Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Ammo
o

Notices

Ammo All Ammo Discussions Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-26-2018, 04:41 PM
Buford57 Buford57 is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 398
Liked 5,022 Times in 1,625 Posts
Default Steel case ammo

I didn't want to hijack the thread on aluminum cases ammo, but someone(s) mentioned using Wolf steel cased ammo successfully. I remember being warned against milsurp steel cased .45s years ago based on a tendency to stick in the chamber and break extractors. Any such problem with the new stuff from the collusion comrades?
__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.

Last edited by Buford57; 05-26-2018 at 04:42 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-26-2018, 08:15 PM
JackM JackM is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SW FL
Posts: 252
Likes: 75
Liked 326 Times in 123 Posts
Default

I'm going through a second case of steel Tula 9mm, shooting it in my Glock 19. Not the cleanest stuff I've ever used, and plenty hot, but I've had no problems thus far. It was $160/1000 delivered, but really, for $30-$40 more you can get Boxer-primed, brass-cased ammo.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 05-26-2018, 08:24 PM
Jeppo's Avatar
Jeppo Jeppo is offline
SWCA Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Davidson County, NC
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 7,780
Liked 4,123 Times in 1,411 Posts
Default

I asked to try my instructor's 442 before deciding to buy one. I had some Tula .38 rounds and one case expanded enough to get stuck in the cylinder.

Last edited by Jeppo; 05-26-2018 at 08:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-26-2018, 11:44 PM
muddocktor's Avatar
muddocktor muddocktor is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 5,346
Likes: 11,606
Liked 9,018 Times in 3,192 Posts
Default

Last time I went to the range with my ATI 1911, I forgot my ammo at the house and it was a much shorter run to the local gun shop to pick up ammo than going back home and I picked up a box of steel cased ammo and a couple boxes of aluminum cased stuff too at around $10 a box (gunsmith was cleaning out old stock he took in on a trade). Both the aluminum cased and steel cased stuff ran OK in my 1911. But I'm not a big believer in running anything but brass cased ammo, especially since I reload. That was the first factory ammo that 1911 has ever run.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-27-2018, 07:51 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,713
Likes: 19,282
Liked 11,738 Times in 5,351 Posts
Default

I run steel cased ammo in my SKS, but then again, the SKS and AK were designed with steel cased ammo in mind.

Hey, I'm a poet and didn't know it!

I've not tried steel cased ammo in anything else as aluminum and brass cased ammo do not seem to be that much more expensive, plus brass can be reloaded or even sold for scrap.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 05-27-2018, 09:25 AM
jake1945's Avatar
jake1945 jake1945 is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: S.E. Iowa
Posts: 672
Likes: 286
Liked 726 Times in 304 Posts
Default

Steel case 9mm ammo is not recommended for lugers. It is too 'hot' for them!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-27-2018, 08:04 PM
Buford57 Buford57 is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 398
Liked 5,022 Times in 1,625 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jake1945 View Post
Steel case 9mm ammo is not recommended for lugers. It is too 'hot' for them!

Thanks. I'm very cautious about what I run through the Luger. Standard velocity major manufacturer only. The other guns, I might risk, but probably stick with aluminum when I can't collect my empties.
__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-27-2018, 08:25 PM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,580
Likes: 1,787
Liked 5,342 Times in 2,685 Posts
Default

Back in 1943, the US made their .45 ammo in galvanized steel cases. Seemed to work for them. In the '60s I bought several hundred rounds for peanuts because most folks didn't know how to deal with corrosive primers. Worked OK for me too.

I've run thousands of rounds of Blazer aluminum cases stuff with no issues. Dunno about other brands.

Don't know about other psitol calibers with steel cases and there's currently no shortage of brass/copper. That being the case, why bother?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-27-2018, 10:44 PM
TomkinsSP's Avatar
TomkinsSP TomkinsSP is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: May 2017
Location: E of America's Great Lake
Posts: 2,774
Likes: 1,416
Liked 4,377 Times in 1,654 Posts
Default

More environmentally sensitive.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20180527_214037.jpg (60.1 KB, 45 views)
__________________
Certified Curmudgeon
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-27-2018, 11:00 PM
rockquarry rockquarry is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,552
Likes: 4
Liked 8,885 Times in 4,121 Posts
Default

I seldom shoot anything but my own handloads, but if I was curious about the steel ammo, I would buy a small quantity and compare it with other ammunitions and my own handloads.

You hear good and bad about the steel case stuff; I wouldn't know who to believe. Trying it yourself is likely the best approach.

When I first began shooting ARs just few years ago, I started handloading immediately but also tried many factory ammunitions, everything from cheap bulk ammo to match ammunition. Very quickly I found you get what you pay for. None of the cheap ammunition was very accurate. I suspect steel case bulk would be in the same category and not shoot particularly well, but it will likely go bang everytime.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-28-2018, 01:14 AM
Frank46 Frank46 is offline
US Veteran
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: New Iberia, Louisiana
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 25,427
Liked 3,380 Times in 1,736 Posts
Default

Only use steel cased 7.62x39 in my Chinese sks, the only other firearm I used steel cases is silver bear 9x19mak in a CZ 82. Frank
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-28-2018, 11:10 AM
TomkinsSP's Avatar
TomkinsSP TomkinsSP is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: May 2017
Location: E of America's Great Lake
Posts: 2,774
Likes: 1,416
Liked 4,377 Times in 1,654 Posts
Default

My observation is that magazines function better when the cartridge case is of a dissimilar material. In my experience steel cases work (slide) better in polymer or aluminium mags, than in steel ones.
__________________
Certified Curmudgeon
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 06-22-2018, 10:47 PM
dan323's Avatar
dan323 dan323 is offline
US Veteran
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Illinois
Posts: 110
Likes: 151
Liked 59 Times in 41 Posts
Default

I have used both Wolf steel case and Winchester Forged steel case in my M&P's. They ran fine, but it is really dirty. I stick to brass now unless I get a really good deal on steel case.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 06-23-2018, 01:19 AM
Valmet's Avatar
Valmet Valmet is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 3,225
Liked 3,837 Times in 1,955 Posts
Default

While I can’t say I’ve had any real issues with steel-cases ammo, like stansdds, I stick to using it in AKs and SKS rifles myself.
__________________
Some Might Say.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 06-24-2018, 12:23 AM
LoboGunLeather's Avatar
LoboGunLeather LoboGunLeather is offline
US Veteran
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Colorado
Posts: 7,518
Likes: 19,273
Liked 32,340 Times in 5,474 Posts
Default

During WW2 a great deal of research and development work went into the use of mild (softer) steel cartridge cases, primarily due to critical demand for copper and brass (copper-zinc alloy). Millions of rounds were produced in .30-06, .45ACP, and other calibers.

The Soviet-bloc nations, as well as China, manufactured many millions of rounds of small arms ammo using mild steel cases.

A number of innovations were involved. Steel cases were typically coated with lacquer to minimize corrosion, and specific lacquers were developed to facilitate functioning in automatic and semi-auto weapons. Internal case dimensions of steel-cased cartridges differed from those of brass-cased ammunition, so powder charges needed to be adjusted accordingly. Some calibers (.45ACP was one) required extra attention to keep bullets from being forced back into the cases during the feeding cycle, and one method was the use of asphalt-based cement to secure the bullet into the case mouth.

Some stories persist indicating that the steel cases caused damage to extractors, ejectors, etc. Those may be anecdotal, or they may indicate real problems; whichever, the decision makers seem to have chosen to meet the need for sufficient ammunition to the troops, with wear and tear to the weapons being a secondary consideration.

The most common alloy used for small arms ammo is a 70/30 alloy of copper and zinc, which is a pretty strong metal that still allows for sufficient expansion and contraction during the discharge cycle to properly seal the breach. I was not involved in the development of steel-cased ammunition, but I suspect that this was a primary concern in the specific steel alloys used for the purpose.

Regardless of what some may think (or worry about), the soft steel alloys used for cartridge cases are necessarily much softer than anything used for barrels, chambers, or other critical firearms parts, so I would not waste much time worrying about undue wear and tear from using such cartridge cases in my guns.

Steel-jacketed bullets are another subject entirely. Armor piercing bullets (tungsten carbide core in steel jacket) is another subject entirely.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #16  
Old 06-25-2018, 11:39 PM
IAhunter's Avatar
IAhunter IAhunter is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cochise County, Arizona
Posts: 390
Likes: 230
Liked 311 Times in 136 Posts
Default

I won't use the steel case stuff. I have been using the aluminum cased Federal 9mm from Walmart. It is $33 and change for 200 rounds, so just a little more than the $160 per thousand steel stuff. The Federal aluminum 9mm works great, no malfunctions to date.

Last edited by IAhunter; 06-25-2018 at 11:42 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 06-25-2018, 11:54 PM
Truckin Truckin is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 177
Likes: 693
Liked 257 Times in 106 Posts
Default

Years ago I bought a 1000 rounds of steel case 5.56 for my AR. First 90 rounds ran great and then a stuck round. The extractor tore off the lip of the case. I had to drive it out with a cleaning rod. After some internet searches and lots of trial and error and many stuck cases I have come to the following conclusion: the rounds are dirty and the steel cases don’t expand as much as brass causing a build up and soon a stuck case. My solution is to load the first and last round in a clip with a brass case and the 28 rounds in between with steel. Never had another stuck case. The brass cases were black as can be cause they expanded all the way and pulled the dirty buildup out. I finally got rid of those steel cases.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #18  
Old 06-26-2018, 12:40 AM
jmwyro's Avatar
jmwyro jmwyro is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Grafton, WI
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 4 Posts
Default

Since we are talking about this does anyone know a online ammo seller that sells aluminum case ammo?
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-26-2018, 08:38 PM
SMSgt's Avatar
SMSgt SMSgt is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 3,343
Liked 9,152 Times in 3,432 Posts
Default

I reload everything I shoot, so I have no use for steel or aluminum cases at any price.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #20  
Old 06-26-2018, 11:00 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: In The Woods Of S.C.
Posts: 8,833
Likes: 13,927
Liked 13,636 Times in 4,936 Posts
Default

Way back in the early 70's I had a dealer that had a lot of the steel cased Rem-Umc military 45 acp ammo. It was packed in a 50 rd. brown box with the end flaps folded back over 1/3 of the cartridges under the lid. i fired bunches of this in a Colt lightweight Commander with no ill effects. being a lot poorer back then I even reloaded it. Again no problems.
__________________
S&W Accumulator
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 06-27-2018, 12:49 AM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 103
Liked 1,475 Times in 601 Posts
Default

Like Truckin, years ago I bought a 1000 round case of wolf 62grain 5.56 steel cased ammo. It was only $99 a case. It shot fine, was a little dirty, and the smoke smelt like ammonia. Other than that it was OK. looking back at that price I should have loaded up.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 06-27-2018, 09:07 AM
Marshal Kane Marshal Kane is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 232
Likes: 255
Liked 160 Times in 110 Posts
Default

IME, steel cases and steel sizer dies is a "no-no" Carbide sizer dies, maybe but I don't want to take the gamble. My son's range in the Golden State won't allow steel cased ammo to be shot there. They think a case might strike a rock causing a spark which will result in a forest fire. Since I reload all of my ammo, no steel cases for me besides there are lots of once fired brass cases often left on the ground at my range so the pickings are good and the price right.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 06-27-2018, 09:37 AM
Krogen's Avatar
Krogen Krogen is online now
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Puget Sound
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 8,818
Liked 5,227 Times in 1,841 Posts
Default

Lots of opinions. Myself I have no use for steel cased ammo, except in my PTR-91. Being an HK-91 clone it has a fluted chamber and flings cases into low earth orbit. I don't like what I see the PTR-91 doeing to brass cases, at least those that fall back to earth.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 06-27-2018, 09:41 AM
rwsmith's Avatar
rwsmith rwsmith is offline
Member
Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo Steel case ammo  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: (outside) Charleston, SC
Posts: 30,907
Likes: 41,495
Liked 29,151 Times in 13,779 Posts
Default i have an aim.....

... to reload all of my own ammo. I still buy some, but mostly for components.
__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
What Steel case ammo DOES NOT have steel core? Dugan Ammo 28 11-15-2016 12:11 AM
Steel case ammo in M&P 9mm MyDads38 Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 16 05-05-2015 02:02 PM
Steel case .380 ACP ammo J Niebauer Ammo 4 10-25-2014 02:09 AM
Steel Case Ammo vs Brass Case? LouisianaJoe Ammo 7 08-27-2013 05:48 PM
Is it safe to use steel ammo case (wolf ammo) Travis15R Ammo 28 02-02-2013 11:49 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:07 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)