Fireforming Nickle Plated Brass? - The Firearms Forum

steve4102 · 04-21-2012, 10:23 PM

A friend of mine just gave me a bunch of once fired 30-06 Nickle plated brass. I would like to use these in my 30-06 AI. Any reason not to fireform Nickle plated brass to an Ackley chamber?

Hammerslagger · 04-21-2012, 10:52 PM

I cannot cite a reason not to; but I do not advise doing so for the following reasons.

Its not going to be uniformly nickel plated in the areas that stretch a lot. May likely look splotched or mottled in appearance in these areas.

Manufacturers sometimes nickel plate brass that is just under minimum material condition (aka under-size or under thickness) to bring it into minimum specifications and not have to scrap it. This is not to say that such is the situation with all nickel plated cartridge cases; but I observed such to be the case with some commercial major maker 9x19 about 20 years ago. Bottom line is that the brass may be more likely to fracture in the fire forming operation, and/or be less durable after being formed.

Hope this helps.

JLA · 04-22-2012, 07:38 AM

Anneal it and do it steve.

04-21-2012, 10:23 PM	#1
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Fireforming Nickle Plated Brass? A friend of mine just gave me a bunch of once fired 30-06 Nickle plated brass. I would like to use these in my 30-06 AI. Any reason not to fireform Nickle plated brass to an Ackley chamber? -->

04-21-2012, 10:52 PM	#2
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Fireforming Nickle Plated Brass? I cannot cite a reason not to; but I do not advise doing so for the following reasons. Its not going to be uniformly nickel plated in the areas that stretch a lot. May likely look splotched or mottled in appearance in these areas. Manufacturers sometimes nickel plate brass that is just under minimum material condition (aka under-size or under thickness) to bring it into minimum specifications and not have to scrap it. This is not to say that such is the situation with all nickel plated cartridge cases; but I observed such to be the case with some commercial major maker 9x19 about 20 years ago. Bottom line is that the brass may be more likely to fracture in the fire forming operation, and/or be less durable after being formed. Hope this helps. Last edited by Hammerslagger; 04-21-2012 at 10:53 PM.. Reason: missing word

04-22-2012, 07:38 AM	#3
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,407	Re: Fireforming Nickle Plated Brass? Anneal it and do it steve. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!