What are "steel core rounds"?

[Mokumbear]

My local outdoor range is run by the Sheriff's Dept and on their
web site it says that you may not use "steel core rounds".

What are steel core rounds?

Is this a very specialized ammo?

Can I still try various types of shotgun rounds for home defense
without violating the prohibition on using steel core rounds?

[banditt007]

steel core rounds are rifle bullets. Generally they are military surplus (cheap range ammo) its a center 'pill' of steel inside center of the lead bullet. the whole thing is then jacketed in copper. the problem w/ the lead cores is that they are very known to be a cause of riccochet. THis is why they are banned. Your shotgun should be fine as long as you are firing lead, and not steel duck loads. or any other non lead based shot. (most all shotgun shells are lead)

[skeeter1]

Where I live (Ohio), lead shot is no longer allowed for waterfowl hunting. You have to use steel or bismuth shot. I can't use those in my Ithaca SxS doubles (barrels too fragile), but in a sturdy pump gun, like a Remmy 870 or Mossy 500, they're fine.

"Steel core" usually refers to rifle rounds. Those could damage their range. They're meant for puncturing armor, after all.

[mete]

Steel core is a rifle round , semi armor piercing. Steel shot however is not considered armor piercing so you can use it for HD like I do with BB size steel shot.

[oletymer]

The primary reason ranges don't allow steel core ammo is ricochet. A prime reason some clubs get closed down.

[Csspecs]

The reason the steel ricochets is that it does not deform when it hits hard objects. So the same may apply to steel and hevi-shot as they are hard, also would include those steel dart things (they don't really work for anything).

[dave0520]

Csspecs, you're referring to flechettes, and many a Vietnam Veteran would disagree about their effectiveness.