Hello Guy's Don't know if this is the place for this question but don't know where else!! Today while shooting my knew RRA 223/5.56 Predator Pursuit, I was approached by another shooter who very urgently recommended that I not continue shooting the Hornady Steel Match ammo because the polymer coated cases would ruin the guns barrel. I know there was an issue with I believe molycoted bullets (don't know if I'm pronouncing that right) but I understand that a lot of the competition shooters are using this Hornady ammo today and I have not read anything negative about it. I don't know if there is any validity to this guy's argument and would appreciate any comments regarding this issue.
Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
- Thread starter peterh
- Start date
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
There are a lot of people who have bought into the rumor that the coated (lacquered or polymer) cases will gum up your gun. I have yet to find any substantial evidence of this. What I have heard/found is that the steel casing doesn't fully expand which allows a slight build up of carbon in the chamber, then when a brass cased round is thrown in there without cleaning, the case can get stuck due to the carbon build up as the brass will expand to fit the chamber. Also, there is evidence that steel cased ammo can be harder on equipment(BCG, Extractor, etc.) but again this is a point of controversy. I know plenty of guys love the steel cased stuff while just as many avoid it like the plague. IMO, it is perfectly fine to use as long as you clean the chamber before shooting brass cased ammo again. Hope this helped.
There are a lot of people who have bought into the rumor that the coated (lacquered or polymer) cases will gum up your gun. I have yet to find any substantial evidence of this. What I have heard/found is that the steel casing doesn't fully expand which allows a slight build up of carbon in the chamber, then when a brass cased round is thrown in there without cleaning, the case can get stuck due to the carbon build up as the brass will expand to fit the chamber. Also, there is evidence that steel cased ammo can be harder on equipment(BCG, Extractor, etc.) but again this is a point of controversy. I know plenty of guys love the steel cased stuff while just as many avoid it like the plague. IMO, it is perfectly fine to use as long as you clean the chamber before shooting brass cased ammo again. Hope this helped.
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
I have shot two cases of it (2000 rounds) through two ARs, and it has run flawlessly, without failures. While doing so, I alternated between steel match and various brass cased ammo, and I noticed no sensitivity to switching between the two. IMO, the steel match is loaded with better quality bullets than the inexpensive brass cased stuff like Win white box, or LC, and I found it to be more accurate in my guns. I will just say that I like to shoot more than I like cleaning guns, so my guns go a long time between cleanings. YMMV, hope this helps.
I have shot two cases of it (2000 rounds) through two ARs, and it has run flawlessly, without failures. While doing so, I alternated between steel match and various brass cased ammo, and I noticed no sensitivity to switching between the two. IMO, the steel match is loaded with better quality bullets than the inexpensive brass cased stuff like Win white box, or LC, and I found it to be more accurate in my guns. I will just say that I like to shoot more than I like cleaning guns, so my guns go a long time between cleanings. YMMV, hope this helps.
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
Well that's good to hear because my gun sure likes this stuff. Like I said this gun is new I got it about a month ago and have shot about 200-250 round through it and most have been this Hornady steel case stuff. With this ammo I have shot a couple of groups in the 1/4" and some 1/2". I'm still looking to find some other ammo for it. I hear that BlackHills ammo is real good and looking to get some. Thanks for the impute I really appreciate it.....
Well that's good to hear because my gun sure likes this stuff. Like I said this gun is new I got it about a month ago and have shot about 200-250 round through it and most have been this Hornady steel case stuff. With this ammo I have shot a couple of groups in the 1/4" and some 1/2". I'm still looking to find some other ammo for it. I hear that BlackHills ammo is real good and looking to get some. Thanks for the impute I really appreciate it.....
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
Kelly Neil was shooting Hornady Steel Match at a local match a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure he shoots brass cased ammo in bigger matches, but it didn't seem to hold him back as he kicked all of our asses with ease!
Kelly Neil was shooting Hornady Steel Match at a local match a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure he shoots brass cased ammo in bigger matches, but it didn't seem to hold him back as he kicked all of our asses with ease!
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
I personally prefer to shoot brass. For the price they charge for this, I just don't see the point.
I personally prefer to shoot brass. For the price they charge for this, I just don't see the point.
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
I recently bought 400 rds of Hornady steel match on sale. I have shot over 300 rds without incident. Buy with confidence it is very well made.
What I have learned is that if you are going to shoot steel cartridges stay with steel for that day. Steel casings do not expand fully so you may get carbon blow back around the cartridge. When you mix it with brass, brass fully expands causing a FTE because it got stuck with carbon fauling from the steel casings not fully expanding.
Once you clean the chamber there is no problem in shooting brass. My RRA seems to be the exception I shoot both steel and match, but I do run my rifle a little wet.
I recently bought 400 rds of Hornady steel match on sale. I have shot over 300 rds without incident. Buy with confidence it is very well made.
What I have learned is that if you are going to shoot steel cartridges stay with steel for that day. Steel casings do not expand fully so you may get carbon blow back around the cartridge. When you mix it with brass, brass fully expands causing a FTE because it got stuck with carbon fauling from the steel casings not fully expanding.
Once you clean the chamber there is no problem in shooting brass. My RRA seems to be the exception I shoot both steel and match, but I do run my rifle a little wet.
Re: Hornady Steel Match Good or Bad??
I have shot 700+ rounds of it without incident. If I had to guess, I would say that the steel and propellant Hornady is using is much better than that used in the Wolf ammunition.
I have shot 700+ rounds of it without incident. If I had to guess, I would say that the steel and propellant Hornady is using is much better than that used in the Wolf ammunition.
Excellent comments thanks guys ,really answered all I needed to know ,thanks and G'day from Australia all.
Hahahahaha Nah I never noticed but I guess the advice is still relevant today right ,thanks for the heads up mate.
Regardless if it's eight-year-old info, there are still some people parroting the same fears about the Hornady steel cases.
Don't kill me bro!
This load had a muzzle velocity of 2694 FPS with a standard deviation of 26 FPS fired from the 20" Colt A2 barrel. A 10-shot group fired from a Lothar-Walther 20" barrel at a distance of 100 yards had an extreme spread of 0.95".
....
Nope. Various events killed the import of the cases a few years back.
Australian retailers still have this stuff available. As I don't have a permanent home yet to set up reloading gear I bought some for my 308. If buying multiple boxes it is less than a dollar a round which is very cheap here in Australia. I just with they did it in 6.5 creedmoor.
