Newbie Question - What are Nickel Cartridges

[gunstock]

Can you please tell me what a Nickel cartidge is. Is it nickel plated brass or solid nickel and does it cause any differences from brass when reloading.

Thanks for you help.

Gunstock

 

[Grizzlypeg]

Its just nickel plated, and after a lot of reloading it will start to peel or flake. Its nice and clean though and I like them for 38spl.

 

[sunray]

"...any differences from brass when reloading..." Nope. It's plated brass, like Grizzlypeg says. You load 'em the same way you do plain brass.

 

[Jarlath]

You'll most likely find that nickel plated brass actually goes through the sizers dies easier than standard brass, otherwise they are the same. The Nickel plating can flake off or just wear down with excessive reloading factors (Numbers, pressures, etc...).

It looks prettier too. (Mind you I like the look of .357 mag in non-nickel cases...)

 

[Kilo Charlie]

I use nickeled cases for reloading, modern bottleneck rifle cartridges only, specifically .280 Remington and .250 Savage. I don't have any "pistol-cartridge" firearms. Since I usually only fire my cases about 6 or 7 times before discarding them, I've yet to experience peeling or flaking. I've heard it said that the nickel deposits can scratch your dies.....I really couldn't say.
I like the slick surface because I use Lee case Lube, and after sizing I have to clean the waxy deposit off them, a job I find easier with the nickel cases. And I'll admit it....I think they're right purty!

 

[hunter64]

I like them for easy quick identification between 38 spl. and .357mag. All the .357mag are nickel and the .38spl are brass so at the range I just toss them in the same "empties" bag and when I get home they are easy to seperate.

 

[t-star]

that's the reason i've got a few hundred as well- to tell my "special" loads from the standards- if i've got a funny bullet(275 grain 338 as opposed to 250) or a non-standard load, it goes into a nickel case

 

[colinjw]

I like to have some nickel cases. As already said it makes it easier too identify different loads when you have some in nickel & some in brass.

What I have found with 38 specials PPC loads is that the nickel cases tend to develop splits in the case fairly early. I have heard they are more brittle.