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So I learned something new about Steel casing AR rounds today
Posted on 7/14/15 at 11:30 pm
Posted on 7/14/15 at 11:30 pm
I made the mistake of buying steel casing rounds a while back and figured I would blow through them and be done with it. Three weeks ago I shoot about 150 rounds with no issue, then today we go to the range when it was 98 degrees with high humidity. I load up the mag and 2nd round the shell lodges in the chamber and we couldn't get it out. I get home and it takes about 7 pounds the cleaning rod with a hammer to dislodge it. It appears high heat, steel casings and my gun don't work together. On the plus side I probably picked up about 300 brass for the AR people left behind today.
Background if you care for it, I recently started buying and shooting (7 months), 1200 rounds through the AR and not one serious issue until this.
Background if you care for it, I recently started buying and shooting (7 months), 1200 rounds through the AR and not one serious issue until this.
6
Posted on 7/15/15 at 12:25 am to DoUrden
I too have had issues with steel cased ammo in my AR. I will now only shoot brass cased ammo in it and the problem has disappeared. Steel ammo is fine for AK's and SKS's. That's what they are designed for. AR's are hit and miss. Some "tolerate" steel, some don't. It is especially bad if you shoot steel then try to shoot brass without thoroughly cleaning your chamber
Posted on 7/15/15 at 12:27 am to DoUrden
I'm no expert but this sounds like it could've been the steel or a number of other things. Did you try brass through it on the same day?
Posted on 7/15/15 at 12:56 am to DoUrden
I worked a shift at the range a couple weekends back and we had several AR15 shooters with steel case ammo have that same issue. We keep a cleaning rod handy at the range for that exact reason.
Two guys couldn't even pull back the charging handle on their rifles. Had to place the handle up against a wooden support and hit the butt of the gun to get it to release then we opened the gun up, removed the handle and BCG and then used the cleaning rod to remove the stuck case. A couple of them took as many or more strikes with the hammer as yours did.
Moral of the story? Don't ever use steel case ammo or bring a hammer and cleaning rod with you!
Two guys couldn't even pull back the charging handle on their rifles. Had to place the handle up against a wooden support and hit the butt of the gun to get it to release then we opened the gun up, removed the handle and BCG and then used the cleaning rod to remove the stuck case. A couple of them took as many or more strikes with the hammer as yours did.
Moral of the story? Don't ever use steel case ammo or bring a hammer and cleaning rod with you!
This post was edited on 7/15/15 at 12:57 am
Posted on 7/15/15 at 6:03 am to DoUrden
What brand of AR?
Posted on 7/15/15 at 6:19 am to weagle99
never had any issue with steel in my ak. 
I believe its actually the lacquer that is on the steel cases melting off and building up in the breech.
I believe its actually the lacquer that is on the steel cases melting off and building up in the breech.
Posted on 7/15/15 at 6:34 am to diat150
quote:
I believe its actually the lacquer that is on the steel cases melting off and building up in the breech.
This is definitely one of the culprits.
Also, steel doesn't expand and contract nearly as effectively as brass does. So when the round ignites, the steel case doesn't expand as well to seal off the gases coming back. In an AK it doesn't matter as much since it is purposely over-gassed, meaning a lot of gas goes through the piston and the bolt carrier moves back VERY fast. It doesn't require as much pressure so the gas seal isn't as important.
It's a crap shoot with ARs. I've seen an M&P15 Sport shoot steel through a class for 2 days straight, totaling about 800 rounds with no issue. Then I've fired one single steel round in my 20" AR and have it lodge in the chamber area. It really depends on the gun.
But you won't see me shooting steel out of my rifles. My reason? It has a bi-metal jacket. The bi-metal jacket is both copper and steel, causing it to be very hard on the inside of barrels. If you want to reduce your accuracy in the shortest window possible, shoot a few thousand rounds of steel.
Posted on 7/15/15 at 6:43 am to bapple
My AR loves steel. Have shot 1000's of rounds without an issue. Like others said some tolerate it some dont.
Mine's a custom build with a BCM bolt carrier & barrell.
Mine's a custom build with a BCM bolt carrier & barrell.
Posted on 7/15/15 at 7:27 am to diat150
quote:
never had any issue with steel in my ak.
quote:
I believe its actually the lacquer that is on the steel cases melting off and building up in the breech.
Lacquer could possibly be the problem, but most steel cased ammo does not use lacquer that would melt at operating temperatures. It is most likely the friction caused by steel on steel, which is much greater than the friction of brass on steel. 7.62x39 and 5.45x39 rounds are inherently more reliable because of their design. These casings are much more cone shaped as compared to cylinder shaped such as the 5.56. The straight walls from the cylinder cartridges have contact with the chamber throughout the extraction process, while cone shaped cartridges are free from contact with the chamber just as it begins to extract. Combine a slightly rougher than normal chamber with a straight walled steel casing that might have a few flaws and it is enough to cause a stuck case. It's still a lot cheaper to shoot, just keep a cleaning rod with you.
Posted on 7/15/15 at 7:37 am to DoUrden
All 23 of my boolits are brass, thank goodness,,, BUT, now you've got me worried!!
What if the zombys attack in june, july, or august?
Most of my neighbors aren't as naw la jabull and well stocked as I am, and won't be able to hep me in a far fight...
What if the zombys attack in june, july, or august?
Most of my neighbors aren't as naw la jabull and well stocked as I am, and won't be able to hep me in a far fight...
Posted on 7/15/15 at 7:42 am to Ole Geauxt
Everyone knows July and August is too hot for zombies.
Posted on 7/15/15 at 7:50 am to jdavid1
People spend thousands of dollars on the biggest names in the AR business and the damn things wont even shoot.
Posted on 7/15/15 at 8:14 am to Buck_Rogers
quote:
I remember reading about these tests a while back and figure many of you would be interested. It is very detailed and consistent
This is the test that made me decide not to shoot any steel. I'm not a fan of the accelerated wear on the barrel. Granted, getting a new barrel wouldn't be as expensive in the long run as getting brass ammo, I'd prefer not to deal with the headache of lodged cases or failures.
Then again, I guess that's why I've chosen to reload brass!
Posted on 7/15/15 at 8:23 am to bapple
quote:
I'd prefer not to deal with the headache of lodged cases or failures.
It makes for good training, if you're into that sort of thing.
quote:
Then again, I guess that's why I've chosen to reload brass!
Since I only have so much time in this world, I like to save my reloading time for accurate rounds and just buy the cheap stuff for slinging down range. It's nothing to change a barrel after 6,000 or so rounds. Hell, with the money saved, you could swap out the whole damn upper at that point.
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