Nickel vs Brass casings

[Rocket Surgery]

Interesting, I been reading through the Lee support center and it's actually not too bad. Here's one part I found on Nickel plated cases:

"Nickel plated brass
Posted by on 14 October 2011 10:52 AM
Nickel plated brass typically has a rough edge or burr around the inside of the case mouth, which will score the expander plug severely if this burr is not removed. Our Chamfer tool (catalog #90109) works well for removing the rough edge and it is important to do so before the sizing operation. "

"Expander Plug Sticking
Posted by on 18 November 2011 11:37 AM

It may seem that an expander plug is on the large side as it tends to stick inside a case on occasion. We have found several reasons for this to happen. On many occasions, this happens with new unfired brass cases.

The brass is so clean it literally bonds to the steel expander as it rubs across it. We have found polishing the expander will help along with using some LEE Resizing Lubricant in the case mouth, a little on every 10th case, makes a big difference.

This tight fit can also create a problem with the Auto Disk Powder measure, making it appear as it is not flaring the case mouth as it should, but yet it actuates the powder measure. This is just the condition of the Powder Through Expanding Die not being set deep enough. Just continue to turn in the die a ¼ turn at a time until the flare appears.

Nickel plated cases have also been a problem on occasion as the nickel tends to make the case mouth smaller, and the plating tends to build up at the case mouth. Taking a chamfering tool and breaking the inside corner of the case mouth will help.

No case mouth Flaring. Remove the expanding plug from the die. Insert it into a case. It should start to enter, but get tight before it gets to the expanding section of the plug."

 

[deertroy]

what happend to the die set? i have around 500 nickel 30-06 (~300 Winchester, ~200 federal) and several of them are on there 5th and 6th reload now. i have lost a few that broke and split when fired but it was no big deal, just 10 minutes to remover the broken case and clean the gun. i have reloaded them the same as brass cased -06, but i prefere the nickel for hunting since they dont tarnish like brass does. i have never had a problem,but i use LEE die sets for my 30-06 if it makes any diference.

It developed longitudinal scratches. This is a C and P from the instructions that come packaged with RCBS dies:
IMPORTANT: We find that most scratching of the interior of a die is caused by nickel cases or grit on the brass surface. If you are using nickel pistol cases, we recommend that you use a carbide sizer die. This die is hard enough to resist the scratching that nickel cases cause.

With standard non-carbide rifle dies I just avoid nickle plated cases.

 

[Eagleye]

Nickel plated cases ruining dies is an old wive's tale. Simply not true.

The evidence is overwhelmingly opposed to your conjecture. [see post #22, for example]
May I suggest that just because it has not happened to you [yet], that you refrain from making dogmatic statements that do not stand up to scrutiny.
Eagleye.

 

[SectionSeven]

I have never had a problem with 308 cases.

 

[Big grizz]

Nickel plated cases ruining dies is an old wive's tale. Simply not true.

I generally keep my nickel plated cases for my hunting rounds.

I have a 338 win mag sizing die that says differently!
I was sizing new nickel plated brass to smooth out the dents etc. and it ruined my die. Scratched it so bad in the neck and expander ball, it was rendered garbage.

 

[joe-nwt]

If you tumble nickel in walnut, and forget to turn the tumbler off for, oh, say 3 or 4 days, you actually start to wear through the nickle on the case.

Timers are known to help nickle stay on the case longer, or so they say.....

 

[remington jim]

Nickel cases are not made out of nickel. Nickel cases are brass cases that have been plated with nickel. Nickel is a very good plating for long service rounds and or to combat corrosion in humid climates.
Nickel cases for all intents and purposes act just like brass cases. Only prettier.

Yea like your avatar GAL ! Smokin Hot ! RJ

 

[TwoTone]

How do the nickel casings stand up to the stainless cleaning media?

I have several nickel plated cases mixed in with brass cases in several handgun calibers.

No problems with the nickel cases themselves and no side effects from tumbling them mixed with the brass cases in the stainless pin media.

 

[2Bad4u]

I knew someone who did regular brass with nickel plated brass in the same SS batch. Apparently all of the cases came out black nickel plated. Probably due to some Nickel II compound being formed. The brass was still useable, but very ugly looking.

I regularly mix nickel plated and brass cases when cleaning with SS media and I haven't had any problems what so ever. No pitting, nickel removal or discolouration. Is your friend using Lemi-Shine when cleaning?

I've even left the brass in the tumbler for several days without any issues. What I do is let it run again for about 30 minutes prior to removing the brass from the tumbler. It works just fine.