Is Aluminum Cased Ammo Good?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to be going over aluminum cased ammo today. Ammunition of this type represents an alternative to traditional brass cased ammunition which has been prevalent for generations. We are going to delve into what this type of ammunition is while delving into traits, features, use cases, and other considerations. Without further ado, let’s explore whether or not aluminum cased ammo is good.

What is Aluminum Cased Ammo?

Like the name suggests, aluminum cased ammo utilizes aluminum over brass for their casings. This is done for multiple reasons, many of which end up benefitting shooters who utilize ammo of this type. Generally speaking, aluminum material is cheaper and has more stable pricing than brass does. This translates to cheaper costs of manufacturing and cheaper prices for consumers. Aluminum casings are also lighter than their brass and steel counterparts. Additionally, aluminum casings are more resistant to rust and corrosion than brass and steel are. This trait makes aluminum ammunition well-suited for stockpiling and long-term storage. Besides the difference in case material, aluminum cased ammunition is nearly identical to conventional brass ammo.

What Firearms Use Aluminum Cased Ammo?

Due to the fact that aluminum cased loadings cover handgun calibers, ammunition of this type can be utilized in a wide range of firearms. Pistols, revolvers, lever action rifles, pistol caliber carbines, and short barreled rifles alike in these calibers can effectively utilize aluminum cased ammo. This is to say that everything from a Glock 45 to a B&T APC 9 can utilize aluminum cased ammunition.

Purchase Ammo

Who Makes Aluminum Cased Ammo?

At this point in time, a mere two companies produce aluminum cased ammo for commercial use. These two companies are CCI and Federal. CCI aluminum case offerings are available in their Blazer line of ammunition while Federal offerings feature the company’s Champion branding. Aluminum cased ammunition typically features full metal jacket (FMJ), total metal jacket (TMJ), or jacketed hollow point (JHP) projectiles. Like most ammunition offerings, aluminum cased ammo can be had in either individual box or bulk ammo quantities. Popular handgun calibers such as 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, and 10mm Auto are represented by loadings of this type.

Can You Reload Aluminum Casings?

While aluminum casings feature Boxer primers and can technically be reloaded, doing so is ultimately not recommended. Aluminum is far less malleable than brass is, meaning that the material is more rigid and susceptible to stress and strain. During the firing cycle, casings are subjected to drastic changes in pressure and temperature changes as primers are ignited and projectiles are sent downrange. Brass casings will slightly deform, or fireform, to the chamber to adapt to changes brought on during the firing cycle. Aluminum casings are incapable of this due to their rigid nature. After enduring the strain of a firing cycle, aluminum casings are more brittle and prone to failures such as splitting and rupturing.

Will Aluminum Cased Ammo Damage Your Gun?

Many shooters have wondered whether aluminum casings can possibly wear out or damage their extractors. This concern often comes from the fact that aluminum is harder and less malleable than brass is. While aluminum is certainly harder than brass, one should keep in mind that extractors are often made from steel. Steel is a harder material than aluminum, meaning that extractors can handle a steady diet of casings, whether brass or aluminum. Like many parts on a firearm, extractors (and their springs) are a wear item. As such, they will eventually need to be replaced, regardless of the casing material one uses.

What is Aluminum Cased Ammo Used For?

Aluminum cased ammo is commonly utilized by shooters for a variety of purposes. A prominent use case for aluminum cased ammo is going to be recreational shooting. Essentially, ammunition of nearly every type is good for recreational target shooting and plinking. Competition shooting and training are also common use cases that steel cased ammunition is used for. The economical nature of these types of loadings makes it easy for an end user to stock up without breaking the bank. Speaking of stocking up, as mentioned earlier, aluminum cased loadings are great for stockpiling due to their hardy nature. Aluminum’s resistance to rust and corrosion makes these loadings well-suited to storing away for a rainy day. Simply put, aluminum cased ammo is viable for many practical uses.

Is Aluminum Cased Ammo Range Safe?

Put plainly, yes, aluminum cased ammo is range safe. Some ranges, whether outdoor or indoor, balk at the sight of non-brass ammunition. This is due to the fact that steel core ammunition, often accompanied by a steel casing, can potentially damage indoor range fixtures or create sparks in outdoor settings. Often times, ranges will inspect the projectile of a loading to determine whether or not a steel core projectile is present. This test is often done with a magnet. As mentioned earlier, aluminum cased loadings only differ from their brass counterparts in terms of case material. This is to say that the same lead core projectiles found in many brass offerings are also present in aluminum offerings. In short, aluminum loadings are safe for range use and will not attract magnets.

Purchase Ammo

How Available is Aluminum Cased Ammo?

At this point in time, aluminum cased ammo is greatly outnumbered by traditional brass cased loadings. As mentioned above, only two major ammunition companies currently produce aluminum ammo for commercial purposes. The market simply has fewer aluminum cased ammo offerings available than there are brass cased offerings on the market. This is not to suggest that aluminum cased offerings are hard to find by any means, just that one may need to look a bit harder for loadings. That being said, one can certainly acquire aluminum cased ammo if they want to.

Conclusion

All in all, aluminum cased ammunition represents a viable alternative to brass and steel cased ammo. Ammunition of this type is produced by high end ammo manufacturers, made to high standards, and won’t break the break. Shooters of all types can benefit from aluminum ammunition, whether competing, training, plinking, or even defending themselves. We here at True Shot Ammo carry aluminum cased ammunition in addition to the other range of ammo for sale that we offer. Whether you want aluminum cased pistol ammo or want to buy ammo of a different type, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting. Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options. View more posts about ammunition:

Is Aluminum Cased Ammo Good?