Using Nickle Plated Winchester Brass

T

TheXCaddis

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Hey Gun Nuts,

I have heard that you cannot reload with nickle plated winchester brass for some reason. Is there any truth to this? Does it have any negative implications on the reloading dies during resizing?

Thanks,

XCaddis
 
You can, and many do, reload nickel plated brass, even Winchester.

Most with no problems although some claim the nickel can flake off and scratch dies and/or chambers.
 
SOme people think you can scratch your dies it the Nickel flakes off. IMO it's not a concern. Tool steel and Carbide are much harder than Nickel.

edit.....Joe-nwt beat me.
 
there's only 2 reasons for nickel brass- 1 lone ranger syndrome- ie "silver bullets"
2 to distingush special loads from normal loads- that's what i use mine for- if it's brass it's a 250= if it's nickel. it's a 275
 
I just prepped some for my 300 WSM and I noticed that it is harder to trim the nickel cases than the brass ones, but it sized in the press the same as the brass ones.
I'm curious whether they'll shoot any differently as these are the first ones I've used, but I sort of doubt there will be any difference.
 
B said:
SOme people think you can scratch your dies it the Nickel flakes off. IMO it's not a concern. Tool steel and Carbide are much harder than Nickel.

edit.....Joe-nwt beat me.
Click to expand...



My .308 stuff is nickel-plated (Federal tactical)... And at the price I'm paying, it better be reloadable! :eek:
 
I have reloaded and neck turned plenty of Speer nickel cases in .308 Win for more than 8 times each, and they still hold on and are not harder to reform than any other.... No neck cracks, no flaking, noting.
 
??? That's news to me. I've been reloading all them nickle .357, 9mm, 45 and other brass for a long time now. I don't even bother to separate them, unless (as mentioned) I have a different load and then I go through the bucket for a few nickle ones for temporary use to ID that load.

Only thing with the nickle ones, I find the mouth splits a lot sooner on the .357 ones. Possible due to the fact the non-plated ones are just brass and therefore a bit softer for roll crimping.
 
Nickel plating is to help ensure positive extraction. Being harder than brass the nickel plating is less likely to lock to a dirty or rough chamber, thats why 'tactical' and dangerous game ammuntion is often nickel plated.

No problem to reload. The nickel plating will gradually wear off after many reloadings, sometimes it peels or flakes. No big deal though.
 
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nickle brass is good for damp or sal####er areas as the brass will not tarnish. been loading is for years and prefer to use nickle over regular brass.
 
My experience with nickle plated brass is similar to what has previously been noted in that it will plit more often at the mouth sooner than most brass casings. Also I would make sure your casing are as clean as possible. The only apparent advantage for nickle casings seem to be reduced tarnishing for damp conditions and special identification for certain loads. Phil.
 
My only experience with nickle plated brass is with 100 Remmie 222 I bought in a pinch. Looks nice when loaded but seemed to get work hardened at the mouth a lot sooner than regular stuff. Has anyone ever tried to anneal plated brass?
 
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