Now *THIS* is journalism - Brass vs. Steel Cased Ammo – An Epic Torture Test

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

Fascinating article chock-full-of useful data comparing performance of brass vs. steel cased ammo in AR rifles:

 

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo/

 

Here’s what we did:

• We acquired four identical Bushmaster AR-15 rifles. We chose the Bushmaster MOE Series AR-15 because it’s a widely available, affordable, and mass-market. We didn’t want something too cheap and of lower quality or something too expensive and of high quality since our goal is to help the most number of people.
  
• We acquired 10,000 rounds each of the following ammunition (new production):
  
  • Federal 55gr – Brass-Cased – Copper Jacket
    
  • Wolf 55gr FMJ – Steel-Cased with Polymer Coating – Bi-Metal Jacket (steel and copper)
    
  • Tula 55gr FMJ – Steel-Cased with Polymer Coating – Bi-Metal Jacket (steel and copper)
    
  • Brown Bear 55gr FMJ – Steel-Cased with Lacquer Coating – Bi-Metal Jacket (steel and copper)
    

  [*]We paired each ammunition type with a specific Bushmaster AR-15 and then fired all 10,000 rounds of it through that particular carbine (except for Tula; more on that below)

  [*]We systematically observed and tested various things, including (more details below):

  • At the start: accuracy, velocity, chamber and gas port pressures, chamber cast
    
  • After 2,000 rounds: accuracy, velocity
    
  • After 4,000 rounds: accuracy, velocity
    
  • After 5,000 rounds: throat erosion, chamber cast
    
  • After 6,000 rounds: accuracy, velocity
    
  • After 8,000 rounds: accuracy, velocity
    
  • After 10,000 rounds: accuracy, velocity, chamber and gas port pressures, throat erosion, extractor wear, chamber cast, barrel wear
    

  [*]We logged every malfunction of every rifle-ammo combination

  [*]The rifles were cleaned according to a preset schedule and temperatures were monitored and kept within acceptable limits (more below)

  [*]We sectioned the barrels and otherwise made unique observations after the test was complete

[Sig226GuyNJ 128]

Repost.

 

http://njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/44824-brass-vs-steel-casing-torture-test/page__pid__590987#entry590987

[DirtyDigz 1,812]

Repost.

 

http://njgunforums.c...987#entry590987

 

Huh. Well, I did a better job describing it!