Mixing nickel and brass cases

[lowb]

Hi guys,

I have some one fired cases that I've been given or fished off the floor of the range that I'm going to start reloading with.

Some are nickel and some are regular brass.

Do I need to separate these and work out the loads individually for both types? Or is it ok to mix and match?

Thanks.

[on_one_wheel]

I read that reloading nickel plated cases is not recomended because of the risk of having nickel flaking off and getting in the barrel and doing damage.

[Yelp]

I can't see any reason why you would need to work up different loads for the nickel cases as dimensions will be the same (within usual margin of error).

Nickel cases are not really favoured for reloading though. They're harder and the metal doesn't like being worked as much as brass.

If you already have them fine, but just FYI they won't last as long.

[Chickenhawk]

Harder on your reloading dies too.

Dunno how much that matters for a lot of people as die life is pretty good regardless, but it's something.

[The Brass]

I can't see any reason why you would need to work up different loads for the nickel cases as dimensions will be the same (within usual margin of error).

I guess that's right, but personally I'd batch them into nickel brass groups for shooting.

Nickel feeds a little smoother than regular brass I have found. With a mix of cases and randomly feeding one of the other as you shoot I suspect cycling your bolt might feel a little funny?

Maybe I'm just being fussy but that's what I'd do.

[Hatter]

If you already have them fine, but just FYI they won't last as long.

The case mouths and necks split sooner from the testing I've seen.

[dorpel]

Can you anneal nickel cases to extend their life?

[Gregg]

I'm not a metallurgist but I think heating nickel in the same fashion as you would when annealing brass actually hardens the nickel plating, making it less ductile. The exact opposite of what you want.

Can one of the brain trust here confirm?

[Seik]

I thought this was a good read in nickel plated brass for anyone who's interested - Forget nickel-plated brass.

A bit about Gregg's comment here:

Note that if you anneal your nickel plated necks, you are hardening the nickel plating. It can be harder than many alloyed steels before you anneal and can increase is hardness as much as 2 fold by precipitation hardening. I sure wouldn't want those tiny little hard pieces inside the neck getting embedded in the bullet's copper surface and then fire lapping my nice shiny barrel.

[Gregg]

Cheers Seik,

Seems the old noodle isn't failing me just yet.

[lowb]

Thanks everyone.

I guess I'll push on with the nickel brass but just be careful with checking it for splits etc.

It didn't cost me anything anyway so it's not a big deal if it doesn't last long.

Just as long as it shoots well and safely.

[inventurkey]

Harder on your reloading dies too.

Dunno how much that matters for a lot of people as die life is pretty good regardless, but it's something.

I think I remember one of the guys saying he was up to about 10,000 rounds with his dies.

Was it Warrigal?

I hope I have that right. We'll see if he catches this and chimes in.