Brass or nickel?

[sbb]

A question for you experienced reloaders from an aspiring newb. What is the difference between all brass and nickel/brass cases? I have been searching for used brass and have found that the nickel/brass is more available than the all brass. Is it just a difference in price or is one inferior to the other? If it is just a difference in price, I don't mind paying the up charge once to get my casing supply started. Thanks in advance for your advice.

[sskimber]

The purpose on the nickel plating is to resist oxidation. (look better) in my limited experience there is not much if any difference in how the casing performs.

What caliber are you reloading?
if you are searching for brass you should post that on the forum and other may be able to help you with your need.

[sbb]

SSkimber, I will be reloading .45 acp and 9mm. In the past I have noticed several members offering fired brass for sale at very reasonable prices. I am willing to travel moderate distances to obtain used brass if necessary. I have a relative with ties to a municipality and am exploring the possibility of obtaining fired LEO brass. I don't know at this time if that will come to pass. They may shoot a different caliber. My press will be delivered on Monday, however I have a great deal of study to do before I actually begin the reloading process. Thanks for your reply.

[nuparadigm]

The theory goes: nickel-plated brass ensures greater ease in extraction from the weapon's chamber.

I don't know whether or not this is true. I've been loading and shooting nickel and brass since 1972 and have never noticed any difference between the two (except in appearance).

[Fosforos]

One drawback of nickel cases:

after they are fired and laying on the ground, they are somewhat hard to distinguish from aluminum cases (CCI Blazer). There's always tons Blazer cases laying around at my range, since no one wants to pick it up.

[SRVA]

Also, nickle cases seem to be more brittle. They reload fine but do not have the durability of brass cases. I get a lot fewer reloadings out of nickle brass.

[AEA]

I do not reload, but I can tell you that the MAJORITY of QUALITY Factory Personal Defense Rounds are cased in Nickel plated brass.
The reason is obvious........no oxidation.

[WildBill]

I do not reload, but I can tell you that the MAJORITY of QUALITY Factory Personal Defense Rounds are cased in Nickel plated brass.
The reason is obvious........no oxidation.

You just like them because they're shiny, just like your guns!

[WildBill]

Also, nickle cases seem to be more brittle. They reload fine but do not have the durability of brass cases. I get a lot fewer reloadings out of nickle brass.

I have noticed this, but only compared with military brass. In my experience military brass is thicker than commercial and doesn't tend to crack like nickel-plated cases.

[AEA]

I do not reload, but I can tell you that the MAJORITY of QUALITY Factory Personal Defense Rounds are cased in Nickel plated brass.
The reason is obvious........no oxidation.

You just like them because they're shiny, just like your guns!

Ya got me Bill!!!!

[mactex]

Also, nickle cases seem to be more brittle. They reload fine but do not have the durability of brass cases. I get a lot fewer reloadings out of nickle brass.

I've found this to be true also. When I actually kept track of things closely I found that I had to replace the nickle cases much more frequently than the brass ones. The nickle cases tended to split at the case's mouth rather easily after a few reloadings.

[pistolchamp]

There is one more problem. Nickel cases are much harder than brass and can wear reloading dies more quickly. It also tends to flake and/or rub off after a few reloadings and the loose nickel being harder than brass wears the dies. Not so much a problem with tungsten dies, but, certainly a consideration for steel dies.

[Liberty]

There is one more problem. Nickel cases are much harder than brass and can wear reloading dies more quickly. It also tends to flake and/or rub off after a few reloadings and the loose nickel being harder than brass wears the dies. Not so much a problem with tungsten dies, but, certainly a consideration for steel dies.

Hmm ... Makes me wonder just how good nickel is for the gun.

[45 4 life]

Hmm ... Makes me wonder just how good nickel is for the gun.

Once the plating starts to flake I will not shoot it, no way I want to start nickel plating the insides of my guns. New nickel plated brass is not an issue in the gun. I have only noticed flaking after 2-3 trips through the sizer die.

FYI I generally will only reload the plated stuff once these days regardless of die steal.