3djedi Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 This stuff is cheap at my range but I always hear people say not to use steel ammo. Is it really bad to run steel through an AR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmj3 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I've run many 1000's of steel case through some of my ARs (used to get it really, really cheap) and it has never caused any issues with those rifles. It does seem to be a bit dirtier and sometimes a bit under powered, but I saved a lot of $$$ using it for plinking ammo and just had to do a little more cleaning for those savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I use it when I can for the local close range stuff and it works just fine for me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gondo Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 I've run many 1000's of steel case through some of my ARs (used to get it really, really cheap) and it has never caused any issues with those rifles. It does seem to be a bit dirtier and sometimes a bit under powered, but I saved a lot of $$$ using it for plinking ammo and just had to do a little more cleaning for those savings. I second this, basically though... the more finicky or go fast your gun gets the more problems Ive seen with this and wolf and all other steel case for that matter. I can personally say in pistols ive fired thousands and thousands of 9mm steel and never seen any chamber damage like some claim... this could be different for AR15 but i havent personally seen it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickB Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 Here is a link to a test that was done comparing brass case to steel cased ammo. http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/ Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael1778 Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 The bimetal or steel jackets (forget the cases) are not welcome at all my local ranges in all situations as well as Tarheel 3 Gun matches when firing at steel plates. I have hundreds of rounds that I cannot use in most shooting situations. If you want inexpensive ammo, consider something like Wolf Gold (I think that's the name). Brass cased as well as non-magnetic bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 If it's steel targets I use non magnetic ammo mainly because it's required as people Feel it damages steel targets which it does not as the velocity is what does the damage and the Tula is much slower than xm193 or 50 grain varmet loads. If it's paper which is usualy not Long distance I run it as works fine in all my guns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toothandnail Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 (edited) NO problems, doesn't damage steel basically all I've shot. I'm NOT worried about the barrel, I've already saved enough to buy several barrels, I've had good results out to 500yds Edited February 12, 2014 by toothandnail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziebart Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Local matches prohibit any bullet that sticks to a magnet. Does not matter if its shot at steel or paper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCringleberry Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 I've used quite a bit of Tula and Brown Bear for paper targets but I try to always use the Federal or Hornady stuff for steel. Although I have never seen any damage from one of those brands on my steel, I just make it a habit not to shoot others steel with it. I read the Luckygunner article last year and it started to make me think about going to other brands but I haven't. Just like Tooth and Nail said, you save enough by that time to buy a new barrel and then some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmj3 Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Most of the steel case rounds I've shot over the last decade or so have had lead core, copper jacketed bullets. I've actually shot more brass rounds with steel core or steel tip projectiles in that time, radway used to be dirt cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarvinPilgrim Posted February 13, 2014 Share Posted February 13, 2014 Here is a link to a test that was done comparing brass case to steel cased ammo. http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/ Mick That's one of the best comparisons I've seen! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I used to think tula .223 was Walmart's gift to shooters because I could get it for close to 25 cents a round Then my attitude changed when I had to hammer a stuck casing out of the barrel Since then I have gone out of my way to just buy brass case Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chevyoneton Posted February 14, 2014 Share Posted February 14, 2014 I have not shot any Tula but have shot a lot of Wolf and while it has never caused an issue in my rifles I have seen it stuck in others (and helped beat it out). I have run the steel cased at classes where I could not police brass and to save a few bucks but would not run it in a match. With bulk 5.56 coming back I probably will not buy anymore steel cased ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sono Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 The only problem with bimetal jacket I have seen on steel is sparks. If you shoot steel in low light or very over cast it will give a impressive shower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickB Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 Can also cause fires in dry areas.... Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRider Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I have not shot any Tula, but have ran several thousand rounds of Wolf through various ARs over the years. I have not had any issues, other than being a little dirtier than some brass cased loads. Used to, a new barrel was $200, a case of Winchester white box was $200 and a case of Wolf was $100. After 2k rounds of Wolf and the same barrel, you were saving money. The worst stuck case that I have ever seen was a brass case. Unless you have some high end expensive rifle (why buy a Shelby GT500 and run E85 in it?), I would use it for practice. Most matches won't allow magnetic projectiles. Hurley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted February 16, 2014 Share Posted February 16, 2014 I use it for practice and local matches on stages that are paper only and ranges under 75 yards. It may be OK for longer ranges but I've not tested any of it past 75. So far (knock on wood) not a single stuck case. For a while, it was the only .223 ammo we could find. It was either shoot Tula or stay home. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnorman Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I shot 55 grain tula at 100 yards this past weekend at the range and it printed all over the place. I then shot pmc at the same distance all with iron sights and it grouped more consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatland Shooter Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I shot 55 grain tula at 100 yards this past weekend at the range and it printed all over the place. I then shot pmc at the same distance all with iron sights and it grouped more consistent. The PMC Bronze shoots reasonably accurate in my 16" gun. I've used it out to 200 yards. For me, it was comparable to XM193. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenDragon64 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I had a very bad experience with a stuck steel case in my AR and haven't touched the stuff since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebwake Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Hornaday makes a steel case round that is cheap and doesnt have problems sticking (so far) but now that I reload I dont shoot it as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GM2B Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I used to use it all the time for shots inside 100 yards. But reliability is definitely an issue.... Some of my barrels would eat it up others would not at all. The cost savings is definitely worth it if you dont mind a malfunction every 1000 rounds or more often! Even if it burns up the barrel quicker it doesnt matter barrels are expendable and meant to be replaced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polymerfeelsweirdman Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 I had a very bad experience with a stuck steel case in my AR and haven't touched the stuff since. ditto Minus the stuck cases and slightly worse reliability, I think it actually is one of the better cheap 55 gr .223 factory ammos out there for accuracy. Seemed better than American Eagle, M193 of multiple brands, Federal, etc. I think PMC bronze is better but I have not seen any for reasonable prices lately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskapopo Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) I have seen it damage steel. No Tula, Wolf, Green tip or anything that attracts a magnet at our matches. Plus its really bad for your barrels. Not big deal if you are ok with only about 4K on your barrel before the bullets tumble. Yes barrels can be replaced but I would rather reload for cheaper hand have my barrels last 4 times as long. Pat Edited February 27, 2014 by Alaskapopo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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