Steel Core- How the heck can you tell?

[Ryandus]

Sorry if this is a newbie stupid question, but I'm a member of my local indoor range. A magnet is put on all ammunition brought from outside to check for steel core. When I bought my AR, I bought 1,000 of Russian-type (Baurnell I believe?), which cannot be fired there.

I now have a XD40, but I'm not sure which reloaded or other ammo is steel core or not. I do understand the russian ammo (i.e. Baurnell and Wolf) is steel core.

I'm just a little apprehensive of buying ammo, since I want to be able to fire it (very little outdoor places to fire in the Seattle area). For instance, here's the description from one website-

40 S&W 155gr. JHP - BVAC (500rds)- Brass Cased, Boxer Primed Non-Corrosive

I've googled, I've searched the forums, and can't find out a clear answer- please help!

[Blatch]

It's actually a lead core bullet, but with a steel/copper (bimetal jacket). The usual culprits will also have a steel case instead of brass. So basically if the ammo is listed as"Steel cased" dont buy it. Your range wont let you shoot it.

Just a few off the Russian brands off the top of my head:
Wolf (non gold line)
Tula
Barnual
Silver Bear
Brown Bear

Bvac should be fine, as it is US made - non-steel. Someone correct me if they've seen otherwise

[Cannibul]

Actually Blatch is about half right.

Wolf ammo is steel cased. However your range most likely doesn't care about the material of the case.

A lot of ComBlock surplus rifle ammo have steel cored bullets. You will also find steel jacketed bullets. Some of the new ammo from Russia also has steel cored bullets.

Pistol ammo with steel cores is pretty rare.

[Blatch]

Yeah, thought we were talking about pistol ammo for his .40 S&W XD.

I have shot plenty of steel core Chinese and Russian through AK's and SKS's. However, was it during the Clinton years that all Steel cored 7.62 ammo was banned for importation? Unless its old pre-ban stock, really hard to find now in the US.

[Ryandus]

Yeah, my Barnaul is steel core, and is for my .223, and that one definitely has a steel core, as the magnet picked that one up.

Regarding Wolf ammo- I thought I did see some ammo behind their range desk for sale- perhaps they don't mind the steel case, I'll have to check with them.

I am more concerned with the pistol ammo, so I'm glad to hear it's not something that is as common.

[Blatch]

At my indoor range they don't let you shoot any ammo that a magnet sticks too. Regardless of what the case, jacket, or core is made of. I guess it just simplifies it for them.

And it's not because they cant sell the steel cases, since they give away brass to anyone that wants it.

Once I became a member, they never bother to check my ammo anymore.

[Dirty Rod]

Originally Posted by Blatch

At my indoor range they don't let you shoot any ammo that a magnet sticks too. Regardless of what the case, jacket, or core is made of. I guess it just simplifies it for them.

And it's not because they cant sell the steel cases, since they give away brass to anyone that wants it.

Once I became a member, they never bother to check my ammo anymore.

The two ranges I frequent don't care what you shoot.

[Mad Pick]

Originally Posted by Ryandus

. . . and that one definitely has a steel core, as the magnet picked that one up.

Check out Blatch's original post again. Just to be clear, there are two reasons that a magnet will stick to the bullet:

1) It has a steel core.
2) It has a bi-metal (copper over steel) jacket.

If your range is worried about steel core only, and the magnets stick to your bullets, then perhaps you could pull a bullet, cut it open, and show them that the core is lead and it just has a steel jacket. (That is probably the situation.) Or, if they just have a general "magnet=bad" policy, then you're hosed.

[insatiable ONE]

I believe you are asking

how to tell Armour piercing rounds. that's what they are, lets call a spade a spade here.

I have not shot them for quite some years, I am no expert . but

5.56 had a green tip....
other calibers for the most part came to an extreme point, not always though. short of being marked on the box steel core
or taking one apart & cutting it in half.

[Solhays85]

Originally Posted by Blatch

Bvac should be fine, as it is US made - non-steel. Someone correct me if they've seen otherwise

BVAC is US made. Its made out about a 40 minute drive from where I live in Missoula Montana. Its good stuff.