Free: Contests & Raffles.
I have a RRA LAR-15 coyote carbine. It doesn't like steel case at all, especially Herters. Every other shot with that stuff I either got a stove pipe or a FTE. I only shoot brass now and have never had a problem.
The reason there are so many Ruger upgrades is because they're necessary.
Feed it what it likes. I put an AR together at Rainier Arms but had it built for more accurate shooting. WOA 18" ultra match barrel in a 1:7 twist with a rifle length gas system, a fancy expensive match bcg and a nice trigger. Last time a shot a 200 yard target the holes would touch using 75 grain black hills stuff. The bulk stuff goes boom, and is alright for plinking at a 100 yards. But I've only ran brass threw the machine.And one of my feed ramps is scratching the heck out of my brass and bullet but I don't know what to do about it or if it really matters