I tried a box (20 rounds) of the steel cased Russian ammo in my AR just to see if it would feed and do alright. I don't remember the particular brand, but if I am not mistaken, most Russian ammo is similar. It fed great and left no marks on the spent cases. After just the one box of 20 rounds there was a purple goo all over the bolt face and in the firing pin hole. It was from the red sealant they put on the primers. It took me a while to get it cleaned out but it didn't cause any trouble. This was only 20 rounds though. I could definitely imagine that after a range session of a couple hundred rounds having things get all gummed up from it. I have not shot any more of this ammo in my AR, as I said it was only a test. I stick with the brass cased ammo. I didn't really see any problems with it in my little experience and possibly you would only be stuck with some extra cleaning.

I've always heard that but I never see it in my AR. And I shoot the crap out of "Commie Ammo" According to the experts it should have a messed up chamber from all the steel cases and all that lacquer gumming stuff up.
It still shoots great and when I do get the chance to use "better" ammo It will group better I'll say that. But other than that I don't see any bad stuff happening in there. Same with my AK...Tons of steel case imported ammo and it's just fine. o I don't know. I'll have to see a damaged weapon before I put that much stock into it. My tool maker friend reminded me when I asked him about it once that the steel in those cases in no where near as hard as the steel in the chamber of the weapon. So it would take a lot more shooting them most of us will ever do to cause any real harm from the case. As for the lacquer maybe if you did a lot of full auto stuff but those boys at the knob creel shoot out sure go through a bunch of wolf ammo...So I dunno

I did look very closely at my chamber and the spent cases after my test run. I saw absolutely nothing as far as even rub marks on the cases to indicate any sort of problem. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot many more through my gun, though if I do, I will be prepared to spend additional time and effort cleaning it. That was the only down side I experienced. I could not speak to the accuracy issue as I did not fire any of the Russian with that in mind.
I have heard that the steel cases are thicker and can cause problems in a .223 chamber. I'm not sure if that is true or not. My AR is a Rock River with the NATO 5.56 chamber, and as I said, I had no problems at all with it.

Thinking back, I may have been shooting some wolf ammo. I haven't got my hands on any of the "Bear" or "Tiger" ammo so I don't know about it or if it is even any different.


I also have an old SKS and I have never hesitated to shoot TONS of steel cased ammo of all brands through it. I figured it was designed for it and it does work very well.

Hate shooting steel cased ammo...can't reload it.