Nickle vs Brass Cases

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

What do you prefer and why ?? Confused

Dimitri

Vince · Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Nickle vs Brass Cases

Have used nickel .357 cases in the past, but only because they started off as factory loads. Apart from that I only ever bought and used brass cases.

I believe that brass is much more user friendly and also shows developing problems before nickel cases do.

Cheers, Vince

PaulS · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:21 am Post subject: Re: Nickle vs Brass Cases

I began shooting with plated brass for my 357. I would load it a few times and the neck would split. I trimmed them down to 38 spl length and load them a few more times. It wasn't until I got my 357 Maximum that I found out why the nickel cases were splitting. Now I use only brass cases - no plated cases in my reloads. When I switch the 357 mag to brass cases they stopped splitting. I do still have a few 38 spl cases headstamped 357 but I don't load plated cases for anything else.

mc223 · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 1:08 am Post subject: Re: Nickle vs Brass Cases

Nickel is a tough material. Try drillin a hole in a nickel. Then heat a nickel with a torch, let it cool then try drillin it. It does get harder, just like in a fired case. Hence the split cases.

rrogacki · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject: Re: Nickle vs Brass Cases

I like brass better, nickel is too brittle.

ripper007 · Member Joined: Mar 05, 2006 Posts: 199 Location: Colorado

I would chose brass.

from what I have read and heard, brass last longer, and is easier on your reloading equipment, becuase it is softer, nickel is not as forgiving, like the other guys in above post have said.

skb2706 · Member Joined: Apr 10, 2006 Posts: 269

I have not found one good thing about nickel cases in 37 years of handloading.

Crackshot · Posted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Nickle vs Brass Cases

I'll reload nickel cases 1 time then leave them for some one else to get, Dont care for them at all.

temmi · Rookie Member Joined: Jun 16, 2006 Posts: 12

I have used both extensively and while I prefer Brass, I have never had any problem with performance or longevity of nickle casesâ€¦ The one â€œdifferentâ€ thing about nickel cases is that they donâ€™t seem to â€œgrowâ€ as much when you FL size them.

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

My problem with nickel cases is they're terribly tough on the reloading dies, and they dull your neck bevelling tool. I don't use them at all. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946

Guess this isnt one of thouse reloading questions with 2 camps of "thought" with different veiws. It seems to be pretty much the same school of thought on this Smile

Dimitri