[Bear304inc]

is aluminum casing considered same as steel? Have bought blazer aluminum .40 recently with no apparent problems.

[robocop10mm]

Aluminum is not the same. It does not rust, but will corrode. The protective coating on the Blazer cases does not gum up the chamber (that I have ever heard).

Brass is ideal. It has properties that are perfect for the job. It expands to seal the chamber and bounces back enough to allow unlocking and extraction once the pressures have subsided. Brass can be used over and over (anealing extends the life). Steel does not expand as efficiently as brass. That is why the former Soviet cailbers are tapered. It allows for easier expansion in the chamber. Steel can be reloaded a few times, but the coating is problematic in the sizer die. Aluminum is potentially reloadable, but it is not known how many times. I have experimented with reloading the Blazer cases. I would not consider reloading as many times as I would brass. I have reloaded some WWII era US .45 ACP steel cases several times w/o problems.

[Bear304inc]

Good info Robo, thnx..

[MrWray]

Hornady even makes a steel casing series ammo

[phildenton]

Originally Posted by BlueTurf

I had a problem shooting ammo with steel cases in a Mosin Nagant. The 7.62 x 54 ammo had lacquer-coated steel cases. After firing a few shots the barrel would start getting hot and the lacquer coating on additional rounds would soften up, causing the spent brass to stick in the chamber. I had to use a cleaning rod to remove the brass. I did not have this problem when I shot ammo with brass cases.

sounds like still some cosmo in the chamber, or headspace is bad.