- Thread Starter
- #21
Bro! I can't take you aluminum stash! That's just not right!
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Bro! I can't take you aluminum stash! That's just not right!
They've been sitting in the corner for several years. I can't bring myself to throw anything usable away, but to be honest I doubt I'd ever use them. You're welcome to them if you want them, though I'm not sure if they'd be worth the cost of shipping. If you're close enough to conveniently meet up at some point, I'd gladly give them away.Bro! I can't take you aluminum stash! That's just not right!
Have you done a set-back force test to see how much force it takes to set the bullet back in the case?
I did. At least by hand. I pressed hard into the bench with both hands and had zero setback. This was one of the things I was worried about (bullet tension). So far everything looks good.Have you done a set-back force test to see how much force it takes to set the bullet back in the case?
Seems like I had a set of dump truck boxes that were 6061 a few years back. Does 6061 sound right for a dump truck box? It seems like 6061 should be pretty hard.I like to experiment too, hopefully you will report your success / failures.
Here are some of my thoughts hopefully helpful;
Having forgotten more than I care to admit. Aluminum is a different critter than brass or steel. most of my aluminum forming experience comes from alloy 6061T6. I do not know how this fits in casings which I suspect may be closer to 3031 alloy wise and way more formable than the former. at any rate, 6061 @ T6, is a fairly hard aluminum and though not considered optimum for forming, can be bent to a right angle using a fairly generous radius. (about three or four times the metal thickness) Once done, efforts to reform this bend usually will result in work hardened stress fractures .
However, it can be gently annealed , but only one time. I don't remember the temperature but a splinter of fir about the size of a toothpick will leave a dark brown/black mark on the surface of the metal when you reach the right temperature with a torch, (even a quality heat gun). Such heat altered, gives a chance to fix things leaving little crystalline damage. Although firing a case is not the same physical sort of forming, the stretching stress applied may be similar .
Unbeknownst to me is whether this annealing band aid applies to 3031 and / or what ever alloy cartridges are formed from.
I offer this possibly dubious information when considering your results of of your reloaded aluminum cases.
If poor results, try annealing once fired cases before reloading to see if things are better. when annealing, unlike brass, I would include the entire case base to tip.
Even so, a third or forth time might be optimistic.
When examining case damage, (this is my opine) I never felt endangered by split cases since they are contained in the strongest part, the breach . Much trepidation is appropriate should anything remotely resembling the possibility of head separation appear, and should be avoided at all cost.
Drawing me way left of the OP's post with your single question mark, I'll go a little farther.Seems like I had a set of dump truck boxes that were 6061 a few years back. Does 6061 sound right for a dump truck box? It seems like 6061 should be pretty hard.
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It's good for you keeps you sharp. Aluminum is so much lighter and resists corrosion better than steel or brass. It's too bad it work hardens so quickly. Less weight means lighter ammo. I remember when I got that truck in the picture I was amazed how much lighter it was. It was almost two tons lighter than a similar truck with steel boxes. I didn't mean to derail your thread brother. I'm really interested to see your results.I feel I like I'm back in physics and metallurgy class again
For me, TrailBoss is always better for experiments!I wonder if trailboss would be better for this experiment. Yet, it also may not cycle your firearm correctly.
It's all good info. Appreciate everyone's input, and I'm learning way more than I ever guessed I would. I used to work as a machinist and worked in many different departments within the company. Some of that was the weld shop, metal fabrication, laser, wire and conventional EDM, precision grind, jig bore, jig grind, etc etc.It's good for you keeps you sharp. Aluminum is so much lighter and resists corrosion better than steel or brass. It's too bad it work hardens so quickly. Less weight means lighter ammo. I remember when I got that truck in the picture I was amazed how much lighter it was. It was almost two tons lighter than a similar truck with steel boxes. I didn't mean to derail your thread brother. I'm really interested to see your results.
This would not really be necessary as loading aluminum cases has typically been a one time only proposition by those who do it regularly.and I'd suggest annealing it between each loading but only after resizing.
I got tired of being Mikey considering that's my name. I was always cashing checks my account couldn't cover. I'm going to let Dizzy take this oneLOL......reminds me of that commercial.......
"Let's get Mikey to try it."
Aloha, Mark
PS....for LIABILITY REASONS and to be clear. I'm NOT suggesting that you do it.
I've gotcha covered!I got tired of being Mikey considering that's my name. I was always cashing checks my account couldn't cover. I'm going to let Dizzy take this one