Steel Case Ammo Yes or No?

Status
Not open for further replies.
WisBorn:

interpretation - Russian ammo…..

Some people are now questioning whether the new State Dept., policy

is addressing (only) New , Different Applicants for ammo importation from Russia ,

or —whether— it Also addresses companies which Already import Russian ammo—-
 
Last edited:
I only fire steel cased ammo in AK's. Mine is a SAR-1 and it usually will hit paper at 50 yards with it and is 100% reliable. Other than that I have had bad luck with steel and aluminum 9mm. I have only tried steel 223 in a Mini-14 and it fed well enough but accuracy was even worse than normal. It is a shame about Wolf though. Been shooting that stuff since I was a kid.
 
If its Winchester Steel-Cased (US-Made), known as “Forged”, it could be free and I don’t want any more.

By far - and this is Quite an understatement- it's the most unpredictable ammo ever used, in my high quality CZ PCR and Sig P6.

I can clarify if needed.
 
Last edited:
valnar said:
I was thinking the same thing. "This thread didn't age well" Lol.

It makes me wonder if other countries have ammo we can import. Why is it always Russia? Based on the quality of their guns, I would think a country like the Czech Republic would make decent ammo.
Click to expand...
Really, you'd think they would ;)
663342_ts.jpg
Not trying to be a smartass.

S&B= Czech Republic
PPU= Serbia
Fiocchi= Italy
PMC= South Korea
Magtech= Brazil
Aguila= Mexico
MEN= Germany
Geco= German or Swiss
RWS= Hungarian
IMI= Israel
Igman= Bosnia
Mesko= Poland
Armscor= Philipines

Yavex was Turkey, I think it's been renamed now.

Wolf Gold 223 is currently Taiwan, insane that they'd sell off ammo. You'd think they would stockpile deep as possible.
Some of the Red Army Standard was Ukraine, I don't think they are selling theirs anymore.

I'd assume any 9mm , 223/556 , 308/7.62 NATO, and 7.62x39 (if available) in FMJ, would be the same thing they give their militaries. Most tend to be hotter than US rangeloads like Blazer, etc.
 
Last edited:
I wonder if the sealed Russian spam cans are going to be a collectible now...

Where can I find complete information on the Russian ammo ban. If it's made in Russia but imported from somewhere else does it still fall under the ban. I don't know all the lil nuances, all I've heard is ban on Russian ammo, don't know any particulars...
 
It's great for any gun with a chrome lined barrels.
It's a lot of low cost shooting.
If it's Bi Metal don't use it unless you have a chrome lined barrel.
 
DustyGmt said:
I wonder if the sealed Russian spam cans are going to be a collectible now...

Where can I find complete information on the Russian ammo ban. If it's made in Russia but imported from somewhere else does it still fall under the ban. I don't know all the lil nuances, all I've heard is ban on Russian ammo, don't know any particulars...
Click to expand...
https://www.state.gov/fact-sheet-un...-russia-for-the-poisoning-of-aleksey-navalny/

The relevant parts are this:
  1. Restrictions on the permanent imports of certain Russian firearms. New and pending permit applications for the permanent importation of firearms and ammunition manufactured or located in Russia will be subject to a policy of denial.
Click to expand...
As I understand it, you must renew your application periodically; I've heard 1 or 2 years. Can't find anything definitive. So, while Tula (for example) has a CURRENT permit, and thus is not NEW, that permit will expire and they would need to reapply. As the policy states, that is going to be a blanket denial;

There seems to be no way around it for the actual manufacturers (Barnaul, Vympel, Tula etc). The stuff made in factories in Russia are verboten. As for import companies, they would need to a) not be based in Russia, and b) not ship or store things in Russia.
So you could set up a "shell company" HQ'd outside of Russia, but you still can't bring in actual Russian-made ammo.
 
No one took issue with this statement, so it must be true.

The problems seen with current steel cased ammunition are not problems inherent with the use of steel, but problem inherent with low quality ammunition
Click to expand...

Maybe the State Department read it, and decided to protect you shooters from yourself. Regardless, Chinese or Russian steel case ammunition won't be a problem in the future, as you won't be able to buy it.
 
Those spam cans of 54R bought for $40 will go from $250 to ? But if I sell, how will I explain that to my 91/30 and M44? Maybe we will see Blazer 54R and 7.62 x 39 eventually.
 
Slamfire said:
No one took issue with this statement, so it must be true.



Maybe the State Department read it, and decided to protect you shooters from yourself. Regardless, Chinese or Russian steel case ammunition won't be a problem in the future, as you won't be able to buy it.
Click to expand...
I think we will see some other countries take over the steel case ammo market that Russia was filling. The question will be how long it will take them to match the quality level???
 
I have never had a problem with steel cased ammo. I know it isn't premium match grade ammunition, might not win any awards for long range precision, a lil dirtier perhaps but the cases and cases I've shot have all gone bang and done so with acceptable accuracy for what I'm doing with it. Obviously if price were no object, I'd take premium brass cased ammo, but if I'm just practicing and plinking away, why am I not going to save 25-30% when I can. It isn't the low quality, worthless dreck some think it is. In my experience it's been acceptably accurate and just as reliable as anything.
 
The reason many of us still use, and have (in the recent past) bought/stored a good Reserve “bank” of Russian ammo comes down to One Essential Reality:

Price.

But what goes against common assumptions and most group "think....” is that, in my rifles, the thousands of rds. have been extremely reliable: .223 (Mini 14) and 7.62x39.
 
Last edited:
Ignition Override said:
The reason many of us still use, and have (in the recent past) bought/stored a good Reserve “bank” of Russian ammo comes down to One Essential Reality:

Price.

But what goes against common assumptions and most group "think....” is that, in my rifles, the thousands of rds. have been extremely reliable
Click to expand...
Slamfire said:
No one took issue with this statement, so it must be true.
The problems seen with current steel cased ammunition are not problems inherent with the use of steel, but problem inherent with low quality ammunition
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
I will be 100% honest- I trust Wolf more than I trust Winchester White Box, or older Remington UMC. I've heard the Russian steel is junk; I've SEEN WWB and UMC be junk. The only squibs I've ever had came from those brands, and Winchester is sitting on a recall as we type.
I've shot thousands of 9x18 Mak, 7.62x39, and no problems. The several hundred 9x19, 223, and 308 have also all been good.
rust collector said:
But if I sell, how will I explain that to my 91/30 and M44? Maybe we will see Blazer 54R and 7.62 x 39 eventually
Click to expand...
PPU makes 54R for sure, and it tends to be a hair cheaper than other "thirty cal" rds. I also use PPU for 7.65 Argentine, because it's half the price of the other new brass I've seen. They are my go-to for new brass in rifles that I consider range toys. I'm pretty sure they make x39, but I've never bought any.

While everyone scrambles to get that last load of x39, I've cherry-picked a couple batches of steel 308. It was still sitting around 50 cents a rd, which I consider reasonable for that caliber (and as I've said elsewhere, my C308 mangles the cases, so brass is a waste of time).
 
Fiocchi and Amscor also have plants in USA. RUAG has a number of brands. Norma of Sweden and Lapua of Finland. SK may be one of Ruag's brands, not sure. What about the UK? No Kynoch, H&H, BAE or Eley?
 
WisBorn said:
With the lack of available ammo I am seeing more Steel Case Ammo at the range.

What are your Thoughts / Opinions about this option?
Click to expand...
As one who enjoying hand loading about as much as shooting, I have stayed away from steel cases. However, I have several USSR vintage funds that I do not relate , and about all I can find are steel cased ammo. It has been fine and appears dependable.
 
If you guys know anybody in the import sector of the ammo business, you might ask them, in confidence:

When does the first renewal application timing (whatever the terms...) become "valid", for a Present Importer of Russian ammo?

Any bonafide results -- i.e. is the renewal Accepted or Denied -- could help expose the State Dept's/ Exec. Branch's actual agenda. And it might be several months from now.
"..Subject to...." can mean approval or denial.
 
Last edited:
rust collector said:
Fiocchi and Amscor also have plants in USA. RUAG has a number of brands. Norma of Sweden and Lapua of Finland. SK may be one of Ruag's brands, not sure. What about the UK? No Kynoch, H&H, BAE or Eley?
Click to expand...
Fiocchi, in particular, developed their reputation as a foreign brand. Making plants in the US is simply to maximize the commercial success, since we are the primary civilian market in the world.

When you're discussing recreational shooting for fun, ammo is a consumable. The GUN is the primary object.

When I fill the tank up in my cars, I get the cheapest gas I can, so I can drive more for less. I keep a Walmart gift card in my wallet, and reload it- because doing so makes Walmart gas (the cheapest I can find) 3 cents cheaper per gallon. I've done this for years, and my cars run just fine, with occasional basic maintenance. Is Exxon Supreme ethanol-free "better"? I'm sure it is; but it might cost up to a dollar more a gallon, if I can even find a steady supply of it.
And whatever maintenance I've done, I'm still saving money overall, if I figure in the cost differential. That's assuming it wouldn't have happened if I'd only used "the good stuff" the whole time; which is unrealistic. I've got 2 little convertables and a pickup, all with over 100k miles on them, and they keep plugging along. I don't scrimp on oil, filters or tires.

Ammo is gas. Lube is oil. Extractors are like tires, maybe. Keep your machine tuned and maintained, and they will work.
 
4v50 Gary: GONRA suggests wiping the thinnest possible coating of grease on the steel cases
and trying again....
 
"If it can not handle the steel, it does not deserve the brass"

I run steel case thru all my rifles. So far none has issues. Sure it wears out a barrel faster, But the cost savings vs brass case makes up for it. A new barrel and bolt is still cheaper then a case or 2 of the brass ammo. Some are worried about it, but i look at barrels as consumables and most people will not even wear a barrel out anyways. I have a glock that seen maybe 5K rounds or more of steel cased. It is still chugging along. and the 9mm was a 1/3 of the cost when i ordered a few years ago. That means I 3 times the range time.
 
lsudave said:
S&B= Czech Republic
PPU= Serbia
Fiocchi= Italy
Click to expand...

Those are my go to brands for many things, when I can get them. But their prices almost mimic American brands these days. 10 years ago, not so.

(I didn't know S&B was the only Czech brand we get?)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

X
  • Locked
Ranges and banning steel cased ammo
2
Replies
33
Views
4K
Queen_of_Thunder
Q
stchman
  • Locked
Indoor ranges not allowing steel or aluminum ammo.
2 3
Replies
55
Views
12K
Catman42
C
stchman
  • Locked
Steel case vs. brass case ammo.
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
evan price
evan price
B
  • Locked
Steel cased ammo just isn't worth it.
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Sam1911
S
stchman
  • Locked
Hornady Steel Match ammo.
Replies
8
Views
579
Sgt.Murtaugh
S
Back
Top