Why brass?
I've shot the CCI Blazer aluminum case ammo and it's pretty good IMO. Functions fine, especially in my revolvers.
Aside from the economic benefits of reloading much of it -OR- salvaging it for scrap, why is brass used for the vast majority of ammunition cases? Is it because it's soft enough - like aluminum - to crimp tightly around a bullet? Resistant to corrosion? Is it more stable around gunpowder?
Just a question out of curiousity.
Aside from the economic benefits of reloading much of it -OR- salvaging it for scrap, why is brass used for the vast majority of ammunition cases? Is it because it's soft enough - like aluminum - to crimp tightly around a bullet? Resistant to corrosion? Is it more stable around gunpowder?
Just a question out of curiousity.
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Aluminum is probably a bit more difficult to work with just a guess, also brass is more plentiful? Or was anyhow, can't reload aluminum.
Btw aluminum cases don't work in all guns I know I read a warning for one gun that you were not supposed to use them, and I found it tighter when I tried it in one revolver, didn't like it.0 -
I used it for about a month when it first came out, and didn't like it. Somehow, I felt cheated throwing it away - kinda like trashing a soda can with a deposit on it.
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quote:Originally posted by Slow_Hand
I've shot the CCI Blazer aluminum case ammo and it's pretty good IMO. Functions fine, especially in my revolvers.
Aside from the economic benefits of reloading much of it -OR- salvaging it for scrap, why is brass used for the vast majority of ammunition cases? Is it because it's soft enough - like aluminum - to crimp tightly around a bullet? Resistant to corrosion? Is it more stable around gunpowder?
Just a question out of curiousity.
Brass expands and contracts better?0 -
Brass is used because it is easily extruded and stamped, therefore lower production costs.
Here is an excerpt from a science website that I found:
"Nearly all small arms ammunition cases are of brass alloy. Some use aluminum, steel, or plastic, but the brass case is most popular and easiest to manufacture.
The design of the case is determined by the firearm in which the ammunition is used. The typical brass case is formed from annealed sheet by drawing with a multiple punch and die set. The first stage of the multiple die set forms the metal, the second stretches the metal deeper, the third forms the rim, and so on. Each step stretches the metal slightly farther until the final stage produces an accurately formed case. The cases are trimmed to length and the primer hole is punched. Heat treating and stress relieving are performed to selected types of cases to improve durability. This is accomplished in large batch ovens, where baskets of cases are heated with enough temperature to gently soften the metal without distorting it. When cooled, the metal is "relaxed" and better able to take the punishment of firing. Some handgun caliber cases are nickel plated for durability in reloading, corrosion resistance, and for appearance. Each case is stamped with information such as caliber, manufacturer, munitions codes, and year of manufacture."0 -
some metals, when rubbed together, will either scrape, or do nothing, or even make little balls like what you got on your sweater (titanium is notorious for that). it's called "galling". aluminum galls more, brass doesn't much at all- which makes it slipperier, that's called "lubricity".
plus, brass is more "malleable", it stretches easier. like when you hit it with a hammer, it gets thinner. that's the same as when it's in the chamber and the powder goes bang. you get "fire-formed" brass that fits better specifically in your chamber. aluminum doesn't do that as well and is more likely to crack.
in summary, there are several things to consider:
gallinghardnessmalleability"lubricity"0
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