No More Brown Bear for Me

[ltorlo64]

I have decided not to buy any more Brown Bear ammo. I bought 500 rounds for my CZ 82 and this weekend I fired 150 rounds. Today I cleaned my pistol and it was cleaning a chimney. I have never seen that much soot on a gun before. I was already unhappy with the way it shot, but the mess it left behind was unreal. I will use Federal, S&B, maybe Fiocci, but not any of that Russian stuff anymore.

[imanaknut]

Unfortunately the usually cheapest ammo (Russian) is also among the dirtiest. I try to only use it in my AKs, but every now and then I get a good deal on 9mm but that gets reserved for my Uzi, which with the barrel that is easily removed and cleans like a pistol, I don't really care.

For my pistols, you list my normal stock, which is primarily Sellier and Bellot, but also a dash of Fiocci and some Federal that I recently got at a great price.

[FunkyPertwee]

Damn. I've had good luck with 9x18 silver bear and 7.62x39 brown bear. Sorry it didn't work out.

Russian in general does suck. I've just found the Bear lines to be better than some of the others.

[ltorlo64]

I knew it would be dirty, I guess I am just surprised at how dirty.

[NAPOTS]

I like fiocci, in .45 acp it seems to be loaded on the hot side.

Around here there isn't much of a savings over WWB on handgun ammo for the russian or aluminum stuff. I'll buy Fiocci over WWB or UMC anyday.

[ltorlo64]

I like fiocci, in .45 acp it seems to be loaded on the hot side.

Around here there isn't much of a savings over WWB on handgun ammo for the russian or aluminum stuff. I'll buy Fiocci over WWB or UMC anyday.

I like UMC for plinking. I use it in my 1911 all the time. It also comes in 250 round boxes. If I could find UMC in 9mm I would give it a shot.

I have Fiocci .45 ACP in HP that I like. I should try some for plinking to see if it works as well.

[NAPOTS]

Their 230 GR FMJ feels hotter than WWB and is accurate and reliable. its not that UMC is bad or anything.

Blazer is, meh so so. I thought I got a box of traces by mistake one time when I was shooting with the sun to my back and I could see the reflection off of the back of the bullet.

If I remember right blazer brass is loaded with a small pistol primer just to piss reloaders off.

[ltorlo64]

I have some Blazer 9mm FMJ, but it has aluminum casing. It shoots alright, but I think I will be more careful to keep brass ammo vice any other metal.

[insider]

Thanks a lot! I have a case of BB to go through.

[Schuetzenman]

Aside from sooty nothing wrong with Bear ammo. It amazes me that ltorlo64 is just now coming to this "startling revelation". (rolling eyes here) Nothing like being 12 years late to the party. Seriously, BB isn't the most accurate offering, but in some guns it does alright. Tell me it gave you case ruptures or head separations or keyholing bullets and I would agree you have the right opinion about the ammo. Almost all the Russian ammo is blaster grade plinking ammo, with only a few exceptions.

[insider]

Isn't BB made by Barnul?

[ltorlo64]

Aside from sooty nothing wrong with Bear ammo. It amazes me that ltorlo64 is just now coming to this "startling revelation". (rolling eyes here) Nothing like being 12 years late to the party.

I have never been known for my timeliness!

Seriously, BB isn't the most accurate offering, but in some guns it does alright. Tell me it gave you case ruptures or head separations or keyholing bullets and I would agree you have the right opinion about the ammo. Almost all the Russian ammo is blaster grade plinking ammo, with only a few exceptions.

As for function, of 150 rounds fired that day I had 2 FTFs, both on my daughter. The ammo didn't seem to be as accurate as some, but I am not overly good with a pistol so it may have just been me. I just didn't like the amount of residue left over.

[mrkalashnikov]

I won't fire any of the Russki steelcase through my auto pistols. Like you've stated the stuff is dirty as hell, the chimney analogy is a valid one.

I only shoot Brown Bear, Wolf, Golden Tiger, Tula, etc.. through my AK rifles. They were designed for that sooty stuff & will eat it all day long. All my other pistols, rifles, & shotties are on a strict, brass-only diet.

[Helen Keller]

gave up on BB about 6 years ago after I got 7+ squibs in one day in my uzi with it .

[ltorlo64]

gave up on BB about 6 years ago after I got 7+ squibs in one day in my uzi with it .

That is just scary from factory ammo.

[Schuetzenman]

That is just scary from factory ammo.

Yes, pretty much so. Usually that comes from ... ahem another brand of Russian ammo. Uly and Vymple seem to be better ammos from Russia, then again the Golden Tiger is pretty good too at least in 7.62x39 chambering.

[FunkyPertwee]

My CZ-82 with silver bear has been super accurate. I haven't felt the need to even bother paying extra for brass.

Maybe I just got lucky with my lot.