Why does our Military use brass?

[Moress]

Hello,

So this always kind of bothers me when people debate using Russian ammo. Why does our Military use brass instead of steel? I mean steel is much cheaper, and it seems like the only reason to use brass over steel is to reload, but afaik the military doesn't reload their brass, so why not just use steel?

[Scratch705]

steel casings let more gases escape back into the bolt area, thus meaning guns get dirtier faster. and in a combat weapon, i'm assuming that isn't a good thing especially with the ar platform.

[Spetsnazos]

i'm assuming that isn't a good thing especially with the ar platform.

this.

[Moress]

Hmm... This does explain why the bolt area of my M1 is so much cleaner then my SKS.

[PyroFox79]

On Bases they sell the brass back to factories or something to be reloaded or melted down. Or so I was told.

[bohoki]

because it works the best

[stand125]

On Bases they sell the brass back to factories or something to be reloaded or melted down. Or so I was told.

At are last qual shoot we had to account for every case and then the unit sold the brass back to a goverment contracted recycler. Oh how I wanted all that once fired brass

[PyroFox79]

At are last qual shoot we had to account for every case and then the unit sold the brass back to a goverment contracted recycler. Oh how I wanted all that once fired brass

Ya something like that. I know at one of the ranges at pendleton they had a caged area that was full of boxes of crates. Just sitting there.

[Reductio]

Wait, you think .gov would do anything "because it's cheaper?"

[Jack L]

because it works the best

This^^ Brass is easier on your chamber being softer than steel. That's what my firearms instructor tells me.

[IrishPirate]

FYI, some Gov't liquidation auction sites list 1,000+ lbs of mixed 5.56/9mm/7.62 brass. I think you have to put a pretty good deposit down before you can bid, and you have to go to the base to pick it up or arrange shipping through a private company.....but being the only one to bid would be a reloader's wet dream since the bids all start at $150!!!

[Tanner68]

Hello,

....and it seems like the only reason to use brass over steel is to reload....?

Brass is better than steel for its plasticity. It expands upon firing and seals the chamber and then quickly contracts for smooth ejection.

[GOEX FFF]

Steel cases ARE reloadable (berdan or boxer) with proper care and proper lubing for resizing, albeit they're a Pain in the a** and require more force on a press and can do horrendous damage to your dies if you're not using carbide. Because of the elasticity Tanner68 mentions, they are more prone to become stuck in your die and they don't last nearly as long through resizing and will develop cracks much, much sooner.

Only aluminium cases are a no-go for reloading.

[REVIT9K]

Money isn't really an issue when it comes the military. Military says we need ABC they get a blank check for ABC ~ XYZ.

[Moress]

I didn't know brass had all those qualities. I think I probably already know the answer, but how come then most other countries use steel? (Russia, China, just every 3rd world country)