Herter's .223 steel ammo in Ruger?
- Thread starter Jim NE
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Short term: no, long term: yes
Long term risks: firing pin breakage, extractor wear, premature barrel wear
That said, plenty of Mini-14 owners opt to shoot it anyway. Some just for occasional plinking, some regularly. Others stockpile it for SHTF.
I would rather shoot brass cased, reloadable ammo because I can tailor-make accurate loads that shoot best in my rifle and more cost effectively.
Cheap non-reloadable steel ammo is a only a short-term plus, IMO.
YMMV
M
Long term risks: firing pin breakage, extractor wear, premature barrel wear
That said, plenty of Mini-14 owners opt to shoot it anyway. Some just for occasional plinking, some regularly. Others stockpile it for SHTF.
I would rather shoot brass cased, reloadable ammo because I can tailor-make accurate loads that shoot best in my rifle and more cost effectively.
Cheap non-reloadable steel ammo is a only a short-term plus, IMO.
YMMV
M
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Not sure how you'd damage your firing pin. And if you're shooting enough steel cased ammo to wear out your chamber, you'll long ago have shot out the rifling, so you can afford a new barrel (and extractor if it actually does ever wear out) with a fraction of the savings from not buying brass cased ammo. 
break firing pins...what Berdan priming is famous for in the miniNot sure how you'd damage your firing pin. And if you're shooting enough steel cased ammo to wear out your chamber, you'll long ago have shot out the rifling, so you can afford a new barrel (and extractor if it actually does ever wear out) with a fraction of the savings from not buying brass cased ammo.
Herter's is re-branded Tulammo...not the best
If I was going to shoot steel I would choose Silver Bear (many prefer it anyway)
BTW, Ruger does not recommend steel-cased ammo in their Minis.
M
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Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Interesting. Didn't ever hear of steel-case ammo breaking firing pins before. Probably good to have a spare, then.
Problem is Sam, the only aftermarket ones available have shown to be rather poor quality. Ruger won't sell you one unless you send in your complete rifle. Maybe you could (lie) tell them you lost your old one. Then you would have a spare. Some folks claim to have done this.
Decide to shoot whatever ammo you want from your "designated plinker" (maybe even thousands of rounds) and reserve the good ammo for your serious HD/SD rifle. That's what I would do anyway....
M
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briansmithwins
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The Herter's is re boxed Tula, I've been working thru 1k of it.
No problems in my rifles, but I don't own a Ruger.
BSW
No problems in my rifles, but I don't own a Ruger.
BSW
Checked a newly bought box of Tulammo 223 and it is boxer primed. I'll see if I can find an older Wolf WPA or MC case...
To the OP: if Tula is all you can afford, and you don't mind a little wear and tear on your rifle...go for it.
M
Here is an example of Mini-14 FP problems from the Perfect Union website from a year ago. Some folks were still breaking them with boxers...
http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/91865-broke-another-firing-pin-mini-14-a.html
M
http://www.perfectunion.com/vb/ruger-mini-14-mini-30/91865-broke-another-firing-pin-mini-14-a.html
M
WNC Seabee
Member
Herters/Tula is what I grab for 3 gun shoots. Super cheap, accurate enough for 300 yards hits on 12" plates and I don't worry about chasing my brass. It's never given me a bit of trouble over ~3K rounds.
OP
OP
Jim NE
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Thanks for the input, everyone. I can afford the more expensive stuff...truth is, I don't shoot the mini much. I only have 140 rounds of Herter's. Just wanted to make sure the steel case wouldn't do a number on the chamber. And would feed/eject properly.
Interesting about the firing pins.
Interesting about the firing pins.
If you don't shoot it much I wouldn't worry.
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