I ran 80 rounds through the Norinco today. I have mixed feelings, I'm trying to justify liking a Chicom gun. This thing shoots great! Ok I confess I have a Norinco 1911 as well, never let me down, a good shooter.
Any way, back to the gun. I can't quite remember (mabe PappaG) who recomended the S&B. That stuff is great! I shot it, some Wolf, and a no brand "Russian" the Czech S&B made them both look silly.
Anyone who does not have one of these rifles yet, I highly recomend it. If your poor like me and 99% of us, the Norchinco will do fine.
I can see why this rifle got favorable reports right out of the hat on the Russian front in WWII.
:assult:
May have been Big Dog. None the less, true story, Sellier & Bellot (sp correct) feed, bang, eject, all good. This grouped the smallest today. Throw in a different gun, some wind, humidity, and who knows?
The S&B shoots great in mine as well but prints about 2" higher than the Wolf and Ishevsk (generic russian). Mine really likes the Silver Bear, which I thought was strange because I was told it is the same as the Ishevsk but with a nickel plated case. Haven't got to try their so-called match load yet but it looks interesting.
Sellier and Bellot makes and sells a pretty dang good cheap ammo round.
I certainly wouldn't recommend it for hunting where you wanted head shots (for those safari hunters out there) but for mass imprint on a target, or for lung shots, it's purdy good stuff.
I had a brother-in-law that worked at an ammo plant in the late 60s-early 70s and I remember he told horror stories of the kind of ammo quality they turned out for the military. From his accounts there was little, if any, quality assurance and control.
So, knowing that, I would trust S-B to get the job done. Then again, in a pinch I would trust Wolf to punch flesh if the need arose.
I've never had any problems with Wolf other than the copper cartridge stuff in my bolt actions really expand and stiffens the actions. Other than that there's been no problem.
I have about 1500 rounds of .223, 1700 rounds of 7.62 x 39...and about 900 rounds in 7.62 x 54R etc for other guns in S-B and Wolf and wouldn't hesitate ruining someone's day (if I had to, that is) with either brand. I would sooner shoot that than the corrosive chit I have to fire in my 8MMs, etc.
__________________
"It confuses me how some people can vigorously go against the 2nd. Amendment and still call themselves patriotic"-me
Dale
Dust off that reloader of yours and quit shooting that corrosive stuff. My 8mms hate that stuff. The accuracy with the S&B or handloads is amazing. Especially a handload thats a little hotter than the S&B.
I would suggest buying several boxes of the S&B spce loaded ammo then reloading the brass. You might find empty brass a little cheaper but it doesn't go bang when you squeeze the trigger! Another option that would probably save you quite a few bucks would be to form 8mm cases out of 30.06 brass which is a lot easier to find anyway. If you are set on 8mm brass, Huntington sells 8mm Remington cases for $31.20/100 vs $27.25/100 for ".06 cases.
I'll have to check the prices on the 8mm stuff. They were out of it last time I looked and it will be a few weeks before the new shipment comes in. I'm not sure but I think it was Winchester brass. The Winchester brass for the 6.5x55 is $13.99 per 50 and I think the 8mm was a couple bucks more.
At my local range, we often pickup brass - both pistol and rifle.
Problem is, some calibers are rarely seen in reloadable form. Too many cheapscates buying the Berdan-primed Turkish 8mm! (Got a bunch myself!) We very rarely see 8mm reloadable - it's like finding a gold nugget. Those who do shoot the good stuff don't leave 'em.
I'm reloading 6.5 & 8mm, using Win and Rem brass. I bought 500 of each from Midway, a little over 100 bucks each lot. Using 150 gr bullets in 8 and 140 in 6.5. Very little experimenting led to really accurate loads, like 1.5" at 100 yds in my Turk. I also want less stress on older guns(and shoulders!), so it works out really well for me. About $4 a box. I live in Houston, and we got ~55in. of rain last year, so I can still mess about with my toys even when the weather is nasty. I don't of course load for 7.62x39, but I found the S&B hard to load from a stripper, as the bullet was a little longer when solid point. Barnaul works well, though.
I'll tell you what. A hillbilly's range report 
WASN'T ME !!!! 
