Cascade Cartridge Inc is one of the biggest and most famous names in ammunition manufacturing, with a particular specialism in aluminium cartridges. Cheaper to produce than brass cartridges, their 9mm aluminium cases are lighter and cost-effective, but things have changed somewhat in recent months, with the new Blazer Brass 9mm ammo range being launched.
Blazer is synonymous with aluminium cartridges, but with this new line coming out, it beggars the question – is the extra cost worth it?
Aluminium Beats Blazer Brass 9mm Ammo on Price
Comparing aluminium to brass in ammo is quite a common practice and even a cursory glance online will show you that aluminium cartridges are more wallet-friendly – one of the reasons why so many Americans choose them.
One reason for this is that Blazer Brass 9mm ammo is created from a metal that’s subject to price fluctuations on the market, along with others like copper. The price difference though between brass and aluminium is something that you’ll really notice if you’re a regular down at the range.
Despite being lightweight (around 3 times lighter than brass), aluminium is far from delicate, with the high-grade variety being sufficiently tough to be used on aircraft. It’s been used in ammo since the early 80s and remains popular because of the price. The weight difference really comes into play in larger calibers, which is why it’s used as standard in the US military in tanks and auto cannons.
One area in which it does fall down is in the reloading aspect. Aluminium just isn’t good for it and it’s not recommended.
Blazer Brass 9mm Ammo Ballistics Are Roughly The Same
When comparing aluminium to brass, the ballistics are fairly similar, so if you’re using a weapon for self-defence, then you’re not going to be seeing much difference – plus they’ll cost you less. However, due to the lower melting point of aluminium, it’s less able to stand up to the reload process.
Gun owners who shoot for recreation on a regular basis like reloading due to the cost savings it offers, so for them, brass cartridges are often the go-to option. Also, some automatic-firing weapons are designed for use only with brass and steel cartridges, as the aluminium types aren’t suitable enough.
This is where the lower-melting point comes into play, because aluminium can become unstable when the heat goes up inside an automatic weapon. However, if you’re a target shooter, it’s something of a non-issue.
Is Brass or Aluminium Best? That Depends On You
When trying to decide between Blazer Brass 9mm ammo and the cheaper aluminium variety, you have to think about exactly what you’re going to use them for. If they’re going to sit in a safe in your home as a self-defence measure, then your lower cost aluminium variety is going to be the best option – particularly as their invulnerability to corrosion makes them ideal for long-term storage.
However, if you’re into reloading spent cartridges or you intend to use them with an automatic weapon, then it’s going to necessitate that you opt for the more expensive brass manufactured cartridges.
So, although we haven’t gone into intricate detail here, it’s pretty obvious that both types of ammo have their benefits. You simply need to match the right product to the right use and that approach will serve you well. Everything else is mere detail.
