Russian Ammo BANNED

[Nevada Ed]

To paraphrase Pastor Niemöller...

First they banned Russian ammo, and I did not speak out—because I don't shoot Russian ammo.

Then they banned "assault rifles", and I did not speak out— because I don't own "assault rifles"

Then they banned small concealable handguns (pocket rockets), and I did not speak out—because don't carry a firearm.

Then they came to bann my firearms-and there was no one left to speak for me.

Little by little, chip by chip, inch by inch, they are looking to end the 2nd. If we only fight for what we "like" we are giving them and easier path.

When and if that day ever happens............
I am guessing that it will be the straw that breaks the camels back.

I kow nothing !!

 

[DWalt]

Despite anyone's feelings about steel cased (and Russian) ammo, there is no way that this embargo can be seen as something good, except by those who want to ban all guns.

My experience with Russian steel case ammo is limited to around 20 years ago when I bought a considerable quantity of 5.56 at a really great price, like less than a dime per round. It wasn't Wolf, etc. but it was very good quality stuff, and I fired some very tight groups with it, at least as good as any domestic ammo or even my reloads. It's long gone now.

 

[SchemaEnigma]

Here's one:

Russian Ammunition Imports Halted, May Send Demand, Prices a...

Thanks.....

 

[dockmurgw]

All this lament at the loss of putins commie ruski ammo. Now finish the job and close the US branch of the chinese government...walmart.

 

[gerhard1]

Just a couple of points here. I use the steel-cased Russian stuff in my two CZ 527 carbines and have had no issues with it as the 527 is designed around the use of ComBloc ammo.

Also, Wolf has plants in Ukraine, so they might get around this ban by shipping from there rather than from Russia.

I don't see any reason to panic. It's likey what the Biden administration wants us to do.

 

[alwslate]

I have used some of the Russian steel case 9mm ammo with mixed results. It is pretty lightly loaded 115 gr FMJ. Their Silver Bear 94 gr .380 is better than the 9mm in my opinion. The best steel case ammo is the 7.62x39 stuff from China and Russia. Not surprising because of all of their experience in making it for themselves. I have Russian and Chinese SKSs and a Poly Tech AK. Accuracy and function is fine in these high quality rifles.

 

[pharmer]

POF in Pakistan produces NATO spec ammo by the ton. I'd buy it. Joe

 

[cmj8591]

Does anyone really believe that the Russians are going to not sell us ammo? They will just ship it to Poland and put it in a different wooden box. The lesson is "buy American". If we did that to begin with instead of trying to save a few pennys, we wouldn't be depending on them now. Of course the panic has started because that is what we do.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Does anyone really believe that the Russians are going to not sell us ammo? They will just ship it to Poland and put it in a different wooden box. The lesson is "buy American". If we did that to begin with instead of trying to save a few pennys, we wouldn't be depending on them now. Of course the panic has started because that is what we do.

When I see people say "buy American", I wonder if they consider this for other brands, too.

S&B= Czech Republic
PPU= Serbia
Fiocchi= Italy
PMC= South Korea
Magtech= Brazil
Aguila= Mexico
MEN= Germany
Geco= German or Swiss
Norma= German
RWS= Hungarian
IMI= Israel
Igman= Bosnia
Mesko= Poland
Armscor= Philipines

There are others, too. Belom is a subset of PPU.

I would only insist on "buying American", if the US made stuff was either A) the best, or B) the cheapest.
In my experience, most of the time it isn't either of those.

 

[BC38]

The only steel cased I regularly buy and shoot is the 7.62x39 stuff for one of my ARs.
I noticed my LGS had a couple of hundred new brass in that caliber the other day so I guess I'm gonna have to pick some up and find some dies and bullets...

 

[cmj8591]

I would only insist on "buying American", if the US made stuff was either A) the best, or B) the cheapest.
In my experience, most of the time it isn't either of those.

I would argue that none of the manufacturers on that list are producing anything that is better than what comes out of Winchester, CCI or Remington. The best you might be able to say is that their product is just as good. Of course I know that there may be some very high level match ammo that comes out of foreign factories but that's not something that is going to make a difference to most of the people who read this forum. As far as price, I like to save money as much as anyone but I don't shoot to save money so I really don't mind paying a little extra knowing that it is creating work for Americans. All things being equal, I will pay more for something made in the USA. I really don't like the idea of supporting governments whose ideals may not align with mine and I certainly don't want to have to depend on their good intentions to supply me with things.

 

[diyj98]

I don't shoot anything but "Merican" ammo in my Japanese, German, Swiss, Czechoslovakian, Turkish, etc. made American guns!

Seriously I hate to see the loss of ammo availability from any country. I want to keep the supply up and price down as much as possible.

 

[Drm50]

Two things. Big one is the value of the dollar. Guys always bragging they paid $100 for something thirty years ago and sold it for $300. They didn't gain they went in the hole. But the gun retains value that the dollar doesn't. Number #2, don't buy anything you can do with out from Communist countries. I guess it's only fitting for Americans to shoot themselves in the foot with a cheap Commie bullet.

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

I've never been ashamed of being a member of this group until today.

It makes me sick to see members backing an attack on the 2ND Amendment.
It makes me sick to see members backing any administration that is clearly punishing people that didn't vote for them.
Where is the ban on Russian Vodka, diamonds, furs, $1000 small can of Russian caviar and other products?
Where is the outrage about giving the go ahead for the Russian pipeline right after blocking the Alaskan pipeline?

I'll tell you my story about cheap steel case ammo.
I live in a free state and have taken young people out shooting for years.
We start with 22 bolt action and then move to Ruger 10/22's and after that they are able to shoot the SKS or if I feel they are ready they can shoot an AK47.
There are no misfires.. there are no TV'S taken out and shot at... and everything is cleaned up after we are done.

 

[DWalt]

Absolutely! I can't understand how anyone can see the ban on Russian ammo as being anything other than a blatant assault on our Second Amendment. Forget how you feel about Russia as that is not remotely material to this discussion. Consider all the other stuff (mainly minerals) the US imports from Russia that we would have a very difficult time replacing if they were also stopped.

 

[alwslate]

Russia is Russia and always will be. I just cannot understand the idea that Putin should run his country in a way that best serves the interests of the US. Is that how we do things? We put Russia's interests before our own? Russia is never going to try to be a copy of the US. It is in the best interests of both countries that we have the best relationship that we can.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I would argue that none of the manufacturers on that list are producing anything that is better than what comes out of Winchester, CCI or Remington. The best you might be able to say is that their product is just as good.

We're just going to have to disagree on this one, I'm afraid.

I would trust Wolf 9mm before I would trust Winchester White Box, and definitely before Remington UMC.
People tell me the Wolf is junk; the only "junk" I've ever come across has been from those two brands. Those are the only brands I've ever had squibs from.
Winchester is dealing with a recall right now.

If I can buy any FMJ at the same price, I am getting S&B or MEN. Fiocchi is next on my list. PPU is probably the next one, followed by PMC, before I get to something like American Eagle.

Blazer Brass is ok for guns you don't want to stress, since it's a soft load.

I'd like to try out the Polish Mesko, since I suspect it's as good a quality as the MEN or S&B.

For a caliber such as .32 ACP, I stick to Fiocchi, PPU or GECO, with Blazer next. I tried one box of WWB, and it was total junk in my opinion.

None of my preferences are based on patriotism or duty; it's based on several decades of shooting experience. I have found what my guns like.

 

[cmj8591]

Here's an interesting article from Pew Tactical that talks about the ban. It looks like there shouldn't be much of an interruption in the flow for at least two years, if at all. Apparently this was anticipated and most of the big manufacturers, the article mentions Barnaul, Red Army and Wolf, just renewed their import licenses which must be honored for two years. So it looks like this is just some hot air coming out of the White House. So hold off for now on getting a second mortgage to buy ammo for your stash.

U.S. State Dept. Bans Russian Ammo Imports - Pew Pew Tactical

 

[teletech]

I'm really not too upset about the US government taking a principled stand against Russian aggression and I don't doubt the oligarchs owning the ammo plants don't exactly have the interests of the USA at heart.
Is it inconvenient, sure it is. One silver lining is it might help out Remington, just freshly emerged from bankruptcy. Another is it might help incentivize US manufacturing of ammo in general. Even if the Remingtons and Winchesters in the country decide not to build out another line, you can be sure there will be mom and pop operations that will see a boost from this.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Here's an interesting article from Pew Tactical that talks about the ban. It looks like there shouldn't be much of an interruption in the flow for at least two years, if at all. Apparently this was anticipated and most of the big manufacturers, the article mentions Barnaul, Red Army and Wolf, just renewed their import licenses which must be honored for two years. So it looks like this is just some hot air coming out of the White House. So hold off for now on getting a second mortgage to buy ammo for your stash.

U.S. State Dept. Bans Russian Ammo Imports - Pew Pew Tactical

Well, the issue remains; whether the import ban starts tomorrow or 2 years from now, that is in place. If you look at the conditions to lift, there are 2 I doubt the Russians will do, ever. I don't think they make restitution to a guy they have in jail, and I don't think they allow international inspectors into sensitive areas.
On the other hand, it is an Executive Order, so I presume the next guy in office can simply cancel it. I dunno...

Here's objectively what I think the long term effects will be...

• Russian steel-cased 7.62.39 is the cheapest centerfire ammo around. Before the panic, it was the same price as range-load 9mm. Brass PPU or whatever else comes down the pipe, won't be... it will be about the same price as 30-30 etc. So the AK is getting pushed out of the "fun, shoot-a-bunch without worries" category. So are the 7.62x39 ARs.
• Russian steel-cased has set the basement price for common calibers, as long as I've been watching. Things like 9mm etc, "cheap" brass has had to stay within shouting distance; I and many others will pay SOME more, but not double. That basement is going away, today or in 2 years.
• Looks like the AK-74 and other 5.45 rifles are now relegated to the safe trophy category. Whatever benefits people saw in that caliber, it's about to become unobtanium.

I think the x54R guns will fare better. If it's a Mosin, then 'cheap' PPU isn't that expensive to prevent shooting an occasional box. You don't usually shoot 100 rds at a time from one of those.
If it's a PSL or similar, I'd have to think, by the very nature of the gun, you would want something higher in quality.