Steel case ammo in a mini 14?

[12guagecody]

how does your mini 14 do with steel cased ammo? just curious it would be a lot cheaper for plinking

 

[leatherneck448]

dont own one but from what ive shot it only likes brass ammo.
theyre kind of like AR's when it comes to the subject of brass vs. steel.

but who knows? your rifle might be different. buy a 20 rnd box and see if it cycles ok, then make your decision.

Hope this helps,
Kenny

 

[sansone]

mine did ok, do not allow any lacquered cases to sit in a hot chamber. Also clean the chamber after shooting, not just the bore. Steel cases don't expand as easily as brass so there can be carbon fouling in the chamber

 

[jlott00]

One mini i owned shot 100 or 200 rounds flawless

 

[jerkface11]

do not allow any lacquered cases to sit in a hot chamber

Hasn't this myth died yet?

 

[12guagecody]

what is the myth with hot chambers and lauqered cases? what about polymer coated cases? how are they?

 

[sansone]

some shooters claim if the chamber is hot, the lacquer can leave a sticky substance. polymer coated cases are the manufacturer's answer or "fix"

 

[Carter]

The only mini I shot was running steel cased .223, wolf I think. It ran flawlessly.

Pretty decent accuracy too. I was consistantly hitting a 7 inch tall steel plate at 100 yards.

 

[TraditionalCatholic]

I only shoot Tula steel case (polymer coated) through my 1997 vintage Mini-14. Has never jammed on me, not even once. Armscor brass case .223 is more accurate, but for plinking, steel case is great in a mini.

 

[FMJMIKE]

I have about 200 rounds of Silver Bear 62 grain .223 through my Mini-14 with no problems. Ruger says not to use it though. I get a 1 inch group at 50 yards.

 

[W.E.G.]

what is the myth with hot chambers and lauqered cases? what about polymer coated cases? how are they?

"myth" you say???

 

[skoro]

I've fired hundreds of rounds of cheap Russian steel cased 223 through my Mini-14 w/o a hiccup. I realize it's the bottom of the barrel in terms of ammo, but my Mini has never gotten any indigestion from it.

 

[wally]

Clearly there were stuck cases, but I see zero evidence of any lacquer or polymer "melting".

Oil left in the chamber can cause stuck cases with steel cased ammo, don't think lube, think suction cup.

The steel in the steel cases is very soft, often softer than some brass.

 

[frankiestoys]

My Mini eats anything ,just rember to clean it after use, i have heard not to use brass and steel in the same shooting session but i can't say ive tried that first hand .

 

[Ignition Override]

My Mini-14 was built in '90, and had been used by the state of Indiana (silver sticker on the stock).
The only ammo was Wolf and some Silver Bear. During the 1,500 rds., it had two misfeeds right when I first tested it, and with the Ruger 20-rd. magazine.

After those initial few rounds, zero misfeeds, and no other malfunctions. The ammo bought in '08/'09 was all polymer-coated or the silver-colored compound used by "S. Bear".
It was as reliable as my bolt-action rifles, taking into account their WW2 magazine springs etc.

The people under siege in "The Road Warrior" should have been equipped with the -14. Those in a future siege might want to have a few.

 

[sargents1]

I have shot about 250rds of Tula steel case ammo (polymer coated) and it works fine in my yr2000 vintage Mini. Accuracy is ~2-4in @ 100yds with a 5moa red dot.

Steel case (polymer or lacquer coated) should be fine in a mini 14/30 as long as you clean your rifle after use. You should be doing that anyway....

 

[jerkface11]

"myth" you say???

I didn't say extractor marks were a myth.

 

[kaferhaus]

It's obvious in the pictures that the 'coating" has melted off of the case everywhere it contacted the chamber.

I've made a good bit of change "repairing" ARs that had been shot extensively with that ammo.

Just because it hasn't happened in your rattle can chamber doesn't mean a thing.... in a SAAMI spec chamber the lacquer can indeed so foul the chamber that cases stick or refuse to chamber at all.

Steel cases DO leave a lot of carbon in the chamber which can lead to further fouling and chambering issues.

 

[UpTheIrons]

My Dad's Mini (late 90's vintage) has readily digested brass, Wolf and Tula ammo flawlessly.

 

[Slamfire]

Oil left in the chamber can cause stuck cases with steel cased ammo, don't think lube, think suction cup

Naw, the Swedes specifically oiled their ammunition and chamber with the M42B rifle to prevent stuck cases.

Oil in the chamber or on the side walls will break the friction between the case and the chamber. Friction is bad, you will pull the rims off cases and have stuck cases which are troublesome to remove.

I have fired hundreds of those Wolf steel cased ammunition in my Armalite M4. I put a drop of oil on the cases in my hand, roll them around, then stick them in the magazine and shoot them. The oil also helps remove lacquer, but that stuff still needs to be cleaned out with a brush at the end of the day.

Oilers, as described in Col Chin's machine gun books.