Wolf Ammunition?

Question
QUESTION: Is is safe to use Wolf Ammunition in my AR-15? Are there any problems with it? Thx.

ANSWER: Well, it is "safe" if by that you mean "won't blow up." But there are a number of problems with Wolf ammunition, not the least of which is that use of it will void the warranty of some AR-15s.

Although the steel case does not create a tight seal and makes for a very dirty chamber, the real problem is that Wolf utilizes STEEL projectiles.

If you pull a bullet from the case and put a magnet to it you'll have a hard time prying the bullet from the magnet. If you cross-section the projectile with a cut-off wheel, you'll discover that it is not merely steel-cored. The entire projectile is steel with a very thin copper wash over it, the only feasible function of which is to keep the steel projectile from rusting.

Firearms companies I've corresponded with say that Wolf (or other ammunition that uses steel projectiles; Wolf "bi-metal jacket is copper alloyed with steel, and is little different in effect than having a steel projectile) void their warranty because it will cut the life of their barrels in half.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow, that was fast! Thx.

Well, that doesn't sound good at all? Why do so many people buy the stuff? And I was at their website - they do have a 100% money back guarantee if you're not satisfied with the ammunition.

Answer
People buy Wolf because it's reasonably accurate and cheap. Many people mistakenly believe that the "problem" with Wolf ammunition is that it is dirty, which can be addressed by frequent cleaning, but the fact that it is dirty or even that it is steel-cased is not the biggest problem. Having steel projectiles is the biggest problem.

Reports that have come to me from people who have tried to invoke Wolf's guarantee are that Wolf does not actually honor it. It seems to be a marketing ploy to get you to believe that you are not taking any risk by buying their ammunition.