Aluminum Cases ?

[wildphilhickup]

I am having a problem with aluminum cases.

I recently purchased 5k primed aluminum cases from RMR. The cases are from Federal demilled ammo.

I am using 115 and 124 grain cast bullets.

The primers are "blowing" out of the cases when fired - 50% - 60% of the rounds. This occurs in all of my 9mm semi's.

I called RMR and they say my load must be over pressure. But, this is the same load I use in brass cases. And this never happens.

I use Titegroup powder and I load by the book. My overall length is 1.13"


What do you think?

[Outpost75]

I was under the impression that aluminum cases were not suitable for reloading.

[Rcmaveric]

If the aluminum cases have a different case capacity than brass then it could cause an over pressure. Try comparing their case capacities. A few grains difference in a small 9mm case can have a big difference in pressure.

[Boolit_Head]

Brass and aluminum don't act the same. The material does not the same spring back so the dies designed for brass cases don't work well, that is one of the reasons they are not advised for reloading. To me Aluminum cases are disposable.

[Texas by God]

Blaser aluminum cases from CCI are Berdan primed to discourage reloading. I would use starting loads as max and see if it helps.
If they are Boxer primed they are still not suitable for reloading. One and done with aluminum.

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[wildphilhickup]

"primed aluminum cases from RMR. The cases are from Federal demilled ammo."

These are "NEW" casings. These were never "fired".

Ammo was manufactured by FEDERAL and sold to RMR. RMR de-milled the ammo and sold the casings and bullets.

I respectfully disagree. There is no data to support this statement. =>
"If the aluminum cases have a different case capacity than brass then it could cause an over pressure. Try comparing their case capacities. A few grains difference in a small 9mm case can have a big difference in pressure."



My load is 3.8 grains Titegroup. These chrono close to 1,000 fps. (124 gr , 0.355" , cast RN)

Hodgdon states 3.6 g @ 957 @ 27,700 to 4.1 g @ 1,057 fps @ 32,700 psi. (124 g , 0.356" , Plated Bullet)

[saleen322]

If the aluminum cases have a different case capacity than brass then it could cause an over pressure. Try comparing their case capacities. A few grains difference in a small 9mm case can have a big difference in pressure.

This is certainly true when loading military cases that have thicker brass. What is an okay load with commercial brass can blow primers in military cases. Never considered loading aluminum but I would have to believe the same rules would apply. YMMV

[rking22]

Easy enough to confirm the case capacity, and less case capacity could well be your answer. That is why I am very careful of COL , more bullet in the case is less capacity( effective) and increases pressure. Shows up in above expected velocity ,usually. Fill an AL case with 296, or other fine powder then dump and weigh. Do the same with one of your brass cases, see if there is a difference, no need to guess, eliminate it as a possible cause or confirm , whichever. Measure variables and quantify when possible, helps solve problems .

[wildphilhickup]

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS "NEW" UN-FIRED ALUMINUM CASINGS.

Spoke to a Federal "Technician" this morning. The problem has nothing to do with case capacity. There are so many different manufactures of 9mm brass, that if this were true, then reloading manuals would refer to a specific brass manufacture for a given load. Much like the shotshell loading books.

Without knowing the lot number the Technician can not confirm the exact issue, but believes;

The problem is either one of two issues with the "primer" in the aluminum case. (This is why Federal stated to me that RMR should not be selling the aluminum casings.)

1) The primers are not seated correctly, (tension / pressure), in the case. The "hole" in the case is too large. *Might be able to confirm by using a hand "de-capper" and attempt to determine if very little pressure will remove the primer from the case. *Try to compare to primed brass case.

2) The primer has "poor" ignition. This may be the reason why the lot was rejected if not reason #1. *Might be able to confirm by firing primed cases - no powder / no bullet. *Try to compare to primed brass cases. Have someone stand close by, "outside", and see if they are able to determine a notable difference in report.

[Texas by God]

Well then I hope you can get a refund. Self decapping cases are not good.

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[Boolit_Head]

Just say no to aluminum.

Friends don't let friends shoot aluminum.



Can we think of more?

[rking22]

Sounds as if RMR is selling components scrapped by Federal. Those cases could be out of spec in metallurgy , soft. I would have a discussion with RMR, Federal probably is !

[Geezer in NH]

Probably de-milled due to the problem IMHO

[Eddie2002]

Try popping a few primers out and see if the work in brass cases without blowing out. just a thought

[CLAYPOOL]

I have them picked up on my range just so their not "TEMPING " to pick up and be used..

[6bg6ga]

"primed aluminum cases from RMR. The cases are from Federal demilled ammo."

These are "NEW" casings. These were never "fired".

Ammo was manufactured by FEDERAL and sold to RMR. RMR de-milled the ammo and sold the casings and bullets.

I respectfully disagree. There is no data to support this statement. =>
"If the aluminum cases have a different case capacity than brass then it could cause an over pressure. Try comparing their case capacities. A few grains difference in a small 9mm case can have a big difference in pressure."



My load is 3.8 grains Titegroup. These chrono close to 1,000 fps. (124 gr , 0.355" , cast RN)

Hodgdon states 3.6 g @ 957 @ 27,700 to 4.1 g @ 1,057 fps @ 32,700 psi. (124 g , 0.356" , Plated Bullet)

Aluminum and reloading should not be in the same sentence. Unfortunately you have learned a lesson not to purchase aluminum cases. Count your lucky stars you and your gun haven't been hurt and simply dispose of them and purchase ONLY brass to reload.

[Texas by God]

5000. Ouch.

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[Valley-Shooter]

Hmmm. Interesting information here. I have thought about buying aluminum cases before to use at lost brass matches. Maybe I won't do it now.

I would definitely work up new loads with starting loads if I changed to a new unproven component. That's the safe way to load ammo.

[saleen322]

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS "NEW" UN-FIRED ALUMINUM CASINGS.

Spoke to a Federal "Technician" this morning. The problem has nothing to do with case capacity. There are so many different manufactures of 9mm brass, that if this were true, then reloading manuals would refer to a specific brass manufacture for a given load. Much like the shotshell loading books....

Reloading manuals DO specify what make of brass they are using as construction of the cases can cause different results. At least that is the case with Hornady, Sierra, Speer, and Lyman reloading manuals. They identify the specific make of brass used for each cartridge.

[dragon813gt]

Reloading manuals DO specify what make of brass they are using as construction of the cases can cause different results. At least that is the case with Hornady, Sierra, Speer, and Lyman reloading manuals. They identify the specific make of brass used for each cartridge.

True, but they aren't different enough to warrant different data for each brand. There is no way of knowing if the Hornady brass you have, has the same volume as the Hornady brass listed in the manual. The case capacity is what's going to alter the load.