i bought a box of aluminum-cased 45acp and am gradually accumulating empty shells. they look fine but i know aluminum is more brittle than brass. can this be reloaded? anything special to look out for?
(tried to search, link to 2nd page of results got me logged out somehow with a 525 ssl error.)
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
2I tried resizing some that stuff years ago...it just crumpled in the sizing die.
Subs
Subs
"Oozing charm from every pore, he oiled his way around the floor."
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
4should have started with google. consensus on the web says once, maybe. maybe not. too risky. into the recycle bin it goes. thanks, y'all.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
6Since at least one of the ranges I frequent bans aluminum shells, I assume there's a good reason, and it's not fear of inducing Alzheimer's.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
7since the conversation has taken this turn, for what it's worth, when new it functions just fine in my SA milspec and the (como se) llama minimax. it's been (relatively) cheap, and reliable. i already have a heap of brass, so hoarding for reloads is not important. ymmv.
i'm retired. what's your excuse?
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
8The good reason is that they would get less money at the recycling center when they sell the empty cases there... which is what most (all?) ranges do. Brass is worth more than aluminum, and can be used to make (and sell) remanufactured ammo.YankeeTarheel wrote:Since at least one of the ranges I frequent bans aluminum shells, I assume there's a good reason, and it's not fear of inducing Alzheimer's.
Plus I'm sure the range personnel consider sorting through trash cans full of empty cases to be an onerous task.
"In every generation there are those who want to rule well - but they mean to rule. They promise to be good masters - but they mean to be masters." — Daniel Webster
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
9I have doubts about shooting it once...forget reloading it, unless you plan to test every one for tiny cracks and measure wall thickness.
Aluminum is too malleable, they'd have to be made of 7075 T6.
Aluminum is too malleable, they'd have to be made of 7075 T6.
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
10Some firearm manufacturers specifically say not to use aluminium cases in their firearms. For some guns, like the Sub 2000, there is little to no delay in the bolt moving back as the bullet leaves the chamber, which means the case is partially unsupported when there is significant pressure still being applied. This is bad.
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
11Aluminum hardens with heat and pressure. Risk of brittleness after it's been fired.
When only cops have guns, it's called a police state.
I carry due to toxic masculinity.......just other people's.
I carry due to toxic masculinity.......just other people's.
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
12I got a bunch of aluminum 357 a while back. I wouldn't have bought it, but for free I was happy to shoot it. It was as good as any factory ammo. In a blowback gun with no delay other than mass and spring weight, like the sub 2k, I'd be wary. Any other gun seems like there should be no issue.
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
13A lot of ranges sell to companies that remanufacture ammo, more money in that than selling it for the metal value. They don't want to have to sort out aluminum (or steel) cases.rascally wrote:The good reason is that they would get less money at the recycling center when they sell the empty cases there... which is what most (all?) ranges do. Brass is worth more than aluminum, and can be used to make (and sell) remanufactured ammo.YankeeTarheel wrote:Since at least one of the ranges I frequent bans aluminum shells, I assume there's a good reason, and it's not fear of inducing Alzheimer's.
Plus I'm sure the range personnel consider sorting through trash cans full of empty cases to be an onerous task.
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
14Aluminum cases add to the outdoor range litter.
Steel and aluminum in between a thick bed of spent 22 cases. Narry a brass center fire case to be found, wonder why? Prolly cuz of brassholes like me. Some inconsiderate tackicool mall commado leaves .223 brass on the ground? Into the rangebag they go.
Steel and aluminum in between a thick bed of spent 22 cases. Narry a brass center fire case to be found, wonder why? Prolly cuz of brassholes like me. Some inconsiderate tackicool mall commado leaves .223 brass on the ground? Into the rangebag they go.
Re: are aluminum cases safe to reload?
15Which reminds me, Lurker at the next meet up I'll be happy to give you my 45 range pick up. I my have a hundred or so cluttering up my reloading bench.