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**Mike Irwin** · February 21, 2007, 11:45 AM

Generally nickle-plated brass will fail before all brass because nickle and brass "work" at different rates.

Simply put, that means that one is harder than the other, and when the round is shot or resized, the stress levels that the two materials undergo are vastly different.

Generally what kills nickled brass a LOT faster is flaring the case mouth and then crimping the case. That's probably because the raw edge at the mouth of the round is a natural place for faults to start.

If you keep flaring and crimping to a minimum you get a lot longer life out of nickle plated brass. You'll also get a lot longer life out of straight brass cases by reducing the amount of flaring and crimping.

February 21, 2007, 11:45 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Generally nickle-plated brass will fail before all brass because nickle and brass "work" at different rates. Simply put, that means that one is harder than the other, and when the round is shot or resized, the stress levels that the two materials undergo are vastly different. Generally what kills nickled brass a LOT faster is flaring the case mouth and then crimping the case. That's probably because the raw edge at the mouth of the round is a natural place for faults to start. If you keep flaring and crimping to a minimum you get a lot longer life out of nickle plated brass. You'll also get a lot longer life out of straight brass cases by reducing the amount of flaring and crimping. __________________ "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.