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I was at Bullet Trap in Plano last night and noticed a big yellow sign on the counter stating they no longer allow steel cased ammo to be shot on their range. As I had three boxes of it (Russian ammo is cheap) I asked why.

They said they were finding a lot of ricochets on the pistol lanes when using steel cased ammo. Upon investigating, it was discovered that those rascally Russians use a steel core in their bullets and this was causing the bullets to ricochet back to the shooters in some cases.

Just thought I'd pass this little bit of info along.

OLDER Russian (and other ComBloc) MILITARY ammo did have a steel core with some lead to bind it to the jacket. However, that is not how the export stuff made for civilian use is manufactured these days. They now use a lead core with a tombak "gilding metal" jacket (though it is not the same gilding metal as American companies use). In fact, IIRC, that is one of the reasons that Chinese 7.62x39mm was banned from import back in the 1990s because it was described as being made to punch through "bullet-proof vests" (as if ANY rifle round won't punch through vests that don't have plates designed against rifle rounds). Maybe someone has been sneaking in the older stuff; maybe the establishment wants more brass to sell and prohibiting steel case ammo is a way to do that. Decent of you to let folks know, though. Just my 2 cents worth, IANAL, YMMV and all that.

I wouldn't buy that stuff anyway. Works great (maybe) in ComBloc guns, but I don't think it is good for most guns. People buy it because it is cheap. I get that. But you have hundreds or thousands invested in a firearm, and you won't pay a couple of bucks more for a box of ammo? Just my humble opinion.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I wouldn't buy that stuff anyway. Works great (maybe) in ComBloc guns, but I don't think it is good for most guns. People buy it because it is cheap. I get that. But you have hundreds or thousands invested in a firearm, and you won't pay a couple of bucks more for a box of ammo? Just my humble opinion.

Pay the few extra bucks and get some better quality ammo. Your firearm will thank you for it.

BUY AMERICAN AMMO!!

We need to support American Manufacturing!!

ddstuder wrote:BUY AMERICAN AMMO!!

We need to support American Manufacturing!!

Did that Saturday at the gun show, cost me around $20 more for 200 rounds of .223 but I did it, the wife insisted as well.

I was at Winchester Shooting range today and they actually ran a large magnet over my ammo to ensure that I was not shooting steel-cased ammo.

PUCKER wrote:

ddstuder wrote:BUY AMERICAN AMMO!!

We need to support American Manufacturing!!

Did that Saturday at the gun show, cost me around $20 more for 200 rounds of .223 but I did it, the wife insisted as well.

Good for you!!

I just reloaded my first 100 rounds of .223 @ $0.18 per round! .45 is next!

v-rog wrote:I was at Winchester Shooting range today and they actually ran a large magnet over my ammo to ensure that I was not shooting steel-cased ammo.

If I had to guess they were looking ammo that had bullets with steel cores.

I have a couple of old "Wolf" rounds that have both steel cases, and steel core bullets. Purchased back when you couldn't get 9mm ammo for love or money. It was all that was available.

I suspect Bullet Trap doesn't want to be bothered sorting out the steel cases. If their traps are any good, there shouldn't be anything coming back at the shooters no matter what it's made of.

It all depends on what type of firearm you are putting the steel-case ammo through. AKs and SKS were designed to eat that stuff...and for target shooting or plinking, there isn't anything wrong with it. On the other hand, if you have a nice bolt action for hunting, which you aren't going to put that many rounds through anyway, get the good stuff.

Steel cased ammo has not hurt any of my guns in the 10+ yrs. I've used it.Also Hornady and Federal now offer steel cased ammo.I have seen it advertised as a cheaper ammo for high volume shooters.How can it be bad for your weapon,as it is offered in all major pistol and rifle cartridges.Just my two cents worth.My Stag m-4 and all my 1911's shoot it,and I cant tell the differance between steel and brass.

I have no problem with the steel case itself for range ammo. I find that most of what has been available has always had powder that does not burn fully and is very, very dirty/greasy.

Hornady & Federal steel cased may be OK depending on what powder they use but I would have to try a box before buying any large amount.

I have shot nearly a 1000 rounds of Tula in my Wilson Combat 1911's without a single hiccup. I prefer brass case ammo, but as long as I continue shooting a couple hundred rounds a week, I will practice with what is cheapest.

We need a shrugging smiley. I shoot AKs. They don't care what they eat, so neither do I.

That being said, I usually go with brass cased stuff for my pistols.