Steel-cased .223, Bolt Action

[g_one]

My understanding is that one of the problems with steel-cased ammo is its ability (or inability) to feed/eject properly in semi-auto rifles.

I've been debating what I want to get for a 100yd target rifle for a while now and the main deciding factor is the price of ammunition - which is why I didn't immediately go with a .223 - I had decided on .17 HMR, then I got the idea to use a .357 lever action carbine, but I'm not sure what the accuracy of .357 is going to look like out to 100yds, even from a carbine.

But if steel-cased ammo is going to be relatively accurate, I don't see why I couldn't just stock up on Wolf and get a decent bolt action 223?

 

[Sam1911]

Steel-cased ammo tends to work just fine in most rifles, and is built for and sold to run through ARs and AKs predominately. That's who's buing 99% of it -- folks shooting practical matches (3-gun) or taking classes, or just plinking with their semi-auto carbines.

(Yes, some folks don't like it, or have rifles that have experienced problems with it. It happens, but that's not commonly the case.)

It certainly will work through a bolt-action rifle. I don't know how much accuracy I'd expect from it -- most of this stuff is basically the equivalent of military ball ammo, not target or premium grade stuff by any means. You may find it to be significantly the limiting factor in your ability to shoot up to the standards you expect from yourself and your rifle.

However, if you keep your expectations reasonable and especially if you're going to be using it to practice field position (again, "practical") marksmanship at relatively close range, rather than bench-rest bullseye poking, it will probably prove good enough.

 

[g_one]

Thanks for the advice.

I'm certainly not looking to compete or expect bullseye shots. At 100 yards, with a decent scope/rifle, I'd be happy with 2 to 3 inch groups. Sounds like a Savage or CZ might be in my future...

Followup question: would it be unrealistic to expect similar or better accuracy from a .357 carbine using decent quality 357 loads?

 

[Sam1911]

No, not at all. I'd expect the .357 lever rifles to be able to do that, if you can see the sights well enough to hold repeatably.

 

[d2wing]

Steel case should be fine in a rifle length action AR. Carbines can have issues depending on specs. If you have problems with steel case in an AR you may need to upgrade extractor, add o-ring and/or install a heavier buffer. A bolt action should have no problems. You could have accuracy issues with a .357 at that range if velocities are around supersonic or your bullet is not stable to that range. I would look into it before I went with it as I don't know. I used to cast and reload for closer ranges and had good results with pistols.

 

[ThomasT]

My Marlin will shoot 2" or less groups with good ammo at 75 yards. I haven't shot for accuracy at 100 yards with. But I expect it will stay in the 3" range pretty easy. I had a Rossi many years ago and made up a batch of ammo with all the same cases that were trimmed to the same length, powder charges weghed and the crimp in a seperate operation. With that I got 2" groups at 100 yards with open sights and 20 year yonger eyes. I couldn't do that now but the gun certainly could.

The great thing about a bolt gun is it doesn't sling your empty brass all over the place. You can buy a stock of brass and reload for less than the cost steel cased ammo. I shoot steel cases from my mini and AR but I use brass cased ammo in my Handi Rifle in 223. And that handi is one accurate little rifle. Don't over look one. Mine was $250 OTD brand new.

 

[Hunterdad]

I've tried several different brands of steel in my Marlin XS7 in 308 and every one of them was all over the place. I couldn't hold a group smaller than 4" with any of the ammo. Even for just plinking, 4" just ain't gonna cut it....for me anyway.

 

[M1key]

Try some of this Hornady TAP Training ammo if your rifle twist can handle it. Shoots very well to 100 yards in my AR and boltie...

M

 

[fallout mike]

Hoping for 2" 100yd groups with cheap steel cased ammo is setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[cahoots5150]

Was told that after shooting steel case rounds threw ARs, Brass case rounds will jam because of the coating on steel cases. However, I have a savage axis 223 I will cycle steel and brass cases threw it like nothing. Shooting 100s, of both steel case and brass no problem.

 

[fallout mike]

Never had jamming issues bc of going from shooting steel to brass. They aren't all laquer coated.

 

[Rem.222]

I was shooting Herter's steel cased ammo in 223 in my Vangard and my Axis with no problems. Then I bought a different lot (200 rds) and they wouldn't extract had to use cleaning rod to knock them finally gave them away. Now brass ammo is back on the shelf I'll never buy another steel cased round.