Does Steel-Cased Ammo Suck? - Page 2

**44 AMP** · August 29, 2016, 09:54 AM

Quote:

US has fielded steel-cased ammo in the past (1943 .45acp).

Yes, yes we did. Do note it was the same year we fielded the zinc/steel penny, and ONLY in .45acp. Even at the height of wartime shortages, we did NOT use steel cased rifle ammo (and as far as I know the steel .45acp stuff came only from one location EC 43), and we went back to brass the following year (44), when demand for ammo due to combat was actually greater.

I don't like steel cased ammo, and I don't buy steel cased ammo, other than some 7.62x54R surplus copper washed stuff that was so unreliable, I gave it away.

Steel cased ammo wasn't created simply as a lower cost alternative, it was created as a military expedient, that happened to cost less and worked well enough for military use, in the eyes of those nations that adopted it.

Personally, I happily pay more for brass cases that I can reload (boxer primed) or Berdan primed brass that has a higher scrap value than steel.

It MAY not be crap, but I don't see steel cased ammo in other than a few military calibers, and with my shooting habits, steel's cost advantage simply doesn't outweigh the disadvantages.

Model12Win · August 29, 2016, 10:35 AM

Well the combloc auto pistols were designed for it, so my Makarovs shoot it a lot. In that caliber in those guns, it's every bit as reliable and accurate as brass cased stuff. That's probably not much of a surprise since these guns were specifically designed to run steel-cased ammo almost exclusively.

dbldune · August 29, 2016, 01:06 PM

Used some steel cased 223 in y gas piston Stag #8. Had to have a gunsmith remove it. Never again!

Erno86 · August 29, 2016, 02:39 PM

If not stored properly...steel cased ammo will rust.

Reloadron · August 29, 2016, 03:27 PM

Quote:

If not stored properly...steel cased ammo will rust.

Yes, and if not stored properly brass cased ammo will corrode.

So I guess what it comes down to is be it steel or brass cased all ammunition should be handled and stored properly. The brass cased ammunition above was not stored in a cool dry location, it got ugly.

Ron

Gunplummer · August 29, 2016, 04:45 PM

I never heard of copper washed bullets because I don't buy scrap.

JWT · August 29, 2016, 04:45 PM

Range I generally shoot at will not permit them to be used in their facility.

Josh Smith · August 29, 2016, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunplummer

I never heard of copper washed bullets because I don't buy scrap.

You really choose to be ignorant, don't you? They say it's bliss. Whatever makes you happy.

Josh

Rangerrich99 · August 29, 2016, 05:06 PM

When I bought my first AR I also bought several hundred rounds of TulAmmo. After a little more than 200 rounds, the extractor pin snapped. Replaced that and about 300 rounds later a round didn't extract and my brand new factory extractor was slightly bent.

I gave away the rest of that ammo and haven't used steel cased since. Now, from everything I've read here on the forum and elsewhere, my gun should shoot steel cased just fine at this point. However, I've been reloading .223 rem for almost two years now, and haven't bought a single round of the stuff in over 18 months. So, I probably won't be buying any steel-cased any time soon.

As for does steel suck? Well, probably not, but having done several side-by-side comparos, none of it is anywhere close to the consistency and accuracy of the ammo I make myself, for essentially the same cost per round.

I will say that if I had a cheapo AR/.223 rem rifle that I just used to plink with, and if it would eat steel-cased I'd have no problem buying steel for it.

CWKahrFan · August 29, 2016, 05:26 PM

I tried a few brands of Russian steel but couldn't get any decent accuracy so dropped it 'cause it wasn't much fun for me.

iraiam · August 29, 2016, 06:16 PM

It depends, most of the steel cased ammo I have bought/shot was not high quality, it seems most was made to be cheap practice ammunition or for just plain bullet slinging. The steel is plenty soft enough not to wear parts in our arms. I think much improvement could be made if a company really wanted to make a steel cased quality round.

briandg · August 29, 2016, 10:35 PM

If you look at the accuracy reloading posts you will find that just about everything they do to attain better accuracy is a totally moot point with steel.

If it works for you it may not work for other rifles and you are, by definition, limited totally by whatever care is taken by the maker.

I once experimented with steel cases. Running a tapered punch into a case and hammering over and over, I never managed to make that case neck expand. doesn't sound like a great idea. If you get results, more power to you.

August 29, 2016, 01:06 PM	#28
dbldune Member Join Date: October 19, 2012 Location: Union County, nj Posts: 34	Not good for me Used some steel cased 223 in y gas piston Stag #8. Had to have a gunsmith remove it. Never again!

August 29, 2016, 02:39 PM	#29
Erno86 Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2012 Location: Marriottsville, Maryland Posts: 1,739	If not stored properly...steel cased ammo will rust. __________________ That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." --- George Orwell

August 29, 2016, 05:26 PM	#35
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	I tried a few brands of Russian steel but couldn't get any decent accuracy so dropped it 'cause it wasn't much fun for me. __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it."

August 29, 2016, 06:16 PM	#36
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	It depends, most of the steel cased ammo I have bought/shot was not high quality, it seems most was made to be cheap practice ammunition or for just plain bullet slinging. The steel is plenty soft enough not to wear parts in our arms. I think much improvement could be made if a company really wanted to make a steel cased quality round. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason

August 29, 2016, 10:35 PM	#37
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	If you look at the accuracy reloading posts you will find that just about everything they do to attain better accuracy is a totally moot point with steel. If it works for you it may not work for other rifles and you are, by definition, limited totally by whatever care is taken by the maker. I once experimented with steel cases. Running a tapered punch into a case and hammering over and over, I never managed to make that case neck expand. doesn't sound like a great idea. If you get results, more power to you. __________________ None.

August 29, 2016, 10:35 AM	#27
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Well the combloc auto pistols were designed for it, so my Makarovs shoot it a lot. In that caliber in those guns, it's every bit as reliable and accurate as brass cased stuff. That's probably not much of a surprise since these guns were specifically designed to run steel-cased ammo almost exclusively.

August 29, 2016, 04:45 PM	#31
Gunplummer Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2010 Location: South East Pa. Posts: 3,364	I never heard of copper washed bullets because I don't buy scrap.

August 29, 2016, 04:45 PM	#32
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Southern Arizona Posts: 3,888	Range I generally shoot at will not permit them to be used in their facility.

August 29, 2016, 05:06 PM	#34
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	When I bought my first AR I also bought several hundred rounds of TulAmmo. After a little more than 200 rounds, the extractor pin snapped. Replaced that and about 300 rounds later a round didn't extract and my brand new factory extractor was slightly bent. I gave away the rest of that ammo and haven't used steel cased since. Now, from everything I've read here on the forum and elsewhere, my gun should shoot steel cased just fine at this point. However, I've been reloading .223 rem for almost two years now, and haven't bought a single round of the stuff in over 18 months. So, I probably won't be buying any steel-cased any time soon. As for does steel suck? Well, probably not, but having done several side-by-side comparos, none of it is anywhere close to the consistency and accuracy of the ammo I make myself, for essentially the same cost per round. I will say that if I had a cheapo AR/.223 rem rifle that I just used to plink with, and if it would eat steel-cased I'd have no problem buying steel for it.