Nickel Vs. Brass

[Dill45]

So...

I'm looking for brass to reload and the only thing I can find is nickel at the moment. While I do like the look of nickel a lot, I've heard from more than one place that it doesn't last nearly as long and that it actually could do damage to the gun if grit and grime get between the shell and cylinder/chamber.

Is there any truth to any of this?

On a side note though, I have reloaded Nickel 44 mag rounds, reduced only, and they seem to be doing ok, but that maybe because they're reduced loads.

[Levercrazed]

Dill45!..I've never had a problem with nickel brass, I usually load it for my personal defense ammo as the slick cases seem to repel dirt, and lint better, they also seem to work smoother with speed loaders.....some of the hottest factory ammo I've bought, was in nickel plated brass.

[swany]

Brass wins. They do split. I have had complete case separation on .44 and .357 plated. Never on brass. Brass does seem to split near the mouth when it does.

What cal are you looking for?

[w748]

I've used nickel in .45 auto and .223 , mainly because I got large quantitys of once fired for free.
You need to clean your cases like anything else and the .223 begin to suffer from neck splits after about 3 or 4 full leangth sizeings. .45 auto seems to still be going strong although I dont expect them to last as long as brass cases , the nickel plate is less ductile than plain brass. If you carry xtra ammo in leather belt loops the nickel would be much less prone to discoloration / corrosion as well. Been thinking of trying some nickel cases in .45/70 for late season hunts. It would also be necessary to seal the primer , not a bad idea anyway.

[Dill45]

Thanks for the replies every one!

Brass wins. They do split. I have had complete case separation on .44 and .357 plated. Never on brass. Brass does seem to split near the mouth when it does.

What cal are you looking for?

Currently looking into the S&W 500. My dad has the revolver and I just found an H&R single shot at shop for a steal so I picked it up. The down side is the ammo is a small fortune to buy, so I was thinking about just getting brass and reloading it from the start. Problem being, I can really only find it in nickel at the moment.

[w748]

You dont have to crimp for your single shot so that will increase case life with any case you use. Go ahead and get started!

[Charlie98]

I also used nickel brass to differentiate between my full-power loads vs just regular blasting ammo.

[Dill45]

I take it then that you use the nickel for blasting ammo then?

[janott]

I use nickel plated brass on pistol but I steer away from it on rifle brass as I have had trouble with it splitting early. I have never purchased it for pistol but do pick it up on the range and reload.

I have also picked up nickel plated brass for the rifle, like last summer I picked up a box of 338 Winchester mag brass and I was certain it was fired one time. I full length sized and fired and loaded and shot a nice bull elk with it. Other than that I will not purchase it.

Nickel plated brass does chamber in a firearm nice.

Joe

[2506]

I use brass for plinking but nickle for hunting and self-defense rounds. The nickle seems easier for me to spot in the weeds and grass when hunting also. As also mentioned prior nickel resists discoloration in leather holders much better.