i know you all know this but nickel brass sucks

savagelh

savagelh

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Just wanted to vent. I have 4x fired nickel brass that are splitting about 25% case necks. I have cheap win brass that has been 8x fired and the necks are all fine but the odd one won't hold a primer any more. This is all 22-250 that has never been full length sized. Its really too bad too cause it stays so nice and clean. I won't be buying anymore thats for sure.
 
I heard some guy at the range mumbling about the nickels density makes it and the brass more likely to crack. Also hear people say that the nickel keeps the brass warmer for long after being fired causing it to weaken... But all and all I have no idea
 
Nickle does not appear to be as ductile as brass. But it is pretty easy to anneal the case necks if you find you are cracking necks. I tried necking up new 30-06 Remington nickle cases to .35 whelen a few years ago. split the first 2 out of three that I tried. Annealed the necks with a propane torch, while cases were standing in water half way up. tipped over into the water when necks started to change colour. Necking up the remaining 97 cases caused no more splits. Have shot / resized these cases several times in my Whelens with zero problems since.
 
I have 3 reasons why I avoid nickle plated brass in rifle chamberings:

1. It is tougher on trim cutters. [Nickle is harder than brass]
2. It is more prone to neck cracks in rifle cases. [straight wall Pistol seems to be ok]
3. If it starts to deplate, it will scratch your FL sizing die inside.

Eagleye.
 
Eagleye said:
I have 3 reasons why I avoid nickle plated brass in rifle chamberings:

1. It is tougher on trim cutters. [Nickle is harder than brass]
2. It is more prone to neck cracks in rifle cases. [straight wall Pistol seems to be ok]
3. If it starts to deplate, it will scratch your FL sizing die inside.

Eagleye.
Click to expand...

Good points, ;)which may explain why it's still sitting in my brass storage section. I still have more than enough old Dominion brass, which is what I started out with, to keep me going for some time to come:)
 
Johnn Peterson said:
Good points, ;)which may explain why it's still sitting in my brass storage section. I still have more than enough old Dominion brass, which is what I started out with, to keep me going for some time to come:)
Click to expand...

You know, Johnn, that old "Dominion" headstamped brass was as good as it got!!
I prefer it over all else in my 8x57 and 300 Savage.
The later IVI stuff was not as good in my experience.

For those who posted no problems with nickle plated pistol brass....I agree, I have never had a problem
with this brass in my 357 Mag.

However, I do know of two FL dies that were scratched seriously by nickle plating that started to peel.
I have avoided it by not using the rifle brass that is plated.


Regards, Eagleye.
 
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