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November 17, 2008
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Hey guys just wanted to get yall's thoughts on this. I have been led to believe brass cases are better stuff than nickel, but I do not remember why. I get the feeling from here at least some of you prefer nickel. I am just curious to the reasons why one may chose one or the other. thanks in advance
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
March 25, 2008
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Good day I've had some nickel in the past in 357 mag, they seem to be easer to re size but with carbide dies I find it hard to justify the extra cost. But they are purtty. Never came across any in the super mag class.
February 4, 2009
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lbruce,
I have read similar info but don't remember exactly the scenario why brass may be better.
It seems to me that the nickel cases probably don't expand quite as much as the regular brass during firing. Also, if I remember correctly, nickel was prone to damaging chambers if there is a burr due to the hardness of nickel, and also provided increased wear on die sets. The case necks will also be more prone to splitting from what I hear.
I have no proof that anything I have stated is truth- it is what I have read but I have no first-hand knowledge of such issues.
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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IHMSA may be the expert but to my knowledge the brass are softer and will last through more reloadings. The nickel were and are popular for fast loading because they slide easier when looking for fast drop in the cylinder time. All reading I have done recomends cleaning the nickel prior to sizing to help the dies and the cases survive longer due to the nickel hardness and the dirt on the case if you do not pre clean can scar the cases. My prefernce for nickel only comes from the fact that they look cool to me. I have nickel in the 357SM and the 445SM. I have never found nickel in the 414 and 375 SM cases. If they are around I am unaware of it. In the 375SM the cases can be made from 375 Winchester and 30-30 (not highly recommended by experts). If you can find Nickel in the 30-30 and 375 Winchester I suppose you could make nickel 375SM cases. I have shot almost exclusive the nickel 357magnum and 38 specilal cases for years and with care get many loadings from them. These are just my experiences and thoughts.
SMF
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
April 25, 2008
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I am far from an expert, but I also like nickel cases cause they look cool. I tumble them after each firing and I can't say any of them last longer than or less than brass cases. Federal nickel .38 and .357 cases have been my normal ones for years also.
The Savantist
Dans Club
May 17, 2009
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Do the nickel cases have to be lubed before reloading?
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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They do not have to be lubed in carbide dies, but you should clean them first, to not wear the cases prematurely or scar the dies.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
April 11, 2009
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I thought they were nickel plated brass? I know the cowboy guys like em when they hang off their belts but thats about it.
My Dan's
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June 8, 2009
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I am not a fan of nickel cases. When I first got my 15 I bought some WW nickel cases and loaded them plenty. As part of belling and crimping, the nickel would flake off, get caught in the dies, and scratch "grooves" in my cases.
I've spoken about this with other folks and some think this situation is common to certain nickel brass by manufacture or lot.
Don't know or care; I don't load nickel brass. I once bought several K of 1X 38 and 357 brass. All the nickel went straight to the trash.
They do make you feel like THE LONE RANGER. HI HO SILVER!
Dans Club
May 17, 2009
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AND AWAY.................
Range Officer
Range Officers
Dans Club
February 9, 2009
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I have loaded some Western .38 Special cases my father had from the Sixties I do not know how many times he has loaded them but I have loaded them often and evry 100 or so 1 will give it up to age, but for the most part they keep on working. I also have alot of R-P .357 Nickel caess that have seen their use and the same applies, maybe 2 per 100 with them, the nickel gets thin and less shiny over use, but no real problem. I have very little experience with newer Winchester Nickel so I can't speak for it. Just my experience, that is all.
A man cannot have too many SuperMags
October 3, 2009
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I read some tests that were done reloading brass and nickle over and over again, the nickle had lasted over 138 times and was still going, I am not a metalurgist but think carbide is harder than nickle, I prefer nickle, before you throw them away send them to me
I prefer nickle to brass as I pick up range brass and the brass cases corrode quickly at times and are harder to clean up, I have not had any problems with flaking nickle or scratching cases, where I buy my used brass they charge the same for brass and nickle
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