I think you both may want to dig a bit deeper. I use Barnaul myself and looked in depth at the product including taking some apart for projectiles. (wanted 180gr SP on a 7.62x39 case for a single shot rifle)
The cases are steel and coated. I think from memory they are burdan primed so difficult to reload on both counts. Non corrosive powder is used. It is not Mil surp though with the steel case I can understand being associated with it. It is proper sporting ammunition.
My understanding is they use a different alloy on the core for the bullets rather than lead and they still have a copper jacket, though they are able to make the jacket thinner as the core is more stable at high temperature than lead is. This has not seemed to affect my accuracy or reliability on impact. As for harder wear, well in all rifles I have ever owned, generally the core of any projectile does not come into contact with the barrel and the copper coating on the jacket is still on the bullet when I have retrieved them out of game so you should have no problem. I have put over 400 rounds through my 30/06 and it shoots as well as it ever has.......
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