Blazer Cartridges

Hundy · February 24, 2013, 12:23 AM

I used to reload approx 20 years ago, I had to stop and sold my equipment. I recently got back into it. Mostly because ammo is becoming hard to find. I also miss making my own loads.
I have heard you are not suppose to reload Blazer Cartridges aircraft grade aluminum cartridges. I am not talking about the Blazer Brass, those are brass. I am talking about the Aluminum ones.
Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thank you

Jay

dmazur · February 24, 2013, 12:49 AM

Well, in addition to aluminum having completely different metallurgy (compared to brass), Blazer cases are Berdan primed.

So, standard resizing/depriming dies won't work.

Short answer: No.

Misssissippi Dave · February 24, 2013, 02:01 AM

9 mm Blazer alum. is boxer primed. The neck tension will not be good if you try to reload them. The bullet will probably start moving in the other unfired rounds once you start to shoot them. I think steel cases would be better and those are not good either.

chris in va · February 24, 2013, 04:35 AM

Quote:

So, standard resizing/depriming dies won't work.

Sure they do. Just fine.

I reloaded a Blazer case once. After firing, the case cracked.

BoogieMan · February 24, 2013, 08:42 AM

Some one gave me a box of old Blazer alum, I was told they were factory. Started shooting them and noticed the obscene amount of crap hitting my arms and face. Picked up a couple of cases, all blown apart, some fragmented. Mentioned to gun shop guy about the LRN Blazers doing this. Found out that they were reloads. LSS I wouldn't reload them and risk injury or my gun being damaged.

Lemmon · February 24, 2013, 11:53 AM

Recently I picked up the 9mm Blazer and notice it was boxer primed. Punched out the primer and thought that I would try to load it..... Reason kicked in and I trashed that thought. Thanks for confirming my concerns that it might work but may also damage my pistol or cause injury. Not worth it....

Lemmon from rural South Carolina

Mike40-11 · February 24, 2013, 01:25 PM

It has been done but it's not a good idea. Aluminum cases won't resize the way brass does. Case necks want to stay too large to grip the bullet properly. The aluminum also work hardens much more, making it liable to crack.

Hundy · February 24, 2013, 02:01 PM

Hey Thank You for the imput. I am not even going to try. I appreciate it. I have about 4 boxes of the Blazer Cartridges. Just going to get rid of them. I would say I will not purchase that ammo anymore, however, due to the current situation on ammo, I have to purchase what I can.

Thanks again

Jay

Misssissippi Dave · February 24, 2013, 02:44 PM

The only time I use Blazer Alum. ammo is when I'm some place where I can't pick up my brass. They work but are not great in my opinion. They seem to cost nearly as much as brass cased ammo does any more. People not reloading or are out of components to reload are stuck with having to use whatever they can find. It is this or not shooting at all.

FrankenMauser · February 24, 2013, 03:17 PM

Quote:

9 mm Blazer alum. is boxer primed.

Boxer vs Berdan depends on the lot.
Sometimes the cases are boxer Primed, sometimes they're Berdan primed.

Either way, they aren't worth the trouble. Brass is easy to get, especially for 9mm.

JWT · February 24, 2013, 04:21 PM

I don't reload and shoot Blazer aluminum all the time (9mm, .380ACP, .45ACP). Never had any problems with them and can generally save at least a buck a box.

February 24, 2013, 12:23 AM	#1
Hundy Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Posts: 56	Blazer Cartridges I used to reload approx 20 years ago, I had to stop and sold my equipment. I recently got back into it. Mostly because ammo is becoming hard to find. I also miss making my own loads. I have heard you are not suppose to reload Blazer Cartridges aircraft grade aluminum cartridges. I am not talking about the Blazer Brass, those are brass. I am talking about the Aluminum ones. Any feed back would be appreciated. Thank you Jay Last edited by Hundy; February 24, 2013 at 12:33 AM.

February 24, 2013, 12:49 AM	#2
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,239	Well, in addition to aluminum having completely different metallurgy (compared to brass), Blazer cases are Berdan primed. So, standard resizing/depriming dies won't work. Short answer: No. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

February 24, 2013, 08:42 AM	#5
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 946	Some one gave me a box of old Blazer alum, I was told they were factory. Started shooting them and noticed the obscene amount of crap hitting my arms and face. Picked up a couple of cases, all blown apart, some fragmented. Mentioned to gun shop guy about the LRN Blazers doing this. Found out that they were reloads. LSS I wouldn't reload them and risk injury or my gun being damaged. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman

February 24, 2013, 02:01 PM	#8
Hundy Member Join Date: February 23, 2013 Posts: 56	Thank you Hey Thank You for the imput. I am not even going to try. I appreciate it. I have about 4 boxes of the Blazer Cartridges. Just going to get rid of them. I would say I will not purchase that ammo anymore, however, due to the current situation on ammo, I have to purchase what I can. Thanks again Jay

February 24, 2013, 02:01 AM	#3
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,097	9 mm Blazer alum. is boxer primed. The neck tension will not be good if you try to reload them. The bullet will probably start moving in the other unfired rounds once you start to shoot them. I think steel cases would be better and those are not good either.

February 24, 2013, 11:53 AM	#6
Lemmon Senior Member Join Date: December 25, 2009 Location: Rural South Carolina Posts: 352	Recently I picked up the 9mm Blazer and notice it was boxer primed. Punched out the primer and thought that I would try to load it..... Reason kicked in and I trashed that thought. Thanks for confirming my concerns that it might work but may also damage my pistol or cause injury. Not worth it.... Lemmon from rural South Carolina

February 24, 2013, 01:25 PM	#7
Mike40-11 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 766	It has been done but it's not a good idea. Aluminum cases won't resize the way brass does. Case necks want to stay too large to grip the bullet properly. The aluminum also work hardens much more, making it liable to crack.

February 24, 2013, 02:44 PM	#9
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,097	The only time I use Blazer Alum. ammo is when I'm some place where I can't pick up my brass. They work but are not great in my opinion. They seem to cost nearly as much as brass cased ammo does any more. People not reloading or are out of components to reload are stuck with having to use whatever they can find. It is this or not shooting at all.

February 24, 2013, 04:21 PM	#11
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,820	I don't reload and shoot Blazer aluminum all the time (9mm, .380ACP, .45ACP). Never had any problems with them and can generally save at least a buck a box.