What's the difference between Wolf regular and 'Military Classic' ammo?

Question

I shoot an ak and an sks, so I'm wondering about the 7.62x39mm stuff.

Answer 1

Small differences, LT.

If you ever had the opportunity to shoot the 7.62x39 called "SAPSAN" (a lot was around in 2003) it is very close to Wolf military classic.  These two are made by the same factory in Ulyanovsk, Russia.  From my experience Military classic is a little cleaner burning and maybe a hair more accurate than black box wolf ammo.

Wolf black box ammo is made by Tula Cartridge works in Tula, Russia.  It has a tendancy to leave a good amount of carbon fouling.  Seems to leave more than military classic.  It's still pretty good stuff.

If you are deciding between the two to purchase, if they are the same price, I would get MIlitary classic.  If one is cheaper, I would buy the cheaper one.  

Answer 2

The Military Classic is the cheaper ammo, made in a third world country and not actually Russia.

Wolf is actually a USA company that contracts with Russian, Czech, Yugo, Indian ammo manufacturers to make and box ammo in their boxes. They are an Importer, not a Manufacturer. Their Gold line is actually the high quality Serbian Prvi Partizan ammo. The 8mm and 7.62x54r hunting ammo is quite good.  

Answer 3

Just the factory it's made in.

Answer 4

Generally, all the Wolf ammo is copper washed steel cases, and only some of the ordinary military ammo is steel-cased. Oh, I see what you mean. Some of the Wolf ammo offers sporting bullets, including soft point and hollowpoint. However, the MC stuff would be reproductions of the old military stuff, but of current manufacture. All are Berdan primed, steel-cased, and not reloadable. I can't find it listed, but the reason Bell used the 7mm Mauser on rogue elephants was because a big heavy roundnose Full Metal Jacket bullet was used in the military ammo available at the time, and it worked on good brain shots. If this is once again available, albeit a reproduction, this nostalgia may stir some resurgence of a fine old calibre of ordnance. Or not. Regards, Larry.

Answer 5

I have an SKS and I use that type of ammo for it.  The sconce on the headstamp as actually from Barnaul Tool and Die, that is where the ammunition is actually made.  It is not contracted to India, as the other person told you.  Seller & Bellot is though.

Wolf is also does not have the copper washed cases.  All of the cases are lined with laquer to prevent the steel cases from becoming corroded during transport to their retail destinations.

Just a word or two about Wolf Ammunition.  They also have two subsidiaries that manufacture ammo.  They are Silver Bear, and Gold Bear.  Both are pretty good brands of ammo, but I would not recommend that you use them in your Ruger Mini-30.

The tolerances are a little tighter in these rifles, and when the chamber gets hot the laquer has a tendancy to melt and stick, causing the gun to jam.  So if you are considering a Mini-30, I would strongly recommend that you use any of the American Manufactured Brass Cased Ammunitions.

The Copper Washed Steel Case Ammunition is actually made in Turkey.  It too is very good, though as its communist counterparts, the cases are Berdan Primed and not reloadable.

Seller & Bellot makes a very good 7.62x39 Ammunition.  Though it is pretty expensive.  I have had very good luck with it.

Be very careful of the military surplus ammunition, as much of this coming into the US is Chinese.  This ammo still uses corrosive priming compounds.  So if you choose to use this ammunition, you are going to be required to clean the weapon as soon as you get home from the firing range.  

Lastly, the parent company Barnaul Tool and Die, also has its own brand of ammo.  This is a very excellent production.  It seem they sort of saved their best production for their parent company.  It is the most accurate of the Steel Cased, Laquer Finish ammo.  

As for the best deals as to getting the ammo, well you should really check out the gun shows.  In most cases, you can get 1000 rounds for under $125.00.  The Wolf in particular, most of the shows I go to here in the Bay Area, I can get 1000 rounds at about $95.00.

If folks are charging you over $130.00 for 1000 rounds they are ripping you off, so don't waste your time.

Anyhow, happy shooting.