Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. - The Firearms Forum

Texxut · 10-17-2012, 09:14 AM

I was given several hundred .357 mag cases. These are nickeled and show striations as if sized in a dirty steel sizer die. I use carbide dies. Are these cases useable or will they damage my carbide sizer die?

Appliancedude · 10-17-2012, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texxut

I was given several hundred .357 mag cases. These are nickeled and show striations as if sized in a dirty steel sizer die. I use carbide dies. Are these cases useable or will they damage my carbide sizer die?

Have you cleaned them yet? Does your fingernail catch on the striations? How deep are they?

Alpo · 10-17-2012, 10:43 AM

They won't hurt your die.

If they are not deep enough that they went through the nickel, so that the brass is showing, I'd go ahead and reload them. Matter of fact, I've had many cases such as you describe, and have loaded them with no problem.

If you're really worried, load 'em to 38 Special pressures. Cast bullet with the minimum powder charge listed for 357.

aa1911 · 10-17-2012, 10:48 AM

they're completely unsafe, send them to me for 'disposal', hahaa!

Load 'em up and blast away

76Highboy · 10-17-2012, 10:49 AM

Actually if you have brass in that condition it takes a special resizing die to get the job done. It would be best to send them to me cause I have that 'Special die."

Well OK, what Alpo said works.

ozo · 10-17-2012, 10:54 AM

Tumble them in white rice first
then re-inspect them.
They cannot hurt your carbide die....
unless they are impregnated with diamonds, or....

Texxut · 10-17-2012, 11:19 AM

I just tossed them in the tumbler, and will look at them again in a couple of hours.

I can't catch my fingernail on them, but I can feel them. Not through to the brass.

You guys with those special dies, are really lucky! I'll have to keep my eyes open so I can use some of that defective brass, bullets and powder I've been giving away. ;-)

Thanks for all the responses.

soundguy · 10-17-2012, 12:56 PM

I think they'd be fine, though I generally don't TRY to find plated brass. if it was a gimmie.. I'd use it. if i found one that REALLY bothered me.. since it was free.. I'd toss it.

LDJ · 10-19-2012, 11:11 AM

When I load 9mm using nickel plated brass it feels like the bullet pushes in harder ,(more resistance) than when loading brass.

Would the brass have more mechanical slickness than nickel?
Would there be less friction with brass ?

myfriendis410 · 10-19-2012, 04:33 PM

What you didn't notice is the nickeled brass is somewhat easier to resize due to the nickel. I would guess the brass is somewhat work-hardened along with the slightly increased rigidity of the nickeled brass which makes it more springy. When you bell the case mouth it springs back a bit making the bullet fit more tightly.

I actually prefer nickel brass--in bottlenecked cases it's a joy to resize. Annealing can sometimes be a problem 'though.

soundguy · 10-19-2012, 04:53 PM

nickle have more internal lube properties than brass?

10-17-2012, 09:14 AM	#1
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 264	Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. I was given several hundred .357 mag cases. These are nickeled and show striations as if sized in a dirty steel sizer die. I use carbide dies. Are these cases useable or will they damage my carbide sizer die? -->

10-17-2012, 10:43 AM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,664	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. They won't hurt your die. If they are not deep enough that they went through the nickel, so that the brass is showing, I'd go ahead and reload them. Matter of fact, I've had many cases such as you describe, and have loaded them with no problem. If you're really worried, load 'em to 38 Special pressures. Cast bullet with the minimum powder charge listed for 357. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-17-2012, 10:48 AM	#4
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. they're completely unsafe, send them to me for 'disposal', hahaa! Load 'em up and blast away __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

10-17-2012, 10:49 AM	#5
76Highboy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Meridian, Idaho Contributor Posts: 6,969	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. Actually if you have brass in that condition it takes a special resizing die to get the job done. It would be best to send them to me cause I have that 'Special die." Well OK, what Alpo said works.

10-17-2012, 10:54 AM	#6
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. Tumble them in white rice first then re-inspect them. They cannot hurt your carbide die.... unless they are impregnated with diamonds, or.... __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

10-17-2012, 11:19 AM	#7
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 264	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. I just tossed them in the tumbler, and will look at them again in a couple of hours. I can't catch my fingernail on them, but I can feel them. Not through to the brass. You guys with those special dies, are really lucky! I'll have to keep my eyes open so I can use some of that defective brass, bullets and powder I've been giving away. ;-) Thanks for all the responses.

10-17-2012, 12:56 PM	#8
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,466	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. I think they'd be fine, though I generally don't TRY to find plated brass. if it was a gimmie.. I'd use it. if i found one that REALLY bothered me.. since it was free.. I'd toss it.

10-19-2012, 11:11 AM	#9
LDJ V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oklahoma. USA Posts: 78	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. When I load 9mm using nickel plated brass it feels like the bullet pushes in harder ,(more resistance) than when loading brass. Would the brass have more mechanical slickness than nickel? Would there be less friction with brass ?

10-19-2012, 04:33 PM	#10
myfriendis410 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Lompoc California Posts: 543	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. What you didn't notice is the nickeled brass is somewhat easier to resize due to the nickel. I would guess the brass is somewhat work-hardened along with the slightly increased rigidity of the nickeled brass which makes it more springy. When you bell the case mouth it springs back a bit making the bullet fit more tightly. I actually prefer nickel brass--in bottlenecked cases it's a joy to resize. Annealing can sometimes be a problem 'though. __________________ Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun.....

10-19-2012, 04:53 PM	#11
soundguy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: florida Contributor Posts: 4,466	Re: Nickeled brass, load it or chuck it. nickle have more internal lube properties than brass?