newb ?: brass, steel, aluminum cases - why do I care?

[dlanders]

I see a lot of talk about Blazer brass and aluminum cased ammo and I see a lot of steel cased ammo. As a fairly new shooter, I'd like to understand what difference the case composition makes. Anyone care to try to give me a concise answer?

Thanks in advance.

[manic mechanic]

If you reload you need to go brass, the steel has been said to possibly damage some extractors, the aluminum is safe, but you don't want to leave in mags or chamber, due to possible corrosion. I've only used the brass so far. I'm about to try out a new to me unissued P64 on some blazer aluminum in 9x18 makarov, hopefully today or tomorrow though!

[lobster_roboto]

most +p .38 super comes in steel casings.. steel is a bit stronger than brass.

[jeepinbanditrider]

not a whole lot of diffrence other than they are made out of diffrent metals. Steel and Alum cases are generally reguarded as "non-reloadable" where brass cases normally are.

Some say that steel cased ammo will wear out extractors faster than the softer brass or aluminum cases, which may be true but with the costs of steel cased ammo the ammount of money youwould save would buy more than a few extractors by the time one wore out.

I've also heard that it will wear out a chamber faster than brass. I could see it possibly happen due to the steel being a little harder than the brass stuff but I have seen zero documented proof of such an occurance.

[40SWXDSHOOTER]

Steel does not expand at the same rate as brass, or alum, so you can get more gas blow by with steel then you will with brass. Because of this you can run into problems with realiability.
Also steel cases have more drag on steel feed lips of your mags, and could cause feeding problems.

[dlanders]

Ah! Okay. Thanks everybody!

Now I need to run home and see if I'm using steel or brass.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Originally Posted by dlanders

Ah! Okay. Thanks everybody!

Now I need to run home and see if I'm using steel or brass.

Its easy to tell Steel is dark colored and usually dull brass is shiny.

Don't panic if it is steel ammo just shoot it and you'll be fine.

however if you just don't want it I'll buy what ever steel ammo you have in 9mm.

[scalce]

I use Blazer aluminum 9mm to practice with my XD and Keltec and Wolf steel cased 223 in my AR.

Like others have said steel is not as soft as brass so it supposedly wears out extractors and chambers.

If it does I'll replace the extractor or weapon.

[jeff221]

I, like you, didn't know what was what when I started shooting. i bought 1,000's of rounds of WOLF which is steel cased.

After I did some reading, learned some more, I stopped using it. I've still got some .380 WOLF in the ammo box, but won't buy STEEL anymore...

I see my guns like I see my cars. I put premimum gasoline in my cars because someone told me it was better for the life of the car... I put brass in my guns for the same reason.

There are those who will tell you that the premium gas is a rip off and not needed, and those who will tell you it's OK to shoot steel.. Personally, I want to take the best care I can of my stuff, so I won't buy any more steel cased rounds.

[beaterar]

Originally Posted by lobster_roboto

most +p .38 super comes in steel casings.. steel is a bit stronger than brass.

This is incorrect, it may be nickle plated to aid in extraction after the pressure expanse it in the chamber. I have reloaded several thousand +P 38s and never have I seen one that was not brass.

Brass is ideal due to its strength and ability to expand evenly without causing fractures in the case structure. This is also why you don't use ammonia to clean brass, it reacts with the metal making it hard reducing the give in the case metal. The chamber of the firearm holds the blast, while the case provides the seal to prevent blow by. Just look at the CUP(Cooper Units Of Pressure) rating on the different types of cases and you will see the difference.

gas blow by from cases that don't flex as well as brass can aid in throat erosion.