Nickel or Brass?

[Ranger413]

Are there any advantages to the nickel cases?  I think they look cool, but do they shoot well?  I'm thinking of getting some cases to load up some .308 loads.  Just wondering if the nickel cases are worth a try.

Ranger413

[KN]

In my oppinion they are not worth the extra cost. The only advantage to them is that they clean up easier. Generally they are a little harder to size and that equates to more wear and tear on yor dies. They won't shoot any better than regular brass. But if looks are important to you then by all means, knock yourself out. I gotta admit they do look good.  KN

[Iowegan]

Besides looks, the nickle cases are more resistant to corossion than brass. Especially if the cases are kept in anything leather. They are also easier to spot if you drop one. That's where the good stops. They won't reload as many times as brass and like KN says, they are tough on dies. No difference in accuracy that I could see. They are pretty though.

[Flint]

The nickle plated brass is decidedly more brittle than unplated.  I have had R-P virgin brass split on the very first shot.  It splits in use sooner in reloading and shooting  cartridges like 45Colt and 38Special.  Its original purpose was to prevent corrosion (green verdigris) when in contact with leather, for Police use.

[357mag]

Like everyone else said, they are more brittle and won't reload as long as straight brass. But if you like to keep the brass clean then they do clean up easier and resist corrosion better. If they are just sitting in boxes at home and at the range then it doesn't really matter. If they are exposed to the elements when hunting then the nickle will help prevent them from corroding and becoming unusable.

[Lee D.]

The reason I use nickle for my .308 is that I also have a .300 savage.  Using nickle for one and brass for the other I am not likely to mix up my shells.  Better clarify-- When going out hunting and using a loop cartridge holder.  Would really annoy me to get 200 miles from home and find I was carrying .308 shells and a .300 savage rifle(model 81 Rem.)

[Mikey]

Ranger:  I suppose there might be some advantages but I'm at a loss to know what they are.  While it is true that brass cases will show the vergis from being in leather loops too long before the nickle cases will I just use that as an indicator that it is time to shoot'em up and reload again.  

What I do not like about the nickle cases is that while my brass cases will be smooth and scratch free after a bunch of reloadings, the nickle cases seem to begin to shed some of that finish and usually wind up looking like they were sized using sizing lube with sand in it, and it isn't due to my dies.  

I've never noticed any difference in the quality of the reload between brass and nickle.  I have found however that the nickle cases seem to loosen up after a while whereas brass cases seem to hold closer to their original dimentions longer.  HTH.  Mikey.

[SingleShotShorty]

I have been a reloader for over 35 years and the only benefit I can find in Nickle brass is that it's easier to find in the leaves. It is brittle and after a few loadins the nickle will flake off and scratch the inside of your dies. Nickle brass was developed for law enforcement because it would not react to leather bullet loops. I would suggest that you stay with regular brass as you will have a more harmonious outcome. :roll:

[Blackhawk44]

If you can find them, try Federal nickel cases.  Much more durable than Reminton in my experience, at least in nickel.

[HappyHunter]

I also prefer brass for the reasons stated above.  

However,  I will use nickel on my hunting loads, as they are more tolerent to bad weater, easier to find on ground, and yes they do look cool.

Fred

[kaferhaus]

I use brass in my target rifles and nickel in my hunting rifles.  Once I find a load I like in a particular hunting rifle, I load up several boxes with that load and put them away.  I've gone back YEARS later and pulled this ammo to hunt with and the ammo looks new as when I put it up.  Not so with brass, even left in the boxes.... go back several months from now.  while not corroded, it's dang sure tarnished and it's not going in one of my pretty rifles if it ain't pretty!!

The thing to watch out for with nickel plated brass is to check the inside of the necks before you load them the first time.  I've seen some with "grit" trapped in the finish which will not bode well for accuracy.  a bit of steel wool on a drill arbor clears it out fine though.

[Ranger413]

Thanks guys.  I think I'll stick with the brass given that the overall consensus is "brass is better".

Ranger413