Defensive Factory Ammo - Silver cases

[Iheartguns]

All -

I carry either Speer Gold Dot or Federal HydraShock in my carry pieces. I noticed that almost all of the factory defensive ammo have silver cases.

What kind of metal is this? I'm assuming steal.

Why is it used only for defensive rounds?

Is it reloadable?

Also, last time I was brass scrounging, I found some .45 cases of what felt like aluminum. It was dull gray and was extremely light weight. Anyone know what this was?

Andy

 

[rcmodel]

No steel involved!
Brass case with nickel plating.

They do it to prevent corrosion, insure slick feeding & extraction, and to catch your eye when you buy ammo.

They reload just like any other brass case.

CCI Blazer ammo uses a non-reloadable (often Berdan primed) aluminum case.

rc

 

[Iheartguns]

Thanks again, rc.

 

[Shoney]

Just to add a few things to what rc said.

You won't get as many loadings per case from nickel because it usually splits at the mouth early on (3-6 loadings). I load all my PD ammo in nickel cases. It is easier to distinguish from practice rounds at a glance, such as when you need to grab an extra carry mag loaded with it.

Rifle hunting ammo again is easily distinguished, but moreover, it resists tarnishing under adverse conditions. I have spent many hours in NW forests, during both rain and melting snow conditions, where the lignins and tannins which leach from some trees will make regular brass sticky.

Sticky brass needs to cleaned every night on extended hunts under these conditions. If you don't clean it it will be difficult to chamber rounds for follow up shots at dangerous game. You don't need to do that with nickel brass.