Problems with TulAmmo revolver ammo?

[FortKnox]

A few weeks ago I bought a used Ruger hammerless sp101 .357 2.25 inch from TN Gun Country. I also went and picked out a box of the cheapest .38 practice ammo which was TulAmmo.

When I got to the counter the lady told me how a few weeks ago someone with a S&W revolver used that ammo at the range and after a few rounds it expanded to the point that he couldn't get it out. So, they had to use a screwdriver to get the rounds out and she warned me about using it. So I ended up getting something else.

So has anyone used this ammo in their revolver and had this problem?

[Raoul]

That really doesn't make much sense. Sorry I've not used any. 

[Garufa]

So the lady at the counter dissuaded you from buying the cheapest ammo they had?  Sounds like the upsell worked.

i call BS on her story.

Edited August 4, 2016 by Garufa

[musicman]

I use steel all the time in my ARs with zero problems.  (Lacquer coated, usually)

However, years ago I had SERIOUS problems with the one and only (half)box of steel pistol ammo I ever bought.  It was Wolf and the gun was a Sigma. Joke all you want, terrible trigger, but a reliable gun... until Tula.  I got through five or six rounds when the gun locked up so tight I had to beat it open by kinda punching/pushing the slide into the edge of a table to get the slide back.  The case was STUCK in the chamber.  I was fighting to get the extractor over the case rim.  I then had to beat the case out with a dowel.  

I figured it was a fluke, so went back to shooting.... when after a few more rounds it happened again!  Same process.  I was young and dumb enough to fall for the trick a third time.  I finally had enough.  I was out in the sticks, and these folks had their trash pile burning.  I did what any reasonable person would do and threw the rest in the fire... from pretty far away.  It was fun, just some pops.  

Soon after this event, the extractor on the gun broke and Smith repaired it.  I still blame that steel case ammo and the mistreatment I had to put the gun through to get the cases out.  

Anyways, back to the ammo recommendation from the clerk.

I share just because I've personally had a bad experience with steel ammo in the past, and I'm not so quick to dismiss the store clerk.  I've been in that position.  I doubt she is going to be able to afford a nice dinner out or a new pair of shoes if someone buys a $25 box of ammo versus a $21 box of ammo.  I doubt his ammo choice affected her in any meaningful way.  She very may well have been sharing a past event that she thought may help the customer.  

[DaveTN]

Steel doesn’t seal the chambers like brass does.   You will get carbon build up and fouling from the coating; which will cause the cases to get stuck. If you thoroughly clean your revolver after each use; you can reduce your chances of having problems. If you have cases get stuck; well then you have done the testing yourself and have the answer.

 

9 hours ago, musicman said:

I use steel all the time in my ARs with zero problems.  (Lacquer coated, usually)

You won’t have any problems…. Until you do.

Steel case can damage extractors and chambers. I would never use it in anything I own. Of course it’s cheap; so it’s going to get used by some.

I put this in the same category as constantly dry firing. People want to do it so they justify it. It’s their guns they can do as they want. I just hope I don’t guy any guns from anyone that does it.

[1gewehr]

There's been a good but of discussion about this ever since the first steel cased ammo showed up about 20 years ago.

Usually with pistol ammo the problem is associated with two factors.

First, steel cases don't expand like brass, so gas blows back down the side of the case because of a poor seal.

Second, the ammo is pretty dirty.

So you get a lot of powder residue building up in the chamber.  It seems like the lower the chamber pressure, the worse the problem.  I saw a lot more buildup of cr@p with .45 than with 9mm.