How long before plastic replaces brass?

G8tor · Apr 13, 2019

PowPow said:
I thought one of the ideas behind trying polymer cases was to discourage the pickup of cases for reloading. Scenario: military engages enemy, leaves spent cases all over the place, enemy picks them up, reloads them, and fights back. Looking around, the other claim I saw was it was 30% less weight. But, I also found this:

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/25/pcp-polymer-cased-ammo-warning/

When I was overseas all of the spent .50 cal brass was collected and locked up. Turned out unsavory local nationals on base had been stealing it and the brass was being used in IEDs against us.

jrumann59 · Apr 14, 2019

K31 said:
It's probably not reloadable. Not by today's methods anyway. Once it expands, it probably would take heat, not pressure to size it back to specs. If at all.

If possible it would be finite amount of reloads with re-sizing. Depending on types of plastic it could become brittle or weak.

THier · Apr 15, 2019

But, but, but, plastic is bad! plastic bags, bad, plastic straws, bad, plastic bottles,,, bad?

Occam · Apr 15, 2019

Don’t forget the venerable Dardick HIVAP 30 cal machine gun and the food made for it: The Tround.

Gordon · Apr 15, 2019

Well what comes around goes around,I began my shooting days back in the 50's using plastic bullets looks like I"ll end that way.LOL

omegared24 · Apr 15, 2019

Seabee said:
better be some tough plastic to stand up to 60,000+psi. I'm not shooting it. I think you will see caseless before plastic

Brass and aluminum can't sustain that pressure without a proper chamber and barrel. It's just keeping everything together.

Seabee · Apr 16, 2019

omegared24 said:
Brass and aluminum can't sustain that pressure without a proper chamber and barrel. It's just keeping everything together.

More easily stretch. increased bolt thrust. Neck tension. I'll pass on it

omegared24 · Apr 16, 2019

Seabee said:
More easily stretch. increased bolt thrust. Neck tension. I'll pass on it

With that pressure you're splitting hairs.

K-43 · Apr 23, 2019

Seabee said:
More easily stretch. increased bolt thrust. Neck tension. I'll pass on it

I can understand not wanting to use a plastic case. They probably won't hold up for reloading long, if at all. They'll probably be designed to be thrown out.
So I won't use them unless there is a significant cost advantage and longevity is proven in reloading.
In the initial factory load, all the stretch and bold thrust is accounted for in the case design and load recipe. Engineers, technicians, Company officers, and lawyers aren't looking to be sued off the planet.
There was a company that sold steel and/or brass head nylon cases a couple of decades ago. They failed because we're all old farts that can't change our spots.
All plastic shotshells have been marketed for decades. Some brands had a steel disk in the base, but that was for primer pop reliability, not to hold the pressure. Polymers can hold 60k psi as well as brass if it's designed correctly - proven, not theory, as they were marketed.
But choices is choices and we all do what we feel happy with.

How long before plastic replaces brass?

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