Aluminum cases better?

[mnh327]

got some aluminum cased .357 ammo. It feels much lighter compared to brass cased box of 50.

So if you don't reload, and with the added weight and cost of brass, it seems aluminum cased ammo is superior.

Anything wrong with this thinking?

[9mmepiphany]

nothing

I've shot a lot of Blazer ammo in 9mm, .40, .45, ..357 and .44

[littlejake]

One of the functions of the case is to expand and seal the chamber. Both Aluminum and Brass can do this. Brass is superior in relaxing (reducing its diameter back to near pre-fired size) after the pressure drops upon the bullet exiting the barrel.

Some chambers have difficulty extracting Aluminum cases because it does not relax as well.

If Aluminum cases work reliably for you -- use them.

[RollingCode3]

is aluminum case better? no clue and i dont care. I know it is much cheaper though.... As long as it goes bang every time I pull the trigger..i am a happy dude.

[ZombieTactics]

The only problems I have heard of - aside from the reloading issue - is that aluminum cases supposedly exhibit higher friction. This is suggested to possibly cause extraction problems.

I've never seen this claim documented, and have never experienced it myself. I've shot many, many thousands of rounds of Blazer Aluminum without a hitch.

I have a feeling it may not deal well with higher pressured rounds, owing to the fact that I've never seen any +p rounds for handgun, and no .223/5.56 rifle rounds, etc.

Given the decent price and light weight, I use 9mm Blazer aluminum whenever I can.

[duc748bip]

If you are talking about "Blaser" line of ammo I don't think they can be reloaded.. the primer pocket is berdan primed and nor boxer primed so it cannot get knocked out with a depriming pin.. so if you cannot put a new primer in it.. you cannot reoload it.

[CSDGuy]

If you are talking about "Blaser" line of ammo I don't think they can be reloaded.. the primer pocket is berdan primed and nor boxer primed so it cannot get knocked out with a depriming pin.. so if you cannot put a new primer in it.. you cannot reoload it.

It is possible to deprime it, but aluminum cases probably aren't as easy or as safe to reload as brass cases are. My guess is that the Blazer aluminum cases are Berdan primed to discourage reloading... Personally, I've never had a problem with any of the Blazer aluminum ammo that I've shot.

[jackandblood]

my sig in .40 sw has the occasssional hiccup extracting blazer aluminum. I'd say 3 FTE out of 50. Never had that problem with brass. but for the cost savings range ammo it's no big deal. The military is looking for ways to decrease the weight of ammo, polymers or some such right? I suspect the FTE rate with aluminum in 5.56 NATO was deemed unacceptable.

[iareConfusE]

If you are talking about "Blaser" line of ammo I don't think they can be reloaded.. the primer pocket is berdan primed and nor boxer primed so it cannot get knocked out with a depriming pin.. so if you cannot put a new primer in it.. you cannot reoload it.

Aluminum cases can be reloaded - just not safely. The Blazer aluminum cases are not berdan primed, they are boxer primed. The aluminum becomes brittle after you fire it, and if you try and reload the cases (which you can) you run the risk of blowing your gun up and injuring yourself. This is why people generally say it is non-reloadable.

I've never had a problem shooting aluminum cased ammo through my M&P back when I still had it. If most modern semi auto pistols can handle steel cases, I don't see how aluminum cased ammo could possibly cause the gun to malfunction simply due to it's case composition.

[GKO]

I've been using Blazer aluminum cased ammo in 9mm, .357Sig (when they still made it), .40, .45, .357mag, .44 mag for years and never had a problem. It's perfect for someone like me who doesn't reload. It's cheaper and I don't feel like I'm "wasting" something by not picking up the "brass".

[FCinCA]

My buddy has issues with the aluminum casings not being as easy to eject in his Scandium S&W. I shoot them out of my stainless revolvers without issue.

[keefbeef]

Where are the Blazers being sold cheaper than brass cased alternatives? Most places I look, the Blazers are about the same price as other factory brass ammo...

[RT13]

Been using Blazer for over ten years now and thousands of rounds later and never have I ran into any problems whatsoever. I've used their fmj, jhp, etc in almost every handgun caliber. It's good to go.

[RT13]

Where are the Blazers being sold cheaper than brass cased alternatives? Most places I look, the Blazers are about the same price as other factory brass ammo...

I agree and this is why I stopped using it. I use to pay $5.99 for a box of 9mm. Now they are almost as expensive as premium brass ammo.