[rWt]

I'm going to learn how to load for my 45 Colt handguns.

Should I use brass or nickel finish brass and why?

Thank you!

[Walkalong]

Nickle is good if you are going to keep rounds in a leather holster/belt set up. It will stop the green grunge from happening.

Brass seems to last longer before splitting.

Both work just fine.

[kanook]

brass seams to give a little more before cracking and nickle sometimes flakes off

I use both for different applications

[Walkalong]

The nickle brass these days rarely flakes like the old stuff back when, but it does seem to split sooner than plain old brass.

[MichaelK]

My observation too. Brass lasts longer then Chrome. The most common thing I see are cracks in the body of the case, rather than just the case mouth. Body cracks always seem to happen at firing, while mouth splits seem to aways occur during resizing/belling.

[Jesse Heywood]

If buying cases, I would go for brass, if available. It is usually slightly cheaper. Also there is the embrittlement issue that is created during the plating process, which can lead to cracks.

If I already had cases, I would use what I have on hand.

[The Bushmaster]

Nickel...Brass...I load them all. Have no problem with flaking of the nickel plating. Even if they do (which is very rare now days), as long as they are not split, I continue to reload them.

I carry a lot of ammunition in leather belt loops. So nickel plated cases is a must around here...

[MichaelK]

By the way, I can think of just two situations where you would want chrome. If you're in law enforcement and patrol around a salt water marina, there might be an advantage to chrome there.

Secondly, if you ever in you lifetime have to use any kind of mercuric priming (nothing short of the end of the world) chrome plated brass is not be deteriorated by mercuric fouling.

[phrogpilot]

i'VE RELOADED BOTH EXTENSIVELY IN .45 COLT AND NEVER SAW ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

[snuffy]

By the way, I can think of just two situations where you would want chrome. If you're in law enforcement and patrol around a salt water marina, there might be an advantage to chrome there.

Secondly, if you ever in you lifetime have to use any kind of mercuric priming (nothing short of the end of the world) chrome plated brass is not be deteriorated by mercuric fouling.

It's NICKEL, not chrome. Chrome plating would be way too hard, AND expensive as well.