The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Art of the Rifle: General

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old February 13, 2013, 10:39 AM   #1
billtheshrink
Member
 
Join Date: May 9, 2005
Posts: 67
steel cases

With the shortage, what are the thoughts on steel case ammo for AR-15? I have never wanted to use it, and of course the mfg will say its fine. What do you all think? It seems the only available product for less than a buck a round!
billtheshrink is offline  
Old February 13, 2013, 10:55 AM   #2
The Great Mahoo
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 3, 2008
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 1,269
I just bought 200 rounds of the stuff at the last local gunshow, since its all that's available. I have no qualms about running it through an AR of decent repute. What make is your AR?
__________________
“There are three reasons to own a gun. To protect yourself and your family, to hunt dangerous and delicious animals, and to keep the King of England out of your face.” - Krusty the Clown
The Great Mahoo is offline  
Old February 13, 2013, 12:19 PM   #3
Sweet Shooter
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 17, 2011
Posts: 672
Do you mean "jacket" or "case". I assume you're referring to "bi-metal" ammo—the copper washed, steel "jacket" stuff is fine in a chrome lined barrel/chamber. Except for "cleaning issues" I do not believe it will cause any additional wear on a regular molly barrel either—if cleaned right. If you're referring to steel "case" I know that some say it's hard on extractors, but I haven't seen it. I do see a lot more smoke/carbon down the neck/shoulder of a fired steel case (than brass cases) and subsequently in the chamber... again requiring more cleaning. Bi-metal— the steel jacket under the copper wash is very soft, I've experimented by cutting them up with pliers annealing them etc. Given that the steel part is not self lubricating in the same way a regular copper jacket is, it might be a good idea to allow the copper to build up in the bore... just a thought.

-SS-
Sweet Shooter is offline  
Old February 13, 2013, 12:50 PM   #4
spacecoast
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 14, 2009
Location: Sunshine and Keystone States
Posts: 4,461
It runs through my AK just fine!
spacecoast is offline  
Old February 13, 2013, 01:01 PM   #5
Come and take it.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 16, 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 999
Runs through a mini just fine too. On AR15s they are hit or miss. Some ARs can eat em up without a hiccup. Others get stuck cases.
Come and take it. is offline  
Old February 13, 2013, 03:23 PM   #6
L_Killkenny
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 2, 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 2,676
I'd rather go without than feed any gun of mine a steady diet of it.
L_Killkenny is offline  
Old February 14, 2013, 11:23 AM   #7
chris in va
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 26, 2004
Location: Louisville KY
Posts: 13,805
It's been shown to degrade a barrel's accuracy after 5000 rounds.
chris in va is offline  
Old February 14, 2013, 11:30 AM   #8
Double Naught Spy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 8, 2001
Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX
Posts: 12,715
How does steel case ammo degrade the barrel?
__________________
"If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011
My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange
Double Naught Spy is offline  
Old February 14, 2013, 11:54 AM   #9
Venom1956
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 4, 2008
Location: WI
Posts: 3,656
Quote:
How does steel case ammo degrade the barrel?
technically its not the steel case as they are usually coated (zinc, poly, or lacquer) to prevent extra wear on the chamber. but the bi-metal bullet can increase wear on a barrel due to the fact it has steel mixed in with the copper, thus making the jacket harder then a normal copper jacketed round. Harder metal causes more friction on the barrel which equals more wear and more heat... at least that's how I understand it.

But I have noticed the lacquered cases tend to get stuck in ARs after the barrels heat up lacquer gets soft then hardens it can take some really muscle to get them unstuck.

Personally If your looking to shoot on the cheap its a non issue. The amount of ammo you'd need to buy and fire is FAR over the cost of the rifle and you can always re barrel a gun.
__________________
E-Shock rounds are engineered to expend maximum energy into soft targets, turning the density mass into an expanding rotational cone of NyTrilium matrix particles, causing neurological collapse to the central nervous system.- Yeah I can do that.
I guarantee you will know it if a bicyclist hits your house going 1000 mph. -Smaug
Venom1956 is offline  
Old February 16, 2013, 09:21 AM   #10
HankC1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 531
Extract fine if chromelined chamber and polymer coated case.
HankC1 is offline  
Old February 16, 2013, 10:55 AM   #11
Skans
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 20, 2008
Posts: 11,132
I have no problem shooting Wolf steel cased ammo in an AR. I use it in my AC556 when running it full-auto. Just keep a can of spray cleaner because the stuff is a little dirtier than better quality ammo.
Skans is offline  
Old February 18, 2013, 03:34 PM   #12
Pharm
Member
 
Join Date: February 5, 2013
Posts: 38
I've also shot the steel cased Wolf with zero problems.
Pharm is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:00 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.06321 seconds with 10 queries