The problem with the "Steel Case Ammo" debates, is that there's a lot of myths, prejudice, and lack of common sense.
First: It doesn't matter if it's steel case or brass; some weapons don't like certain ammo. I have a 32acp pistol that WILL NOT under any circumstances, shoot Corbon ammo. Matter of fact; it won't even fit in the chamber. And it's a quality pistol. (Walther). And Corbon is NOT JUNK ammo. Some guns just don't like certain ammo.
Second: There is no lacquer on the steel case ammo that you can "Melt Off" and clog up the chamber of your rifle. It's not possible. You can't get your rifle hot enough to melt lacquer off of a steel shell casing. Even if it's polymer, and NOT lacquer; which most is; you still can't melt it.
Third: If your rifle will shoot steel case ammo reliably, then shoot it. Don't let anyone tell you differently. This is where the prejudice and lack of common sense comes in. These people are simply rationalizing themselves paying anywhere from $4-$6 MORE a box of 20 for plinking ammo. (I'll mention the common sense part here in a minute).
Forth: As mentioned, the reason "SOME" rifles have an issue with steel cased ammo after a little while, is because steel cases, even though still pretty thin, doesn't expand as well as brass; and thus, doesn't create as good of a seal in the chamber. This allows a little blow back with powder residue, grit, etc... That's why cases sometimes stick.
Bottom line: If your gun can shoot steel case ammo, and it's accurate enough for your plinking, then you should shoot it. Don't listen to those that say they'll NEVER shoot steel cases in their AR. They are free to feel this way; just don't let them influence your decision. And there are a number of steel cased ammos out there. Try the different ones. Some like the zinc coated Silver bear is supposedly more successful.
As for those that say they'll never shoot steel case ammo in their AR, it's either because the ammo is "Commi"; or because they think they'll "Break" something. Mainly, they say that steel is harder on the extractor in the bolt, and can break it. Well, there's 2 things to consider here. 1) The steel in your bolt is harder than the steel in the case ammo. Laws of physics prove that the case will rip before the bolt will. 2) Needs it's own paragraph. See below.
An AR bolt is a wearable part. It is designed around the 5000-8000 round use point. In other words, a typical bolt should last at least 5000-8000 rounds. Lets say that using steel cased ammo cuts your bolt's life expectancy down to 3000 rounds. 3000 rounds is 150 boxes of ammo. With steel ammo on average, costing about $4 per box less, that 3000 rounds just saved you $600.00. THAT'S SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS. If you ever clean your AR; and I assume you do; then you've had the Bolt out of the carrier group to clean it. And you know that it takes exactly 42 SECONDS to get the bolt out of the gun. "Give or take a handicap". Also, "THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT".... A BRAND NEW BOLT, COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED, AND READY TO DROP INTO YOUR GUN..... Costs about $50-$60!!!!! So, you've still NETTED a profit of approximately $550.
And if the original bolt lasted to say around the 5,000-8,000 round mark, where the average bolt lasts to anyway, you would have saved anywhere from $750-$1,200 on ammo costs. For $1200, you could buy a brand new entire Coly H-bar AR rifle!!!! Hell; the $750 will get you a brand new S&W M&P15. Every box of steel ammo you buy, drop $4 in a piggy bank. You can probably buy an entire new AR rifle; borrow the bolt from it; and have an entire brand new rifle for parts.
Sorry; but the only reason NOT to shoot steel case ammo in your AR, is because the rifle simply doesn't like it. There is absolutely no other reason. "I am NOT talking about match competitions or home defense". I'm talking about the 95% of the shooting you are going to do. The plinking. But some AR's, just like some AK's and other rifles, won't like the Steel case ammo. Others won't have a problem with it at all. I have 3 AR platform rifles. I just bought the 3rd one and haven't tried it yet. But the first 2 have no problem with steel case ammo. I clean the rifle after about 150-200 rounds. Will it stick rounds if I didn't clean it as well???? I don't know. I plan on cleaning the rifle anyway. Have I ever had a round not chamber properly or fail to feed/eject??? Yes; but it's quite rare. And considering that a brand new complete bolt only costs $50; that's 12 boxes of steel case ammo. 240 rounds. I'll shoot that in my outing. God forbid; I'd have to break a bolt EVERY OUTING, just to break even!!! If your rifle doesn't like it; Don't Shoot it. If your rifle like's it; SHOOT IT. You're not going to hurt anything, and you'll save a lot of money.
DISCLAIMER: There are some that love to reload; shoot competition; or shoot very few rounds in their AR. e.g. 200 rounds in a year. Reloaders need brass. Competition need highly accurate $15+ per box ammo. 200 rounds a year won't notice the $40 per year savings. But for those who will shoot 1200-2000 rounds a year: (100-150 rounds a month); You're going to save $240-$400 per year. If you're shooting 300+ rounds per month, you could buy a new AR-15 every year just with the savings. "Let alone a replacement bolt".
Still no malfunctions. Say what you will.
