Aluminum-cased ammunition

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What are the pros and cons of aluminum cases? They don't seem to be very widely used, although you would think that aluminum would be a bit cheaper than brass. And I don't think that they can be reloaded.
 
The cost of the material is only part of the problem: the other part is forming the material into the shape you need--and brass forms pretty easily compared to aluminum. You can swage brass fairly easily, but go forth and try to find anything made out of swaged aluminum--but pack a lunch, because you will be looking for a while.... Or even forged aluminum, for that matter....
 
I don't reload yet, so I don't buy brass that I can't use unless aluminum is not available. Never a problem of any kind with aluminum cases.
 
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You can swage brass fairly easily, but go forth and try to find anything made out of swaged aluminum--but pack a lunch, because you will be looking for a while.... Or even forged aluminum, for that matter....
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Bicycle cranksets. Back when I was first getting into "10 speed" bikes, the low end aluminum crank would have the chainwheel swaged to it. High end would be forged with seperate chainwheel. (Actually, this was a couple years after. I started in about the time of the last gasp of the steel cottered crank. I'm a Certifiable Old Farte.)
 
Is there any concern that it can accelerate wear on the action? Aluminum isn't very hard, but aluminum oxide is just under diamond in hardness.
 
I shoot Blazer through my Glocks (17 and 26) with great results. I just ordered 2,000 more rounds from Natchez yesterdy. I used to reload for 9mm, but with prices so low, it is not worth my time anymore.
 
I used to shoot Blazer 9mm and 45 ACP until I discovered Sellier & Bellot, also from Natchez, at 'similar' * prices. The S&B, of course, are brass cases, reloadable, and very accurate. (At these prices it is hard to justify reloading other than for special rounds or bullets other than RN.)

* From Natchez (prices for boxes of 50)
9 mm 115-gr FMJ
Blazer = $4.99
S&B = $4.89
Blazer = $4.79 (20 boxes)

45 ACP 230-gr FMJ
S&B = $8.25
Blazer = $7.90
Blazer = $7.19 (20 boxes)

my 2¢

Alex
 
Or even forged aluminum, for that matter....
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Actually there is a lot of stuff made from forged aluminum in high-strength low-weight applications. Aircraft landing gear comes to mind.

But yeah I'd rather be using brass so I don't get hasseled at my range.
 
I haven't gotten set up reloading yet, and already have a couple thousand .45 brass casings.

I purchased a case of Blazer .45 ACP to hold me over until I get started reloading and have been very pleased with the accuracy and reliability.
 
I can get Blazer aluminum 9mm for $3.86 a box. :cool:

It hasn't given me any problems. It's the best range ammo out there, IMO.
 
In the course of a year I probably see a gazillion rounds of Blazer go downrange and love the stuff for training. Unless you enjoy reloading, which I don't, I'd go with Blazer. In the long run, bought in bulk, I think it works out as less expensive, too.

Just my opinion, but I have found ammo named after large feral canids and those that print their names in decorative script to be dirty and less reliable than others. Short of duty rounds, Blazer does it for me.

Incidently, in the training sector, I have'nt noticed any effects on the guns from Blazer. At one time H&K would'nt let you run it thru their range subguns, but I thought they were just being snotty.
 
Some ranges don't allow Blazer because they don't want to bother having to sort through their brass and remove the Blazer cases before they sell it. Also, CCI specifically recommends that Blazer not be used in open-bolt firearms.
 
Con: people who use aluminum-cased ammo don't feel the need to use a brass-catcher, so their cases are always hitting me in the face. ;)
 
I've just ran about 250 rounds through my W. German 226 with no problems. Its cleaner than WWB 100ct 9mm and its cheaper. The XD9 seems to love the stuff as well.

The funniest thing is that brass gets flung consistently into one spot. Blazer Al casings just go anywere they want.
 
I can get Blazer aluminum 9mm for $3.86 a box.
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Me too. I recently bought half a case for $38 and then I went to shoot at an indoor range that's near here. I got there and they had a sign up that said "No CCI Blazer" and had a few cases taped to it. I suspected it's because they sell their brass and I asked the guy and he claims that they've had several aluminum casings explode. I asked what caliber and he said .40 S&W and .38. Personally, I think they're lying and they just don't want to separate it from the brass. Luckily I also had 200 rounds of Winchester White Box for my 9mm and 100 rounds of .38 and .357 in other brands as well. However, I will not be returning to that range.

brad cook
 
I haven't run across any ranges around here that will allow aluminum Blazer to be used. Bummer.

I've also got a thousand rounds of steel cased Speer 9mm JHP that I don't know where to shoot. Every range I come across either doesn't allow HP or non-brass...:banghead:

I need to find a National Forest location where I can go...oh, to be free again. :scrutiny:

Sawdust
 
FWIW: 30x113mm and 30x173mm ammunition used by the US military feature aluminum alloy cartridge cases. It saves a lot of weight when you are carrying so many rounds in your AH-64 or your A-10, respectively.
 
I think alot of artillery case are made of aluminum too. Things like 120mm APFSDS for M1s and such.

Slightly related, how's about steel cased ammo?
 
The only real negative I've seen is that in my experience Aluminum cased ammunition is far more susceptible to bullet setback than brass or steel cased ammo.
 
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