How are nickel cases better than brass?
- Thread starter KodeFore
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Grumulkin
Member
They don't last longer and aren't safer for maximum loads.
The only respects in which they're better than brass is that some consider them prettier, since most people don't use them, it's easier to keep track of them at a range and they clean up easier than brass.
At least when first loaded, nickel from the case mouth can become embedded in the bullet and potentially cause increase barrel wear; that's why I don't use nickel plated brass any more.
The only respects in which they're better than brass is that some consider them prettier, since most people don't use them, it's easier to keep track of them at a range and they clean up easier than brass.
At least when first loaded, nickel from the case mouth can become embedded in the bullet and potentially cause increase barrel wear; that's why I don't use nickel plated brass any more.
RON in PA
Member
What Grumulkin said.
The main reason for so-called nickeled cases is to protect the brass from the elements. Goes back to the days when reloads were carried in belt loops. No reason for it now.
The main reason for so-called nickeled cases is to protect the brass from the elements. Goes back to the days when reloads were carried in belt loops. No reason for it now.
EddieCoyle
Member
Pros:
Cons:
I'll pick them up if I'm absolutely sure they're once-fired. I'll then load these for use at events where I can't pick up my brass.
- They clean up quicker
- They won't corrode as quickly (especially when stored in leather)
- They extract easier
Cons:
- They split sooner (with 10mm, often on the 1st reloading)
- Nickel is abrasive (bad for dies and barrels)
I'll pick them up if I'm absolutely sure they're once-fired. I'll then load these for use at events where I can't pick up my brass.
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birdbustr
Member
I like them too. They don't tarnish and the harder makeup of the cases don't lengthen like brass ones do. The necks are also stiffer making the bullets seat more firmly into the case neck; so not as much work to get consistent over all lengths.
The Bushmaster
Member
"No reason for it now." Quoted by Ron in PA...Excuse me, but I still carry 25 rounds in a leather belt loops for my hunting handgun and 12 rounds in leather loops for my carry handgun. Nickel plated cases still have a use any time you insert them into leather belt loops for any time at all...
And Grumulkin...I have never heard of the nickel plating sticking to a bullet and damaging barrels. That's a new one on me...If you have trimmed and debured them properly there will be no problem because that will mean that you have inspected them more then once...
Hey...Let me know...If you don't want your nickel plated cases, send them to me. Just PM me and I'll send you my address. That includes rifle and handgun cases...
And Grumulkin...I have never heard of the nickel plating sticking to a bullet and damaging barrels. That's a new one on me...If you have trimmed and debured them properly there will be no problem because that will mean that you have inspected them more then once...
Hey...Let me know...If you don't want your nickel plated cases, send them to me. Just PM me and I'll send you my address. That includes rifle and handgun cases...
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ReloaderFred
Member
I've carried rounds in duty leather, and the only way to prevent verdigris is to use nickel plated brass. Even at that, the rounds will have to be changed out regularly, since the chemicals used to tan the leather causes all kinds of problems with brass, even when plated. I've seen plain brass cartridges that have been left in leather loops for a number of years that have been eaten all the way through.
Now that my wife and I have taken up Cowboy Action Shooting, the only rounds we can use in our Cowboy rigs are nickel plated. I also use the nickel plated cases for the carbine rounds, for "lost brass" matches, where we have to leave the brass on the ground because of the size of the match, in numbers of shooters. When you have three or four hundred shooters at a match, there isn't time to pick up brass.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Now that my wife and I have taken up Cowboy Action Shooting, the only rounds we can use in our Cowboy rigs are nickel plated. I also use the nickel plated cases for the carbine rounds, for "lost brass" matches, where we have to leave the brass on the ground because of the size of the match, in numbers of shooters. When you have three or four hundred shooters at a match, there isn't time to pick up brass.
Hope this helps.
Fred
rc109a
Member
I like them to help tell the difference between my 41 mag loads. I use nickel for my hunting loads with H110. I use brass with my Trail boss loads. This way I can tell the difference really quick. Since I shoot more of the T/B loads I cannot tell you which ones last longer. I also think that the nickel loads are a lot smoother running through the dies.
snuffy
Member
1. Nickel plating is very thin.
2. While it is harder than plain brass, it is NOT hard enough to scratch even mild steel, let alone barrel steel or dies.
3. It is nearly impossible to corrode the plating. A nickel plated winchester .280 round was dropped in the snow one November during deer season. It was found the next summer after 6 months in Wisconsin elements. It was still bright and clean, it functioned and shot like new,(the BT bullet was a dark brown).
4. It is NOT chrome! If it was, the claims of scratched dies and barrels would be true.
5. Flaking or peeling can happen to any plated product if it's not done right. Some old 38 special plated brass did that many years ago, I simply tossed it.
If any caliber I'm buying new brass for is offered in nickel plated, I buy it instead of plain brass. The potential of not having to worry about corrosion if stored in a belt loop or leather ammo pouch.
2. While it is harder than plain brass, it is NOT hard enough to scratch even mild steel, let alone barrel steel or dies.
3. It is nearly impossible to corrode the plating. A nickel plated winchester .280 round was dropped in the snow one November during deer season. It was found the next summer after 6 months in Wisconsin elements. It was still bright and clean, it functioned and shot like new,(the BT bullet was a dark brown).
4. It is NOT chrome! If it was, the claims of scratched dies and barrels would be true.
5. Flaking or peeling can happen to any plated product if it's not done right. Some old 38 special plated brass did that many years ago, I simply tossed it.
If any caliber I'm buying new brass for is offered in nickel plated, I buy it instead of plain brass. The potential of not having to worry about corrosion if stored in a belt loop or leather ammo pouch.
The Bushmaster
Member
Vertigris, vertigris, vertigris...Gotta remember that word. I always forget it when I need it for strings just like this one...Thanks ReloaderFred..
fletcher
Member
That's why I like them for my revolvers. Otherwise, don't really care one way or the other.
EddieCoyle
Member
snuffy said:
Actually, it is. Electroless nickel plating has a Rockwell C hardness of up to RC-55. This is much harder than mild steel and harder than many tool steels.
While the outside of most nickel plated cases is very smooth, the inside of many of these cases is quite rough. Deburring and chamfering takes care of the case mouth, but the inside of the neck can still be rough. Try pulling the bullet on a nickel plated rifle case and comparing it to one from a brass case. At the very least, roughening up the bullet will increase fouling, at worst some nickel gets embedded in the bullet jacket and scraped through the barrel. Handgun cases don't seem to be as bad WRT to inside roughness, but they're still not as smooth as they are on the outside.
With all that said, the overall effects of all of this are probably minimal, and (if you need it) the corrosion resistance gained by using nickel cases is worth it.
DWARREN123
Member
Nickle is slicker than brass.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
One more vote against nickel for it's short life span. I have had no success in getting any where near the use out of nickel cases as brass.
trickyasafox
Member
the sell for more if your trying to buy other reloading components . . . .
I like them- it helps me segregate loads. hunting or match loads go in nickel cases. that way i can tell at a glance what box to grab
I like them- it helps me segregate loads. hunting or match loads go in nickel cases. that way i can tell at a glance what box to grab
achildofthesky
Member
They are just purtier...
I must have been a crow in a previous life cuz I like em...
Patty
I must have been a crow in a previous life cuz I like em...
Patty
Master Blaster
Member
Nickle prevents corrosion in damp environments and when the cases may be in contact with leather. And its shiney and makes the SD rounds I load look cool.
The Bushmaster
Member
So you don't get as many reloads from plated cases...Is that what you're saying Guy B. Meredith...Big deal...They still have a place for us people that wear animal skins. I usually get 8 to 10 loadings from plain brass .357 magnum and maybe 6 to 8 loadings from nickel plated .357 magnum cases. Whoopty-doo...
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