I was wondering if anyone knows whether the Hornady steel match ammo comes coated with the same stuff that other steel ammo cartridges are coated with? Particulary the 223 ammo. I understand that this coating that is used in steel ammo begins to melt when the chamber gets hot and causes jams in the AR platform.
Hornady steel match ammo.
- Thread starter ms6852
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The whole thing with the lacquer coming off is a subject of much debate. I've given up on trying to convince people one way or the other. In short, you can believe what you want to believe. I've taken the casing and applied all of the solvents that I've had at my disposal and even put one in a vice and heated it with a torch. The lacquer doesn't come off.
The biggest reason that steel cases hang up in ARs is because that particular rifle is over gassed. Unfortunately, this not uncommon; so if you rifle will run on it, shoot it. If it won't run on it, don't shoot it.
In any case, the last batch of the steel cased Hornady ammo that I got was in the lacquered cases; but that was a while ago. I've been told that the latest batches of the ammo use the polymer coated cases.
The biggest reason that steel cases hang up in ARs is because that particular rifle is over gassed. Unfortunately, this not uncommon; so if you rifle will run on it, shoot it. If it won't run on it, don't shoot it.
In any case, the last batch of the steel cased Hornady ammo that I got was in the lacquered cases; but that was a while ago. I've been told that the latest batches of the ammo use the polymer coated cases.
sansone
Member
I don't worry about coatings anymore, non-issue.
I believe the steel doesn't expand as fully as brass so there is some gas blow-by but even that is not an issue as long as you keep the gun clean.
I believe the steel doesn't expand as fully as brass so there is some gas blow-by but even that is not an issue as long as you keep the gun clean.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I've got a good amount of the Hornady steel case training ammo. The first stuff was in powder grey steel cases. The more recent stuff (3 years ago) is in dark-green lacquered cases. I have not had a problem with either, though I have witnessed otherwise reliable rifles that would short-stroke with the Hormady training ammo.
Like everyone else, I don't think the coating had anything to do with it as there was only a few rounds of ammo through it and it short stroked on both types of cases.
Like everyone else, I don't think the coating had anything to do with it as there was only a few rounds of ammo through it and it short stroked on both types of cases.
The x39 design also leads to higher bolt thrust and requires the heavily curved magazine of the AK pattern rifles for optimum function.
The 5.56 round is tapered just not severely. The lack of major taper is not an issue. The two most common reasons that an AR experiences a failure to extract are an over gassed condition and a dirty chamber. The first is where the gas system isn't properly tuned, usually an oversized gas port or too much dwell, and the bolt unlocks and tries to extract the spent case before chamber pressure drops enough for the case to return to normal size. More case taper isn't going to help when the case is expanded hard to the chamber wall. The second is often caused by shooting steel cased ammo. The steel case does not expand in the same way as a brass case does and as such does not seal the neck area from gas, soot and unburned powder from blowing back into the chamber between the case and the chamber. As long as you continue to fire steel cases, this isn't much of an issue. The problem comes when you switch to brass cases without cleaning the chamber. When the brass case swells in the dirty chamber it can compress all the gunk in the chamber and glue the case in place.
You-Two
Member
Steel Match (.223 w/ 75gr BTHP)
I shot three 50rd boxes of the above ammo through my Bushmaster NM upper earlier this year in a few different highpower matches (100-200 yds reduced). These cases were laquer coated and performed flawlessly. Accuracy was on par with the brass cased Hornady Match (75gr BTHP) I've been shooting all summer. No problem holding the ten ring on a MR-31 if I do my part.
I shot three 50rd boxes of the above ammo through my Bushmaster NM upper earlier this year in a few different highpower matches (100-200 yds reduced). These cases were laquer coated and performed flawlessly. Accuracy was on par with the brass cased Hornady Match (75gr BTHP) I've been shooting all summer. No problem holding the ten ring on a MR-31 if I do my part.
Thanks for the info guys. Though I used an M16 for 21 years in the army I had not been around an AR rifle for 15 years. I just recently purchased the predator pursuit by Rock River arms and had heard so many different stories about steel ammo. At the moment I am shooting everything through it to see if the accuracy qaurantee of .75 MOA is true. I did find that Hornady high performance did very well. I found it odd that companies would sell so much ammo that was lacquered even though it would create jams. Of course everything was based on hearsay. I liked some of your responses, which makes sense.
ms6852, I've personally found the Hornady practice match ammo to be very accurate, especially when compared to brass cased ammo of similar price. I'll guarantee you that manufacturers do not have mil spec ball ammo in mind when the make the sub MOA guarantee. They are talking about match ammo.
If you are looking for the utmost in accuracy from factory ammunition, Federal Gold Medal Match is a good place to start.
As for the steel cased ammo, if your rifle shoots it, then shoot it, if it won't, then don't. I suspect that much of the internet swag concerning steel cased ammo came about as a result of lots of guys not wanting to admit that their rifle wouldn't function because there is something wrong with their rifle.
If you're looking for a decent plinking round, check out the Silver Bear 62gr HP. I've had good luck with it and my plinking carbine likes it better than M193 or 855.
As for the comment regarding 7.62X39 doing better due to the taper of the case, I really don't know. My very first AR was a Colt chambered in 7.62X39 and I had all sorts of problems with cases sticking. Of course, if I knew then, what I know now, I may have been able to remedy the situation.
I think that steel cased ammo working better in AK type weapons has more to do with the chamber dimensions, dwell time, timing and cyclic rate. I've never looked up the specs or did any tests, but a full auto AR sure SEEMS to shoot a lot faster than a full auto AK.
If you are looking for the utmost in accuracy from factory ammunition, Federal Gold Medal Match is a good place to start.
As for the steel cased ammo, if your rifle shoots it, then shoot it, if it won't, then don't. I suspect that much of the internet swag concerning steel cased ammo came about as a result of lots of guys not wanting to admit that their rifle wouldn't function because there is something wrong with their rifle.
If you're looking for a decent plinking round, check out the Silver Bear 62gr HP. I've had good luck with it and my plinking carbine likes it better than M193 or 855.
As for the comment regarding 7.62X39 doing better due to the taper of the case, I really don't know. My very first AR was a Colt chambered in 7.62X39 and I had all sorts of problems with cases sticking. Of course, if I knew then, what I know now, I may have been able to remedy the situation.
I think that steel cased ammo working better in AK type weapons has more to do with the chamber dimensions, dwell time, timing and cyclic rate. I've never looked up the specs or did any tests, but a full auto AR sure SEEMS to shoot a lot faster than a full auto AK.
JustinJ
Member
My ARs, Sig556 and MSAR all run hornaday steel just fine. The 75 grain is an awesome deal. I also spray a can of solvent down the chamber when done just to be on the safe side.
It goes without saying but my AKs eat it up as well.
It goes without saying but my AKs eat it up as well.
Sebastian the Ibis
Member
Steel cased ammo used to stick in my AR.
Then I lubed it properly and I no longer had any problems. This differs from an AK in that no lube or futzing is necessary.
Then I lubed it properly and I no longer had any problems. This differs from an AK in that no lube or futzing is necessary.
IT'S NOT LACQUER!!! It may be a shiny coating but it isn't lacquer. If it were, you would have a gummy mess in the chamber once it got hot. Everyone has gone away from lacquer because of the HAZMAT and health issues surrounding its use, not to mention that it isn't the right coating for the intended purpose.
Yeah, I saw that .308 stuff. When you get it and if you have a chrony, can you clock it and post the results? I'm asking because I was really interested in it as practice ammo, but the claimed velocity is kind of low at ~2600 fps at the muzzle. My hand loads clock in a 2800+.
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