Steel case ammo

[Polish HG]

Does anyone make steel case ammo that's not dirty

Would like to shoot steel through my PA-10, but it being hard to clean I would prefer "clean" steel case if possible

[Hodgie]

From my experiences silver, Brown, and Golden Bear tend to be cleaner then your Standard wolf or Tula. I shoot a lot of it all in several different calibers. I have shot some Golden Bear in 308 and 30-06 with decent results.

Consistency can change drastically from lot to lot.

[RockIsland]

Ruag MFS.

[Gunowner99]

Can someone help me to understand why is steel case dirty? I mean, brass vs. steel why would it be dirtier? You are not talking jackets, right?

[Polish HG]

Can someone help me to understand why is steel case dirty? I mean, brass vs. steel why would it be dirtier? You are not talking jackets, right?

I was told the steel case has a lacquer on it which is why they say it's dirty

[Hodgie]

I was told the steel case has a lacquer on it which is why they say it's dirty

What caliber and firearm type are you looking to shoot this out of?

Some does and some doesn't depends on the brand or line your looking at. Silver and Golden bear do not I believe Brown does but it's never been an issue for me. It can be an issue for some with extended shooting and the lacquer melting off. Standard grey colored wolf ammo does not it's polymer coated for lubricity which holds up a bit better then the lacquer however people say the lacquer is better for long term storage. I like it all and don't see any major issues with any of it.

Polymer coated.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/wolf-...ic-made-russia

Lacquer coated and also considered the best x39 on the market for many years.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/golde...grain-hollow-p

This is loaded to Russian military standards and is excellent.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/surpl...d-bullet-and-p

Zinc plated steel.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/silve...mmo-made-russi

Brass plated steel.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/silve...-ammo-brass-pl

Copper jacket non magnetic bullet.
https://www.sgammo.com/product/wolf-...ket-non-magnet

[Hodgie]

Can someone help me to understand why is steel case dirty? I mean, brass vs. steel why would it be dirtier? You are not talking jackets, right?

It has nothing to do with the case and it’s really not any more dirty then cheap brass range Ammo in my opinion.

Last week I put 225 rounds of 9mm through my G43x. 125 of Brown Bear and 100 of Federal Aluminum and I found neither to be all that dirty. I cleaned the pistol right after.

[Gunowner99]

Then why does everyone say it is dirty?

[Gunsnwater]

Then why does everyone say it is dirty?

Anything is cheaper than brass. So when aluminum or steel is chosen for case materials cost is the main goal. Therefore powded is going to be chosen for the same reason. Clean powders cost a premium for being clean. They will be excluded unless circumstances conspire to make them cheaply available like an over run.

Incidentally major producers will use what is available to produce ammo to spec. Sometimes mixing things that reloaders could never do due to lack of testing equipment. Thats one reason lot numbers are so important if your looking to buy in quantity.

[Hodgie]

Then why does everyone say it is dirty?

It can vary from lot to lot like anything else. I have always found Winchester white box filthy others find it fine.

A lot of it It’s also regurgitated internet lore that steel cases are dirty and will destroy your gun. Unfortunately science has already proven that a non treated mild steel cannot damage a treated hardened steel or alloy but facts be damned!

Bi metal jacketed bullets can wear a barrel faster under sustained fire but it’s so uncommon for the average shooter.