Steel-Cased Rimfire Ammo

[bcode]

Hey All,

I've done some considerable searching on the matter now and can't find mention of any rimfire ammo that use steel casings instead of brass.

I understand the benefit of using brass for centerfire ammo, where you'll be reloading - but it seems like a no-brainer to use steel for rimfire ammo that will never be reloaded, for so many reasons ($$, cleanup, recyclability, etc).

Does anyone have any insight into this topic, I'm curious if there is some obvious factor that I'm clearly overlooking?

Thanks for your input,
bcode

 

[MBBlaster]

Here is some Russian .22 ammo that uses steel cases...

auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9097436.0

 

[bcode]

huh, so it is possible. Thanks for the link mbblaster.

 

[MBBlaster]

Not a prob, I've never actually used the stuff myself but would be just fine with steel-cased .22 for plinking if it *hopefully* lowered the retail cost. Maybe it's less than ideal though, I'm sure others here will know more

 

[Ganderite]

I have a few cases of Russian steel case ammo. I find it works very well in rifles with dual extractors but does not extract well in handguns and some rifles.

 

[bcode]

You're not looking to part with one of those cases by chance, are you Ganderite?

 

[David K]

... A couple of years ago, I used some Russian ( "Baikal?" ) steel cased .22LR in a Brno; Shooting, at the time in MINUS 20/25 Celsius, the cases tended to freeze in the Rifles' Chamber. ...... Certainly an education, and an appreciation for what the Troops, on both sides, went though on the Eastern Front! .... Even the lightly lubricated Lee Enfield's froze up, and misfires occurred due to the sloooow firing pin fall! In the cold, Kerosene was my friend ! .... David K

 

[sillymike]

Used up a few cases back in the days... Worked 'ok' for plinking...

as long as you had a good extractor on the rifle... and your firing pin was good order.

 

[Ganderite]

Not for sale. My grandson shots it.

 

[bcode]

No problem, had to ask.

 

[Beater]

i think i have a case of cartons of that russian stuff left. like they say, works good in some guns. it works, and shoots, great in the norc Brno copys

 

[mooncoon]

I tried some about 15 or 20 years ago but did not like it. Worked ok in bolt guns but in pumps there were problems with extraction. Also as I recall was wax lubricated and that gummed up the chamber somewhat.

cheers mooncoon

 

[dudley2112]

yeah i have some my boss gave to me... not bad accuracy but a PITA to feed

 

[.Ben]

"Wolf ammo" from Russia is steel cased rimfire, but we cant buy wolf ammo here in canada so....

 

[bill c68]

Steel cased rimfire ammo must be hell on your firing pin? Brass is nice and soft and will dent easily with the firing pin, there must be some wear with steel on steel???

 

[cote_b]

Yeah I can imagine it being hard on the 'ol firing pin

 

[Beater]

my norc brno copy has had about 6000 through it, without any probs . i usually wipe the grease off a carton , before i go out. they shoot well in that gun. mighty slow tho, think you can almost walk faster...

 

[sahara]

I have some, I like it. I can trade you an unopened case (500 rounds) for a case of North American stuff but you'd have to pay both postage, or I could just outright sell you a case for whatever a case costs locally and you'd only have to pay postage on the one you buy.

 

[Ruger007]

Here is some Russian .22 ammo that uses steel cases...

auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9097436.0

I have used A brick of that ammo, as it was cheap. around 1994 it was about $10 a brick. the wax was horibble.

 

[B]

yeah...