Silver Colored Brass

branrot · August 20, 2001, 05:16 PM

After sorting the brass I picked up at the range, I found some that were obviously not brass, but bright silver in color (bright silver, not the dull silver aluminum Blazer stuff). Most of them were .357 and 10mm. What type of metal is this? Is it good to reload? Do you reload it the same way you'd reload brass colored brass? Thanks again for your help.

**Mal H** · August 20, 2001, 05:23 PM

That's nickel plated brass. The answer is yes to your other two questions. But be aware that it is a little harder on your dies than unplated brass. Although I haven't heard of anyone actually wearing out a die set using it, so that may be an OWT.

Wayward · August 20, 2001, 05:25 PM

Nickel plated brass. Some say that the nickel can flake and scratch your dies. This seems to be more a problem with steel dies than carbide ones.

**Mike Irwin** · August 20, 2001, 09:46 PM

Also be aware that you won't get as many reloads out of nickle-plated brass as just regular brass.

The two metals works at different rates, and a lot of stress builds up as they are shot and resized, leading to cracking.

I've always figured on between 5 and 10 fewer loadings, depending on the brass.

August 22, 2001, 04:24 AM

I am not reloading yet, but I come here to try to pick up pointers for when I start (hopefully soon). I am real glad I saw this thread. I knew that nickel plated shells were reloadable, but I didn't know that they were less durable than plain old brass. If they are not as good as brass, why do so many premium companies use them? There are three things I can think of and these are just guesses so correct me if I am wrong...

1) The plating may make the shell more corrosion resistant and therefore more reliable for feeding and less apt to "rot out" and have a weak wall.

2) They may not stick in a chamber/cylinder as much because they are slicker, more corrosion resistant, and not as flexible.

3) They are pretty.

WESHOOT2 · August 22, 2001, 06:19 AM

1) corrosion resistance

2) increased lubricity for more reliable feed (autos) and/or easier extraction (both)

3) we'll go with 'pretty'

August 20, 2001, 05:16 PM	#1
branrot Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 1999 Location: Miami Beach, FL, USA Posts: 1,367	Silver Colored Brass After sorting the brass I picked up at the range, I found some that were obviously not brass, but bright silver in color (bright silver, not the dull silver aluminum Blazer stuff). Most of them were .357 and 10mm. What type of metal is this? Is it good to reload? Do you reload it the same way you'd reload brass colored brass? Thanks again for your help.

August 20, 2001, 09:46 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Also be aware that you won't get as many reloads out of nickle-plated brass as just regular brass. The two metals works at different rates, and a lot of stress builds up as they are shot and resized, leading to cracking. I've always figured on between 5 and 10 fewer loadings, depending on the brass. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 22, 2001, 06:19 AM	#6
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Nickel Cases 1) corrosion resistance 2) increased lubricity for more reliable feed (autos) and/or easier extraction (both) 3) we'll go with 'pretty' __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 20, 2001, 05:23 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	That's nickel plated brass. The answer is yes to your other two questions. But be aware that it is a little harder on your dies than unplated brass. Although I haven't heard of anyone actually wearing out a die set using it, so that may be an OWT.

August 20, 2001, 05:25 PM	#3
Wayward Member Join Date: November 18, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 79	Nickel plated brass. Some say that the nickel can flake and scratch your dies. This seems to be more a problem with steel dies than carbide ones.

August 22, 2001, 04:24 AM	#5
PreserveFreedom Guest Posts: n/a	I am not reloading yet, but I come here to try to pick up pointers for when I start (hopefully soon). I am real glad I saw this thread. I knew that nickel plated shells were reloadable, but I didn't know that they were less durable than plain old brass. If they are not as good as brass, why do so many premium companies use them? There are three things I can think of and these are just guesses so correct me if I am wrong... 1) The plating may make the shell more corrosion resistant and therefore more reliable for feeding and less apt to "rot out" and have a weak wall. 2) They may not stick in a chamber/cylinder as much because they are slicker, more corrosion resistant, and not as flexible. 3) They are pretty.