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Nickel Plated Brass

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29 July 2004, 15:30
trashcanman
Nickel Plated Brass
Is Nickel plated brass reloadable? I have brand new brass but the nickel is flaking off when i rub the brass with a towel.thanks
29 July 2004, 15:47
steveno
nickel plated brass is reloadable. I happen to like Federal as they seem to have the best quality control and probably winchester second best. I don't think Remington is very good. in some instances the plating gets done by an independent plater and their quality control can suck sometimes
29 July 2004, 23:22
DUK
It is, as stated, possible and looks nice and shine. However, I was told that it is tougher on the die than regular brass, I also notice that resizing is tougher.

From a purely reasonable point of view, unless you get it for free, I wouldn�t spend extra money on it but rather go with good, regular brass like Norma or Federal.
30 July 2004, 01:56
DennisF
I have some Federal nickel plated brass in .223 and 7x30 but I haven't used any of it since a piece of the plating turned loose on a 7x30 case and scratched the crap out of the neck of my die .
30 July 2004, 03:01
degmon
Your chamber could end up looking just like your die. Just not worth the risk.

Dennis
30 July 2004, 03:38
Pecos41
I've shot nickle plated brass forever. If anything it sizes EASIER than regular brass because it's slicker. Most of it lasts ALMOST as well as regular brass, although it does seem a bit more brittle. (Which doesn't mean I can't get half a dozen loadings out of it.)

I rarely shoot it max. I rarely shoot any of my pistols max with anything.

How long it will last depends on how much you have to size it. If your pistol's chamber is like the Grand Canyon, then don't expect any brass to last long.

When a nickle case starts doing the flake, I discard it.

Bottom line - Use it! Any little flake that may come off in the cylinder will wipe away with no problem and this is 45 years of loading talking to you.

If you don't want it, send it to me.
30 July 2004, 03:48
grizz
Jeeze here we go again! Self proclaimed experts claiming nickel is harder that a quality die or a chamber. It's not chrome it's nickel!

The only time I've ever seen nickel flake off brass cases is with oft-fired .357 brass.

I've loaded a lot of nickel brass for my .280, nary a problem. If it's flaking then discard the cases.