Nickel plated...

[Marshnasty]

Probably not the first guy to ask about reloading once fired nickel plated brass? First of all can it be done? If so, are there any specific steps to be taken? Have lots of regular stuff but wondering if this will work and perform as well.

 

[ReloaderRick]

Probably not the first guy to ask about reloading once fired nickel plated brass? First of all can it be done? If so, are there any specific steps to be taken? Have lots of regular stuff but wondering if this will work and perform as well.

Yes, reloaded lots. It's harder on the Trimmer blades, so carbide is your friend. The plating seems to flake off around the 4th reload, doesn't look the greatest, but it still works. Other than that it's all the same.

 

[GMC403]

I use it all the time in my hunting rifles, no issues or extra steps that I've found. If anything the Federal nickel that I use lasts for more reloads than most regular brass.

 

[BillD]

I use 'em to quickly identify my hotter recipes (9mm pistol); even used that way I have multiple reloads on them.

 

[Hitzy]

Harder on dies, I prefer solid brass

 

[VinnyQC]

Depends on the calibre. For pistol cases it makes very little difference. For wsm rifle cases it makes a world of difference as they don't resize well at the web. Even with a small base die it's an hit-and-miss.

 

[Mark-II]

I use 'em to quickly identify my hotter recipes (9mm pistol); even used that way I have multiple reloads on them.

Such a simple idea. Beats sharpie markers - thanks!

 

[ipscgraz]

^^^^^

I use nickel plated .44 mag brass for rifle loads and brass for pistol loads. Two different loads with the rifle loads a bit hotter.

 

[Luis1]

Harder on dies, I prefer solid brass

I find they are easier on my dies, ivi 9mm brass seems to be harder on my dies and sitcks more when belling. Though the nickle plated doesn't confirm as much as regular brass when belling, it seems to rebound a little bit.

 

[Hitzy]

I find they are easier on my dies, ivi 9mm brass seems to be harder on my dies and sitcks more when belling. Though the nickle plated doesn't confirm as much as regular brass when belling, it seems to rebound a little bit.

Nothing to do with how hard they are to size in a die, it's the nickle plating that eventually flakes and damages the die.
Midway has some clear warnings about it:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/16011350816/remington-reloading-brass-45-acp-p-nickel-plated

Nickel plated brass is not suitable for case forming as it tends to crack due to hardness greater than standard brass.
Nickel plated brass is harder on reloading dies due to this greater hardness than brass.

 

[OldDude]

I've reloaded a fair bit of nickel plated brass over the years. As long as it's clean and properly lubed (normal preocedure anyway), I've had no issues.

 

[Eagleye]

While it definitely is reloadable, I have absolutely no use for nickle plated rifle brass.
For straight walled handgun applications, it is OK, but I still prefer plain brass cases. D.

 

[rral22]

I went through an experimental phase with nickle plated brass. They just look so pretty that I had to try them. Now I use only plain brass cases for all my loading.

 

[Boomer686]

Only use them for my hunting rounds as it makes them easier to identify.

 

[ted_dent]

Nothing to do with how hard they are to size in a die, it's the nickle plating that eventually flakes and damages the die.
Midway has some clear warnings about it:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/16011350816/remington-reloading-brass-45-acp-p-nickel-plated

The "Notes" seem pretty generic so I am wondering if they're talking more about nickel plated rifle brass. I can see this being an issue with steel rifle dies but the effect on carbide pistol dies should be minimal to non-existent as carbide is a lot harder than nickel.

 

[Ganderite]

I segregate the nickle brass and save it for special uses. I have a 9mm pistol that will not fire reliably, except with federal primers. The nickle brass is used for that. It stands out.