Necking down nickeled brass

Doug444 · February 15, 2001, 10:17 AM

I've got a 7-30 Waters barrel for my Contender and want to reload with nickeled brass. Midway wants $56/100 for Federal nickeled 7-30's, but only half that for Remington nickeled .30-30 brass. Since the .30-30 is the parent for the 7-30, I figure that's a good way to go to accomplish my goal, but I don't have any experience with necking-down or fire-forming nickeled brass. Since the nickel plate is harder than brass, would this create any issues? Or am I making a mountain out of a mole-hill here (it's only plating, right?), 'cause that's how the nickeled 7-30's are made in the first place? Anyone with any experience with necking-down nickeled brass? Thoughts and comments welcome.

Doug444

Contender · February 15, 2001, 10:33 AM

Although I've not tried it, I'd tend to think it might crack from the neck being squeezed down to another diameter. Maybe it would be OK for your application due to the fact that you are only going from 30 to 7 mm. That nickel has to go someplace when it is formed down though. Maybe you would have problems if it were a more drastic reduction in caliber.

Anybody else try this?

handgunhunting · February 15, 2001, 11:49 AM

I neck down 444 marlin nickle brass to .375 toform my 375 jdj and i have not had any trouble with the nickle comming off

Doug444 · February 15, 2001, 12:35 PM

Thanks for the replies. Another board cautioned against it, so I thought I'd get a 2nd opinion. Maybe I'll just get 20 nickeled cases and try 'em out and specifically look for the nickel plating falling off.

handgunhunting - I use the nickeled cases in my .444, and I really like the look. Plus, they're easier to find in the woods!

Thanks!

Doug444

WalterGAII · February 15, 2001, 01:19 PM

If you want your cases to last longer and shoot more accurately, don't use nickel. However, if you just like "the look", then have at it.

February 15, 2001, 10:17 AM	#1
Doug444 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Draper, UT Posts: 257	I've got a 7-30 Waters barrel for my Contender and want to reload with nickeled brass. Midway wants $56/100 for Federal nickeled 7-30's, but only half that for Remington nickeled .30-30 brass. Since the .30-30 is the parent for the 7-30, I figure that's a good way to go to accomplish my goal, but I don't have any experience with necking-down or fire-forming nickeled brass. Since the nickel plate is harder than brass, would this create any issues? Or am I making a mountain out of a mole-hill here (it's only plating, right?), 'cause that's how the nickeled 7-30's are made in the first place? Anyone with any experience with necking-down nickeled brass? Thoughts and comments welcome. Doug444

February 15, 2001, 10:33 AM	#2
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	Although I've not tried it, I'd tend to think it might crack from the neck being squeezed down to another diameter. Maybe it would be OK for your application due to the fact that you are only going from 30 to 7 mm. That nickel has to go someplace when it is formed down though. Maybe you would have problems if it were a more drastic reduction in caliber. Anybody else try this?

February 15, 2001, 11:49 AM	#3
handgunhunting Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 267	I neck down 444 marlin nickle brass to .375 toform my 375 jdj and i have not had any trouble with the nickle comming off

February 15, 2001, 12:35 PM	#4
Doug444 Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2001 Location: Draper, UT Posts: 257	Thanks for the replies. Another board cautioned against it, so I thought I'd get a 2nd opinion. Maybe I'll just get 20 nickeled cases and try 'em out and specifically look for the nickel plating falling off. handgunhunting - I use the nickeled cases in my .444, and I really like the look. Plus, they're easier to find in the woods! Thanks! Doug444

February 15, 2001, 01:19 PM	#5
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	If you want your cases to last longer and shoot more accurately, don't use nickel. However, if you just like "the look", then have at it.