Steel case .223/5.56 ammo in your AR 15?

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cheach

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So,

Took the plunge and purchased my first AR 15! Pretty excited to get it out to the range this week.

So, now the question, ammo; to steel case or not to steel case.

What are everyone's thoughts on running steel case ammo through their AR; does it beat the #### out of the internals and casue more wear faster? Brass isn't getting any cheaper and I'm not getting any richer (especially with this hobby) so looking at steel case ammo as an affordable option.

Thank you in advance for sharing your experience!
 
I've shot at least 5k of steel case .223 and 3k of steel cased 7.62x39 out of my ARs. No abnormal wear or issues.

I'm currently shooting TulAmmo 62 gr out of my 3 gun rifle at matches. Accuracy is good enough, it's cheap, and it works.
 
Stevo said:
I've shot at least 5k of steel case .223 and 3k of steel cased 7.62x39 out of my ARs. No abnormal wear or issues.

I'm currently shooting TulAmmo 62 gr out of my 3 gun rifle at matches. Accuracy is good enough, it's cheap, and it works.
Click to expand...


You bring up a second point- 55g vs 62; I'm an AR noob which is the better route? Bought the AR to get into 3 gun
 
casings are made from so called "ammo" steel, it's soft and flexible so it expands in chamber similarly but worse than brass. It will not wear your bolt and extractor noticeably more than brass.

But it is not as good as brass, so pressure seal between casing and chamber is worse and more carbon is deposited in the chamber. just don't shoot brass after steel without cleaning the rifle first.

Bi-metal bullets, on the other hand will wear your barrel more than copper jacketed ones. It doesn't really matter unless you plan on shooting 10K rounds. and on that volume savings on ammo will allow you to buy a new barrel.

heat is much more damaging to the barrel than bi-metal bullets BTW. But I feel like I already stated too many obvious things.
 
Two points not made yet, is the steel case ammo usually has crap powder, and is friggin dirty. You definitely get what you pay for.
Second, with brass casings you can sell the cases to reloaders afterwards to recoup your cost difference. Or if you plan on reloading in the future, start collecting.

As for 55 vs 62 gain, 62 will generally be more stable over longer distances. I have a 1-8 WW rifle and 69gr works well too. Haven't tried 72 or up though.
 
So here is a reason we avoid steel ammo. Happens In Multiple AR's... all have no issues with the chamber, barrels are tight and cycle perfect. It even shoots accurate. We have all different brand ar's and this is with both Barnaul and mfs about 1 in 5-10 rounds.
I'm not an ammo guru not am I an operator. So.... personally I prefer paying extra for brass cases ammo.

 
hawkmp9 said:
So here is a reason we avoid steel ammo. Happens In Multiple AR's... all have no issues with the chamber, barrels are tight and cycle perfect. It even shoots accurate. We have all different brand ar's and this is with both Barnaul and mfs about 1 in 5-10 rounds.
I'm not an ammo guru not am I an operator. So.... personally I prefer paying extra for brass cases ammo.
Click to expand...

Never seen that with Wolf or Tula .223 or with my 7.62x39 ARs.

Even if I did, I'd still shoot it.
 
The necks on a lot of steel cased surplus Eastern European ammo (x39 and 54r) cracks at the neck like that also.
I don't think it is an issue, just a normal day in the life of a steel case.:)
 
SoylentD said:
Two points not made yet, is the steel case ammo usually has crap powder, and is friggin dirty. You definitely get what you pay for.
Second, with brass casings you can sell the cases to reloaders afterwards to recoup your cost difference. Or if you plan on reloading in the future, start collecting.

As for 55 vs 62 gain, 62 will generally be more stable over longer distances. I have a 1-8 WW rifle and 69gr works well too. Haven't tried 72 or up though.
Click to expand...

It depends on the steel cased ammo. Hornady makes steel case match ammo which is good powder and bullets in disposable cases.
 
Do you guys think that Norrinco 556 stuff would be good enough for 3 Gun? I'm just starting out so trying not to break the bank, just competing locally at first and see where things go.
 
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