Brass Vs Steel Casings

The CMMG Guard – .45ACP AR15!
April 25, 2017
Gun Stuff: Murphy Rules
April 25, 2017

If you own and AR platform type weapon, you have heard a heated debate or two regarding Brass Vs Steel casings.  So, what is your honest opinion regarding the matter?  Just as with any topic of controversy I will throw my hat in the ring as well.

Brass- IMO, brass is the best type of metal for casings for many reasons.  It expands and contracts very quickly when fired.  When you pull the trigger and the round goes off, the neck on a brass casing will expand to seal off the chamber to prevent any gases from leaking back.  Brass is a much cleaner casing with no outer coating on it.  But, we all know that brass casings are more expensive than steel.  Brass casings can also be reloaded and steel casing can’t.

Steel- IMO, steel casings are great for the casual shooter and plinker alike.  Steel casings are much cheaper than their brass cousins.  Steel casings either have a polymer or lacquer coating on the casing to prevent rust.  This coating can create problems in your weapon, from bolt malfunctions to barrel issues.  Steel doesn’t expand as rapidly as brass does and is not as soft.  Now, these are all subject to debate.  But these are the wide spread beliefs on steel casings.

Ok, let’s get down to where the rubber meets the road.  If your life is depending on it, which round are you chambering in your weapon?  Survey Says……BRASS.

However, if you want to go to the range and run 500 rounds that day, you will more than likely reach for steel casings.

Some people say you should spend more money on your gun and less on your ammo.

Our tactical team shoots brass ammo 100% of the time and we clean our weapons after every day we are at the range or training.  These weapons are going to be used to save lives or take lives given the situation.  These weapons are not used to shoot metal targets or 3 gun competitions, so take that with a grain of salt.

So, what do I shoot at home?  I still shoot all brass.  Yes, it is slightly more expensive.  It is a matter of personal preference.  The newer Wolfe and other steel casings have come a long ways from when they would constantly jam and create a lot of barrel fouling.

I don’t believe that shooting steel casings will destroy your gun.  I just feel that you will need to spend more time cleaning and maintaining your weapon if you shoot a lot of steel casings through it.

Brass has been tried and true is the safer and more reliable bet when it comes to ammunition, IMO.

I hope you read this article and stopped to think a bit about why you choose one over the other.  Is it strictly price, accuracy or something else?

At the end of the day, it is your call and no one can tell you what you should shoot through your weapon.

Fortuna Paratus Remunerat- Fortune Favors the Prepared

Story by Shane Smith

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