Brass vs Aluminum

[Tweek]

Any pros or cons to aluminum ammo cases (CCI Blazer) vs brass?

 

[10-Ring]

IMHO, the only concern is that you can't reload the aluminum cases. Oh, and from my experience, the CCI stuff tends to be on the dirty side.

 

[hansolo]

Blazer?

Depends on what you want....I have gone through a lot in 9mm and .38 Sp., as it is available CHEAPLY @ Walmart.

PROS: Cheap, pretty accurate, at most Walmarts(EZ to find), decent power.

CONS: Cases eject into my face/upper torso sometimes(I guess 'cause they're not as aerodynamic as brass?). I don't reload, so that isn't a problem for me. I've head folks say the coating on the aluminum gums-up chamber...I never noticed that.

I'd say, if you don't reload, try some!

 

[gryphon]

you can't reload the aluminum cases, brass you can.

aluminum is cheaper than brass IIRC.

 

[Boats]

Sometimes the bullets setback in the softer case and then the pressure during firing them can cause the cases to bulge. I avoid Blazer for anything but plinking and a good opportunity for clearance drills.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've had trouble with Blazer ammunition in Pythons: the rough edges of the rims impede the cylinder's rotation.

 

[mgjohn]

One big bad con-- The aluminum case will degrade over time. I had some 38sp cases split on firing and scare the cylinder in my 38 snub. CCI told me that the cartridges were either too old or had been damp at one time causing the cases to get brittle.

No more of the pop can cases for me.

 

[Gerald McDonald]

I have had extractor problems after shooting 4-5000 rounds of blazer, dont know if the blazers were the cause or if the extractor was going to go anyway. A buddy who is pretty smart on shooting issues told me he thought (and he told me he had no proof, just a gut feeling) that maybe the blazers were tough on extractors. He thought they might expand when fired and not have as much eslasiticity as brass and therefore the extractor had a harder pull to remove the hull. This was in a Ruger P95 but I also noticed when shooting in a Glock 34 the emptys tended to bounce off of my forehead.
Gerald

 

[gk1]

Pro: cheaper

Con: not as good

Big surprise, huh?

George

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I have never heard that the case metal determines where the brass is ejected. That is a new one on me.

As for extractor problems, aluminum cases should pose no problems compared to brass. Wolf ammo with steel cases, however, may be problematic as the steel is much harder than brass or aluminum.

 

[rjoy]

I can buy the idea that the aluminum cases extract differently than brass. Brass is about four times denser than aluminum. I would think that cases of equal dimensions would weigh a quarter as much in aluminum and fly farther(higher into your face?) than the brass. Just a thought from an old science teacher.

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

The big thing I have against CCI Blazers, is that they don't work in my gun (at least not more than two in a row thru my G.M.)

Also, remember that CCI doesn't recommend the aluminum-cased ammo for carry.

 

[9mmepiphany]

the lighter cases, upon ejection, will accelerate faster/higher but will not travel as far due to reduced mass/inertia.

i've heard folks complain about blazer having harder primers (CCI) but i've never had that problem. i have had cases hang up during ejection from my smith 696 (.44 spl wheelgun), but have not had the same problem in autolorders

 

[Baron Holbach]

I have fired several thousands of CCI Blazer rounds in calibers 9mm, .38 special +P, .357 magnum, .44 special, .45LC, and .45ACP, including FMJ and JHP bullet types. In my experience with this ammo, it happens to be one of the cleanest, making for quick and easy firearms cleaning. It has also proven to be very reliable. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for economy but there are more accurate brands of brass-type ammunition. I continue to use Blazer, in addition to other brands of brass-type ammo.