nickle brass

[mtrude]

Hello I have some once fired nickle 38 special brass I would like to reload. Can I load these to full velocity (800-900 fps) or should they be used for lower velocity/ cast bullet loads? I recently read a  letter in the Apr/May G+A Handguns magazine that suggested that nickle cases are flawed due to the plating process and should not be used for full power 357 reloads other than the original, initial factory loading. I dont want to condem anyone and I realize that 38 special pressures are not 357 pressures, but is it a matter of scale? What is the lifespan of nickle brass? Thanks Mike Trude

[jhalcott]

I had some nickel plated brass that I bought new /loaded 308 ammo.
After several reloads I noticed the plating peeling off on a few cases. I was NOT loading at MAX pressures as this was for a Lone Eagle handgun. I would guess you could use it for a few reloads in the 38 special with no problems.JUST CHECK IT FOR DAMAGE BEFORE EACH RELOAD.! you are responsible for your safety!

[Catfish]

I usually stay away from Nickel Brass because you can only reload it afew time befor the mouthes split. I almost never load anything in .38 sp. cases but plinking loads, and nothing in .357 mag. brass but hot loads. I have put alot of hot loads in .357 Nickel Brass without a problem, but I usually can only loaded them once or twice. If you have regular brass to load you hot loads in and your going to load some plinkers I would save the nickel stuff for the plinkers. If your only going to load 1 load I would just load it, but watch for the case moughts to split when opening befor bullet seating.

[ButlerFord45]

Nickle cases are a little more brittle than brass, they just don't have as long a life expetency.  Load them, when they start showing fatigue signs, toss'em and get some new.  They are fine for reloading just like anything else.

[jerkface11]

I've shot a lot of nickel plated .44 magnum brass and it doesn't seem to wear out that much faster. I does however come clean easier.

[quickdtoo]

I'm new to reloading, have only been at it a few months, but I read a lot and one of the topics that I've spent considerable time in checking out is nickel brass. Seems that everyone has opinions on it, a lot just mouthing what someone else said. But there's a real strong contingent of shooters out there that love it, never have problems with it and would use nothing else but if it's available. So far, I'm inclined to want to use it, at least in a couple calibers to see how well it works for me. My mentor likes it and I know several other shooters that have always taken my empty factory stuff that said they really liked it too. Sure wish I would have started handloading sooner, it's a bunch of fun, kinda like making your own spinners to catch fish on!!!   And to think of all the factory brass I've given away in the last 40+ years of shooting! :eek:

[Lloyd Smale]

nickle brass is junk. Ill use it if its free but id never knowingly buy it. I get about half the life out of it i get out of real brass. As far as being safe in a 38 the 38 runs suck low pressures even with top loads that you shouldnt run into problems just keep the brass all together and when you start getting spits in the brass toss the whole  bunch.

[jerkface11]

I've shot a LOT of HOT .44 magnum out of nickle plated brass and never split one haven't had any trouble with it in .45-70 either never tried it in a bottle neck case so i can't speak for that.

[MickinColo]

If you want to use nickel cases then use them. They don’t tarnish as bad as brass and they look cool to some people. I used them years ago when certain types pistol ammo was only available in nickel. I can buy those cases in brass now so I do. I don’t like the looks of silver colored ammo any more than I like the looks of a pearl handled, nickel-plated handgun.

As for longevity of bottle neck cases, I have no idea but pistol brass was ok.