Steel vs Brass Ammo

Introduction

Time to read: 8 minutes

Date: 05/08/23

In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the differences between steel and brass ammo. Many shooters express a preference for one or the other. We’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of both types of ammo, as well as the cost comparison and environmental impact. It’s important to understand the differences between steel and brass ammo before making a purchase, so let’s dive in and explore these two types of ammunition.

Definition of Steel and Brass Ammo

Steel and brass ammo are two types of ammunition used for firearms. As their names suggest, the fundamental difference between them lies in the materials their casings are made of. Steel ammo is made from a combination of steel and other metals, while brass ammo is made from an alloy of copper and zinc. 

The primary difference between these two types of ammunition is the country of origin of the firearm. Soviet/Russian-made weapons are the primary users of steel-cased ammunition due to copper shortages in the USSR. As a result, they designed their weapons with components meant to handle steel cases. Accusations of poor accuracy and misfires come more from the poor quality controls in place in the manufacturing plants and lower or inconsistent quality ingredients; not from the casing itself. Using otherwise identical rounds you will see equal performance from steel and brass casings. Weapons designed to handle brass casings may struggle to extract and eject steel cases as the components are meant to grip the softer brass. Also, when people choose to use steel casings instead of brass cases–due to the lower price–they may also end up using lower-quality powder and/or manufacturing controls, creating the impression that steel is responsible for poor performance.

Steel ammo is generally cheaper than brass ammo, but it may cause some malfunctions such as a failure in weapons not designed for it. Additionally, steel casings may cause premature wear on components designed for softer brass casings. Brass ammo is by far the most popular choice of ammunition casings in the United States; it is sturdy enough to accept a wide variety of powder loads but is soft enough to allow for reliable and consistent weapon function. For otherwise identical rounds, brass ammunition has become more expensive due to the rising price of copper.  

Both brass and steel casings can be reloaded. However, reloading ammunition is an advanced skill and should not be attempted without proper training.

Yet another type of ammunition that shooters might also consider using is nickel-plated brass cases. They are becoming increasingly popular in the US for self-defense and competitive shooting. The advantages of nickel-plated brass include smoother feeding in semi-automatic weapons, lower friction, and increased corrosion resistance. However, these cases are more expensive than plain brass casings, the plating can flake off of the ammunition requiring additional cleaning, and the case can be more brittle, resulting in a decreased reload life and requiring modification of reloading dies.

A reloading die a tool used to manipulate, resize, reshape, and remove spent and seat new primers in spent cartridges. Reloading is a more advanced practice that not every shooter partakes in.

Advantages of Steel Ammo

Steel ammo has several advantages over brass ammo. Steel is a much more durable material than brass. Steel ammo is also cheaper than new brass ammo, so it can be a great option for shooters on a budget. 

Additionally, steel ammo does not require modification of reloading dies like nickel-plated brass cases do. To reload steel ammunition, you’ll need to use higher-end dies such as those made of carbide in order to manipulate the stronger metal. These can be used on brass ammunition as well but are more expensive and are generally used by those who reload in a higher volume.

Disadvantages of Steel Ammo

Steel ammo is often considered to be a cheaper alternative to brass ammo, but it does have some drawbacks. There are some reports of misfires and light strikes. A light strike is when the firing pin hits the primer but fails to detonate the primer. This can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from poor maintenance and component wear to poor quality rounds. Steel casings used on some weapons designed specifically for brass casings could conceivably cause a light strike.

Steel ammo is also not as easy to reload, which can add to the speed cost in the long run. Time is the one resource no one can get back, and every second counts in many of the environments where firearms are utilized. 

Fundamentally, steel ammo is not always compatible with all guns, so it’s important to check compatibility before purchasing.

Advantages of Brass Ammo

Brass ammo has many advantages over steel ammo, including increased durability and accuracy. Sig Sauer recently brought back and decided to emphasize brass ammunition, due to cost and manufacturing concerns. which is more durable and could result in more reliable and accurate ammunition. A company making this choice states a clear preference–and many shooters hold the same opinion. 

Assuming otherwise identical rounds, the primary benefit of brass over steel ammunition is that brass is softer than steel, so the heat and pressure of the gunpowder detonating will better fire from the brass cartridge to the chamber of the weapon, creating a better seal and resulting in more pressure behind the bullet.  This means an increased muzzle velocity and less back gassing to the shooter (hot gas coming from the chamber which can make an unpleasant shooting experience). The amount of difference between brass and steel ultimately depends much more on the quality of ammunition than the type alone.

All ammunition can be reloaded at least a few times, however, this is not a common practice for most shooters. Brass-cased ammo can be reloaded and reused, which can save money in the long run for certain types of shooters. Most reloaders are either enthusiasts who enjoy manufacturing their own ammunition, or high-end shooters (think competitive or long-distance) who want to precisely control the dynamics and consistency of their rounds.

Disadvantages of Brass Ammo

When it comes to brass ammo, there are some potential drawbacks. Complaints about brass ammo include light strikes–though, this is caused more by the quality of the ammunition (cheaper components will have a higher failure rate in pretty much anything). 

Finally, nickel-plated brass cases offer many benefits but they also have some drawbacks such as increased brittleness (only a factor for shooters focused on reloading) and the need for modification of reloading dies. Furthermore, nickel-plated brass cases are becoming increasingly popular in the US for self-defense and high-end ammunition. While nickel-plated brass cases offer many benefits, they also come with some disadvantages and are significantly more expensive. It is important to weigh all the pros and cons of brass ammo before making a purchase.

Cost Comparison between Steel and Brass Ammo

When it comes to cost, steel ammunition is generally cheaper than brass ammo. 

This is due to two main factors: bulk sale and cost of materials. Steel ammunition is sold in bulk because it is commonly imported, and those firearms which use it are from the same countries that export steel ammunition. Secondly, brass ammunition has become more expensive due to the rising price of copper–a key component in brass.

Environmental Impact of Steel and Brass Ammo

The environmental impact of steel and brass ammo is an important factor to consider when choosing the right ammunition for your needs. Steel ammo is generally considered more environmentally friendly than brass ammo due to its recyclability. It is much easier to repurpose and melt back down for reuse.

On the other hand, brass ammo is not as easily recycled and can be more difficult to dispose of properly. Because it is already a mixture of metals, it is not as easy to return to its component parts and upcycle into new materials. 

Ultimately, both types of ammunition have their pros and cons when it comes to their environmental impact, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision. 

A significantly more environmentally impactful choice would be to use lead-free ammunition, as it is nearly impossible to recover 100% of spent slugs. Additionally, it is common practice for most shooters to collect and dispose of spent casings. Most ranges have or have relationships with proper disposal facilities.

Part of responsible firearm ownership is considering the long-term impact and cost to oneself and the environment.

Overall, it is clear that there are pros and cons to both steel and brass ammo. Steel ammo is typically more cost-effective but may cause greater environmental damage. Brass ammo is generally more expensive but has less environmental impact. One is easier to upcycle; the other is more likely to be reused. In the end, their impact is fairly balanced, and what makes the real difference is proper clean-up of spent ammunition.  It will be important to consider one’s own ethics about recycling and environmental sustainability when making this decision.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide which type of ammunition to use based on their needs, budget, and personal preference. The biggest difference in which to choose is what’s recommended for your specific firearms.

For those interested in learning more about either type of ammunition, there is plenty of useful information available online. Practice using both types of ammunition is another good way to decide for oneself which kind is ideal. In the end, brass and steel ammo is appropriate in various contexts. Every good marksman knows it is good to have backups and other options on hand.

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