Aluminum vs. Brass Ammo: Weighing the Pros and Cons for Your Shooting Needs
When it comes to selecting ammunition for your firearm, you might encounter two prevalent casing materials: aluminum and brass. Each has its unique set of characteristics that come with their own considerations. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between aluminum and brass
ammo. Specifically, we shall examine their traits and other consierations to help you make an informed decision for your shooting needs.
What is Aluminum Cased Ammo?
Like the name suggests, loadings of this type feature aluminum casings. This is to say that the casings that contain powder charges and primers are constructed out of aluminum rather than brass. Loadings utilizing alternative casing materials are certainly nothing new in the realm of
ammo. Steel casings were also utilized in place of brass casings during the two World Wars by many European countries. Aluminum casings provide shooters with alternative casings without the downsides and stigma of steel ammo. Currently, an overwhelming majority of aluminum cased ammo is available in the form of handgun calibers such as
9mm and
.45 ACP.
What is Brass Cased Ammo?
Brass cased
ammunition has been utilized for well over a century. Ammunition of this type has been employed by militaries, law enforcement personnel, and shooters of all types since its inception. Brass has been a mainstay in the realm of firearms for centuries. Everything from receivers, frames, bullet jacketing, and casings have been constructed from brass. The malleable nature of brass makes it versatile and easily used to produce casings of various sizes. This is why everything from .22 LR to
.50 BMG can be found in brass cased form. Currently, brass cased pistol, rifle, and rimfire loadings can be had quite easily. This is to say that
9mm,
5.56, and
.22 LR can easily be found with brass casings.
Purchase Ammo
Who Makes Aluminum Cased Ammo?
Currently, there are not many companies that produce aluminum cased
ammo. This is to say ammo with aluminum casings are vastly outnumbered by brass cased offerings. Despite this, there is still support for aluminum cased loadings.
CCI offers their Blazer line of handgun
ammunition in the form of an aluminum cased loading. Though support is small, a large company such as CCI makes the production and use of aluminum ammo viable.
Who Makes Brass Cased Ammo?
An overwhelming majority of
ammunition for pistols and rifles one will encounter on the market utilize brass casings. The use of brass casings is a standard industry practice which is utilized by both foreign and domestic
ammo producers.
PMC,
Remington,
Sellier & Bellot,
Winchester, and
Fiocchi are among the producers of brass cased ammunition. These manufacturers are but a drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of brass cased ammo producers.
What Ammo is Cheaper?
Presently, aluminum cased
ammo is cheaper than brass cased ammo is. This is due to the fact that it is cheaper for manufacturers to acquire aluminum than brass. As prices of materials increase, prices of goods will naturally increase as well. Individual
ammunition boxes and bulk ammo offerings of aluminum cased loadings tend to be cheaper than brass offerings are. Of course, pricing is ultimately contingent upon the specific caliber in question as well. The savings to be had with aluminum ammo are especially useful for those who are looking to plink or train. Additionally, the lower cost makes it easier to build a stockpile of ammo.
What Ammo is Easier to Reload?
Brass casings are easier to work with than non-brass counterparts. This is to say that aluminum and steel casings are harder to reload than brass casings. These alternative materials are more rigid than their brass counterparts and are rougher on reloading equipment. Additionally, this rigidity means that casings can split if they are subjected to excessive pressures. Brass is a more malleable metal than aluminum. This allows it to be reformed and reshaped during the reloading process. Additionally, this malleability makes it able to handle stress better than aluminum. Rather than splitting or cracking in some cases, brass can simply expand or fireform. Brass loadings are simply easier to reload.
Purchase Ammo
Which Casings are More Resistant to the Elements?
As far as resisting the elements, aluminum casings are more resistant to rust and corrosion than their brass cased counterparts. Unlike aluminum, brass is considerably more susceptible to rust and corrosion. This makes proper storage of brass cased
ammo that much more important to ensure rust and corrosion do not occur. Of course, proper ammo storage is important and should be the goal of all shooters regardless of loading. Corrosion and rust can still impact components such as projectiles and primers, potentially hindering function. In short, aluminum casings are better suited for resisting the elements than their brass counterparts.
What is More Common?
As mentioned above, there are more companies producing loadings for brass cased ammo than aluminum cased
ammo. Due to this fact, brass cased ammo is more common and available than aluminum cased
ammunition is. One will not need to go out of their way to get ahold of brass cased ammo. Aluminum cased loadings may be a bit tricker to track down at times. These loadings are not unobtainable by any means, one must simply look a bit harder than if they were looking for brass.
Conclusion
All in all, aluminum and brass cased
ammunition alike will be well-suited for the needs of many shooters. Loadings of either type have been mainstays for shooters engaged in purposeful training, competition, and plinking alike. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both aluminum case and brass case ammo in our inventory of
ammunition for sale. This range of
ammo for sale encompasses popular calibers and gauges such as
9mm,
5.56,
12 gauge, and
.22 LR. Whether you want aluminum cased ammo, brass ammo, or want to
buy bulk ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
