Nickel plated rifle brass

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Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by <<Genesis93>> » 18 Jun 2016, 9:02 am

Never used it before, does the plating last?
Does it tumble off after a while?

Is it more susceptible to cracking/splitting?

It looks cool and 'clean'... is it worth it durability wise?

Do tell :P
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Re: Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by bluerob » 18 Jun 2016, 12:28 pm

Can only speak of pistol nickel plated, using a tumbler with corn or walnut. Thinking about buying the steel pins type.

I've tumbled brass and nickel together. Brass might be a bit brighter sometimes, but, the nickel does come out shiny. I use ADI powder which burns a bit cleaner than say Bullseye (my experience).

I've noticed that the nickel does split after a few loads. I'm only loading target loads (nothing hot) and usually get about 10-12 load out of nickel. Brass lasts alot longer than the nickel. I'm loading .357 mag nickel only. All other calibres are brass.
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Re: Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by ozbluei » 18 Jun 2016, 5:20 pm

Nickel plated is more susceptible to cracking/splitting because it is more brittle. Normal brass is better for reloading.

Nickel plated brass is reputed to be easier to chamber and extract.
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Re: Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by Baronvonrort » 18 Jun 2016, 5:57 pm

Not something I have used, I recall Nickel plating is done before chrome plating so I can't see it being cheaper than unplated brass.

Not something I would use or seek to use
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Re: Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by yoshie » 18 Jun 2016, 6:47 pm

Its sold in the states to police where there weapons will be subject to harsh weather condition, in particular unloading and reloading over and ovrr, touching the cases with hand twice a day for months or years without being used. They end up being sold as hunting/self defense ammo.
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Re: Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by Rifle realist » 19 Jun 2016, 10:17 pm

I use nickel & brass to differentiate loads in .338 Win Mag. Six reloads so far, no splits or flaking yet. Don't notice any difference clambering or extracting in Sako 85. Biggest advantage is visibility to pick up ejected cases in the scrub & dirt.
Sorry that should be fired six times including original factory loads.
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Re: Nickel plated rifle brass

Post by RDobber » 26 Jul 2016, 3:56 pm

Nickel is more resistant to corrosion. Good if you live in a humid climate and want to store a box of ammo for a while.

Mostly done for snowy parts of the work but I guess it works in tropical ones as well. I don't recall many shooters from QLD complaining about their ammo corroding in storage though?

It can be reloaded, but being more brittle it won't last as long before it splits.

It's no more "durable" than brass in a rough and tumble sense, just the corrosion resistance.

It's a bit more slick to chamber, but if you don't have a problem with that as it then meh.

Not worth the extra for Australia IMO.
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