nickel plated brass or not

[Wink]

I just started reloading within the last year. I have been reloading rifle rounds only until I recently ran out of most of my pistol ammo. I am going to be reloading a number of different calibers. I have noticed that allot of my bigger caliber factory rounds (.44 mag - .454 casual etc ) are nickel plated. Not only higher cal. hunting loads, but most personal defense loads are also. My question is - What is the benefit to nickel plated brass. Or is ther a benefit at all. I assume it would make the brass a little harder. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

[rksimple]

The plating will flake and come off after time. They never seem to last as long. Always end up getting split necks...

[JeffM]

Google fu:

http://shootersforum.com/printthread.htm?t=9995&pp=15

[lbdrummer3]

I couldn't get my AR to fully chamber into battery with it. I didn't mic the brass so I don't know of it was out of spec either. In bolt guns and revolvers I've had no problems.

[ar15barrels]

Nickel plated brass is also harder to size.
I believe the main reason for nickel plated brass in defensive handgun ammo has to do with the cases not corroding from handling or being stored in cartridge loops in a leather belt.
Secondary reasoning for nickel is that it looks more expensive which helps justify the higher prices of premium grade ammo.

[anyracoon]

When I load for my semi-autos & wheel guns I use the nickel plated shells for heavier bullet loads. That way I know that I'm shooting say a 147 gr versus a 124 gr bullet in my 9mm, 155gr versus a 180 gr in my 40, or 180 gr versus 200 gr in the 10mm. When they start to flake or split recycle time.

[Ugly Dwarf]

I usually choose nickel brass for my .300 wby, as it helps me know which pieces are mine (I have two brothers who also shoot this cartridge). Since the brass is relatively expensive and uncommon to find on the ground at the range, I like to keep track of what I've got.

Oh, and as Randall said... it looks pretty.

I did have some problems with crushed shoulders a while back, but found a very light chamfer on the inside of the neck prior to seating the bullet resolved that (not sure if it was due to the nickel brass, but that was rarely a problem with any of my 'normal' brass).

I ended up with a bunch of nickel 9mm brass in a bulk purchase I made years ago. It doesn't seem to work any better (worse).

[Wink]

Thank you all very much. I will go with the standard brass, since i do not care about how it looks as long as it works.