Reloading aluminum cases

[Jersey Doug]

Know this has probably been talked to death, but the claim that aluminum cased bullets are stickily deposable after shoot, is that correct? I have a few that ended up in my brass .38 special run and it sized and crimped fine but haven't shoot any finished ones?

 

[Turn4811]

I have never had any 9mm survive the load process without splitting. I haven't run across any 38Spl as I don't get much range pick-up except for my own brass.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

I've read posts from guys that have reloaded aluminum cases.

But you're more likely to damage/scratch up your dies than it is worth reloading disposable cases.

 

[Cdog]

Times will have to be bad, really bad for me to fool with aluminum or steel.

They have to be less than desirable for me to fool with nickeled brass.

For flash, I do keep my western belt loaded with nickel .45 Colt.

 

[Driswalds]

I reloaded a few steel .223 cases just to see if it was possible.

It was and went very smoothly.
I did cringe when trimming with the thought of how much damage I caused on my trimming tools.

 

[Dave from Pa]

If I recall CCI Blazer aluminum cases are Berdan primed.While it is possible to reload Berdan cases it is quite a chore and not worth the effort involved.

 

[Jersey Doug]

I'm using my 1972 the RCBS carbon steel dies had purchased back then. Bullets are coated .38 wadcutter, straight sided case went through the process with very little force (seemed less than with brass). I don't know about multiple reloading these over and over but with the light 2.7 of bullseye, the one shot cases went together fine??????????

 

[OKFC05]

Aluminum will load, and split. Your gun, your choice, your risk.
Aluminum work hardens and becomes brittle MUCH faster than brass.

 

[schutz5]

Well more power to ya Jersey!
For the few test samples it is a win.
Try them out.

Cdog,what is the deal with nickled brass and reloading?

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I just resized about 50 bottleneck rifle cases, and had 4 maybe 5 that had cracks in the neck. They were all R-P cases, and I suspect they cracked when I resized the inside of the neck. I mashed them with my trusty ballpeen hammer that I've had since 1948-49 and threw them in the brass scrap bucket.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[AJ]

The question begs an answer........Why reload aluminum cases when there are so many brass cases available????

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Back when I was a lot poorer. 50 years ago. I bought lots of Remington UMC steel cased 45 acp's. I reloaded them tool. Never had any problem running them through a light weight Commander.

 

[Jersey Doug]

Available Brass

Shooting every weekend over decades testing the custom guns I build as a past-time do have a few brass cases laying around. My range lets me help myself to the piles of discarded brass, so arrive with two boxes of ammo, go home with four boxes worth of brass, sometimes less as 9mm dominates the discarded selection.

When don't know about something I post here for the best advice and aluminum cases is something I know nothing about. Thanks to all for the guidance on this subject..

 

[Cdog]

Well more power to ya Jersey!
For the few test samples it is a win.
Try them out.

Cdog,what is the deal with nickled brass and reloading?

I've had much shorter lifespan from nickel.

The nickeled brass seems to be considerably less malleable than brass. From .223 to .45 Colt, too many split necks and case mouths

Spend more for a shorter lifespan. No thanks.

 

[jake1945]

I have reloaded nickel plated brass (.357 mag) and the necks do split after 2-3 reloads.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

I had a bunch of brass given to me 10 or 12 years ago. in it were probably 100 or so aluminum cases. Not one to waste any thing, I loaded up 6 cases to see if it was workable to use them. They loaded fine and functioned fine in my gun, so I loaded up the rest and used them one more time the next time I went to an indoor range.

 

[stansdds]

It may be possible to reload aluminum cases, but CCI used Berdan primers in their aluminum cases, so it is hard to remove the primer. The aluminum case may survive one reloading, but that is all and even after the first firing, it is a weak case. I would not reload aluminum cases, such ammo is designed for a single use and should be regarded as such.

Nickle plated brass, in my experience, will split or crack much sooner than plain brass. It is my understanding that the nickel plating process causes hydrogen embrittlement within the brass.

 

[max503]

I routinely reload nickel 38 special and 357 mag cases. Some split, some last for years.

 

[jim lock]

IMHO ---- Why is this even being discussed. Its recommended Not to reload so why do it. Possible to ruin a firearm, hurt yourself or worse a bystander.
My answer is NO do not reload.
Jim

 

[Moe Mentum]

With all the brass laying around (especially from all these new shooters) there is no reason to mess with steel, or aluminum cases.