Okay real talk about steel case ammo

[Alan]

My buddy swears by it, says it's fine for practice. My other buddy says it'll destroy my gun. I'm confused. I've run maybe 500 rounds of steel case through my AR and it seems okay? But now I'm paranoid. What's the actual deal here? You guys use steel case or avoid it?

 

[Bulb]

It’s fine for range use. Dirtier and harder on parts long term, but it’s not going to destroy your gun.

 

[Alan]

It’s fine for range use. Dirtier and harder on parts long term, but it’s not going to destroy your gun.

That’s kinda where I landed too

 

[Jason1]

Steel case is fine for practice. It’s dirtier but won’t wreck your rifle if you clean it regularly.

 

[The.Tumbleweed]

What effect does the soft steel gilding metal on bullets have on barrel wear? Surely it can't be good on longevity.

 

[Alan]

What effect does the soft steel gilding metal on bullets have on barrel wear? Surely it can't be good on longevity.

Gilding metal is relatively soft, so it’s actually designed to minimize barrel wear not significantly increase it.

 

[The.Tumbleweed]

Gilding metal is relatively soft, so it’s actually designed to minimize barrel wear not significantly increase it.

We're talking barrel erosion between copper, or soft steel. There is a difference.

 

[Alan]

Absolutely, but most barrel life gets eaten by heat and velocity long before mild steel becomes catastrophic.