Mfs in SAI M1a loaded

[Odd Shot]

I read an article on steel cased ammo vs brass in AR15, I know we are talking about m14/305, anyways the final conclusion was that steel cased bimetal ammo reduced the barrel life by 50%. The barrels needed to be replaced after 6000-8000 rounds, where others still were shooting within specs after 20k. I can't remember the exact numbers but the difference was huge.

According to that article the copper washed steel ammo is just that: steel with a microscopic thin coating of copper which gets rubbed off on the lands of the rifling. The steel jacket of the bullet itself (not just the casing is steel) will wear out your barrel 50% faster.

However, the article did state that the amount you would save on ammo would allow you to buy a replacement barrel when it was worn out (on the AR15).

The one issue with the testing in the article was that they pumped 10,000 rounds of ammo through the barrels in a very short period of time, allowing the barrels to get very hot and possibly wearing them out faster.

Bottom line: if a magnet will stick to the bullet, it has a steel jacket

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Federal LC 7.62 NATO 149 gr. FMJ and WinUSA 7.62mm 147 gr. FMJ BT are amazing in M1A Loaded rifle....and a Norinco M-14S lol

 

[nntw]

so who's selling non-norinco 308 @ a decent price?

 

[Steiner]

CGN vendors:
Tula Ammo Canada, Tula brand, steel case.
Budget Shooter Supply, Wolf brand, steel case.
SFRC, variety of ammo.
All are in the $500/1000 ballpark.

 

[nntw]

CGN vendors:
Tula Ammo Canada, Tula brand, steel case.
Budget Shooter Supply, Wolf brand, steel case.
SFRC, variety of ammo.
All are in the $500/1000 ballpark.

thanks... i guess ideally i'm looking for something that would (ultimately, when i get around to learning how) reloadable.

and don't want to think i'm beating up the m1a unnecessarily in the meantime- hence i appreciate caramel's feedback.

thanks again.

 

[shooterman]

I have no problem firing good quality steel cased ammo, Hornady steel match, in a rifle but I would never use copper washed in a $2,000 rifle.

I would never put that ammo through my M1A. The rounds have a steel casing which is no big deal but the bullets are steel with a small lead core. The so called copper jacket is only a dusting, microns thick ( I know because I milled one down). The steel bullet is in full contact with the lands and grooves. Not good.

 

[thump_rrr]

I would never put that ammo through my M1A. The rounds have a steel casing which is no big deal but the bullets are steel with a small lead core. The so called copper jacket is only a dusting, microns thick ( I know because I milled one down). The steel bullet is in full contact with the lands and grooves. Not good.

If you are talking about Hornady Steel Match you are mistaken.
They are copper jacketed lead core bullets the same as you purchase to reload.
http://m.hornady.com/store/308-Win-155-GR-BTHP-STEEL-MATCH
http://m.hornady.com/store/Match-bullets/

Personally I load my own using SMK's and IMR 4064 and either FGMM or CCI #34 primers.

 

[thump_rrr]

I read an article on steel cased ammo vs brass in AR15, I know we are talking about m14/305, anyways the final conclusion was that steel cased bimetal ammo reduced the barrel life by 50%. The barrels needed to be replaced after 6000-8000 rounds, where others still were shooting within specs after 20k. I can't remember the exact numbers but the difference was huge.

I don't know about chrome lined barrels but most .308 precision barrels will have a decent amount of throat erosion after 4,000-5,000 rounds.