Aluminium cased ammo?

[lrrifleman]

Hello All!

First, for the record, I need to restate, I am cheap! One of the hardest things for me to do, is to participate in a "lost brass match". I am still successfully reloading 45 ACP brass that I bought new in 1977 when I bought my first 1911!

Since I will soon be shooting Glock matches and an annual ADSS IDPA-style match where all brass is lost, I am thinking about turning to Aluminum cased 9mm ammo. However, like Columbo, I have a few questions.

What is the structural integrity of the 9mm aluminum cases like? When I start to think about aluminum cases, I start to envision Reynolds wrap holding a bullet in place, and crumpling as the slide strips a round from the magazine. Am I envisioning this correctly, or are the aluminum cases rigid enough to retain their shape and dimensions during the firing cycle?

Since the Glock and IDPA style matches are timed matches, I really can't afford to lose time because an aluminum case collapsed as it was being stripped from the magazine.

For those who have shot aluminum cased ammo, how has it held up in your semi-auto?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[ContinentalOp]

I've shot aluminum-cased ammo before, but it has been several years. I believe it was CCI (Speer?) Blazer ammo. I can't remember the caliber, but my guess would be either 9mm or .45ACP.

I do remember shooting quite a few boxes worth, but I don't remember experiencing any issues like you're describing. I do know they can't be reloaded once fired.

I doubt any company would've continued making these rounds if there were persistent structural issues with them.

Sorry I couldn't give you more recent info. I hope it helps, though.

 

[rwsmith]

I know that when I gather range brass...

... I throw out a lot of cases only because they are aluminum, not because there is anything wrong with them. I don't think I've even seen a dented one.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

They sell millions of rounds of it a year for a reason. You're imagining it incorrectly. It works just fine in semi autos.

If you've ever flown commercially, the wing spars holding your wings on and keeping the weight of your 737 in the air are also aluminum.

 

[stansdds]

Back in the day, I would shoot aluminum cased CCI Blazer ammo, never a problem and it was very accurate. These days, Federal and CCI/Speer are the same company and both Speer and Federal offer aluminum cased ammo. My advice, shoot some to determine point of aim and degree of accuracy, then use it for matches where you cannot collect your brass.

 

[Texas40]

Works fine.
Shoot lots of it in 40 and 45.
Shoot away


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[Pisgah]

The only general disadvantage to aluminum-cased ammo is that aluminum are considered non-reloadable. Not because of the material, per se -- there are people who have reloaded aluminum cases; but the cases are Berdan-primed, which presents problems the average reloader just doesn't want to hassle with.

 

[brucev]

Have fired a boat load of Blazer aluminum cased ammo in 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP in various semi-autos. Have fired lots of the .45 ACP in my 625-2. Never had anything but perfect function and excellent on target results. Will say, the .45 ACP Hollow Point load has functioned in all my 1911 type pistols, both Colt, Springfield and RIA. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[IAhunter]

I have fired a good bit of the Federal Champion aluminium ammo in 9mm and .40 S&W. It is a little dirty, but I have had no issues. It all went bang with acceptable accuracy.

 

[gwpercle]

I know what being cheap feels like... I'm known as "frugal" myself ... but Good Lord , buy one box of aluminum cased ammo and shoot it through your gun...
It's the only way to really know . Your gun may hate it , then again , your gun may think it's the best thing since sliced bread .
My AMT Hardballer shoots the stuff just fine .
Gary

 

[scattershot]

No worries with the structural integrity of aluminum cases. It’s the same stuff, just in a cheaper case. As a matter of fact, just for an experiment, I have reloaded a few, just to see if I could. The test cases are on their fourth loading now, with no signs of failure. As Pisgah noted, most of it in the Past was reloaded with Berdan primers, but most of it now uses standard small pistol. No worries, shoot away.

 

[MyDads38]

I always said, if I didn't reload, aluminum case ammo would be all I'd buy. I've shot in 9mm, 40 and 45 auto with no issues and accuracy was on par with brass case ammo. Buy a box or 2 and give it a try!

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Aluminum and steel cased ammo work just fine. I prefer brass but am also cheap and will opt for steel or aluminum to shoot out of my semi autos. My revolvers only get brass that I reload.

 

[elpac3]

Routinely shoot IDPA matches. Before switching over to aluminum cases, check the range rules for the range you will be shooting at.

A couple of the ranges I have shot matches at specifically prohibit aluminum case ammo due to them collecting and reselling the brass and steel cases and their recycle buyer not wanting aluminum in the recycle stream.

Mechanically, the aluminum case ammo shoots just fine.

 

[TX-Dennis]

I will add my voice to those who've said that aluminum cases are good to go. I've fired several thousand rounds of Blazer aluminum and a case of Federal aluminum with no issues whatsoever.

I do not like steel cased ammo in pistols, though. While it functions, it makes my pistols feel "sluggish" as though they are cycling noticeably slower than they normally do.

 

[Skeet 028]

I shot some and it functioned fine..As accurate as I can hold.. I checked a few of the cases and they were boxer primed so you know I just had to try it. They loaded and shot just fine. I just let 'em fly after the 1st load though. Think I have a few left here somewhere

 

[CH4]

The Federal 9mm and 38 special have worked great for me for cheap range ammo.

 

[max]

I have fired many thousand of aluminum 9mm without any problems at all. I have shot it in my Sigs, Glock, S&W, and RIA guns to name a few.

 

[CDR_Glock]

No issues with aluminum cased ammo in a revolver or semiautomatic with the exception of a Coonan 357 Magnum 1911. It does not cycle well with that gun. Everything else works.


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