As far as man-made issues, many ranges ban the use of steel-cased ammo out of concern for their backstops this is particularly true with indoor ranges. No. It's annealed to be soft. A lot of old surplus stuff was laquer coated and could gum up chambers. If a round was fired in a hot chamber and coo Brass shells may be collected by some ranges, reloaded, and resold. Scopes, guns, boots and other tactical stuff in-between. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. It is also possible for steel jacketed ammo to ignite dustings of unburnt powder found on the floors of indoor ranges when it sparks when it hits a hard surface, making it a fire hazard. The short answer is no. Some people say that aluminum cases can cause damage to the gun, while others claim that there is no difference between using aluminum and brass cases. Steel rounds can even cause damage to targets, rail lines and cables. This is not actually due to the steel case, but the Bi-metal steel jacket of the bullet that most steel-cased rounds have. Further, HK specifically says: All USPs are approved for use with +P and +P+ ammunition as it appliesRead more . The firearm can be functional and perfect, but it can also be damaged, faulty, or even outright broken, or non-functional. The same considerations can be utilized with pistol ammunition, especially when used in semi- and full-auto firearms. Webrob stafford daughter chicago fire. (Video) HERE'S WHY YOU CAN'T SHOOT STEEL CASED On the other hand, the 9 mm, especially in military loads, is twice the pressure of the .45 ACP. That way you wont get stuck with a bunch of ammo that you cant use if it doesnt work in your particular gun. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Provided by Google Tag Manager to experiment advertisement efficiency of websites using their services. An example of commercial, Russian-made steel-cased, but non-corrosive 7.62x54mm ammunition. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If youre worried about it, though, you may want to stick with brass-cased rounds. The casing is usually made of steel. And for quite Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. But shortly thereafter, many found that the rounds werent performing as accurately, or reliably in their American firearms. This tangent section of the ogive results in the bullet being much less sensitive to seating depth. Ammo Deals: ZSR Ammunition 9mm 124 Grain FMJ 1000 Rounds $259.99 FREE S&H, AR-15 Barrel Length Does It Even Matter? Steel cased ammo is definitely not known for its accuracy. I shoot steel case all the time in my ARs but haven't tried it in a pistol yet. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but the majority of them are for companies that collect empty cases for reloading purposes. He loves anything and everything guns but holds firearms from the Cold War in a special place in his heart. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If you are a reloader, dont bother with the steel cases. However, if you are looking for a little bit of savings at the range, aluminum might be a good choice for you. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category . What is M855? However, there are a few things to keep in mind when doing so: That said, if you do choose to use aluminum bullets, be sure to clean your gun frequently and check for any signs of wear and tear. The steel used is a very soft mild steel vs. the very hard feed ramp and chamber. While it is false that steel cased ammo does damage to your rifle, it may decrease barrel life slightly. Reloading would lose the benefit of this coating, as it wears off. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I do. The design of the cartridge has perhaps the greatest effect on how extraction takes place with steel cases. WebSteel case ammo shouldn't damage your gun, though some guns will have reliability issues with it. Instead I donate them now and I actually get more money and it is less work. Aluminum is a softer metal than lead, so it will not produce as accurate a bullet as lead. The round would cost the business a lot of money to maintain, so the costs could be reduced by banning the round. And you will start to notice reliability problems if your firearm is not properly maintained. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. the case is steel and the bullet has a mild steel jacket with a thin copper coating. The former is utterly reliable in most platforms in which it is chambered. So experiment a little and see which type works best for you! Over time, this can result in decreased accuracy and increased jamming problems. The reason it is not easily reloadable has to do with the steel cases being harder and less malleable than brass but also due to the fact that steel-cased ammunition is Berdan primed. In fact, many experts say that aluminum cases are just as safe to use as brass cases. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The steel used for the cases is much softer than that in your gun. What are the pros and cons of using steel-cased ammo? Steel-cased ammo is not necessarily less reliable or accurate than brass. Google DoubleClick IDE cookies are used to store information about how the user uses the website to present them with relevant ads and according to the user profile. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Because the bullet doesnt have a solid lead core, it is called a steel core .A copper jacket can be found on steel core ammunition, making it difficult to distinguish steel core from non-steel core ammo. But I do question the hypothesis, unless demonstrated, that a new steel case increases wear over brass. Another problem with steel cased ammo is a lot of it seems to be somewhat underpowered which can cause short stroking issues. One of the biggest misconceptions is since steel is harder than brass or aluminum, it must be harder on the gun as it travels through the cycle of operation. The 556 has little taper. Installed by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Funny, you want to sell it and its not worth squat you want to buy it and steelRead more , If you look at a 5.56 besides a 7.62 russian round youll notice th x39 and x54 both have a taper from the base to the mouth. Customer Service at Springfield Armory had this to say about using steel cased ammo: BTW, as long as we are talking about it, what are the benefits to steel cased ammo ? They argue that the softer metal of the casing can wear down your guns barrel and chamber, causing problems with accuracy and reliability. The majority of steel cased ammo is Berdan primed. In most Russian ammo (Tula, Monarch, etc.) Therefore, understanding why certain rules were created will enable you to better perceive how a gun range operates and what factors are involved with using and operating a gun range. I'd buy a little and try it out. I suggest trying a box or two before buying a large quantity. In semi-automatic firearms, this affects the timing of the cycle of operation, particularly in the extraction phase. Its a bolt gun and doesnt care. The aluminum in the case will not damage your guns chamber, extractor, or ejector because they are made from steel. The steel used in the cases will still be softer than the type of steel used in receivers and extractors of Using steel in the entire bullet is impossible because it would damage the barrel. I asked what ammo they were using and it was the steel case. This is partly due to the design of the tapered case, which enhances extraction regardless of case-material composition.Although the 5.56 NATO cartridge is slightly tapered, it is not nearly as forgiving as the 7.62x39 mm in a dirty chamber during extraction. Its only maybe $1 more per box but its worth it. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. bigdogbuc Banned Joined Mar 22, 2012 2,112 Posts TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Using gas-powered cycling systems on firearms makes the extraction less effective. Some people might think that using cast aluminum instead of regular aluminum for bullets would make them stronger. At what point is the marginal product maximum? In a world where all ammo is accurately loaded, finely-tuned gas systems are ideal, the gun has less felt recoil, lasts longer, and requires less cleaning. Absolutely not for a lot of my guns. A lot of my guns are former Soviet bloc guns, specifically designed for steel case ammo. My guns that feed ste The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Does putting water in a smoothie count as water intake? At the end of the day, its up to you to decide what you think is best for your gun. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The ferrous bi-metal jackets found on most steel-cased ammo will not damage the rifling of your AR and are perfectly safe to use on any rifle-rated backstop. Opinions vary, but I think the prevailing wisdom is that Yes, steel cased ammunition is hard on extractors. An example would be in comparing 7.62x39 mm and 5.56 NATO. Another advantage of steel casings is that cartridges are extracted more efficiently than brass casings. Does the Russian military use steel cased ammo? Undoubtedly, the floor can be covered with dozens, if not hundreds, of used ammo cases after a busy day. Read More How To Prevent Accidental Shootings?Continue. Then after it is worn out and too brittle to be used, I can turn it in for weight and get some money back!!! Steel case ammo is cheaper to shoot and generally works well in most firearms, but does have some downsides. While brass is a copper alloy, stainless steel is an iron alloy mixed with chromium and nickel. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Steel creates more friction between itself, the magazine, and chamber. Guns are not put under as much stress as an engine block, but it is still important that they are made with a strong material. The issue with steel cased ammo is that it does not occlude the chamber as well as brass. For example, a steel-cased .45 ACP is essentially a straight-walled case, but the working pressures are around 20,000 psi which make extraction easier. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 1 Why is steel case ammo bad for your gun? Do Men Still Wear Button Holes At Weddings? And a sloppy chamber adds to bad performance in accuracy. Higher velocity bullets, such as the .223 Remington, will usually cause more wear. Theres nothing about steel-cased ammo that says this has to be the case however, Hornady proved that with their competition-ready Steel Match ammo that is produced with all the quality and attention to detail that any of their other premium offerings are made with. Why is it imperative that different gauge shotshells not be mixed together? Experiment a little and see which type works best! There is literally no danger to your firearms steel parts when using aluminum cased ammo. Experiment a little and see which type of ammo works best for your gun! I've reloaded .45 ACP steel cases for years. The direct-impingement AR-15 can be ammo sensitive especially when not ran, wet. M855 is often called green tip ammo for its special color coding (the full metal jacket is painted green at the nose). WebSteel cased ammo is safe to use in modern firearms because the steel used in the case is very soft. Unlock the Benefits of Knowing Your Winchester Serial Number, Complete Buyers Guide to the Sig Sauer P228. Envision the contact surfaces with the chamber as the cartridge case is being extracted. Another often overlooked advantage is the spent cartridge cases can be policed up with a magnet. Indoor gun ranges often have a rule such as Armor Piercing/ Steel Core rounds are prohibited or Steel core ammunition is not allowed.. The pattern element in the name contains the unique identity number of the account or website it relates to. I noticed that there was some burning of the breach when using steel case ammo. Theres nothing wrong with Russian steel-cased ammo, other than it smells like somebody has thrown a cat on a trash fire. If the gun is broken in first with brass cased ammo this helps seal the gas system somewhat which will make the lower powered steel cased ammo work a bit better. In testing done by LuckyGunner Labs, rifles using Federal brass cased ammo were still shooting decent groups up to 10,000 rounds. However, I keep it out of my precision ARs and I do not hunt with it. No one is perfect. Bullets with steel cases differ from bullets with steel cores. However, this is not the case. The causes often stem from the buildup of corrosion in the chamber and rust-prevention materials used to coat steel cases in order to preserve the ammunitions integrity in harsh conditions. U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- COVID 19 and Joe Biden suck, they have driven the price of ammo through the roof, even previously-affordable steel-cased stuff. For example, some ranges may state steel casing, but in fact, mean steel jacketed or steel core. This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. One of the biggest misconceptions is since So, there is no benefit to using cast aluminum over regular aluminum when making bullets. My only experience with Tula steel cased ammo is 115gr 9mm, and I only used it in my G43. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. This causes additional blowback, which causes more residue buildup in the action. It does not store any personal data. Tula has performed the worst in my firearms, and Brown Bear has performed the best. Aluminum, on the other hand, can be poured into a mold and will not fill all of the spaces. This is why cast aluminum is used for things like engine blocks and transmission housings. You will find in most firearms manuals (if you read them) a sentence stating something like: such and such firearm company does not recommend using re-loaded or re-manufactured ammunition in the handgun. Pretty much daily I get the question Is it okay to shoot steel cased ammo in my Windham Weaponry AR15?. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. At the end of the day, it is up to you to decide which ammo casing is best for you and your firearm. Thus you have less blowback into the chamber and the receiver. In my not-so-humble-opinion, this is a cop-out to let companies brush off shooters who want to run cheap ammo in their gun. (SKS / AK owners, neednt worry.). Ive reloaded a few 9mm boxer primed steel cases and they work fine. Cheap ammo is always good, or at least was. They do not wish to deal with these issues mentioned above. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In my own experience, the accuracy of steel cased ammo in my rifles really is not that much worse than lower-end brass cased ammo. Steel cartridge case use in handguns (as well as long guns) has been the source of controversy since their inception. Read More Why Should You Practice Dry Fire Shooting Drills At Home?Continue, You may end up seriously hurting both yourself and those closest to you if you conceal a firearm in the wrong way. Pure greed is what it is when it comes to indoor ranges. Are Berger hybrid bullets good for hunting? When most people think of rifle or pistol cartridges, they think of a shiny brass case with a copper jacketed bullet sitting on top. This grit and mess gets between the case and chamber wall and acts like sand paper. Some of it is sealed with lacquer that stinks. I have had very few issues with reliability when using steel-cased ammo. The lacquer will soften, and if the round sits in the chamber as it cools, it can make extraction more difficult in firearms not designed with a generous chamber. This is because most steel-cased ammo uses a mild steel core, and is difficult for ranges to differentiate from armor-piercing steel-core ammo which would The other problem with steel cased ammo is that the cases dont expand the same way that brass cases do. The extractor may be the first part to show wear, but the wear is going on nonetheless. Steel cases cannot be collected and sold like brass cases since they cannot be reloaded. While I dont generally recommend steel cased ammo, its not going to hurt your rifle in limited amounts. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The other manufactured downside is that some companies will tell shooters that using steel-cased ammo voids their warranty. If used exclusively however it will reduce the barrel life by about 4,000-5,000 rounds. Thats the only real advantage of the ammo. People with disabilities are still capable of shooting a gun, contrary to popular belief. I took one car to the crusher years ago. Benefits. The steel cased Ammo usually has a bimetallic jacket that is magnetic and is harsher on your barrel. It is only the jacket which is bi-metallic, NOT the case. In today's episode of "I Carry," we have a Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal pistol with a Holosun EPS Red2 red-dot sight carried in a KSG Armory Lexington IWB holster. Brass is better at this sealing action because it is more malleable than steel. Since steel cases work-harden and lose their elasticity, you cannot resize them to hold another bullet since they lack the elasticity that brass cases possess. Does steel cased ammo damage your gun? Also, some of the steel cased ammo is now polymer coated. The bullet traps are not designed to handle steel bullets. Registered. Darrell Moriarty, Lago Vista, TXSteel cartridge case use in handguns (as well as long guns) has been the source of controversy since their inception. I reload, so Ive no interest in shell casings I cant reload. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. Funny how you didnt mention the elephant in the room RELOADING. Our range has a two mile backstop so there is no limit except, no tracers. Steel is harder and less malleable than brass so its a lot harder to accurately resize the cases after firing. Under federal law it is perfectly legal to make, sell and purchase armor-piercing ammunition as long as you have the proper licensing. Semi-autos sometimes have problems if the chamber is tight and because it hasnt fully contracted when the extractors try to grab it. Though lead core bullets deliver a quick and humane blow to big game animals, they do so at the cost of lead fragmenting throughout the wound tract. I received 35 dollars for it. Vimeo installs this cookie to collect tracking information by setting a unique ID to embed videos to the website. It caused alot of feed problems in my Kimber Ultra Carry II 3".