[spittinfire]

Originally Posted by mjkeat

Why's that?

I don't like steel cases and you can't reload it. I think it's harder on the chamber and everything that it contacts from the mag to the ramps. The steel is harder then brass and is certainly harder then aluminum if you have an aluminum framed gun. Brass seals better and IMO results in a better round.

I'm not trying to start a debate, these are just my views.

[Quentin]

Actually you can reload steelcase if it has the boxer primer. Probably not worth the extra bother when you can find brass instead - but can be done.

Steel is harder than brass but I don't see the soft steelcase as being much of a problem as far as wear. And even if there was a small difference it would take tens of thousands of rounds to make a real difference. You'd save much more in the cost of the ammo than in repairing the "damage".

[M14sRock]

There was a great article copied onto one of the forums that dealt with reloading Wolf steel cases. They had very good luck with it.

And I agree about the wear. Minimal, at worst.

I understand people who don't like it or want to use it, though. I will not use it in my M14s.

[mjkeat]

Originally Posted by spittinfire

I don't like steel cases and you can't reload it. I think it's harder on the chamber and everything that it contacts from the mag to the ramps. The steel is harder then brass and is certainly harder then aluminum if you have an aluminum framed gun. Brass seals better and IMO results in a better round.

I'm not trying to start a debate, these are just my views.

I wasn't trying to start a debate. I'm looking to learn something.

I used to not use steel cased ammo in my ARs. Things have changed after noticing many guys using steel cased ammo almost exclusively in their training rifles. One of the guys I speak of probably puts 1k a month or so through his rifles. Theres guys that do more than that. Replacing an extractor every few thousand rounds or so isn't that expensive.

[skydiverMN]

So, what was the final verdict regarding the original question about steel-cased lacquer or steel-cased polymer? Anyone know the difference between the two? Thanks!

[Quentin]

Either one is all right in most ARs. But it's harder to find lacquer today. Buy a small amount of polymer and give it a try.