Bulk Ammo?

[Charlie Tango]

Ive read about some guys buying bulk ammo.  Do you guys buy a box of 50 first to try it out or do you roll the dice on 1000 rounds and hope it works? 
Where are the good sites that are reliable to buy bulk ammo?
Thanks.

[Savage]

Although I reload for all the centerfire calibers I shoot, I occasionally buy bulk ammo when the price is right. I haven't had any real problems with any of it, including the cheap steel case eastern bloc stuff in multiple ARs.  Some is dirtier than others, or less accurate but it all goes bang. I did have a blown primer in a Silver Bear case a few weeks ago, but that's about the extent of my problems with bulk. If your firearms are in good condition, most any of the bulk factory stuff should put holes in paper or ring the gong on the range. If you require more from your ammo, then bulk might not be for you.
Savage

[reliquary]

I buy 7.62 x 39 and 5.56 in bulk.  I've used the Russian "Bear" versions in both calibers with no problems except if I get too carried away, a lacquered case will stick in an overheated chamber on the AK, occasionally.  Haven't had the problem in the mini-14, not sure why.
 
Ammoman.com is good, Cheaper Than Dirt is good but more expensive.  I ran across some Federal American Eagle in the white 100-round boxes at an Academy store for $30.00.  They sold out pretty quickly; may have been an error in pricing?
 
I get mine mostly from local gunshows, if I know the dealer.  On the last day of the local show in August, I found some nice bargains in Silver Bear 7.62 x 39 hollowpoints. 
 
As has been said, "It all goes bang and flies reasonably straight".

[flintlock]

My problem with shooting bulk pistol ammo is it very seldom hits to point of aim as the good stuff I buy...

[hillbill]

if your talkin 9mm and 45 acp? jus buy it, if its cheap. wanna bet what it cost in 5 yrs?yu wont get the best accuracy but all ive had went bang every time.

[Savage]

My experience with bulk is in 9mm/.45acp/7.62x39/5.56x45. The lacquered coating on the Wolf ammo has been replaced by a poly coating for some time now. The old lacquer coating was sometimes problematic in ARs.
Savage

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

   I have shot alot of UMC 40 and 45 ammo..it works super...

[rockbilly]

The quality of any ammo, like most commercially produced items, depends largely on the producer and their quality control.  Keep in mind the front runners in the ammo department have a reputation to up hold so their product will likely be better than some fly-by-night company from China or Russia. And generally speaking, if you find bulk ammo built to Milspec it is normally a better grade of ammo.  The government has many contracts for various calibers, a lot of this is over produced and ends up on the market as bulk..

[teddy12b]

I reload my own but when the price of factory is so low that I either cannot save money reloading, or cannot save enough money to make it worth my while reloading, then I buy factory ammo.  I do not buy any ammo in bulk before testing out a box or two to make sure it'll operate fine and shoot accurately.

[tacklebury]

Just buy what you can afford to shoot.  Typically, if you are buying bulk, it'll only be used for plinking, practice and familiarization.  There are many places to get bulk, but one you might want to watch is http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM4212-1.html.  They get bulk in occasionally and typically very price competitive.  Then buy a few heavier defensive loads.  Just remember not to rechamber the same round over and over, as it can start moving its depth and cause issues or dangerous conditions. 

[Bill T]

Pretty hard to beat this deal in .223 / 5.56 MM.
 
http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=9017&dir=18|830|845