[Franco]

I have a ton of .243 Winchester nickel plated cartridges that I would like to reload (first reload) but I've read that it might be dangerous/not recommended to reload these? I saw a thread on this but it focused on handgun loads. I've forgotten the manufacturer (box of 20 had 4 boxes of 5 inside) because I didn't keep the boxes. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

[KenWP]

They reload the same as the others. Easy to keep shiney at least. I reload 300 H&H in nickel cases all the time. Friend picks them up for me and mails them all the time from his gun range.

[JDGray]

I've read that it might be dangerous/not recommended to reload these?

Brass has no strenght regardless of finish, without a chamber it would grenade, so load away:)

[Grumulkin]

One think to be aware of is that when you trim a nickel plated case, the cutter can dull VERY quickly. I use a trim die to trim nickel plated cases after learning the hard way.

[Mags]

I heard someone say nickel wears your dies out. I don't know how factual that statement is probably just another rumor not sure.

[hydraulicman]

I'd load em up.

[ranger335v]

"but I've read that it might be dangerous/not recommended to reload these?"

That's laughable. I've loaded a few and don't like nickled cases but they sure load well enough.

Nickel has a higher coefficent of friction - sizing resistance - than brass so make SURE you lube them very well or you WILL get stuck cases! Die wear might be noticable after several thousands have run through your sizer.

[Ol` Joe]

Load away! I`ve loaded Nickle brass for both handgun and rifle and the only problem I had was a 1X deal with the plating starting to peel from the mouth of some 357 brass. I blamed it on the fact they were heavily roll crimped god knows how many times, and were simply wore out. Rifle brass needs no crimp and you`ll likely discard it for other reasons such as thinning at the web before peeling starts.

[The Bushmaster]

My RCBS Case Trimmer II has been trimming nickel plated cases for around 20 years and it still has the original cutting head and I have never had it sharpened. Nickel plated cases are softer then the steel in your die. Especially if you have a carbide insert. And will NOT wear out your die. If you still are concerned that they might wear out your die. Put a little bit of luber on them...OR...Send them to me...I'll gladly dispose of them...

[Walkalong]

Yea, just send em to The Bushmaster....he likes em.....:D


I prefer brass, but have and load nickle for a couple of reasons.

#1 reason...free range brass.

#2 reason...any rounds that may be in contact with leather.

#3 reason...to visually distinguish them easily for a certain load.


Heavy roll crimping can be hard on nickle.

[FROGO207]

I have reloaded several thousands of plated brass both rifle and pistol. some of them dozens of times. All were OK but some 357 Mag cases that were target reloads were so worn that the plating had worn off the sides when I obtained them were scrapped as I wanted to be safe before frugal. I have a 5 gal bucket of 9MM plated that I keep dipping into as others are lost or worn out none have ever given me any trouble. Lots easier to polish also.

[Horsemany]

One think to be aware of is that when you trim a nickel plated case, the cutter can dull VERY quickly. I use a trim die to trim nickel plated cases after learning the hard way.

Absolutely true. This always comes up whenever loading nickel plated brass. Lyman cutterheads are the biggest offenders IME. I have a little collection of heads that are worthless from as little as 200pcs of nickel. There's always someone who can't believe it though.

Exhibit A:
My RCBS Case Trimmer II has been trimming nickel plated cases for around 20 years and it still has the original cutting head and I have never had it sharpened.

I think it's safe to say not all cutters are made to the same standards. It's also a lot harder to cut a new nickel case because it's plated over the mouth. Once you cut through it once it cuts easier. Some Remington nickel I've trimmed even had a droplet or accumulation of nickel on the mouth of the case. I gave up on nickel under the premise that it is possible for nickel shavings to embed into the bullet while seating or simply blow out while firing. I do not want any nickel in my bores. Nickel is not nearly as popular as it was 10 years ago. You will never find benchrest/accuracy obsessed riflemen using nickel plated brass for a number of reasons.

[The Bushmaster]

Horsemany...Nickel is more prevelent now then in the past. Most, if not all, manufacturers of self defense ammunition use nickel brass for the defense rounds. Someday you will have to save one of those cases with the "drop" of nickel on the mouth of the case...I've got to see that considering the method of plating them in the first place...

I'm sorry (noI'mnot)...I just haven't had anymore problems trimming nickel/brass cases then with plain brass...They resize/decap, prime, trim, and load the same as plain brass...

[Horsemany]

You are right about the defense ammo Bushy. I was referring to nickel rifle cases. Some calibers are no longer offered in nickel. My nickel with the goobered ends were 270 Rem brass. I'm glad you don't have problems with nickel brass. My experience with it is not good. Being more of a benchrest guy I don't use it nor does any competitor I've ever met.

Want some 270 nickel?

[Walkalong]

Yep, never seen a nickle 6PPC case. :D

[Robert Wilson]

I use nickel whenever possible. Occasionally I run into some that is brittle. These usually split within the first few loadings. That is the only trouble I have ever had with nickel cases. I am still using the original cutter in my Lyman case trimmer.

[Horsemany]

I am still using the original cutter in my Lyman case trimmer.

I'm not doubting you but how old is the cutterhead? Mine are all between 3 and 5 years old that have failed. I'm wondering if they've changed how they harden them or something.

[Robert Wilson]

I don't doubt you either, for what it's worth. I'm just surprised you've had such poor results. Mine is about 20 years old.

How have yours failed?

[Horsemany]

My original head that came with the trimmer was fine for hundreds of brass cases. Then I got a batch of 100 270 Nickel. By the time I did initial trimming for those 100 cases I could tell the head was really dull. I couldn't cut anymore 270's cause there was a .277 groove worn in the head. I ordered a new 2 pack from Lyman and have used up one completely and the second is nearly worthless.

I don't use that trimmer much anymore. I have a stainless Wilson with Sinclair base that has been superb. Not even a hint of the cutterhead dulling.

I've called Lyman twice now for 2 packs of cutterheads. Both times I didn't feel like I was the first guy who need replacements. Most of the other complaints I've read about trimming Nickel has been with Lyman trimmers too. You've had one for 20 years that's been trimming nickel and I've been through 3 heads in the last 5 years. It goes without saying they aren't making them like they used to. Is yours carbide tipped? Mine are not. Lyman thinks the carbide head is worth over $50 and I've read reviews about the teeth not all being even so only 1 does all the cutting.

Apologies to the OP for steering this thread off topic.

[ArchAngelCD]

If Nickel Brass was dangerous to load the factory ammo companies wouldn't use it in the first place.

[Horsemany]

Yep. I don't think it's dangerous either.

[Grumulkin]

In my case, using a Redding trimmer, after far less than 100 cases, the trimmer was no longer usable to trim 30 caliber cases. Redding trimmer heads cost about $18 to replace. On the other hand, I had another trimmer, which in retrospect I shouldn't have sold (I think it was a Forster or maybe a Wilson), with which I trimmed many Nickel plated cases with no problem. I would therefore conclude that some trimmers may take it and some may not.

[The Bushmaster]

@#$%^&* Still no "delete" button on here...

[The Bushmaster]

.270 nickel brass? Do I want them? Not unless you figure I can resize them to .30-06. Not sure the nickel will like that.:scrutiny: You are using a .270 for benchrest shooting?

[Franco]

Thanks everyone for your timely feedback. I'm going to load my .243 Speer Nitrex cartridges this week.

[Horsemany]

You are using a .270 for benchrest shooting?

Nope. Never said that. I load for hunting rifles and benchrest rifles both. I don't shoot deer with my 6ppc either. :banghead:

[Franco]

Just an fyi. I resized my nickel plated 243s last night and they are noticably more rigid than standard brass. They look fine but I used more lube than usual and some real elbow grease on the press (RCBS Rockchucker). Thanks again for the input.