Aluminum Cases

[bergmen]

I bought a bunch of Federal 9mm that is in aluminum cases (didn't realize it until I got home) Walmart was selling off all of their handgun ammo at discounted prices.

I have read that these cannot be reloaded. I can't find out why.

Anybody know?

Dan

[tabascoz28]

I heard some people can. Never bothered as regular brass 9mm was everywhere.

[bergmen]

I heard some people can. Never bothered as regular brass 9mm was everywhere.

Yeah, I have thousands and thousands of 9mm brass cases for reloading so no worries there. I ended up with 1,500 loony-yum cased ammo and was willing to try reloading if it is feasible.

I don't want to get a case stuck in the resizing die and that may the crux of the issue but can't find reliable info on the subject.

Dan

[bergmen]

Okay, I did some more searching and found that there was some success in reloading aluminum cases but there is a very good chance that the case will split either during bullet seating or during firing. Even the most successful reloaders had issues after only one reload and decided to quit the process.

So, that is good enough for me, they will be going on the trash (after shooting of course).

Dan

[9mmepiphany]

They are good for a couple of reloads...just don't load them to Max.

I've never had one stuck, but I lube my 9mm cases anyway

[bigbossman]

I would imagine that aluminum cases don't like being stretched and resized. Aluminum is not very bendy, and doesn't take reforming very well.

I've never tried reloading it though - grass 9mm casings are literally lying around just about everywhere I shoot.

[robert101]

I've reloaded a few for instances where I was not going to recover my cases. Much easier to use brass and in the calibers I shoot, brass is plentiful anyway. So, why bother for one reload unless you intend to leave it?

[bergmen]

I've reloaded a few for instances where I was not going to recover my cases. Much easier to use brass and in the calibers I shoot, brass is plentiful anyway. So, why bother for one reload unless you intend to leave it?

I do like some level of experimentation (within safety parameters of course). I reloaded .45 Schofield cases for my .45 Colt SA revolvers and found a nice 50 fps increase in MV. I also loaded .357 Magnum cases with a +P+ .38 Special load to try in my new Kimber revolver with excellent accuracy results.

So, this is along the same lines although I don't think I'm going to try it. Too many reports of split case failures to make it worth it.

I was just curious after all.

Dan

[the86d]

The key is Berdan primed vs boxer primed...


You CAN drill flash-holes, and buffer different primers sizes, but it isn't the same for the same seal to be made...
but I am sure there are exceptions, but as I understand it, most aluminum and steel cases are Berdan primed?

[aspenvalley]

[geekeye]

from a former life as someone who cared about bicycle frames, aluminum is more susceptible to cracking from metal fatigue than either steel or titanium, and presumably copper and brass are better than all of the above, so i'd imagine if you want to reload aluminum you would need to think about annealing pretty frequently.

[bigbossman]

...... i'd imagine if you want to reload aluminum you would need to think about annealing pretty frequently.

Good luck annealing aluminum.

[Ishooter]

I've reloaded aluminum cases of 9mm and .45 acp in medium load. There's no issue. The cases look normal after being fired. I don't see there's much stretch of the case if you only flare out the mouth just enough to put the bullet in.

[USM0083]

I've only shot CCI Blazer 9mm, which IIRC is berdan primed (15 years ago).

[Corbin Dallas]

I bought a bunch of Federal 9mm that is in aluminum cases (didn't realize it until I got home) Walmart was selling off all of their handgun ammo at discounted prices.

I have read that these cannot be reloaded. I can't find out why.

Anybody know?

Dan

I've reloaded 10's of thousands of these.


The majority of blazer aluminum cases are berdan primed. You CAN punch through this and seat a normal primer, but you're compromising the case structure doing so. I would NOT RECOMMEND using these.


There are boxer primer variants. This is what I use when I use them.


Things you want to know (using 9mm as an example)

1) These can only be reloaded once.
2) These WILL crack. Inspect and case gauge every single one you reload.
3) You CANNOT use an undersizing die.
4) You CANNOT use over diameter bullets. (.356 = ok 0.357 = cracked case)
5) You should not clean these with stainless pins. Walnut is good or don't clean them first.

Finally, be prepared for brasswhores at the local range to give you stinkeye.

This is the #1 reason I reload aluminum, to give the middle finger to brass gophers and hoes at competitions.



ETA:

These are 230g 45ACP moly coated lead sized 0.451

As you can see, there is a slight bulge in the case when seated.