Steel Case Bullets

[JohnZ]

I was at a gun store today and I purchased some Wolf 7.62x39 steel case ammo. The guy asked me where I was going to shoot my rifle and I told him I was going out to the desert. He said be careful not to shoot it in wooded areas because it might cause a fire? Why would a steel case bullet start a fire more so than a brass bullet? Wouldn't they both be equally hot since its the same amount of powder in a steel case as there is in a brass case?

[Mr. Magoo]

Sparks from the projectile I believe.

I thought this was only an issue with steel jacketed bullets, not the casings though. I have shot wolf military at rifle ranges all the time with no issues.

[JohnZ]

They wouldn't let me shoot my wolf at a local range, he held a magnet to the bullet, and it stuck to bullet itself, so im guessing there is some steel in the jacket as well

[CGT80]

I think that the problem with having steel in a bullet is that it can cause a spark if the bullet strikes any steel on the range such as a target or trash. (I wonder if a steel jacketed bullet could spark when striking a rock.) Brass, copper, and lead do not create sparks that I know of. Steel is ferrous and the other metals including aluminum are non-ferrous. The different metals will also have a different thermal efficiency. Some metals will absorb heat faster and cool faster than others (aluminum will heat much faster than steel), but I doubt that this has much to do with it.

I am no expert, but this is my take on it.

[Chach]

My guess is he was referring to the FMJ bullet as a steel core can cause a spark if it hits a hard enough surface which is why a lot of ranges won't allow you to use bullets that attract a magnet (steel core).

[GameAPBT]

My guess is he was referring to the FMJ bullet as a steel core can cause a spark if it hits a hard enough surface which is why a lot of ranges won't allow you to use bullets that attract a magnet (steel core).

You are right, the case doesn't have anything to do with it. It's in the core of the bullet, some surplus ammo have steel cores and will spark and can cause a fire if conditions are right...