steel casing ok for AR15?

[Jipps]

I recently purchased a new M4 Carbine LE from Spikes Tactical. So far all I have put through it is basic brass cased FMJ loads from Remington (shoots great btw )

I have heard bad things about brown bear and wolf ammo because it has steel casings with some type of coating on it. Originally I was told that the steel jacket would wear out my weapon and the coating would melt and cause rounds to jam.

I was just told recently that as long as you shoot only steel casings and clean the gun out to remove any of the melted coating before running brass again you would be ok.

I recently found some hornady TAP .223 training rounds in bulk for cheap, but they have the steel casing with the coating.

Anyone have any ideas if this would be ok to put through my weapon?
looking forward to the feedback.

 

[HavelockLEO]

Only way to tell is to try. I had a pre-ban Colt that wouldnt cycle with either Barnul or Wolf steel cased ammo.

I dont know about the Hornady TAP in the steel case, but like I said you wont know till you try some of each type.

 

[briansmithwins]

Nooooooooo!

Don't do it!

(Save the cheap steel .223 for me)

Melted coatings are a myth. Steel cases let a little more carbon into the chamber and that can cause a problem if you then fire brass cased ammo as the carbom build up can cause the brass to stick.

Get a chamber brush and use it, like you should be doing anyway. BSW

 

[nalioth]

Someone's told you some lies.

This subject has gotten thousands of posts on it, just on THR alone (many more on other gun forums where AR15s are discussed).

Your questions have all been answered before.

Here are hundreds of THR posts on this very subject

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I've put about a thousand rounds of the Hornady Training Ammo (and even a few shots of Wolf) through my AR with a Lilja SS match barrel (which is neither cheap nor chrome-lined).

Haven't seen any wear issues or melted coatings and don't expect to.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Both my AR's hate it---so I would have to say no.

 

[Maverick223]

It's fine...but buy a small quantity to try first because some rifles tend to hate the stuff, especially Wolf.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

If your AR15 wont shoot steel cased ammo something is wrong.

I don't have a problem shooting steel cased ammo, except that I cannot reload it. Oh, and I prefer just about anything over Wolf, which is last resort ammo for me.

 

[41magsnub]

For my Stag AR-15, it works great for up to about 200 rds.. then the cases stick in the chamber. If I don't give teh chamber a quick scrub before that happens I have to pound the steel case out and then give in a cleaning.

I have no problem using it for plinking, but always clean it right afterwards and keep lots of brass cased ammo around for serious purposes.

 

[EdLaver]

Just as Mr. Roberts said, I too have used alot of the Hornady Training ammo and haven't had a single issue. Stuff's cheap to shoot, maybe a little better/cleaner than the Wolf ammo.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

FWIW, I second the "Buy a small quantity first" advice. I have a friend with an Armalite that I've shot alongside in several courses and informal shooting and I've never seen that thing stop with any brass cased ammo.

However, he bought a bunch of the Hornady Training ammo on my recommendation and it turned out his Armalite wouldn't feed it. Wouldn't pick the next round up out of the magazine every time. Continued to run fine with brass cased ammo.

 

[Maverick223]

However, he bought a bunch of the Hornady Training ammo on my recommendation and it turned out his Armalite wouldn't feed it. Wouldn't pick the next round up out of the magazine every time. Continued to run fine with brass cased ammo.

That has been my experience (in my M17) with Wolf, ironically Barnaul steel case runs great in it.

 

[NMGonzo]

Short answer: buy some and try it.

Long answer: my 1990's bushmaster has cycled about 2000 rounds of those steel cases without a hiccup.

4,0000 rounds so far and I degunked it a bit but I am yet to clean it.

With my 4x scope it hits the gong at 225 yards if I do my part.

This is the 16 inch barrel carbine.

 

[offroaddiver]

I have bought wolf and brown bear. I had 3 boxes of each that worked well in my M&P15. Then I bought 200 rounds of both the hollow point and fmj 55g wolf. IT NEVER CYCLED THE BOLT!!!!!!! Im not talking about not Thought my gas tube had alot of crud in it or something. I cleaned the gun thoroughly bought one box of different brands. Remmington, Hornady, Federal xm193, winchester .223, brown bear (steel case) not a flaw. Put the wolf back it and pffft cycle bolt to clear pfffft etc. Found a great deal and now use the wolf as a bartering tool for people shooting bolt actions at the range. I won't even give it to anyone shooting an ar platform.

 

[Maverick223]

offroaddiver, typical of Wolf's "consistency", Barnual is much more consistent IME. If it worked the first time, I'd bout bet it would work anytime.

 

[Nosidda Zneas]

Melted coatings are a myth. Steel cases let a little more carbon into the chamber and that can cause a problem if you then fire brass cased ammo as the carbom build up can cause the brass to stick.

myth is right i had read that the cases did not melt

so i tested it, i pulled a 7.62x39 round fired the primer in my ak and took a torch to it

and at no time did the coating melt! it just turned black and carbonized but only after a minute of doing that