Reloading Nickel Plated Brass vs Standard Brass

[atimesublime]

Hey everyone. I recently picked up some nickel plated brass from Midwayusa when the ran a sale on reloading components. The brass I picked up is in .270 and .308. Is there anything I should know about reloading the nickel plated brass vs reloading the standard brass? I there anything I should know regarding the nickel plated brass in general?

Thanks

 

[molonlabe]

Resize it as you would any brass.

 

[hylomar]

Many say that it fatigues faster than standard brass. I reload .40 and .357 with nickel plated brass with no problem. Bottle neck rounds might be a different story though.

 

[atimesublime]

Will the same cleaning media be appropriate for the nickel plated when I'm tumbling the cases? I currently have corncob and walnut media that I was using with my other cases along with some brass polish.

 

[jimbobborg]

I've run nickeled brass through my tumbler with walnut media with no problems.

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

Will the same cleaning media be appropriate for the nickel plated when I'm tumbling the cases? I currently have corncob and walnut media that I was using with my other cases along with some brass polish.

As stated before, resize like any other brass. Make sure you lube the cases the same too, before you resize too.

As far as tumbling - Ive ran them through corn cob -no issues. In fact I find that carbon comes off faster, and they dont take as long to polish.

You will still need to trim your rifle brass like any other, and that too is no different.

The nickel plated is just that - plated. The inside is still brass. Youll notice when you trim them, you'll see yellow metal at the mouths.

I generally dont care for the nickel stuff too much. I dont really see anything to make it worth paying more for over regular brass.

 

[Rockzilla]

reload like normal here, have some ole Federal Nickel match brass in .308, full length size first, then neck size after that.. look pretty awesome when loaded with some Lapua Scenar Silver bullets..


-Rock

 

[John from MD]

Nickle plated brass will crack before plain brass cases in most instances. This is because the nickle plated case is actually more ridgid than the plain brass case and becomes work hardened faster.

To get the most life out of any brass, bell the mouth the minimum that you need to start the bullet and neck size as much as possible. This assumes that your chambers will accept neck sized brass. Some will, some won't. It is always a good thing to make up dummy rounds to run through the action.

To extend the life of expensive or obscure bottle neck rifle cartridges, anneal them after every five firings.

Regards,

John