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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
is it legal to modify(non steel ammo into steel core ammo) or make steel core ammo out of regular NON-HARDENED steel. now i dont want to hear about how it wont work of performance wise i just want to know the legal aspects and it is for a rifle not a handgun
 
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
IANAL so take this as that.

A lot of the Russian ammo is already soft steel core. I know my 7.62x54R is has steel cores.

M855 5.56x45 military ball ammo actually has a duel core of a hard steel backed by a lead core in a copper jacket. Since the military labels it ball ammo it is legal to sell.

http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/legal/armor.htm

5.56x45 M855 and 30-06 M2 (AP) are both listed at the above link as not armor piercing ammunition.
 
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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
well the main reason lets say in a shtf situation and you wanted somthing that would penetrate better and didnt have access to surplus steel core ammo and your only option is to make it now i know this would be VERY hard to make it accurate but could be done with the proper tools. i know that the mility one is legal just not sure if makeing it would also be legal
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
I think for all the effort, expense and risk to you and your weapon of setting up to make your own AP bullets you would be as well off looking for some surplus M855 or SS109 (same bullet) and be as well off or better. It would be good quality ammunition that should get better penetration than regular lead core ball and you would be sure it was legal to own. If you want more firepower get a 30-06 and some M2 ammo and you are still legal.

If you find a SHTF situation where you need true AP I think your number is up. I can think of very few realistic situations where you would need M955 AP were M855 Ball would not work. I don't even think they are issuing much M955 to our soldiers in Iraq.

Rambling
mcb
 
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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
mcb said:
I think for all the effort, expense and risk to you and your weapon of setting up to make your own AP bullets you would be as well off looking for some surplus M855 or SS109 (same bullet) and be as well off or better. It would be good quality ammunition that should get better penetration than regular lead core ball and you would be sure it was legal to own. If you want more firepower get a 30-06 and some M2 ammo and you are still legal.

If you find a SHTF situation where you need true AP I think your number is up. I can think of very few realistic situations where you would need M955 AP were M855 Ball would not work. I don't even think they are issuing much M955 to our soldiers in Iraq.

Rambling
mcb
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thats true i was saying that if i COULDN'T get M855 and needed something better then regular lead ammo
 
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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
rogerxd45 said:
thats true i was saying that if i COULDN'T get M855 and needed something better then regular lead ammo
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Well you can buy some of the Solid copper stuff or just get a heavier bullet for you AR. I keep some 75gr Hornady TAP on hand for just such a reason. It is not Ballistic tip and has really good penetration. Also most soft body armor that bad guys would wear in a SHTF situation would be simple bullet resistant vests and nearly all high powered rifles will make short work of such armor.
 
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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
I belive you cannot get new steel cored stuff for .223/5.56. I would assume its like 7.62x39.

Once they made a pistol that fired that round, the steel cored rifle ammo, became AP handgun ammo.

Its the same for the P-90 gun and the FN5.7 They cannot use steel cored ammo. Or better yet you cannot get it due to it being illegal.


That does not mean the stuff does not exist, or that there is no legal way to get it. I know you can get old steel core 7.62x39 but it is expensive.
 
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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
Timmy44221 said:
I belive you cannot get new steel cored stuff for .223/5.56. I would assume its like 7.62x39.

Once they made a pistol that fired that round, the steel cored rifle ammo, became AP handgun ammo.

Its the same for the P-90 gun and the FN5.7 They cannot use steel cored ammo. Or better yet you cannot get it due to it being illegal.


That does not mean the stuff does not exist, or that there is no legal way to get it. I know you can get old steel core 7.62x39 but it is expensive.
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well you cant get the stuff that the military calls AP also the atf didnt put a ban on "soft" steel core like m855 but if it has a hardened steel core then thats illegal
 
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Discussion Starter · #20 ·
rogerxd45 said:
well you cant get the stuff that the military calls AP also the atf didnt put a ban on "soft" steel core like m855 but if it has a hardened steel core then thats illegal
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Actually M855 has a hardened steel core back by a lead slug but since the Military calls it Ball ammo and not AP it is legal. What is legal or not has little to do with its manufacture and more to do with how its labeled. The ATF actually list M855 explicitly as legal on their website.
 
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