Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

Nickle versus plain brass cases

mballai
Is there any significant reason for buying nickle cases versus plain brass ones? I've noticed that the nickle cases seem to clean up easier--shorter tumble times, but other than that I don't see much difference. I would hope the nickle was more durable--anybody see it lasting longer?

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
0

Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • leeblackman
    I like nickel cause its perty :)
    0
  • varmit hunter
    Nickel is harder to work, And keep the neck true. Because nickel is harder.

    The most important things, Are not things.
    0
  • Prescott Pete
    I agree with Varmint.Reloading 45acp cases I get approx. 15 reloads with brass and about 10 with nickle when the necks begin to crack.
    0
  • Xracer
    Yup.....nickle seems to be more brittle and have less longevity than brass.

    With .45 ACP I've had my best luck with GI brass....seems to last almost forever.
    0
  • queeksdraw
    I have to agree with leeblackman nickel case,copper jacket bullit,brass colored primers. Sure pretty sitting in the loading blocks. Even if they dont hold up as well as brass.



    Edited by - queeksdraw on 12/14/2002 11:39:43
    0
  • Der Gebirgsjager
    This goes hand in hand with "it's purty", but is a little different angle, although the general thrust is the same. Resistance to corrosion. One of the original uses for nickel plated brass was .38/.357 revolver rounds which were carried in belt loops by police officers. The brass colored brass tended to get gungy looking and turn green where it contacted the leather. Nickel held up much longer and "looked purty". Might not rifle rounds subjected to the great outdoors also benefit from being nickel plated? Probably more of a benefit for the all weather dedicated hunter than the avid shooter and reloader.

    Edited by - Der Gebirgsjager on 12/14/2002 19:50:10
    0
  • Smokeeater 38
    I had a guy tell me at the range this summer, that in the 40 cal the nickel was 40 fps faster than brass with the same load. He shoots in matches and wants the extra fps.

    I rush in where others flee.
    0
  • Iconoclast
    "I had a guy tell me at the range this summer, that in the 40 cal the nickel was 40 fps faster than brass with the same load. He shoots in matches and wants the extra fps." Huh? That statement I'd take with a few grains of salt. The nickel is simply a super thin plating over the brass. I doubt like all heck this alone had much if any correlation to any perceived or actual increase in velocity. More likely, since the two types had to come from at least two different lots, and very possibly two different makers, it is a variation in some physical dimension, such as size of the primer flash hole. Maybe, just maybe, the nickel could affect the mechanical characteristics of the friction between the bullet and the case, but I'd not put a lot of money on this. I don't shoot matches, but the only difference I've ever seen is that nickel plated brass shows less evidence of resizing but does tend to develop neck splits sooner than plain brass in handgun rounds - have never tried any in rifle calibers.
    0
  • shootlow
    nickel splits to easy it is to hard

    LT shootlow RRG
    0
  • hitman#1
    Iconoclast. " That statement I'd take with a few grains of salt. The nickel is simply a super thin plating over the brass".
    If thats true,
    Why is everyone else saying that nickel is more apt to split cases?
    If it is a thin coating then it should be even more stronger
    0
  • Wheelgun
    The plating on nickeled cases will sometimes flake off at the case mouths, and can scratch the carbide ring in a sizer die. If that happens, all cases run through that die will show a scratch mark. Ever try polishing out a scratch in carbide?

    Wheelguns is REALGUNS!
    0
  • Iconoclast
    hitman, if you re-read my post, I also noted the tendency of the plated cases to split sooner than the plain brass. As to whether or not the cases are simply plated, just take a file or hacksaw to one if you don't believe me; simply re-sizing them several times will flake away the coating at the case mouth. The reason brass makes such a superior material for a case is that it is a relatively elastic metal, expanding to seal the chamber and contracting for easy extraction after firing. A pure nickel case would split on firing because it is not nearly as elastic. Plus it is a more expensive metal.
    0
  • Palantirion
    quote:"I had a guy tell me at the range this summer, that in the 40 cal the nickel was 40 fps faster than brass with the same load. He shoots in matches and wants the extra fps." Huh? That statement I'd take with a few grains of salt. The nickel is simply a super thin plating over the brass. I doubt like all heck this alone had much if any correlation to any perceived or actual increase in velocity. More likely, since the two types had to come from at least two different lots, and very possibly two different makers, it is a variation in some physical dimension, such as size of the primer flash hole. Maybe, just maybe, the nickel could affect the mechanical characteristics of the friction between the bullet and the case, but I'd not put a lot of money on this. I don't shoot matches, but the only difference I've ever seen is that nickel plated brass shows less evidence of resizing but does tend to develop neck splits sooner than plain brass in handgun rounds - have never tried any in rifle calibers.

    If the nickel coating truely covers the whole of the brass, then the interior volume is reduced, potentially increasing gas pressure.

    www.ebsart.com
    "Live by the three 'R's: Respect, Responsibility and Residuals."
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?