A couple of times I have seen this .223 ammo at Academy (small box, 20rds. picture of a guy in a cowboy hat shooting a gun sitting down on the box).  It sells for about $2.50/20rds.  I've seen it in 7.62x39 too.  I busted a box open the other day, looks like Wolf, steel cases, red primer and bullet sealer.  Anyone buy this crap and shoot it?  Is it any good?

That's the monarch ammo, which is the name Academy sells Barnaul Ammunition under.

Not crap at all.  It shoots good, it doesn't foul my rifle, and it's cheap enough that I can enjoy plenty of shooting.

By the way, the cases are not laquered the same way as Wolf's were.  The case coating is very thin, and never gummed up anything in my rifle.  The primer sealer is no worse than Winchester's (civilian type).  I found it to be both reliable and accurate.  Why not enjoy it for blasting?

Here's some informative links on Barnaul.

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=259361

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=261361

www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=259007

Personally, I don't feed it to my AR anymore.  I just run Wolf polymer from Cabella's and WWB value packs from Wallyworld when I need cheap plinking ammo.  Both gave more slightly more accuracy but YMMV.

Now for my AK?  Well I've got about 800rd of monarch stashed in the closet

EPOCH