N555
Member
I reloaded them just to make sure I could do it.
Reload Aluminum Case
- Thread starter tws3b2
- Start date
entropy
Member
Me too. They crack easily, but I have a steady supply of .45 ACP aluminum cases. I just loaded up one box as a feasibility study. They would be handy for shooting at an outdoor range in the winter where there's snow on the ground.
N555
Member
That is also what I was thinking.
jmorris
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The NR in the head stamp means non reloadable.
That doesn’t mean you can’t do it as a buddy showed us once, it is possible. It means you shouldn’t. As the same buddy showed us about 6 months later when he had to replace his kart barrel because of the eroded chamber, from them almost all splitting upon the 2nd firing….
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Jim Watson
Member
Should be marked "Non Wettable".
I thought I had salvaged about a case and a half of Blazer aluminum 9mm after The Incident. The box was just a bit damp and the rounds LOOKED ok.
But my companion at the range noticed flash out the ejection port. I picked up some empties and found many split and some with gaping burn throughs.
The chamber was scored. FLG polished it up, the chamber is still marred but extracts ok so I did not replace the barrel. But I sure pulled the bullets out of the rest of that ammo.
I thought I had salvaged about a case and a half of Blazer aluminum 9mm after The Incident. The box was just a bit damp and the rounds LOOKED ok.
But my companion at the range noticed flash out the ejection port. I picked up some empties and found many split and some with gaping burn throughs.
The chamber was scored. FLG polished it up, the chamber is still marred but extracts ok so I did not replace the barrel. But I sure pulled the bullets out of the rest of that ammo.
Charlie98
Member
jmorris
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I have 45 ACP brass that’s older than I am that’s still just fine and I am no spring chicken. I can’t think of a reason to do it except to do something one shouldn’t do.
Aluminum cases can even be dangerous in some firearms. I wouldn’t run them at all out of a blow back carbine, without checking first.
www.youtube.com
I used to shoot a lot of it until I learned they leak. This firing pin stop looks like it was hit with a plasma torch from using them.
Breech face erosion is common too, again with high volumes.
Stuff to keep in mind if the firearm is worth much.
Aluminum cases can even be dangerous in some firearms. I wouldn’t run them at all out of a blow back carbine, without checking first.
Blazer 9mm
www.youtube.com
I used to shoot a lot of it until I learned they leak. This firing pin stop looks like it was hit with a plasma torch from using them.
Breech face erosion is common too, again with high volumes.
Stuff to keep in mind if the firearm is worth much.
Interesting article GeoDude. I had thought there must be some way to soften aluminum as there are so many aluminum items/parts that have gone through a lot if machining/forming procedures. Too involved for me just to use some aluminum cases...
gwpercle
Member
GeoDudeFlordia ... will now explain how to anneal alumnium case necks for home ...reloadingThat’s not entirely true. Read this article on strain relief of work hardened aluminum. It’s done routinely in industry.
Stress Relieving Processes for Aluminum Alloys
Informed manufacturers understand the benefit of knowing about the full variety of stress relieving processes available for aluminum alloys. Having a stable, durable aluminum product able to withstand stresses is a requirement no matter what industry is being discussed. That’s why it’s helpful...clintonaluminum.com
It's done routinely in Industry .
Okay ... Splain how to do it .
Gary
GeoDudeFlorida
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Is there a reason for your rudeness?
GeoDudeFlorida
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Yeah I wouldn’t trust aluminum cases. Pistol cases are a real problem. By the time you relieve the case mouth the base is too soft for an extractor.
I’ve cut several tons of T-6 in aerospace. Long lines, short mills, vertical - you name it. There were times we had to put a torch to a bar to get it to lay flat in a shoe on the long line but that starter piece alway's got cut off after inspection. Now, titanium… that’s a whole other story.
greyling22
Member
I've reloaded 2 38spl. both split after the 2nd firing.
I have also [accidentally] reloaded a steel 9mm case (worked fine, but was hard as a mug to resize) and loaded 9mm into 380 and 9mm mak cases. 9mm mak is hard to resize too. Both fired, but I did not hit my target (though that could very well have been me)
and less you think I'm doing this on purpose, stuff gets mixed into the progressive, and I load very light loads.
I have also [accidentally] reloaded a steel 9mm case (worked fine, but was hard as a mug to resize) and loaded 9mm into 380 and 9mm mak cases. 9mm mak is hard to resize too. Both fired, but I did not hit my target (though that could very well have been me)
and less you think I'm doing this on purpose, stuff gets mixed into the progressive, and I load very light loads.
Necessary_Nutrient
Member
It's an exercise in risky experimentation for people bored of reloading. A friend of mine was reloading aluminum and steel because he figured he was smart enough to do so, this was 9mm when actual brass cases were lying around in quantity for easy pickup and he probably had in excess of 5000 brass cases availalbe 
I told him not to shoot that garbage next to me unless there was a barrier between us.
I told him not to shoot that garbage next to me unless there was a barrier between us.
Soonerpesek
Member
Nobody said that you had to shoot next to him….!!
Unless you own the range(which you may), you don’t set the rules….
OP
OP
tws3b2
Member
I do agree with soonerpesek.It's an exercise in risky experimentation for people bored of reloading. A friend of mine was reloading aluminum and steel because he figured he was smart enough to do so, this was 9mm when actual brass cases were lying around in quantity for easy pickup and he probably had in excess of 5000 brass cases availalbe
I told him not to shoot that garbage next to me unless there was a barrier between us.
I have seen where some have said they reload aluminum 4 or 5 times with no problems. But, to each his own. I have no plans to reload anymore.
AJC1
Member
There are ranges that don't allow any reloads. How many mishaps from things that we clearly know better does our community need.
N555
Member
That's just them dareing me to reload them.
N555
Member
I have reloaded 9mm and 45acp. They are only reliably reloadable about once. Reload them twice and you are likely to get a case split when seating the bullet. Now you go to pull down the round and recover the primer.
Atavar
Member
Smash them with a hammer while yelling “MWAHAHA”! They will taunt you no more.
WVGunman
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- Feb 26, 2014
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- 380
Nice to see multiple people here pointing out that Berdan cases CAN be reloaded, it just isn't simple or easy. I get irritated by people who thoughtlessly repeat simplistic old saws such as steel cases or Berdan-primed cases can't be reloaded. Neither is true.
AJC1
Member
If I had a source of berdan primers I have some 6.5x55 that would be reloaded.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Yes, but sometimes correcting the record makes you the target for ignorant people. Such is life.
GeoDudeFlorida
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They do show up occasionally. Keep your eyes open and be sure you get the right size. Unlike Boxer primers Berdan primers come in a variety of diameters and thicknesses.
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