Gunsmithing Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

[dareposte]

I've got a 5.56 chambered AR, and sometimes plink with Wolf steel cased ammo since its cheap and readily available. I've had a problem with the steel cases getting stuck in the chamber, and its happened on a couple of different rifles now.

The barrels aren't any high grade barrels (the better barrels get reloaded for), just a mil-spec parts house type barrels (Delton, ERS, etc).

After it happened yesterday I polished my chamber with some car polish and an electric drill, but I'm not convinced that will fix it.

Any suggestions? (besides don't shoot Wolf steel case?)

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

Polymer coated cases can stick in a really hot chamber, usually when one heats up the barrel and then leaves a live one in there. I think it bonds as it cools.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

I saw this happening with a brand new Ruger SRS this last weekend at a three-gun. It wasn't every now and then it was every other round got stuck and had to be removed by a rod. The case rim was just torn to nothing but the extractor just ripped through like there was nothing there.

 

[dareposte]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

Greg - That doesn't seem to be the case here, the barrel hadn't been shot for an hour or so, but was laying in the sun so it was warm to the touch. It jammed on the 3rd shot and I just gave up.

I have 500 more rounds of the steel case I'd like to shoot through this gun, then I'll just start reloading for it I guess.

 

[jrpilot]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

You might have a build up of Polymer/laquer from the steel cases. It does come off those cheap cases.

 

[Outsydlooknin75]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

Easiest fix that I have found,























QUIT SHOOTING CHEAP STEEL CASED SHIT.















No seriously QUIT SHOOTING CHEAP STEEL CASED SHIT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dareposte]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrpilot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You might have a build up of Polymer/laquer from the steel cases. It does come off those cheap cases. </div></div>

Any idea how many rounds it takes for that to happen? I had about 40 rounds through it earlier that day before it started happening and an unknown count over the years. Maybe the chamber polish will have removed the build-up and it will be GTG for a while now.

 

[Zebra644]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

I have a Spikes Tactical and I have shot mixed types of brass and and steel cased ammo. The steel case ammo we had was the Hornady Training, and brother, with P-Mags and a wet bolt with Break Free Oil " not the standard oil,the stuff meant for rapid fire auto's" I could not make it past a few firing drills without the weapon malfunctioning. I put the good old Salt Lake Mil Spec it it, and it ran like a scalded dog. I was told that two reasons steel cased ammo does that is its harder for the extractor to fit around the rim of the case, and that because of the type of metal it expands at a different rate than brass and will swell up in the chamber and the extractor may not have a good " grip" and the bolt will cycle and the case will get stuck in the chamber. So I think its steel cased ammo in general wiether its Wolf or Hornady. I would try some other ammo to ensure that its not the weapon. If shoots without any issue than try some more of the steel cased ammo, and if it malfunctions with that,then that rifle just wont run steel cased ammo.

 

[jrpilot]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

Quote - I was told that two reasons steel cased ammo does that is its harder for the extractor to fit around the rim of the case, and that because of the type of metal it expands at a different rate than brass and will swell up in the chamber and the extractor may not have a good " grip" and the bolt will cycle and the case will get stuck in the chamber

Great idea. I have seen a few problems with around 50rnds through the gun. I think in SKSs and AKs they have loose chambers, so you dont see this problem as much with these. On the other hand an AR has a ighter chamber, thus jamming more often. Just an idea.

 

[former naval person]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

Two other thoughts. The SKS and AK's have chrome plated bores and chambers. Slicker. Also, the steel probably doesn't have the "shrink back" effect as much as the brass does. JMHO

 

[asbestosglove]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

I have a Bushmaster that will NOT run with any steel cased ammo, be it Wolf or Barnaul or whatever. Chromed chamber and bore. The Colts eat it like birthday cake with no problems. My solution is not to run it in arms that don't like it. My biggest beef with steel cased is that it is under powered in .223. No probs in 7.62x39. AG

 

[cal50]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

Buy (or borrow) a mini-14 and shoot the ammo up....

Similar to computers: Garbage in/ Garbage out. I don't have a great regard for Wolf ammo in .223. They do AK and blasting pistol ammo pretty well but I know a few guys that insist on using .223 steel cased Wolf and have similar problems.

 

[Mr blasty]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

There .223 is a little on the anemic side where as there .308 is a little on the hot side. I don't think the Russians have quite figured out how to make American loads yet.

 

[maccrazy2]

Re: Wolf steel case getting stuck in my AR

I have had this happen a few times in my full auto m4 but only when I am using the supressor. I tap the case out with the cleaning rod and it is good to go. The case has always come out very easily with the rod. The extractor pulls thru the rim on these cases when this has happened. I think it has happened 3 times in around 8000 rounds fired.