Reloading Questions...

[chad1043]

Is there a difference (besides looks) between Nickel and Brass?

Thanks,
Chad

[darat100]

I think the brass will usually give you a little more life.  It is a little more pliable than the nickel.

[rbergum95]

yess there is a difference. the nickel plating is a bit harder than brass and if the nickel plating begins to flake off you can risk scratching and ruining your dies. i had this problem with some .25-06 and .38 spl nickel plated brass. i would reccomend staying with standard brass.

[RugerNo3]

The only real reason for the nickle plating is to keep bare brass from forming green deposits in leather cartridge loops. Nickle plating is hard and can flake off and ruin reloading dies or what have you. This is the simple and only real reason for nickle plated brass. You'll have to decide for yourself if nickle fits your needs. Some allege nickle plated is stronger, but it is not as elastic as the brass it is on.

[chad1043]

Thanks everyone. That was exactly what I was looking to read.


Chad

[McLernon]

I tried nickel plated brass cases on my 45-70 but found that because of the extra thickness the brass got worked more and the necks split on allot fewer shots than just plain brass. I would save the nickel for hunting though.

Mc

[Mac11700]

Is there a difference (besides looks) between Nickel and Brass?

Thanks,
Chad

Yes...uniformity...Weight them for yourself and you will see...Nickel brass is all I use for the 45-70 any more...I don't try to reload a case 15 times either...but have got 10 firings with out any split necks or flaking with mine before...and this is with full house loads...2450fps 300 grain Nosler Partition loads...The trick is to use a Lyman "M" die for belling the case mouth properly...and a Lee factory crimp die for your crimping purposes...These 2 items will reduce the flaking & splitting more than using normal factory belling dies and crimping dies...You do have to clean your dies more often...but...I like them for what I can get out of them over regular brass...

Mac