Wolf 7.62x39 - Explain the Differences to me

[Emptymag]

I had purchased most of my Wolf 7.62.39 back before/around 2008.

Back when the "Military Classic" stuff hit the market, many (including myself) preferred to buy the "Black Box", as it was something we were already familiar with and knew that it worked.

Fast forward a few years and I stopped buying all ammo because I was out of work. I didn't buy ammo for several years - I didn't even LOOK at it, as it was too depressing knowing I couldn't afford to BUY any.

When I finally DID start taking notice, I see this packaging labeled "WPA".

So now that I've crawled out from under my rock, there's:
(1) "WPA Military Classic" (cammo box)
(2) "WPA Plyformance" (black box)




It doesn't say "Wolf" ANYWHERE on the packaging - what the heck does "WPA" stand for, and what is "Polyformance"? I assume the latter is just a trademarked name for their polymer coated steel.

That said, and ultimately, WTF is the difference between the two???

The only difference I can see in the labeling is that WPA Military Classic is 124 gr (FMJ) and the WPA Polyformance (new "black box"?) is 123 gr (FMJ)
NOTE: The OLD box of REAL Wolf HP I have says the bullet was 122 gr and the new WPA HP is 123 gr. LOL!!!

WHY have two separate products that only differ by ONE grain in the bullet?



Can someone 'splain it to me?


Is one more desirable than the other???


THANKS?

[Svickstc]

I had purchased most of my Wolf 7.62.39 back before/around 2008.

Back when the "Military Classic" stuff hit the market, many (including myself) preferred to buy the "Black Box", as it was something we were already familiar with and knew that it worked.

Fast forward a few years and I stopped buying all ammo because I was out of work. I didn't buy ammo for several years - I didn't even LOOK at it, as it was too depressing knowing I couldn't afford to BUY any.

When I finally DID start taking notice, I see this packaging labeled "WPA".

So now that I've crawled out from under my rock, there's:
(1) "WPA Military Classic" (cammo box)
(2) "WPA Plyformance" (black box)




It doesn't say "Wolf" ANYWHERE on the packaging - what the heck does "WPA" stand for, and what is "Polyformance"? I assume the latter is just a trademarked name for their polymer coated steel.

That said, and ultimately, WTF is the difference between the two???

The only difference I can see in the labeling is that WPA Military Classic is 124 gr (FMJ) and the WPA Polyformance (new "black box"?) is 123 gr (FMJ)
NOTE: The OLD box of REAL Wolf HP I have says the bullet was 122 gr and the new WPA HP is 123 gr. LOL!!!

WHY have two separate products that only differ by ONE grain in the bullet?



Can someone 'splain it to me?


Is one more desirable than the other???


THANKS?

My guess would be the difference between the two case coatings poly vs laquer?

[StingyGunner]

I'll take a shot..from my limited knowledge.

1. WPA stands for Wolf Performance Ammunition as far as I know.

2. This is a hunch, but the difference is bullet weights may be for this reason.. I noticed that Brown Bear 7.62x39 is also 123 gr. Brown Bear x39 bullets are not boat-tailed. Golden Tiger x39 (which I buy now for its apparent superiority) on the other hand is boat-tailed ammunition, and has a bullet weight of 124 gr. So my hunch is that perhaps the Military classic is boat-tailed? Someone would have to pull one out to see though...

$.02

Edit: Nobody, to my knowledge, produces lacquer coated x39 except for Golden Tiger anymore.

[Emptymag]

My guess would be the difference between the two case coatings poly vs laquer?

Don't think so. I think they stopped producing lacquer coated Wolf years ago.
I had some in the old, old, "Wolf black box", but no green cases in "old" Wolf black box in a long time.

The WPA rounds look identical to the naked eye. No reason to think they are anything but poly coated.

[dkf]

Looks like the Military Classic is laquer coated and the Polyrformance is polymer coated and made in different factories. Looks like the bullet is slightly different also. Laquer and ploymer coatings can be clear or tinted so I would not put too much stock in color.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i....html&amp&

[Svickstc]

Don't think so. I think they stopped producing lacquer coated Wolf years ago.
I had some in the old, old, "Wolf black box", but no green cases in "old" Wolf black box in a long time.

The WPA rounds look identical to the naked eye. No reason to think they are anything but poly coated.

Probably right was just my assumption since ive had both before and the cases felt different to me

[Emptymag]

Looks like the Military Classic is laquer coated and the Polyrformance is polymer coated and made in different factories. Looks like the bullet is slightly different also. Laquer and ploymer coatings can be clear or tinted so I would not put too much stock in color.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/i....html&amp&

Noted. I'm used to "lacquer" being GREEN.

I'll look at that thread a bit more, but since it's from 2006, I'll take what I'm reading with a grain of salt, as things could have changed since then.

[Emptymag]

Oh, and whoever the Brainiac was that thought it would be better to package the WPA ammo wrapped in paper and STAPLED, in a LARGER box, should be kicked in the nuts.

I can't fit as many in my ammo can and I damned near poked a hole in my finger on that stupid staple.

You'd think that they would want the smallest package possible for overseas shipping purposes.

[Emptymag]

Anyone else?

I'm starting to get a bit more choosy about what I'm buying, so I'm interested in learning about these.

I only have the WPA in the black box at the moment.

[father-of-five]

I was wondering the same thing, having bought several boxes of each recently for the same price and that they seem very similar. I guess laquer coated steel means less rust, which will keep my SKS happy.