I ordered 500 rounds of this Brown Bear ammo for $89.99. After the shipping costs it came to a total of $103.99 for 500 rounds. Does anyone have any opinions on this stuff? Here's the link if anyone's interested:

http://www.dealerease.net/cata...028159&ret_id=140211

don't know anything about the ammo, but not a bad price for ammo + shipping

the lacquered case will soften with firing and deposit a layer of lacquer in the chamber of your gun that is damn near impossible to remove and will alter the size of the chamber, making it difficult to load ammo. I've also heard that they use corrosive primers, but I don't know for sure on that one. However, if you want cheap stuff, you're better off with the Silver Bear line, I know that is not corrosive and the nickel plated steel cases don't have the buildup issues.

That's funny. On another popular forum I was told that the Silver Bear ammo corrodes quickly, ends up coated in zinc oxide powder rather quickly, and does not compare in quality to Brown Bear, and many people agreed. Everyone there spoke highly of BB for cheap ammo, and negatively of SB. A few people even commented that they don't find the Brown Bear ammo any dirtier than any other stuff. I guess I'll just have to try it out for myself and create my own opinion.

This is what ammunitiontogo.com had to say regarding cleanliness and the corrosiveness claim:

This ammo has the traditional lacquered steel case but it shoots much CLEANER than any other Russian brand, such as Wolf. I sell both brands and have shot both brands, and I prefer the Barnaul Brown Bear ammo over the wolf ammo, hands down. This ammo is 100% non-corrosive and the primer is sealed for moisture protection.

It's junk. I would never shoot any of that Russian steel cased ammo in any of my guns. Wolf, Brown Bear, etc all use steel cases. Cheap stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Cpt. Solo:
the lacquered case will soften with firing and deposit a layer of lacquer in the chamber of your gun that is damn near impossible to remove and will alter the size of the chamber, making it difficult to load ammo. I've also heard that they use corrosive primers, but I don't know for sure on that one. However, if you want cheap stuff, you're better off with the Silver Bear line, I know that is not corrosive and the nickel plated steel cases don't have the buildup issues.

Bullshit.

I run it through my submachineguns, and they get pretty darn hot. I have never seen the lacquer soften. You always hear this on the internet, but hasn't it occurred to people that comblock counties have been running lacquer coated ammo through AK's for over 50 years at barrel melting temps without problems?

Just bought 1000 rounds of .223 62 grain Silver Bear. It won't cycle any of my 3 AR's (none of which have ever had a single FTF or malfunction on any other ammo) I won't be buying any "Bear" ammo again.

quote:

Lacquer Coated Ammunition or Steel-cased, lacquer coated ammunition
Wolf
Norinco
Silver Bear
Any steel-cased (coated or non-coated) ammunition
The problem with this ammunition is that the lacquer coating on the case. As the barrel heats up, the lacquer turns to a soft, varnish substance and upon cool down, becomes very solid and difficult to remove. This effectively creates an undersized chamber and creates understandable problems.

I pulled this from the DPMS website. However, based on the fact that they cited Silver Bear as lacquer coated feel free to question the overall validity of the statement as someone didn't do their homework, but the fact remains that it is a documented phenomenon that is concerning enough to warrant the voiding of their warranty.

I've never had a problem with silver bear, but I'd rather not risk it. Go with WWB.

quote:

Originally posted by deuce9595:
That's funny. On another popular forum I was told that the Silver Bear ammo corrodes quickly, ends up coated in zinc oxide powder rather quickly, and does not compare in quality to Brown Bear, and many people agreed. Everyone there spoke highly of BB for cheap ammo, and negatively of SB. A few people even commented that they don't find the Brown Bear ammo any dirtier than any other stuff. I guess I'll just have to try it out for myself and create my own opinion.

Also, whether an ammunition is "corrosive" is not based on the breakdown of the shell casing, but whether any salt or alkali compounds are present in the primer. The fact that the casing breaks down over time should come as no surprise; it's russian, and the words "manufactured in russia" are a warning on anything other than a mak or AK. Also, the cleanliness of an ammo has nothing to do with its quality. I have found WWB to be horribly dirty, but very reliable and accurate (especially their 5.56 loadings). In short, just don't screw around with the cheap stuff if you don't shoot an AK.

Heh, I just paid the same price (shipped) for 500 rds. of brass cased Remington bulk pack.

If you shop around you can find deals and not have to buy steel cased ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by gotarheels03:
Heh, I just paid the same price (shipped) for 500 rds. of brass cased Remington bulk pack.

If you shop around you can find deals and not have to buy steel cased ammo.

What he said.

quote:

the lacquered case will soften with firing and deposit a layer of lacquer in the chamber of your gun that is damn near impossible to remove and will alter the size of the chamber, making it difficult to load ammo. I've also heard that they use corrosive primers, but I don't know for sure on that one. However, if you want cheap stuff, you're better off with the Silver Bear line, I know that is not corrosive and the nickel plated steel cases don't have the buildup issues.

Bad info.

same here,

I have shot all the cheap stuff in full auto sub guns with no problem and no melting laquer etc.