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Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

mdmp5

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • May 7, 2009
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    I have a bunch of Federal .308 TRU ammo that shoots pretty well, but after I am done with it, I am unsure whether I should use the nickel plated brass in my sizer die. Any feedback?
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: palmik</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a bunch of Federal .308 TRU ammo that shoots pretty well, but after I am done with it, I am unsure whether I should use the nickel plated brass in my sizer die. Any feedback? </div></div>

    I cycle some WW and Federal in 7 RemMag and it's been fine. No flaking, but I don't anneal nickle plated brass, so when the necks split, I'm done.

    Shoot it a few times and then load it up for zombie ammo.

    Chris
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    Nickel is very. I had it damage my 7mmRM dies. It also is very inconsistant in the necks, and there for makes the neck tension inconsistant. I have seen it change the bullets speed +/- 50fps. It looks good, and will not discolor like brass, but I will never shoot it through my guns again.
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    I use nickel brass in my M1A, and will use it in my AR when I burn up what I already have. I have full length sized them many times without any issues. Plus, using nickel brass makes it easy to spot my brass on the ground.
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    I would use it until the coating started to crack or flake off. Or I would put it in a seperate bag and try to trade it at a gun show or trade it for something you need.
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    I have used 7mm Rem mag nickle before. I do not like it. It seems to me that either the hardness of the nickle or the extra few thousandths the coating adds to the brass (not sure I am not a technician) makes it hard to cycle through the sizing die especially the neck end of the case. Swapped back over to the brass and a tumbler. Hope that helps.
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    I have used it for years with no problems. However I will admit that I have not used it in Precision Rifles. I use it mostly in rimmed cartridges in order to immediately tell the difference between my full power loads and either "low power loads" or "Gallery Loads". I also use the nickel brass for all my sub-sonic loads. It makes it very easy to instantly tell the difference. Especially in the 223.

    I have never had any issues with the nickel brass. However I will admit that I have never annealed any. And since I use it in my low power loads I have less stress on my nickel brass. Tom.
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    ive reloaded 1000's of nickel 308's for 4 of my guns , never had any problems with flaking, chambering or neck tension, and have 5 lots of 100's that have been reloaded 8+ times , some necks split after about 3 times reloaded and not many after then. ive also reloaded 100's of nickel lake city cases with no problems either
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    As everybody says...it varies. I have some .45 Colt brass that splits after the 2nd reloading. I have some .357 that has been through the press 11 or 12 times. I only use it in rifles if:1.It is free, and 2:For hunting loads when I want to find the brass. JMHO
     
    Re: Nickel brass-load it or junk it?

    I've run lots through my varmint guns 223,204,22-250 .17 and never had any proublems until I started red lining them then they started splitting necks. But other than that they allways worked good for me. But none of my benchrest buddies will touch the stuff saying it will scratch there bores easy if anything is on the brass when its fired. I run lapua brass in my custom guns and what ever works in my factory guns. But I did usally see a 25-60 fps boost in nickle brass. Nickle brass did last longer in my 22 hornet over regular brass. But thats just my 2$ If it works for you cool if not sell it at the next gunshow.