Nickel plated 25-06 brass to form 6mm-06 ???

[double gun]

I want to load up some hunting loads for my new 6mm-06, but I also shoot a 25-06. I thought using nickel plated cases for the 6mm-06 would make them easy to identify. I found a old box of once fired factory nickel plated 25-06 brass so I thought I would see what happens. They necked down with no visible issues. I thought I was good to go until I read on a fresh bag of nickel plated winchester brass that it's no good for case forming because it's too hard.

I have never played with nickel plated brass before - So what gives? Am I asking for trouble using nickel plated brass in my 6mm-06? Or am I fine?

 

[rokoro]

I would suggest NOT sizing nickel plated brass up or down. The nickel will flake off .

 

[double gun]

Thanks, when would a guy start to see the flaking? After first firing?

 

['Boo]

I would suggest NOT sizing nickel plated brass up or down. The nickel will flake off .

I neck 30-06 nickel plated brass up to .338 without any issue whatsoever. I have some reformed nickel cases with over 15 reloads on them without any flaking.

 

[burnt_servo]

I bought about 200 rounds of nickel plated 300 weatherby brass and necked it down to 7mm stw .

I had very very minor amount of nickel flake off . it was a tiny bit more difficult to trim to length .

the rounded shoulder fire formed just fine to the sharp stw shoulder .

I'd do it again and not think twice about it .


I will add I did get some slivers of the nickel plated imbedded into my skin .... a pain in the , well finger , but nothing tweezers and a magnifying close couldn't fix

 

[double gun]

Thanks guys, I think I will give it a go.

 

[hometownhero]

I have some 30-06 nickel brass and it only chips a small amount when trimming. Other then that so far so good.

 

[dan belisle]

Eventually it will crack, a little sooner then regular brass, but it will take quite a while anyway. Go for it. - dan

 

[bcsteve]

I had issues when I tried to do the same thing with nickel .30-06 brass and neck them up to .35 Whelen. It ended up scratching the interior of my dies and I had to buff them out (although everyone have told me it's impossible since nickel is softer than hardened steel!?!)