https://eastcoastarsenal.com/
eastcoastarsenal
The Production Stages of Brass Cartridges
In ammunition, brass cartridge is largest element. It holds both bullet and gunpowder. In its end, there is a primer named ‘rim’. The head consists of the rim and it addresses ‘body’ and ‘shoulder’ and then ‘neck’ where bullet is fitted. When the firing pin of the weapon hits the primer, the powder is ignited and huge pressure is made on the cartridge. The bullet is pushed out the barrel of weapon by this pressure and runs towards the target. Cartridges are produced to avoid bursting of bullets and prevent flashback that can affect the shooter. They also automatically eject in automated weapons and prepare space for upcoming cartridge.
Why Brass is Superior?
Ammunition makers generally produce cartridge in steel, copper, aluminum and brass. It is superior metal because it is non-metallic and has 30% zinc and 70% copper. The ignition of power causes extreme pressure and the cases of cartridge expand before the bullet is released. 9mm processed brass cartridges are more costly as compared to cartridges made with other metals. But they can resist several expansions and ammunition reloaders demand more for processed brass.
Brass Cartridge – Types
Brass cartridges are made either tapered or straight walled. Straight walled once fired brass cartridges are made usually handguns. Tapered cartridges are also known as bottleneck cartridges. They are widely used in rifles. The thicker-walled cartridges are used to manufacture military ammunition and they are quite thicker than civilian ones. They can hold away higher military load pressures. 300 AAC Blackout Brass is also used for heavy-duty military ammunition for ship guns, tanks, and howitzers.
Production of Brass Cartridge
In first stage, they start from round blacks or brass disks. Metal strips are used to stamp them. A dye is used to squeeze the blank and turn it into cylindrical shape. This process is basically repeated for around 2 to 3 times.
In second stage, the cartridge is trimmed after being extruded to its utmost length. The shoulders and necks of cartridges are formed. The shoulder tapers from the body diameter on the bottleneck cartridge.
Variations
Because of having different types of weapons, ammunition makers produce cartridges of different sizes. According to mechanism of weapon, they can produce rimless, rimmed, rebated rimmed or semi-rimmed cartridges. Rimless cartridges are often used by bolt action and auto loading firearms to avoid jamming of cartridge. Rim-fire and revolver cartridges are made with rims.