Federal Nickel Cases

bmitch300wby · March 11, 2012, 08:26 PM

Hello all, I am working up a load for a friend of mine who shoots a Rem 700 in 300win. He prefers 180 Nosler Partition. I worked up several different loads using the partition and different powders and 3 different cases. One case was a Federal brass case which chambered and fired fine. The second 3 were loaded with Winchester Nickel cases with IMR7828 which shot great (sub MOA). The last 3 were loaded with RL22 in Federal Nickel cases. The Federal Nickel cases would not chamber in his Rem700. They would just stop 1/2-3/4 the way into the chamber and had to be pushed out with a cleaning rod. All the cases were full-length sized at the same time, all trimmed to the same length, at the same time and all were set at the same COL. He shoots Federal Premium factory ammo, which were the once-fired cases I sized, trimmed and reloaded.

Has anyone else had similar problems with the Federal Nickel cases? I weighed the Winchester and the Federal cases and the Federal case was 7-8 grains heavier. Which tells me its a thicker case. Should I have neck sized them only?

I've loaded Federal nickel cases in 308 for my AR10 and have had no chambering problems,which is understandable.

Any help and advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

Wyoredman · March 11, 2012, 09:24 PM

I have had the same problem with Winchester nickle cases in my .270 wsm. I had to adjust the die another 1/4 to 1/2 turn closer to the shell holder. There was quite a caming effect! I asume the nickle coating is not allowing the brass to fully resize without the extra force applied by turning the die down a bit extra.

Try adjusting the die bit by bit and testing the case in the rifle. If it doesn't fit, adjust some more, test, repeat until the case fits.

I finally quit reloading nickle cases and stick to staight brass, now.

bmitch300wby · March 11, 2012, 10:56 PM

Thank you for the tip. My die is pretty close to the bottom but I will try to move it down more. If I don't get the results I want, I will do as you did and forget loading nickel plated cases.

MOshooter65202 · March 13, 2012, 01:02 PM

That's odd I've been loading nickel Federal brass for 20 years and have never run into that in any of my 700 Rems?

William T. Watts · March 13, 2012, 01:29 PM

Not all chambers are cut with the same reamer to the same depth, they are all different, don't compare nickle to brass cases, nor all reloading dies! I have had the same experience between different head stamp cases.. This is a classic reason for not mixing cases when loading, one or the other.. William

March 11, 2012, 08:26 PM	#1
bmitch300wby Member Join Date: September 3, 2007 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 26	Federal Nickel Cases Hello all, I am working up a load for a friend of mine who shoots a Rem 700 in 300win. He prefers 180 Nosler Partition. I worked up several different loads using the partition and different powders and 3 different cases. One case was a Federal brass case which chambered and fired fine. The second 3 were loaded with Winchester Nickel cases with IMR7828 which shot great (sub MOA). The last 3 were loaded with RL22 in Federal Nickel cases. The Federal Nickel cases would not chamber in his Rem700. They would just stop 1/2-3/4 the way into the chamber and had to be pushed out with a cleaning rod. All the cases were full-length sized at the same time, all trimmed to the same length, at the same time and all were set at the same COL. He shoots Federal Premium factory ammo, which were the once-fired cases I sized, trimmed and reloaded. Has anyone else had similar problems with the Federal Nickel cases? I weighed the Winchester and the Federal cases and the Federal case was 7-8 grains heavier. Which tells me its a thicker case. Should I have neck sized them only? I've loaded Federal nickel cases in 308 for my AR10 and have had no chambering problems,which is understandable. Any help and advice would be appreciated. Thank you. __________________ "Every man dies, not every man really lives"

March 11, 2012, 09:24 PM	#2
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,350	I have had the same problem with Winchester nickle cases in my .270 wsm. I had to adjust the die another 1/4 to 1/2 turn closer to the shell holder. There was quite a caming effect! I asume the nickle coating is not allowing the brass to fully resize without the extra force applied by turning the die down a bit extra. Try adjusting the die bit by bit and testing the case in the rifle. If it doesn't fit, adjust some more, test, repeat until the case fits. I finally quit reloading nickle cases and stick to staight brass, now. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

March 11, 2012, 10:56 PM	#3
bmitch300wby Member Join Date: September 3, 2007 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 26	Thank you for the tip. My die is pretty close to the bottom but I will try to move it down more. If I don't get the results I want, I will do as you did and forget loading nickel plated cases. __________________ "Every man dies, not every man really lives"

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March 13, 2012, 01:02 PM	#4
MOshooter65202 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2011 Posts: 471	That's odd I've been loading nickel Federal brass for 20 years and have never run into that in any of my 700 Rems?

March 13, 2012, 01:29 PM	#5
William T. Watts Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2010 Location: Central Arkansas Posts: 1,074	Not all chambers are cut with the same reamer to the same depth, they are all different, don't compare nickle to brass cases, nor all reloading dies! I have had the same experience between different head stamp cases.. This is a classic reason for not mixing cases when loading, one or the other.. William