Post by: Dan-o on November 09, 2016, 10:08:47 PM
I'm fairly new to AR's, but between my kids and I we now have 5....... Tons of fun burning up ammo.
QUESTION: I see all of this cheap steel cased ammo and I wonder if it's bad for ARs. Do the steel case trash the bore/throat? Is there a reason not to buy it for cheap plinking ammo?
Thanks,
Dan
Post by: Bean Counter on November 09, 2016, 11:03:36 PM
Post by: Dan-o on November 09, 2016, 11:24:05 PM
Post by: 300rum on November 10, 2016, 05:07:50 AM
Gun problems often come back to a couple of things, bad ammo or bad mags. Don't go cheap with either.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 10, 2016, 08:08:46 AM
There is a rather long article somewhere on the internets where steel ammo was compared to Federal (If I remember correctly). The Steel bullet wore at a much higher rate and the barrel with the Federal ammo stayed accurate much longer.If that's the same article I remember it also showed that in the long run it was cheaper to shoot the cheap steel cased ammo and replace the barrel a couple times.
Gun problems often come back to a couple of things, bad ammo or bad mags. Don't go cheap with either.
Me personally I have one ar and shoot whatever I have through it. It's nothing fancy and barrels are cheap. :twocents:
Now if I had a match gun or something I plan for extreme accuracy I would think differently
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 10, 2016, 08:26:10 AM
Post by: Special T on November 10, 2016, 09:34:59 AM
Imo an AK is the only weapon I'd run steel through. They don't seem to care.
Post by: gemihur on November 13, 2016, 08:11:39 AM
cleanliness is next to godliness
John Wesley
Post by: Jburke on November 13, 2016, 04:46:25 PM
I've shot both through my AR10. I won't be shooting a lot of steel ammo but I have some stockpiled if the need arises for it. It's good to have this information, though. Unfortunately, good ammo for my rifle is $1+ per shot (6.5 Grendel). I also thoroughly clean the bolt carrier group, action, and barrel when I get done each time I shoot it, steel or otherwise. So far, I've noticed no buildup at all. :dunno::yeah:
This is the EXACT reason I sold my Grendel AR and built a bolt action Grendel instead. Way too expensive to just blow through ammo at more than $1 per round.
I've used steel ammo in AR's before with no problems though. However if looking for accuracy you won't find anything mind blowing in steel cased ammo probably. Just as plinking ammo I wouldn't hesitate to use it again though.
Post by: dscubame on November 13, 2016, 08:47:06 PM
Post by: Dan-o on November 13, 2016, 09:10:17 PM
I had a thought. How about a dedicated barrel to shoot steel when just having fun with it.
I've been thinking about that.
I do love to make noise with the thing, and a dedicated barrel might make a ton of sense for just screwing around.
Post by: SGTDuffman on November 13, 2016, 09:26:07 PM
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/
Post by: Special T on November 14, 2016, 10:45:36 AM
I've heard good things about the zinc covered steel and I wonder how the zinc would affect long-term wear, does it provide extra lubricity, to negate the hardness of the steel.
Post by: Alchase on November 14, 2016, 10:52:56 AM
Here is a link to a discusion on AR15 forum
https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/703098_Tula_steel_cased__223_any_good__Also_will_it_harm_my_rifle_.html
Molon's post are pact with details on tons of stuff
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=237
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 14, 2016, 11:21:14 AM
I still really don't care what I feed my ar... as long as it shoots. I also don't shoot it a ton. Maybe 1-2 times a year.
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 14, 2016, 11:51:47 AM
I think people need to put it into perspective.
Are you going to shoot 10,000 rounds through your rifle? I've built comp guns for local guys that have over 10k and accuracy is just starting to suffer. These rifles were 1/2 MOA rifles that now shoot little over MOA. Rifles are shooting brass cased 55 gr copper jacketed bullets with some 77's thrown in. Powder is TAC.
Now, what's your typical range session like? And how many times a year do you shoot?
Barrels cost 100.00-300.00, maybe more for a super premium fanboy driven and marketed barrel. These uber expensive barrels with the goofy fluting don't shoot any better than a 200.00 plain Jane barrel.
Where is the trade off? That's up to you, but I don't think that shooting a couple hundred rounds a year is going to cause any issues and if you are able to shoot more due to cost that's good.
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 14, 2016, 11:56:33 AM
I had a thought. How about a dedicated barrel to shoot steel when just having fun with it.
...or dedicated upper so you don't have to mess with the gas tube, grips, rails, etc. But as Jay was saying, if you're not putting 10K rounds through it, it's not a huge concern.
Post by: Special T on November 14, 2016, 12:33:24 PM
Post by: jay.sharkbait on November 14, 2016, 04:58:55 PM
The article on ar15 that did a wolf accuracy comparison shows they shoot horrible. 4" groups at 100yards. Not sure the savings is worth anything.
I take everything on Arfcom with a grain of salt.
That said every rifle is different and I've had much better results with comblock ammunition.
Post by: Alchase on November 14, 2016, 07:09:28 PM
The article on ar15 that did a wolf accuracy comparison shows they shoot horrible. 4" groups at 100yards. Not sure the savings is worth anything.
I take everything on Arfcom with a grain of salt.
That said every rifle is different and I've had much better results with comblock ammunition.
Jay, have you read Molon's threads on AR15?
He puts out a ton of info.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_16/505915_.html
Post by: BULLBLASTER on November 15, 2016, 08:35:13 AM
I see far more ars at the range that shoot to shoot. Maybe a paper target at 50-70 yards or clay pigeons at that range and just lots of shooting. :twocents:
Post by: T-Dozzer on November 18, 2016, 07:44:36 PM
There is a rather long article somewhere on the internets where steel ammo was compared to Federal (If I remember correctly). The Steel bullet wore at a much higher rate and the barrel with the Federal ammo stayed accurate much longer.
Gun problems often come back to a couple of things, bad ammo or bad mags. Don't go cheap with either.
Was this the same article that broke down the cost saving of steel to the cost of a new barrel? Sounds like it's not worth it.