nickel casings and reloading - Page 2

UncleLoodis · September 6, 2012, 03:24 PM

I've used nickle .357 cases in my Dillon 650 and they don't seem to go through the sizing die as smoothly as brass. I've had more of them split at the mouth than with brass cases. Just my two cents worth....

U.L.

kron · September 7, 2012, 09:11 PM

Been shooting the same 1k nickel 357 mag cases for 30 years now. Dad got them from a game warden that used to get them new from his department and saved the brass.

Probably loaded them 20-30 times so far. Finally getting splits lengthswise along the casing. Maybe 10% splitting now. These have been full house loads all along.

I too mix em up and shoot em. At least in the Python.

mxjunky78 · September 7, 2012, 11:43 PM

In my experience with the nickel cases they seem to split at the neck a lot quicker than yellow brass.

pete2 · September 8, 2012, 09:51 AM

I've loaded a lot of .38 and .357 nickle cases without problems except it does split, doesn't last as long as unplated brass. I taper crimp .45 ACP, it galls and then my taper crimp die scratches the cases. I quit using nickle .45 cases. I have both Lyman and Redding taper crimp dies, both will pick up nickle and then scratch until the nickle is removed.

mxjunky78 · September 8, 2012, 01:04 PM

I have the same problem with my .40 nickel. When sizing them the nickel plating comes off.

WESHOOT2 · September 9, 2012, 08:38 AM

Case life is affected by load, chamber, process, tooling, and manufacturer.

I'm still reloading nickeled 357 Magnum cases I bought in 1976.
Used.

jimbob86 · September 9, 2012, 08:47 AM

Quote:

I'm still reloading nickeled 357 Magnum cases I bought in 1976.
Used.

For nigh 50 YEARS? How many firings is that?

I'll take a WAG and say you are not loading to .357 levels, not putting a roll crimp (or any crimp!) and/or not shooting them very much.

If you are going to make poofter loads, why even mention that they are in .357 Mag?

As for old cases, I have some from the 1980's ..... though they have been gathering dust for the last decade..... still servicable, and likely to stay that way, what with that protective covering of dust.......

WESHOOT2 · September 9, 2012, 09:01 AM

I never use used brass for hotter loads; all hotter loads get made in new sized cases only.

Redding Profile Crimp Die, firm; since 1993.
Most of my 357 Magnum loads make Major (since that's what most are used for. Pair of 4" GP100s, one 7.5" Redhawk).
Bullet weights range from 110g JHP up to 180g JHP, although the majority of 'making Major' ammo uses a 158g LRN or 151g TCJ-RN.

Poofers get put up in 38 Special cases. Mostly nickeled. Mostly training ammo. Same firm Redding crimp, though

Nosparetime · September 11, 2012, 12:42 AM

Just loaded 1000rds of 38 Special. 500 in brass cases and 500 in nickel cases. 11 small mouth splits in the nickel. None in Brass.

Will I still use Nickel? You Bet!!

Some of them had been loaded so many times the nickel was wearing off.

Loren

September 6, 2012, 03:24 PM	#26
UncleLoodis Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 160	hmmm I've used nickle .357 cases in my Dillon 650 and they don't seem to go through the sizing die as smoothly as brass. I've had more of them split at the mouth than with brass cases. Just my two cents worth.... U.L.

September 9, 2012, 08:38 AM	#31
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	cases of cases Case life is affected by load, chamber, process, tooling, and manufacturer. I'm still reloading nickeled 357 Magnum cases I bought in 1976. Used. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 9, 2012, 09:01 AM	#33
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	WAG = assumption? I never use used brass for hotter loads; all hotter loads get made in new sized cases only. Redding Profile Crimp Die, firm; since 1993. Most of my 357 Magnum loads make Major (since that's what most are used for. Pair of 4" GP100s, one 7.5" Redhawk). Bullet weights range from 110g JHP up to 180g JHP, although the majority of 'making Major' ammo uses a 158g LRN or 151g TCJ-RN. Poofers get put up in 38 Special cases. Mostly nickeled. Mostly training ammo. Same firm Redding crimp, though __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

September 7, 2012, 09:11 PM	#27
kron Member Join Date: November 9, 2008 Posts: 36	Been shooting the same 1k nickel 357 mag cases for 30 years now. Dad got them from a game warden that used to get them new from his department and saved the brass. Probably loaded them 20-30 times so far. Finally getting splits lengthswise along the casing. Maybe 10% splitting now. These have been full house loads all along. I too mix em up and shoot em. At least in the Python.

September 7, 2012, 11:43 PM	#28
mxjunky78 Member Join Date: August 2, 2012 Posts: 61	In my experience with the nickel cases they seem to split at the neck a lot quicker than yellow brass.

September 8, 2012, 09:51 AM	#29
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	I've loaded a lot of .38 and .357 nickle cases without problems except it does split, doesn't last as long as unplated brass. I taper crimp .45 ACP, it galls and then my taper crimp die scratches the cases. I quit using nickle .45 cases. I have both Lyman and Redding taper crimp dies, both will pick up nickle and then scratch until the nickle is removed.

September 8, 2012, 01:04 PM	#30
mxjunky78 Member Join Date: August 2, 2012 Posts: 61	I have the same problem with my .40 nickel. When sizing them the nickel plating comes off.

September 11, 2012, 12:42 AM	#34
Nosparetime Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 100	Just loaded 1000rds of 38 Special. 500 in brass cases and 500 in nickel cases. 11 small mouth splits in the nickel. None in Brass. Will I still use Nickel? You Bet!! Some of them had been loaded so many times the nickel was wearing off. Loren