Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Herters Steel Case Ammo??

I'm look for some real experiences with this ammo in people's AR's. I have heard the anecdotal "horror" stories of steel case/polymer coated ammo, but no one has experienced them first hand.

I know that cheap ammo can some time misfire (rem 22lr anybody?) but I'm more concerned if steel cases/coating will truly damage the firearm? Times are tough for finding ammo and just wanted some experiences

I saw somewhere there was a test done with this ammo. It was ok, but you need to clean your chamber after every outing, or after every few hundred rounds as the lacquer will rub off in the chamber and build up which will lead to sticking and jambs. Also the powder is somewhat dirty so a good cleaning after every use. Probably ok to plink and sight in with, but... I do use this ammo in my SKS's and it is ok, but I also clean after every use, even the gas system and tube. I like my guns cleaned after every use. I want them ready to go if needed.

I bought a bunch of it in 7.62x39 from Cabelas for my vz.58 and it is crap. A lot of misfires where the primer goes off but doesn't light the powder and the bullet ends up stuck in the throat. I have to use a cleaning rod to tap the bullet loose and the powder ends up all over the action. What I have is in Herter's boxes but is Tula Arsenal ammo. Maybe mine came from a bad lot but I wouldn't buy it again, not worth the hassle.

You guys shoot that crap in your good AR's if you want.
I'll pass, especially in a gun I plan on keeping.


Brass vs Steel Cased Ammo

^This^^^ I don't shoot that crap in any of my AR's!

thats a very interesting read. Thank you for posting that. I dont shoot steel anyways, but its looks like its a pretty darn good thing not to.

good read for sure. seems like an economical stop gap when ammo is tough to find and make sure you clean, and as always dont let the barrel get too hot.

I wonder if anyone ever pulls the bullet (which seems to be the worst part) and put a new one in, reusing the case/primer/powder.

That article is excellent. Some people might miss the fact the the most reliable ammo (federal) was also the dirtiest. Which should help put to rest concerns about cleaning. Use a quality carbine, quality ammo, and lube it. Then shoot all ya want. It really is that simple.

You still save money shooting steel and changing the barrels out early

I dont plan on using anything but brass if the SHTF, but I will continue to shoot steel for plinking and such

Picked up 400 rounds today, and hope to get out a shoot, also while picking up this ammo I timed it right and they were restocking the shelves and picked up 400 rounds of Fiocchi 50 gr VMAX ammo to boot! ;-)

Steel cased rounds turn my Sig Sauer M400 into a single shot, while I haven't had a malfunction with a brass case yet.