I never had a problem using cheap ammo prior to having the rail put on but I made sure I shot some high quality stuff thru it prior to taking it back to the smith. The wolf and the like are pretty poor stuff but the kids can burn thru a lot of ammo so it was fine for plinking.$$$$$ For some reason I like my ammo to be made of brass.....

I even ejected rounds that had chambered and could find no sign on the bullet that it was binding. I'm guessing that the new rail is too tight on the gun and causing the problem. I may end up spacing it off a little more with some small stainless washers.

I always thought .223 was 5.56 so I just don't know. The gun was never picky about what it digested but it always liked factory clips...