Accurate life of nickel-plated brass?

[Woofie]

I have a few hundred nickel plated FC 300WM cases that are unfired and primed. I purchased them a few years ago as demanned and have used some over time with success. This was before I started annealing cases.
I assume that one cannot successfully anneal plated cases due the different properties of the plating and the underlying brass case. That said, what sort of accurate reloading life is it reasonable to accept? Three reloads strikes me as a gimme, maybe push to five but not much more. What's the group opinion?
Should say these are loaded with Nosler 210 RDFs, HBN coated over 78.0 grains of Magpro to an OAL of 3.588" for single loading. This has proven to be an accurate LR load for me.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Many years ago I reloaded some nickle plated 223 brass 10 times before the necks started to split. I have annealed the necks on some with no problems, used my Girard and set it up with brass cases to get the temp the way I wanted it. I am sure some will say don't do it.

 

[piie]

The fact that AMP has specific modes for nickel plated brass on some calibers would lead me to think that annealing is definitely not something that cannot or should not be done on them.

 

[bozo699]

Woofie,
Personally I hate nickel plated brass for rifle cases and have been in some heated debates over the years on here about it!…. However that’s nothing to do with your question, I have a 22-250 AI that at the time of building it ( Obammy administration) I could only find Remington Nickel brass, I have annealed it many times with no issues.
good luck
Wayne

 

[46and2]

I have a few hundred nickel plated FC 300WM cases that are unfired and primed. I purchased them a few years ago as demanned and have used some over time with success. This was before I started annealing cases.
I assume that one cannot successfully anneal plated cases due the different properties of the plating and the underlying brass case. That said, what sort of accurate reloading life is it reasonable to accept? Three reloads strikes me as a gimme, maybe push to five but not much more. What's the group opinion?
Should say these are loaded with Nosler 210 RDFs, HBN coated over 78.0 grains of Magpro to an OAL of 3.588" for single loading. This has proven to be an accurate LR load for me.

I'm unable to answer this question because I only loaded 40 FC 300wm cases. The trimming was very hard, almost impossible on my trimmer. I will not load them ever again!

 

[JEFFPPC]

Nickel cases for my hunting rifle are fired new as bought one time, then discarded. Can ruin trimmers and dies.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I shoot nothing but nickel brass in my Lilja barreled 17 rem, custom reamer from same brass. No issues with any aspect of loading.

 

[bozo699]

Nickel cases for my hunting rifle are fired new as bought one time, then discarded. Can ruin trimmers and dies.

Amen brother!…..
Wayne

 

[JEFFPPC]

The only way it works is no trimming and neck size only. I use to do this for running deer matches. When they grew long and tight I would toss them.

 

[ParallaxFree]

I have a few hundred nickel plated FC 300WM cases that are unfired and primed. I purchased them a few years ago as demanned and have used some over time with success. This was before I started annealing cases.
I assume that one cannot successfully anneal plated cases due the different properties of the plating and the underlying brass case. That said, what sort of accurate reloading life is it reasonable to accept? Three reloads strikes me as a gimme, maybe push to five but not much more. What's the group opinion?
Should say these are loaded with Nosler 210 RDFs, HBN coated over 78.0 grains of Magpro to an OAL of 3.588" for single loading. This has proven to be an accurate LR load for me.

300 unfired nickel plated cases is a nice asset in these times. I recommend picking up a Lee collet die, which is going to greatly extend case life and minimize extra procedures that are more inconvenient with nickel plating. By the time you work your way through all 300 just squeezing the nick against a mandrel, occasionally bumping the shoulder when you feel a little stiffness closing the bolt, you'll probably be contemplating a new barrel.....

 

[searcher]

I have run a bunch of nickel plated .223 brass in my A/R's and even more Federal Match .308 nickel brass (long discontinued) through my M1-A. I have had no issues with it harming dies, though it theoretically would cause additional wear. I keep my brass clean and well lubed - so no issues. Nice and slippery for feeding in semi-autos.

 

[bozo699]

300 unfired nickel plated cases is a nice asset in these times. I recommend picking up a Lee collet die, which is going to greatly extend case life and minimize extra procedures that are more inconvenient with nickel plating. By the time you work your way through all 300 just squeezing the nick against a mandrel, occasionally bumping the shoulder when you feel a little stiffness closing the bolt, you'll probably be contemplating a new barrel.....

Every time I see someone mentioning neck sizing I can’t help but laugh and think of this video
Wayne

 

[CaptainMal]

Been annealing, trimming and using 270 Win nickel brass for decades. No issues. Some of that brass has been through the full cycle 5 or more times.

Started using some 223 nickel brass for my 77 gr. loads in an AR target rifle. Same thing. I have annealed, trimmed and loaded maybe just twice with no issues.