Plated or non plated brass

[Nick1236]

I just purchased my first press on friday and I'm getting together my materials to start reloading.

I have a question though. When ordering brass, is it better to get the nickel plated stuff or the standard brass case? There is no price difference from the website I would be ordering from, just curious.

What is the advantage/disadvantage of either?

Thanks,
Nick

btw the cailber is .45 ACP

[CSACANNONEER]

None plated will last longer but, sometimes I use nickle plated to distingish between loads or just because I have it.

[bohoki]

i dont like the nickel as it makes the whole batch of reloads look cheap having nickel sprinkled in

also i have noticed nickel flake off also get really thin i prefer my brass to be yellow

[Southpaw45]

Nickel advantage..
Might not have to tumble them every time if using clean burning powder and a stiff load.
Wont turn green if left in leather gun belt loops.
Easier to spot if lying in the dirt.
Wont tarnish. Most premium defence ammo is loaded with nickel cases.

Nickel disadvantage..
Brass tends to split sooner when loaded multiple times compared to standard brass.
When reloaded allot, nickel will wear off leaving you a brass case anyways.
It takes a little more effort to resize them.

[Nick1236]

I went ahead and just ordered the regulat brass. they were out of the nickel plated stuff anyways.

[Bill Steele]

At a range a while back I ran into a guy that told me he didn't reload nickel plated brass as it wore out his sizing die.

My experience is it seems to slide a little easier through my carbide resizing die than brass (less drag, I use no lube with my carbide die), so I am a little skeptical of this concern.

[tujungatoes]

+1 for "brass" casings. although really, unless you're uber vigilant you'll probably lose most of them before they fail.(I do)

What kind of press did you get nick?

[Abenaki]

I only use plated brass if it is free. I will use it, but don't like it.

It will not last as long.....and can chip or flake off, and get stuck in a die. I refuse to use plated rifle brass because of this.

Take care
Abenaki

[Nick1236]

+1 for "brass" casings. although really, unless you're uber vigilant you'll probably lose most of them before they fail.(I do)

What kind of press did you get nick?

I ended up getting the Lee deluxe 4 position turret die w/ auto index. Aimsmall says he has a friend who love this press. it should be here next week sometime.

as well as my .45 ACP dies and reloading components

[AIMSMALL]

I like the Nickel plated brass because it looks cool. I also like that I can pick up my brass easier at the range and not have to worry about picking up someone elses brass. I have not had any problems that have been mentioned in this thread regarding flaking premature wear or any other problems.

Another reason I use the Nickel is because my friend get all the police range brass from his departments range and thats what they use mostly.

[Fishslayer]

I ended up getting the Lee deluxe 4 position turret die w/ auto index. Aimsmall says he has a friend who love this press. it should be here next week sometime.

as well as my .45 ACP dies and reloading components

I have the Classic Turret & like it a lot.

I save the nickel for HD/zombie loads. No corrosion/tarnish.

Hope ya don't have any delusions about saving money. Yer gonna eat up any savings by shooting more.

I get my .45ACP brass here. Used works fine & WAY cheaper than new. Of course, scrounging free stuff = mo' bettah!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=18

[Nick1236]

I have the Classic Turret & like it a lot.

I save the nickel for HD/zombie loads. No corrosion/tarnish.

Hope ya don't have any delusions about saving money. Yer gonna eat up any savings by shooting more.

I get my .45ACP brass here. Used works fine & WAY cheaper than new. Of course, scrounging free stuff = mo' bettah!

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=18

Yeah I worked out the cost for reloading 1000 rnds and it comes to about .40 cents a round. Factory sells for about .34 cents a round. I can probably make them cheaper if I can buy bulk stuff. Theres a gun show in February, i'll stock up then.

[AIMSMALL]

Can you show your math please mines cheaper...

[Nick1236]

Can you show your math please mines cheaper...

I know yours is cheaper. But you know where to buy stuff cheaper. From the prices I found, it would cost me .40 cents a round if I reloaded 1000.

I know I can make them cheaper, I just have to be "cheap ***" like you

[AIMSMALL]

I was more wondering what you factored into your equation.
For my math I just do powder, primer and bullet.

When I add a new caliber I factor in the costs for new dies, shell plates, case gauge and any other equipment plus brass to get a total for my first thousand rounds, after that I just factor, powder, primer and bullets.