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10 years 4 months ago #41324 by OleCowboy
This is a MUST read was created by OleCowboy
Brass vs. Steel Cased Ammo – An Epic Torture Test

here are two major types of centerfire rifle cartridges available on the market today:
Those which are loaded with steel, and
Those which are loaded with brass

This seemingly simple variation has caused a never ending stream of argument, discussion, speculation, and questioning from new and seasoned shooters alike. Complicating the conversation are other variables that typically get lumped into the argument without proper segmentation, such as:
The different coating options available on the steel-cased ammo (lacquer or polymer)
The different projectile loadings available (copper jacketed lead, the bi-metal coating that most Russian manufacturers use, etc)
The different propellant (gunpowder) burn rates

Our team decided to try something ambitious and daunting: to provide the best resource and data available to answer these questions once and for all through objective experimentation and observation.

We realize this is a lofty and borderline arrogant goal. We’ve done our best. Please keep reading to see if you agree.

Here’s what we did:

www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/
The following user(s) said Thank You: NightForce, MTM

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10 years 4 months ago #41325 by MTM
Replied by MTM on topic This is a MUST read
Excellent info and impressive testing! I use Wolf steel cased ammo but only in a Saiga .308. And that's because it dents the brass so badly it can't be reloaded. I think, as the testing suggests, that moderate use of any of the brands tested wouldn't hurt and I doubt we would punish our rifles to that extent anyway.

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10 years 4 months ago #41326 by Siscowet
Replied by Siscowet on topic This is a MUST read
I use steel cased 7.62 x39 in my Bulgarian Arsenal AK type. Never had a failure and it is decently accurate, that is pie plate at 100 yards with iron sights. My AR10's I consider precision rifles, and especially the 10T, I am interested in precision shooting, so I don't use it in them. I have a couple of AR15's the carbine I would use it in, the HBAR Match, probably not.

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10 years 4 months ago #41328 by Ranchwagon
Replied by Ranchwagon on topic This is a MUST read
Nice article.

I think I will stick to brass in both my Colt and Armalite.

I treat both of them quite conservatively, so maybe they will go over that 15,000 round mark.

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10 years 4 months ago #41329 by NightForce
Replied by NightForce on topic This is a MUST read
Great article Cowboy! :twothumbs:

Since I reload much of what I shoot, I'll stick with brass cases. If I understood the test finding correctly, my take is that all ammo shot well however in the end the Federal reigned supreme in accuracy, reliability, barrel wear, and extraction. That said, given the number of rounds shot vs. malfunctions, reliability was better than 99% which is impressive.

I think if you shoot a lot and do not reload then Federal is the obvious choice. If you're goal is to strike a balance between accuracy, reliability, and especially cost then Wolf to me appears to be the right choice...Although if you through in a barrel change then the cost savings of using steel goes right out the window....

At least that's the way I see it...

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10 years 4 months ago #41334 by OleCowboy
Replied by OleCowboy on topic This is a MUST read

NightForce wrote: Great article Cowboy! :twothumbs:

Since I reload much of what I shoot, I'll stick with brass cases. If I understood the test finding correctly, my take is that all ammo shot well however in the end the Federal reigned supreme in accuracy, reliability, barrel wear, and extraction. That said, given the number of rounds shot vs. malfunctions, reliability was better than 99% which is impressive.

I think if you shoot a lot and do not reload then Federal is the obvious choice. If you're goal is to strike a balance between accuracy, reliability, and especially cost then Wolf to me appears to be the right choice...Although if you through in a barrel change then the cost savings of using steel goes right out the window....

At least that's the way I see it...

I think you are spot on.

As a former test engineer I was really impressed by the tests they ran. Generally when I see 'testing' in various fields that address the public, the test rarely makes sense and is more epic fail in its results than anything else. The holds true especially for the gun world. I fully expected to to have shot 20 rds and I will say anything short of a 1000 rds would not have yielded any valid results. Their efforts to standardize test procedures was admiral. I also like the plus of NOT cleaning the guns and then taking some very high quality pics showing the results. I also found the gas block pic quite revealing. Then the coup de grace of sawing open the barrel. WOW I was impressed!

I hope all gained as much as I did. Reinforced my thoughts on brass and American made ammo. While the steel and forgein ammo performed ok the bottom line is the degradation in your weapon from shooting it.

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10 years 4 months ago #41346 by NightForce
Replied by NightForce on topic This is a MUST read

OleCowboy wrote: I think you are spot on.

As a former test engineer I was really impressed by the tests they ran. Generally when I see 'testing' in various fields that address the public, the test rarely makes sense and is more epic fail in its results than anything else. The holds true especially for the gun world. I fully expected to to have shot 20 rds and I will say anything short of a 1000 rds would not have yielded any valid results. Their efforts to standardize test procedures was admiral. I also like the plus of NOT cleaning the guns and then taking some very high quality pics showing the results. I also found the gas block pic quite revealing. Then the coup de grace of sawing open the barrel. WOW I was impressed!

I hope all gained as much as I did. Reinforced my thoughts on brass and American made ammo. While the steel and forgein ammo performed ok the bottom line is the degradation in your weapon from shooting it.


When I clicked the link you provided and saw the actual test and resulting data it's by far the most comprehensive and detailed test I've seen in a good long time. I would love to see their DOE, design of experiments, test plan and the associated documentation. Writing such a test plan is a lot of work but to secure the rifles, scopes, ammunition, chronographs, computers, analysis programs, chamber pressure gauges etc, etc.

I've never personally seen a firearms related test so thorough and comprehensive in all my days. These guys did a stellar job at creating, executing, compiling, analyzing and presenting their finding..

A wire EDM machine is an ideal way to cut away the chamber and section the barrel giving the group the best way to determine actual degradation of the that part....

Lot's of high end stuff used for this test.....

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