Brass only

[BlackScorpion]

For all those that may not already know (can't rule out its only me) don't use steel case ammo in weapons with chamber fluting. Got my MP5 back from Dakota Tactical several weeks ago. So I went and bought a couple hundred rounds of good steel case ammo to try it out. Thinking that with the fluting marks on the case it can't be reloaded anyway, so why not? Well after worring the crap out of Joe for several weeks and getting super frustrated, I just happen to mention to Joe that I am using steel case ammo. I run to wally world real quick and get a box of brass case. Lets just say they call me the HKdumbass!!!!!!

[fordemti]

Did something bad happen??? I use steel case all the time. Put a box of 9 through the 5 and a box of 45 through the UMP conversion just yesterday. No problems at all. I make sure to clean the chamber well.

[BlackScorpion]

Would not run. The steel case was sticking in the chamber. Not all the way but enough that it would jam under the bolt or in the breech. I was told even HK says no to steel, I would think it would wear out/break the extractor if it sticks in the chamber.

[Shattered Mind]

Yeah... really. I use steel cased 9mm, 223 and 308 in all the HKs AND clones. I haven't really experienced any issues with steel cased ammo. You want issues... try the poly cased 223 if you want to see issues. Turned every one of my 223 roller locks into single shots and were a beyotch to clear the jammed rounds out as well.. Not as bad an idea as using the 308 plastic blanks were, but damned close. The German plastic 308 blanks came out of the 51 looking like popcorn... all twisted and mangles and inside-out looking. Like popcorn.

But no issues with steel. Methinks Joe might still be a bit worried about that... sum ting wong.

[JTinIN]

If you read the book "Full Circle" one finds out that part of the reason for fluted chamber was to balance the extraction force between steel cases (harder to extract but flow less into the flutes) and brass (easier to extract but flows more into the flutes).

[U.S. Praetorian]

It's all I use. Zero malfunctions.

[fordemti]

Hey, if it's good enough for el cheapo shattered, it's good enough for me!! Lol. Jk shattered. Kinda.

[rich762]

I've blasted tons of steel case with no problems in my mp5 .. now in my g3 i had to polish the chamber cause cases would stick .. after polishing the chamber .. i have no problems what so ever...

so from now on i polish all chambers on any h/k i own

[JTinIN]

Would not run. The steel case was sticking in the chamber. Not all the way but enough that it would jam under the bolt or in the breech. I was told even HK says no to steel, I would think it would wear out/break the extractor if it sticks in the chamber.

The difference in cost's between steel and brass is typically enough to cover the costs of a few extra extractors, even if you never need them.

My recommendation is if you are mostly a collector who might take the gun out once or twice a year to shoot a few mags, on up to a light shooter who might shoot a case a year, go with NATO head stamped first line 124 gr ammo (assuming you plan ahead, other wise it will be what ever Wally World has ;-). As you don't have the trigger time and range time to debug any issues that might pop up, besides the difference in cost for one case of ammo per year tends to lost in the lunch and/or coffee money for most. Ideally by a few cases when you can find first line ammo for a fair price.

If you shoot a little more then would look for a better buy and start checking various on line supply houses for lower cost brass ammo, then good surplus (ha now days) and steel case ammo.

[Johoevasmatrix]

My usp40 did not like steel at all I shot two mags and left the rest at the range