plenty good. Golden Tiger is a premium yet economy brand. You could also get the surplus Yugo M67, very well regarded, it's brass cased but corrosive so you'd have some cleaning to do.

[CowboyT]

Actually, you can reload steel cases if they're Boxer primed. They won't last as long as the brass ones, but you can get several firings out them, and they're treated to be soft enough not to damage your dies. About the only cases I absolutely won't reload are the aluminum ones, because they're just too weak after the first firing.

[chfaunce]

Great information - thanks, everyone! And yes, my SKS is Russian - all original, that I am aware.

[gunderwood]

Actually, you can reload steel cases if they're Boxer primed. They won't last as long as the brass ones, but you can get several firings out them, and they're treated to be soft enough not to damage your dies. About the only cases I absolutely won't reload are the aluminum ones, because they're just too weak after the first firing.

Just like reloading berdan primed ammo, it can be done, but should it? I've heard of people doing that, but also heard it was a huge PITA for bottlenecked rifle cartridges. Most of those proposing it are doing so for handgun ammo.

There is the question about failure mode for steel cases. I'd be seriously concerned about the steel work hardening and then failing abruptly. Are steel cases as easy to determine when they shouldn't be reloaded anymore? Don't forget that most dies were never intended to resize steel; non-carbide dies wear out as it is with brass, I'd hate to see what steel does to them. The steel is also coated with a polymer, that should hold up ok, but I don't know for sure.

Can it be done? Yes. Should it be done by anyone besides an extremely experienced reloader? I suggest not. Some things are possible, but that doesn't mean you should do them. IMHO, this falls into that category and I won't touch them. End of the world, zombies, etc. Sure, I'll try anything at that point.

[acguy45]

Actually, you can reload steel cases if they're Boxer primed. They won't last as long as the brass ones, but you can get several firings out them, and they're treated to be soft enough not to damage your dies. About the only cases I absolutely won't reload are the aluminum ones, because they're just too weak after the first firing.

Just like reloading berdan primed ammo, it can be done, but should it? I've heard of people doing that, but also heard it was a huge PITA for bottlenecked rifle cartridges. Most of those proposing it are doing so for handgun ammo.

There is the question about failure mode for steel cases. I'd be seriously concerned about the steel work hardening and then failing abruptly. Are steel cases as easy to determine when they shouldn't be reloaded anymore? Don't forget that most dies were never intended to resize steel; non-carbide dies wear out as it is with brass, I'd hate to see what steel does to them. The steel is also coated with a polymer, that should hold up ok, but I don't know for sure.

Can it be done? Yes. Should it be done by anyone besides an extremely experienced reloader? I suggest not. Some things are possible, but that doesn't mean you should do them. IMHO, this falls into that category and I won't touch them. End of the world, zombies, etc. Sure, I'll try anything at that point.

I have reloaded them for .223 in the past I personally don't use them more than 1X . They were not any more of a hassle than brass case ammo. I have a set of dies for them that I keep seperate from the ones I use for brass, just to be on the safe side. If you tumble them just do it long enough to knock off the carbon to long in the tumbler and the coating wears off and they will rust. Don't get me wrong i prefer brass case ammo anyday but steel is good for situations were you cant or don't want to shag your brass.