Nickle cases

[aarolar]

Any one ever had an issues with nickle casings being thicker than brass and not fitting in the throats of a cylinder with a boolit? I wanted to use nickel to denote my full magnum loads from lighter loads but can't get them to fit the cylinders.

[dmclark523]

No issues here with nickle casings. Right now im currently loading a batch for my Blackhawk that have already been fired 7 times. No splits, seperations, or pressure signs.
They always fit right into the cylinder nicely. What kind of boolit are you using?

[aarolar]

Lee 158gn RNFP sized properly to fit the bore, using the brass Remington brass I am getting no leading and good accuracy.

[Wheeljack]

I guess you're talking 9mm. The nickle shells I have measure the same as the brass, maybe less, depending on brand I guess. Do you mean you resized the shell in the resizing die and they still don't fit in the chamber or after loading? Just what size are your bullets?

[aarolar]

357 mag I pulled the mic out here's the numbers

my boolit mics .3585
Factory ammo mics .3757 just below the crimp
Brass R.P. case with my boolit is .3768 below the crimp
Nickel Winchester case with my boolit is .3797 below the crimp

That puts the case thickness on the brass case at .0091 and .0106 thick on the nickle for a difference of .0015. The ol starret don't lie unless I miss read the dial.

[1fast8]

I just loaded some 38spl and did not separate nickel and brass all loaded fine and shot fine

[aarolar]

I have done the same thing with specials in the past myself but this brass is clearly healthier than average.

[Sasquatch-1]

I load a lot of nickel 38 spl. I have about 800 to 900 pieces that I have been reloading for a long time. The only time I have had a problem with chambering is when I over crimped a bunch 1 time. Since then I am much more diligent about the crimp. I fire my .38 in both a .357 Blackhawk and a Mod. 10 S&W. I have also fired it in several other guns belonging to others at the range with no problem.

[troyboy]

Might look at the crimp. I had the same issue and that solved the problem.

[fecmech]

Winchester nickel .357 mag cases are the thickest .357 cases out there and I believe Remington are about the thinnest.
I cannot chamber .359 bullets in Winchester cases in my lever guns but can do it with any other brand of case. Just my observation.

[Dan Cash]

I use nickle .37 brass for .38-44 loads and the regular brass cases for normal .38 special ammo. Also use nickle .222 brass to differentiate between them and .223. No problems with rifle or pistol; both seem to have about the same loading life.

[mold maker]

The only dif I ever encountered with Nic verses brass was with full house loads the Nic work hardened sooner yielding less life before splitting. I did full length size because they were fired in several revolvers.

[376Steyr]

Nickle plating is a pretty thin coating. The wall thickness of the brass case can vary from maker to maker, and from lot to lot. When I load .359" bullets in mixed 38 Special brass, I'll have nickle cases that will drop into the chambers, and import and GI brass that need to be pressed home.

[rockrat]

Yep, some of my nickle cases measure a bit thicker on the neck, compared to standard brass cases

[Finster101]

I like them. They make getting your brass back after a range shoot much easier. If anyone wants to sell 9mm or .45 acp nickel shoot me a pm. I could maybe trade brass for them too depending on how many.

[felix]

Yep, everyone is correct here. It's the thickness of the brass before coating. I keep thin brass and thick brass in different buckets, and usually without brand notification. I pay strict attention to seating force to separate the cases. The worst offenders are the 45ACP cases, and, like Fecmech says the WW cases are almost too thick in their 357 llne for close fitting chambers. Way back when, Hornady cases are too fat for some 44 maggies. Fat cases are just the ticket, however, for hot load condoms. ... felix

[TXBRILL]

Personally I have always preferred nickel, they are easier to find, stay clean longer, and although I can not prove it they seem to last longer, I don't know why so many people dislike it.

[Rex]

I load a mixture of nickel and brass and, yes, when I have a tight round in the cylinder it is always nickel.

[stinjie]

The nickel Magtech cases I've been reloading fit the cylinder better,and,the fired cases eject easier than brass reloads.They don't need to be tumbled to clean,they just get wiped off,another bonus.