Copper bullets and steel bullets are common types of ammunition, and the main differences between them stem from two aspects: material properties and shooting effect.
First of all, in terms of material characteristics, copper bullets, especially brass bullets, have excellent ductility, corrosion resistance and excellent thermal conductivity. Due to the softness of the copper material, the copper bullet can fit closely to the inner wall of the chamber during firing, effectively reducing gas leakage, improving the efficiency of chamber pressure utilization, and thus improving the shooting accuracy. Copper also has good lubricity, reducing friction between the walls of the chamber and ensuring a smooth exit of the bullet without compromising the internal structure of the firearm.
In contrast, steel bullets are not as malleable and corrosion-resistant as copper bullets due to their higher hardness and lower cost. Steel bullets without special treatment may accelerate the wear of the gun chamber when firing, increase the difficulty of shelling, and even cause jamming, shortening the service life of the firearm. In addition, the high coefficient of friction of steel can lead to increased resistance in the chamber, which poses a higher risk of explosion.
However, in order to overcome these shortcomings, modern processes often use surface treatment techniques, such as copper or other lubricating coatings on the surface of steel bullets, which can reduce costs and improve lubricity and reduce damage to the chamber.
From the perspective of military strategy and economic benefits, in the case of resource constraints such as war, steel bullets have become the preferred choice for mass production because of their low manufacturing cost. However, in daily training, competitive shooting, or scenarios where there are higher requirements for shooting performance and durability of firearms, copper bullets are favored for their excellent performance and good protection of firearms.
In summary, copper bullets have their own advantages and disadvantages, with the former focusing on performance and durability, and the latter focusing on cost-effectiveness. In practical application, the appropriate type of ammunition should be flexibly selected according to different needs and conditions.