Steel vs. Brass--Need some education

[bbslider001]

So, I do see that steel is somewhat cheaper regarding 9mm and 5.56. Is brass better for the firearm or is that hearsay?? I have heard that steel can really gum up your rifle or pistol, but I have also heard it's no big deal and fine for training. Would you guys mind chiming in with your experience and help me get some education? I have only run steel through my AR some months ago because it was given to me and it seemed to perform just fine, but have only run brass since then. I have never run steel through my Glock. I am pretty good about cleaning my weapons, so if it's just a matter of staying on top of it, I can do that, but not sure it's worth the cost savings in the long run. I mean 2-3 cents less per round doesn't seem like a big deal, but 1000 rounds per month can warrant savings where you can, right? Anyways, appreciate any input you guys have.

 

[grumper]

Only if there's no bill of sale when you buy it

 

[Grumps21]

I’ve run steel cases through my Glock19 and didn’t have any issues

 

[Lonesome Dove]

The lacquer on steel cases can get hot and gum up causing stuck cases, Lock up the slide, and the famous stovepiping. Not worth the tiny savings in my world.
My experiences were in 9mm,40,45

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

It's fine. There will be more barrel wear with the bi metal jacket bullets. One guy burned through some ammo testing. Bi metal bullets wore a barrel out in 4500rnds compared to 6k rnds with copper/lead bullets. So my guns with pressed barrels generally eat brass and AR steel since barrels are cheap. Laqured rnds MAY get stuck in the chamber, but it takes a lot of shooting to heat the chamber up, then you have to chamber a rnd, let it melt the laqure and cool down. Pick it up an hour later the rnd will probably be stuck/tight. Moral of the story, don't chamber a rnd on a hot gun and leave it.

 

[Haystack]

I've had steel jackets jam in a revolver cylinder. Had to push them out with a cleaning rod. I've also had steel jackets stick in the chamber of an AR. Both required intense cleaning to get the gunk out before they operated correctly again. I tried steel casing for the money savings, but it's not worth it to me. I refuse to buy it again.

 

[Axxe55]

I have used steel and aluminum cased ammo in the past. Never had any problems with either as long as the firearms were cleaned properly. I simply just don't use them any more because I reload and prefer buying brass ammo for reloading.

 

[bbslider001]

I look forward to more input, but the few statements above answered my question. No steel for me. The minimal savings isn't worth it. Appreciate it.

 

[Axxe55]

I look forward to more input, but the few statements above answered my question. No steel for me. The minimal savings isn't worth it. Appreciate it.

In a nut shell, not really. Under normal circumstances, if you reload, there isn't really any savings in comparison to brass ammo.

 

[majormadmax]

The only difference between steel and brass is reloading.

Considering what happens when you shoot a firearm, I doubt the impact of steel on it versus brass cases is substantial...

 

[Axxe55]

The only difference between steel and brass is reloading.

Considering what happens when you shoot a firearm, I doubt the impact of steel on it versus brass cases is substantial...

I doubt the majority of shooters would be able to notice the difference in wear of steel versus brass.

if you were shooting thousands of rounds a month, you probably would.

 

[mroper]

Has anyone tried this stuff yet .

Ammunition Made Perfect|True Velocity

True Velocity is an advanced technology and composite manufacturing company focused on revolutionizing the ammunition industry.

www.tvammo.com

 

[Tnhawk]

The lacquer on steel cases can get hot and gum up causing stuck cases, Lock up the slide, and the famous stovepiping. Not worth the tiny savings in my world.
My experiences were in 9mm,40,45

The lacquer on steel cases along with the inability to reload aren't worth the difference in price in my opinion.

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

The lacquer on steel cases along with the inability to reload aren't worth the difference in price in my opinion.

At today's prices, probably not. A couple of years ago steel was about 40% cheaper than brass. It was definitely worth it then.

 

[V-Tach]

Steel can be a little harder on the extractors.....


Many indoor ranges steel is a no go...

 

[Grumps21]

Steel can be a little harder on the extractors.....


Many indoor ranges steel is a no go...

Buessing ranges don’t like them because they can’t sell the spent casings and they are difficult to separate from the brass cases?

 

[Tnhawk]

Buessing ranges don’t like them because they can’t sell the spent casings and they are difficult to separate from the brass cases?

I wouldn’t think it would be difficult to separate. Some ranges don’t like it when I pick up my brass. At other ranges I’m expected to retrieve my brass.

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

Buessing ranges don’t like them because they can’t sell the spent casings and they are difficult to separate from the brass cases?

Magnet... boom seperated. I always assumed the bi metal bullets are harder on the backstop.

 

[V-Tach]

Buessing ranges don’t like them because they can’t sell the spent casings and they are difficult to separate from the brass cases?

The bimetal projectile sparks when hitting concrete or steel.......the unburned powder on indoor range floors can be a serious fire hazard............

Very easy to separate steel cases from brass.....with a magnet.......

Aluminum is pain, though...........

 

[easy rider]

Besides the reloading benefits, brass has a better expansion and contraction rate for chamber seal than steel. Less blowback.